Val d'Isere Ski Resort, France

Overview of Val D'Isere

Val d'Isere skiing started life as the not-so-humble medieval hunting grounds of the Dukes de Savoie. The settlement dates back to 1553 - pretty impressive for a village that sits at 1850m above sea level and gets an average of 5m of snow per winter. Val d'Isère successfully reinvented itself as one of the world's finest ski resorts in time for the 1992 Albertville Olympics.

Ski Val d'Isere and you will find a village that is everything a skier could wish for - beautiful yet lively, with plenty of amazing places to eat, combined with some seriously impressive skiing. The resort oozes an old-fashioned aloofness and is certainly one of the four priciest in France. But whilst you may see plenty of posers and ski bling, Val d'Isere accommodation covers everything from 5* hotels to comfortable Val d'Isère chalets, plus more reasonable Val d'Isere ski apartments, especially if you are willing to stay in the satellite villages of La Daille, Le Laisanant or Le Fornet (which are all linked by frequent and free ski buses).

The 300kms of the Tignes-Val d’Isere ski area offers wide pistes, a hugely varied terrain and some of the best lift-served off piste in the world.

Snow conditions are invariably some of the best in Europe; the Piscaillas glacier, its links with Tignes and even higher skiing plus over 600 snow cannons guarantee excellent skiing throughout the winter – from early December right through April. The steep sides of the valley guarantee challenging skiing right on the doorstep and higher up in the sunshine you’ll find long greens and blues.

You’ll soon find out why this resort is on every skier’s bucket list.

3 Things We Love About Val d'Isere

1. Quality Ski Area –  Val d'Isère is part of the Tignes-Val d’Isere Ski Area. This provides you with access to the runs in Tignes as well as Val d'Isere. The combined ski area this gives you is huge and helps it rank among the best ski areas in the world.
2. World Class Après-ski – In terms of both on-mountain wining and dining, and after-hours partying in the village, Val d’Isere leads the way where apres-ski is concerned.
3. Heritage – The traditional architecture should be enough to let you know, that the resort has been here for centuries and the prestige has been building since the parish church was built in 1664.

Skiing and Boarding in Val D'Isere

Jean-Claude Killy, the man considered the father of elite French skiing in many circles, left a legacy behind him in the Esapace Killy (now called Tignes and Val d'Isere) which includes 300km of pistes and over 10,000 hectares of lift-served off-piste skiing terrain.

In the ski area of Tignes and Val d'Isere, there are 158 pistes: 22 green pistes, 61 blue pistes, 46 red pistes, and 25 black pistes. The Espace Killy is also renowned for having a vast amount of off-piste terrain so each year it attracts many advanced off-piste and freeride skiers.

In both Tignes and Val d'Isere, Skiworld offers the full area pass as part of the holiday package, which covers the entire Tignes-Val d'Isere ski area. The neighbouring areas are so well connected that even first-time beginners will benefit from having the option to cover the entirety of the ski area.

Beginner

• There is a nice selection of green nursery slopes to start out on in the centre of Val d'Isere: accessed from the Village chairlift or the Savonette drag lift.
• At the top of the Solaise bubble there is a magic carpet for beginners called Pim Pam, which means beginners can get up high on the mountain for their very first turns. They can then take the Solaise bubble back down so as not to have to ski the harder runs.
• Once confident on the nursery slopes, there are lots of nice rolling blues either in the Solaise area or Le Fornet (take the "up and over" lift Leissiers to explore both sides).
• The Glacier chairlift in the Solaise area also has a collection of nice blues coming down from it.
• Head up the Olympique bubble and head towards the Grande Pré chairlift which gives access to a lovely wide green and blue run which is a favourite amongst our Skiworld staff (not just great for beginners but for everyone). It's a bit of a sun trap at the top, with deckchairs here to soak in the great views.
• Also from the top of the Olympique bubble, find the "Ski Tranquille" zone down the green piste called La Verte which takes you to the bottom of the Marmottes chairlift. There is also the option of turning off this piste to have a go at the mini boarder cross featuring mini rollers, a tunnel to ski through, and some bells to ring at the end.

