Ski holidays in Val d'Isère, France
Val d’Isère is thought by many to be one of the top winter sports resorts in Europe. The sophisticated and charming village teamed with world class ski terrain attracts devoted ski, snowboard and party enthusiasts year after year. Being part of the Espace Killy ski area that boasts excellent snow records, Val d’Isère has smooth links to Tignes, making it an even more attractive France ski holiday location.
Historically Val d'Isere has mainly been suited for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders, but with recent redevelopments on the Solaise sector, this has improved the terrain for beginners and families. New additions include a gondola with heated seats and Wi-Fi, a giant magic carpet, reduced slope gradient and a new day lodge.
Resort Statistics
Level | Rating | Runs |
---|---|---|
Beginners | 83 | |
Intermediates | 46 | |
Advanced | 25 | |
Snowboarders | ||
Total Runs | 154 |
- Off piste
- Families
- Non-skiers
- Groups
Resort Altitude | 1850m |
Highest Lift | 3450m |
Total Piste | 300km |
Longest Run | 10km |
Directions of Slopes | N, S, E, W |
Uphill Capacity | 149425 |
Total Lifts | 89 |
Gondolas/Cable cars | 10 |
Chairlifts | 45 |
Drag Lifts | 34 |
Snow Parks | 2 |
Snow conditions in Val d’Isère
With its snow sure status, snow conditions in Val d’Isère are difficult to beat, wherever you go, making it an ideal resort if you're thinking about skiing in March or April. Even in bad snow years, Val d’Isère remains accessible in most places due to the high altitude. A big plus point is the fact that all runs back into the town stay open almost all of the time, because of how high the town is. The majority of the runs are above mid-mountain, ensuring long-term accessibility.
Val d’Isere’s snowmaking facility is the largest in Europe, the new 2 million Euro facility 'The Snow Factory' will provide guaranteed snow-cover from November until May. The artificial snow will play a key role in keeping the ski area in pristine condition even in a dry winter. The 650 snow cannons cover 40% of the ski area.
Take a look at the Val d’Isère Snow History, where you can also check the current snow report, forecast and webcams.
Val d'Isère ski resort
Val d'Isere is a lively town packed with bars, restaurants and upmarket shops. You won't have to go far to hear English voices as Val is full of chalets which, in turn, are full of Brits.
One of France's top ski resorts, Val d'Isere is a great place to ski with 300km of slopes linking with Tignes and its glacier. Lifts fan out from the centre of town although many take the free bus to La Daille with its funicular offering swift access to Tignes. Buses between La Daille and Val d’Isere centre take 7 minutes, or it’s a 15 minute flat walk.
Skiing in Val d’Isère
The village of Val d’Isere sits at 1850m and the ski area peaks at 3350m on the Glacier Du Pissaillas. Together with Tignes there is a vast 300km of varied, world class pistes that attract holiday makers and seasoned skiers from all around the globe.
Intermediates will enjoy the extensive blue and red ski runs that span across Espace Killy; this ski area is perfect for cruising and clocking up the ski miles on the long wide pistes.
There's plenty of difficult terrain on offer (especially back into the centre of town, particularly the mogul-packed Face run) but equally lots for the whole family to discover and love.
Best ski runs in Tignes & Val d’Isère
The Espace Killy ski area has a huge selection of terrain for all abilities. Discover the best ski runs in Val d’Isere and Tignes here:
Best of the blues- Diebold – Bellevarde Mountain, Val d’Isere
- Plan Millet – Solaise Mountain, Val d’Isere
- Genepy – Grande Motte glacier, Tignes
- Corniche, Rhododendron, Melezes amd Myrtilles – L’Aiguille Percee Mountain, Tignes
Race the reds
- Combe Folle – Toviere Mountain, Tignes
- Double M – Grande Motte glacier, Tignes
- OK – Coupe du Monde - Bellevarde Mountain, Val d’Isere
- Orange - Bellevarde Mountain, Val d’Isere
- Arcelle - Solaise Mountain, Val d’Isere
- Germain Mattis - Solaise Mountain, Val d’Isere
Experts only
- Descente - Grande Motte glacier, Tignes
- La Sache - L’Aiguille Percee Mountain, Tignes
- La Face - Bellevarde Mountain, Val d’Isere
- L’Epaule du Charvet - Bellevarde Mountain, Val d’Isere
- Rhone Alpes - Solaise Mountain, Val d’Isere
Ski accommodation in Val d’Isère
Accommodation in town is mostly traditional but there's a lot of new development near the lifts in the Solaise and Bellevarde areas, plus modern blocks at the base of La Daille. La Daille is where the majority of self-catering apartments are located.
There is a large selection of chalets located throughout the resort that cater for all budgets and group sizes, which is one of the reasons why Val d’Isere is so popular. Browse through Chalets in Val d’Isere.
