Val d'Isère is one of the finest ski resorts in the world and rightly so. Skiers first gravitate here for the high altitude and abundant snow, endless skiing terrain and easily accessible off-piste. You will also discover an attractive traditional resort with beautiful ski chalets, great boutiques, endless restaurants and a buzzing nightlife - a heady mix!
Sharing a huge and varied ski area with neighbouring Tignes called the Espace Killy, and with an excellent and efficient lift system, it is a true winter playground with endless choices. With all the skiing being above 1850m, the season lasts from the end of November to the beginning of May, making it one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Europe. Unlike so many resorts that claim a giant ski area, the pistes of Val d'Isère and Tignes are naturally linked and it easy to ski and snowboard between the two. On top of that, the standard of piste grooming is extremely high making the slopes perfect for carving those turns.
The challenges for the strong skier are endless. Face, the World Cup downhill course, which looms over the centre of the resort will test the best, particularly if attempted non stop! One of the big attractions here is the vast amount of lift served off-piste, especially above Le Fornet and in the Manchet Valley. With many North facing ski slopes, the powder can stay fresh for days, but always remember to take a qualified mountain guide with you, of which there are many in resort.
For those who like to clock up the kilometres on piste there are so many choices, with the Solaise sector having many blue runs ideal for building confidence at the beginning of the week. Above Bellevarde the slopes are so wide, that you will be carving all day long, whilst the long, cruising runs above Le Fornet will leave you smiling all the way to après ski.
Though not known as a beginners resort, the ski schools are excellent and the nursery slope in the centre of resort perfect for those first steps. Once linking your turns, the best place to progress is the Madeleine run on Solaise and later to the gentle, wide and generally quiet slopes of the Col de l’lseran.
The après ski scene here is well known, and with the recent addition of Cocorico right in the centre of the Rond Point des Pistes, the party begins as soon as you clip out of your skis or snowboard. The Signal bar and restaurant above Le Fornet is a great stop on the mountain, or the infamous La Folie Douce above La Daille, starts getting very lively after lunch.
Off the slopes the resort has a lively buzz with its endless shopping, cafés and bars and the entertainment pulses late into the night, especially at Dick’s Tea Bar nightclub.