Intermediate

• The red runs which head down into La Daille can be a little challenging in icy conditions, but otherwise are really nice tree-lined runs. From these runs you can also access the Village Perdue, a section of the forest with tree houses and little tree features.
• From the top of the Olympique bubble, try piste Orange which heads down to La Daille. This is a racing piste, so is often quite icy but in good conditions it is great for speed and carving.
• In the Solaise area, take Piste L all the way down the mountain. This is a nice long red run that ends up at a hidden chairlift between the centre of Val d'Isere and le Fornet called Laisinant. From here, you can head up and the chair takes you over to Le Fornet.
• When it's open (it's often closed due to avalanche risk), the Santons red run down from the Olympique bubble is a natural half pipe, so can be really fun to play around in. If you're staying at our Skiworld chalets Charvet, Santons, Cascade, or Vallon, this run is best for getting back to the chalets at the end of the day.

Advanced and Off Piste

• The Face De Bellevarde which turns into Stade Olympique is an iconic black run which takes you from the top of the Olympique bubble down to Val d'Isere centre. This run, most commonly just referred to as "The face", is often either very icy or very moguly (or both) and in one section is also very steep. In good smooth conditions though it can be a beautiful run if you like speedy steep pistes.
• Also from the top of the Olympique bubble, the black run Épaule du Charvet is nearly always guaranteed to offer big moguls to get your knees working.
• For some off-piste tree runs, head to La Daille or Le Fornet (Le Fornet offering slightly steeper, more challenging tree skiing).
• For gentle off-piste, find beautiful powder fields just to the sides of the pistes in Fornet.
• In the middle section between Solaise and Le Fornet, the faces between red runs Germain Mattis and Piste L are also fun off piste areas, with powder fields turning into tree runs.
• In Solaise, find lots of off-piste potential from the top of the Madeleine chairlift down into the Manchet Valley.
• The Lost Valley: a classic off-piste run accessed from the bottom of the Tommeuses chairlift and heads down in the direction of La Daille. This route takes you between rocks, caves, and trees. Go slowly through the caves though as there is one section where, if there isn't enough snow, you have to take your skis off and use a rope to do a very short abseil down to the next section.

Park

• Val Park is located at the bottom of the Marmottes chairlift (take the drag lift to the top of the park from here). This snowpark has all levels of jumps as well as boxes and rails.
• For more park features, head to the Tignes park in Tignes Val Claret.
• Have a go on the border cross underneath the Grand Pré chairlift.
• The mini border cross in the Ski Tranquille zone down from the Marmottes chairlift can also be fun for all abilities.

Additional Tips

• There are lots of cross-country trails around the village of Val d'Isere, including one through the trees starting in La Daille.
• For snowboarders, be aware that there are quite a lot of flat sections on the blue pistes in Le Fornet.
• Find a nice sunny spot with great views at the top of the Grand Pré chairlift. There is also a big Val d'Isere sign here for you to get some good holiday pics!
• Head to the highest point in Val d'Isere, the Glacier du Pisaillas, where there is a nice selection of blue and red runs.
• Explore the Village Perdu in the trees down to La Daille, which is a collection of tree houses and wooden creations.
• Head over to Tignes to explore the full Espace Killy region.

When skiing or snowboarding in any un-patrolled / un-pisted area, you should always have the correct equipment and employ the services of a qualified mountain guide. Skiing or snowboarding off-piste can result in injury or death even with a professional mountain guide or instructor. Our partner ski schools in Val d'Isere, Evolution 2, New Generation, and Oxygene, offer off-piste lessons and guiding.