If you prefer staying in hotels there is an abundance of choices including the new luxury Chalet Hotel Le Savoie and the all Inclusive Club Med Val d’Isere.
Family skiing in Val d’Isère
Val d'Isere is an amazing ski destination and great for family ski holidays. It’s the perfect resort for an experienced family who can ski to a good standard as the ski area is massive.
The new developments on the Solaise mountain make the resort much better for beginners, there are better lift facilities, easier slopes and special lift passes perfect for those looking to learn to ski or snowboard.
Group ski holidays in Val d’isere
Val d’Isere is a large ski resort and is perfect for groups of all sizes. The large village includes a varied range of shops, restuarants and bars and the huge 300 km ski area has pistes for all abilities. Val d’Isere has one of the best apres ski scenes in Europe with excellent bars such as Folie Douce, Cocorics, The Morris Bar and Dick’s Tea Bar so there is plenty of places to choose from if your group enjoys winding down after a big day on the slopes.
There is a wide selection of accommodations for groups from budget self catered apartment and catered chalet hotels through to luxury residences and chalets.
Val d’Isere for beginners
A new beginner ski area on Solaise aims to encourage novice skiers to head up the mountain and away from the Front de Neige so they can experience the mountain in its full glory. Beginners can confidently travel up the mountain in the Solaise gondola and make the most of this excellent area. First timers can start on the green pistes served by 3 magic carpets and progress on to the surrounding blue pistes and chairlifts. The Day Lodge at Solaise provides a space for skiers to relax and take a break during the ski deay. Facilities include a café, vending machines, a picnic area with microwave, and a sun terrace.
Beginners can take advantage of the reduced Solaise lift pass for 36 Euros a day which includes access to the Solaise gondola, the 3 magic carpets and the Madeleine, Datcha and Glacier chairlifts on the beginner ski area.
Après-ski, restaurants and activities in Val d’Isère
Après ski is big, notably the Folie Douce at the top of the La Daille gondola with its live music, DJs and crowds in late afternoon, and Cocorico at the foot of the slopes in Val d'Isere.
Prices are expensive in this neck of the woods, but worth every penny. Val d’Isere is one of the top après spots in Europe with countless bars across the resort. Other notable hot spots include Dick's Tea Bar, The Morris Bar, Cocoricos, Petit Danois, The Underground and Bar La Rosee.
View more information about the nightlife here in our best après ski guide.
Other activities in resort include:
- Aqua Leisure Complex
- Sports centre with gym, sports hall and climbing wall
- Sledging
- Ice rink
- Paragliding
- Ice driving
- Snowmobiling
- Husky sleigh rides
- Ice climbing
- Snowshoeing
Transfer times to Val d’Isère
Chambery Airport: approx. 2h 15min
Geneva Airport: approx. 3h 00min
Grenoble Airport: approx. 2h 45min
Lyon Airport: approx. 4h 00min
Free bus in Val d’Isère
There is a free bus that runs between La Daille – Val d’Isere centre – Le Fornet. The buses run regular between 7:35 am to 8:00 pm and then every 30 mins from 8:15 pm to 3:00 am.
The route runs from Le Fornet – La Laisinant – Les Richardes – UCPA – Tourist Office – Solaise – Gare Routiere – Portillo – Le Cret – Funival – La Daille.
Green initiatives in Val d'Isere
Val d'Isere is owned by companies des Alpes who own a number of major ski resorts including Tignes, La Plagne and Les Arcs (just to name a few) Companies des Alpes are committed to improving the their carbon footprint and impact on the environment in all of their resorts. In Val d'isere specifically all the in resort buses are Electric and the resort is using HVO (Hydrotreated vegetable oil) in it's groomers and piste bashers.
Val d'Isere SKI PASS PRICES
The prices for the Val d'Isere Espace Killy lift pass, for the Winter 23/24 ski season can be found below.
Number of days | Adult price | Child price | Senior price |
---|---|---|---|
6 | €396.00 | €336.00 | €336.00 |
4 | €264.00 | €224.00 | €224.00 |
3 | €198.00 | €168.00 | €168.00 |
Prices are normally based on a full area lift pass and child ages vary by resort. The above are guides, so please call one of the Iglu team for prices for your holiday.
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
There are normally a number of shops where you can pick up your pre-booked ski or snowboard equipment from. Which shop you go to will depend on where you are staying in Val d'Isere. Here is a guide to ski or snowboard hire in Val d'Isere:
Ski Hire Type | Adult 6 days | Child 6 days |
---|---|---|
Bronze - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £72 | £58 |
Silver - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £104 | £72 |
Gold - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £125 | |
Platinum - Skis and Boots or Snowboard and Boots | £135 |
You can book your ski hire for your trip to Val d'Isere here