Val d'Isere

Val d'Isere

One of Europe's most famous ski resorts, Val d'Isère boasts 300km of marked runs. Skiing begins in November and ends in May.

The high altitude, purpose built, French village caters for all your needs. The village stretches down the valley from La Daille up to Le Fornet with the focus and the apres ski in the centre, Val Village. This cluster of attractive buildings houses smart boutiques most of which have sprung up since the village was created for the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Split into three areas, Val d'Isère has plenty of skiable slopes for all levels. With a great snow record, the resort is hugely popular among pro skiers and boarders and mileage hungry intermediates, but you don't have to be particularly adventurous to enjoy what's on offer.

It's easy to see why so many Brits are attracted to the area for their ski holidays, with its crazy night-life and the wide variety of entertainment on offer, but the close proximity of Tignes. allows you to venture out to quieter climes if it all gets a bit much.

Pros

• A superb night out in the Alps.
• Everyone speaks English.
• Easy access to Val d'Isère and Tignes known collectively as the Espace Killy ski area.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Hectic and very popular with English clientèle, so not for those looking for a classic French resort to enjoy a relaxing holiday.
• A lot of lifts can close in bad weather.
• Some tricky blue and green runs.

The Skiing

With eight entry points to the ski areas queuing even during high season weeks is never a serious problem. The easily accessible Bellevarde ski area contains the downhill OK run named after two of Val's Olympic champions. There are also countless couloirs and bowls for the more adventurous.

The Solaise ski area is a sun trap and is perfect for intermediates, although there are some challenging runs back to the village. Col de l'Iseran, which joins onto Solaise, has easy runs with beautiful views. From here, more experienced skiers and boarders can access some of the best off piste terrain.

The ski areas often takes a full day to fully reopen after a serious dump, so wise skiers should head off for a day in the more sheltered ski area of Sainte Foy.

Facts And Figures

• Resort altitude 1850m
• Highest lift 3450m
• Espace Killy has 89 lifts and 300km of piste.
• Val d'Isere has 46 lifts and 150 km of piste.
• Ski in/ ski out Val d'Isere accommodation is available

The Town And Apres Ski

For less enthusiastic skiers there are enough shops to while away a bad weather day. There's also a swimming pool, a sports centre and an outdoor ice rink. Val d'Isère's 70 odd restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisine, but you have to search for good food. The Grand Ourse, by the nursery slopes comes highly recommended for a top class meal as does the more rustic Taverne d'Alsace. L'Ours hotel has a Michelin star. Tufs on the snow in La Daille is good for pizza and Shuss restaurant in the Grand Paradis hotel is great for an Austrian influenced menu. Corniche is perfect for those seeking a French ambience.

Mountain restaurants in Val d'Isère are slowly improving. There are lots of big self-service places with vast terraces at the top of the major lifts which are good value for money but pretty ordinary. However, if you like tartiflette then the Triffolet is a must, located half-way down the OK run to La Daille.

There's a lively apres ski scene in Val d'Isère which kicks off at the Folie Douce at the top of la Daille gondola with lots of loud music and dancing. Bananas at the foot of the slopes and it's infamous green Kamikazi drink is popular with those still able to party hard after a full day on the slopes. Dicks Tea Bar is a popular venue for Brits, but the Petit Danois is a good alternative. For a quieter evening the Lodge is cosy and there are a variety of sophisticated hotel bars, piano bars and cocktail lounges.

Useful resources

www.valdisere.com
www.valdinet.com
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val-d'Isere