Activities in Val D'Isere

• Climbing wall - Located in the Centre Aquasportif and open from 10 am to 9 pm every day. Find 135m2 of climbing holds as you attempt to scale the 12m wall. Suitable for total beginners, experts and everyone in between. There are also outdoor climbing courses available.
• Swimming and gym - The Aquasportif centre in Val d'Isere is a great place to spend a day off the slopes. There is loads to do, with the swimming pools and gym being the main draw. The main pool merges seamlessly with integrated hot tubs and a river rapids section. With a 6-day full area lift pass you get two free entrances to the pool. You can also upgrade these free entries to give you access to the wellness centre.
• Spas - Depending on your requirements and budget, you can find pretty much any spa treatment in Val d'Isere. Here is a list of our recommended spas:
  • Avancher Hotel wellness area
  • Pure Spa, Tsantelina Hotel
  • Esthederm spa and institute, Hotel Avenue Lodge
  • Le Refuge de Solaise Spa
  • Spa Chalets Izia
• Shops and market - What would a trip to Val d'Isere be without a bit of retail therapy? There are shops and boutiques to suit all tastes, whether you're looking for something formal, sporty, ski-related or just a souvenir or two. Also, you will find some great local produce at the market, which takes place every Monday, from fresh fruits and vegetables to Savoyard cheeses and cold meats.
• Bowling - Les Barmes de l'Ours bar has two tenpin bowling lanes which can accommodate up to twelve people.
• Bungee Jumping - The 'Bun J Ride' is a 30m ramp that you slide off on skis/snowboard (harnessed to bungee cords!), sending you off a breathtaking 40m drop before riding a zip-line safely back to the ground.
• Cinema - The Splendid Cinema of Val d'Isère welcomes you to the Maison de Val, located at 320 rue de la Face.
• Helicopter rides - Experience the beauty of the mountains by taking an amazing tour in a helicopter to view stunning, remote locations. Get a bird's eye view of the Espace Killy and Three Valleys ski domains and their nature reserves as well as the Mont Blanc Valley.
• Altitude Biathlon - Discover the sport of biathlon: A cross country ski lesson followed by a go at the shooting range.
• Ice Skating - A very festive outdoor ice skating rink, open from 11:30am to 8pm everyday.
• Tree Climbing Val Aventure - A magical evening spent in the woods, with zip lines, nepalese bridges, and tarzan vines.
• Oxygene activities - Oxygene ski school offers a selection of non-skiing activities as well as ski lessons. These include snowshoeing, mountain biking on the snow, and helicopter rides. When you book, be sure to say you're a Skiworld customer! | 

Evolution 2 activities

In Tignes and Val d'Isere, Evolution 2 hosts a great variety of non-skiing activities. Below are just some examples. You can book any of these activities online .

• Ice scuba-diving - A once-in-a-lifetime experience for seasoned or beginner divers. Buddy up with your instructor, put on your cosy dry suit, and plunge into the water of the frozen Tignes lake to witness an almost space-like environment and see the ice crystals forming under the water.
• Dog sledding - A fun and traditional snow activity available for all ages. Great to do in a group and will provide a memory both kids and adults will cherish.
• Parapenting - Explore the skies and enjoy the views of the mountain range on a whole other level.
• Ice floating - A relaxing experience as you float in a cut out part of the frozen lake in Tignes.
• Ice driving - A very popular and not-too-expensive afternoon activity on the ice course in Les Brevieres. Choose from a snazzy rally-style car, quad bike or a 4WD buggy to navigate your way around the 800m track for an hour's thrilling entertainment, including instruction.

Après Ski in Val D'Isere

• La Folie Douce (on the mountain) - Rocking cabaret, live music, and amazing atmosphere. Folie is quite simply a must visit. You can often hear the afternoon shows before you see them and it's open to all. If you don't want to ski home, just hop on the La Daille gondola and down-load back to town.
• Doudoune Club - Live bands, happy hour, awesome vibe.
• Underground Café - The Best pre-club bar in Val d'Isere, as voted by our seasonnaires. A DJ every night playing a variety of house music. Also features a pool table and private areas can be reserved for your group if you call ahead.
• Cocorico - Located by the Rond-Point des Pistes, this bar is, without a doubt, the place to be for party-hard apres-ski. There is live music every afternoon of the week, followed by a live DJ playing popular tunes to get everybody moving. The party goes on until 8pm, but if you want to carry on dancing, head downstairs to Doudoune, one of the biggest nightclubs in Val d'Isère.
• Le Petit Danois - Head to this lively, Scandinavian-run après haunt for brilliant live bands and a happy hour between 4pm and 5pm.
• XV (Bar 15) - This unique venue is a half mountain hut, half rugby-club dressing room. They even serve the beer in rugby ball-shaped glasses.
• La Bananas (or Les Fils A Maman) - They serve really good hot chocolates and nice cocktails, and in the evening it turns into a party venue downstairs.
• Dick's Tea Bar - An Iconic apres venue and nightclub. Large dance floor and DJs performing throughout the season.
• Le Hibou - A friendly bar with a nice large sun terrace. It gets pretty lively in the evening and is especially popular with seasonnaires.

