Val d'Isère Resort Information

It was a major event, as the championships have not been hosted in France since 1962. It was an absolutely spectacular event with the men’s and women’s racecourses set facing each other, in accordance with the "Face to Face" concept (the daunting descent of “la Face” facing the more placid curves of “Solaise”).

Thousands attended this magical event which has made Vald’Isère even more prominent on the ski maps of the world!

In December 1961, Killy won his first international race, a giant slalom. It was a more than special achievement because the event took place in his home village of Val-d'Isere and because he had started 39th, a position that should have been a severe disadvantage. Jean-Claude was 18 then. He was the first World Cup Champion in 1967, winning 12 of 17 races to easily take the overall title. He also won the season titles in each of the three disciplines; he won all five of the downhill races and four of the five giant slalom races.

The following year, Killy won the Triple Crown of Alpine Skiing with a sweep of all three gold medals (downhill, giant slalom and slalom) at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. By finishing first in both the downhill and slalom, he also easily won the World Championship medal in the combined event.

With the Olympic events included (for the only time) in the World Cup standings, Killy succeeded in 1968 as the overall champion, placing first in the giant slalom and second in the downhill and slalom season standings. He retired following the 1968 season, and moved to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1969.

Today, thousands flock to the Espace Killy (Val d’Isère / Tignes) for their winter break, honoring the achievements of the great Jean-Claude Killy…