Places to eat in Val D'Isere

On the mountain

• L'Ouilette Plage - At the top of the Solaise express chairlift and at the bottom of the Madeleine piste, this restaurant is quite possibly the best place to go when the sun is shining. They operate a BBQ from 12 - 2.30pm featuring steak, duck and chicken all served with salad and jacket potatoes.
• La Fruitiere - Attached to La Folie Douce, this restaurants makes this venue not only a great apres bar but also a place for a fine dining experience. Great atmosphere, superb service, and delicious food.
• Tete de Solaise - Food offerings are quite basic but all reasonably priced and the location is unbeatable for lounging in the sun with a mountain view. The outdoor bar opens and music starts at 3pm.
• La Cascade - Located at the bottom of the Cascade express in Le Fornet. Cheaper but yummy lunch options with a big salad and pasta bar to help yourself to.
• La Datcha - A lovely spot in the sun with good food and nice drinks.
• L'Etincelle - Located on the piste between Le Legettaz and the centre of Val d'Isere. Another great spot in the sun.
• Head over to Tignes and have lunch on the sun terrace of Loop or Tignes cuisine!

In town

• Maison Chevallot bakery - A great place for a light lunch and some yummy pastries. Located on the main road in Val d'Isere centre.
• Le Garage - A great option for both lunch and dinner with a nice atmosphere and an outdoor area. Highly recommended pizzas among other dishes.
• Arctic Juice & Café - Serving nice coffee, smoothies and healthy lunch options.
• Taverne d'Alsace - Alternative menu options to the traditional Savoyard food. Dishes include sea bass and risotto, hot and cold beef, lamb wrapped in pastry, scallops and polenta. Located on the main street.
• La Corniche - Traditional Savoyard dishes: Raclettes, pierrades, fondues, Magret de canard, steaks...
• 1789 - A small, family-run restaurant known for its Cote de Boeuf, which they will cook on an open fire in front of you.
• L'Avancher - One of the best options for a traditional alpine meal. They've been serving their signature raclette for 40 years, and also offer fondues and meat dishes like duck and côte de boeuf.
• La Table de l'Ours - A Michelin-starred restaurant, with a roaring log fire and modern French menu that includes dishes such as john dory with apple mousse, roast pigeon, and black forest cake with blueberry sorbet.
• Le Lodge - Relaxed and friendly, with all the usual Alpine dishes as well as juicy steaks and great pizza.
• Le Petit Danois - A Danish-style bar with a varied international menu. Take your pick from nachos, burgers, curries and wraps.
• Le Hibou - A more relaxed dining experience with Asian-infused dishes. Be aware that on Wednesdays they only sell chicken wings (but on offer at 60 cents a wing).
• La Gourmandine - A traditional French restaurant located in Le Legettaz serving burgers, salads, raclette, fondue, and tartiflette.
• Fondue Factory - Specialist cheese fondue restaurant. Great for families.
• Poya - A more upmarket restaurant in the town centre, with a select menu.
• Piz’n’Love - Great pizza place which does both takeaway and deliveries.
• Le Bambou - Thai restaurant which serves sushi!

Family Features Val D'Isere

Please see the 'Activities' and 'Ski Schools' sections for a wealth of non-skiing and skiing options for families.

Depending on the age of your child, there are a few childcare options available in Val d'Isere.

• T4 Nanny - Nanny service for children from 4 months old.
• Jelly and Ice Cream - Babysitting service.
• ESF Snow Garden - Ski lessons and childcare run by ESF.