In the heart of the legendary Espace Killy ski area, the unique setting of Val d’Isère offers the very essence of great skiing and alpine atmosphere.

Snow Range: 1550m – 3455m

Location

In the Northern Alps, in the heart of Savoy, Val d’Isere is your gateway into the white world of the Espace Killy, the combined ski domain of Tignes and Val d’Isere. Located about 3 hours from Lyon and 3.5 hours from Geneva with excellent bus/shuttle links to Val d’Isere. Chambery is closer (2.5 hours) but the airport closes in bad weather. Bourg St Maurice train station is 30km away with local taxi or bus connections through to Val d’Isere.

Due to the resort’s location against the peaks of the Italian border, Val d’Isere’s record of snowfall is exceptional. The snow coverage tends to be one of the best in Europe and conditions normally facilitate good skiing right to the end of the season in early May. There’s over 300km of marked pisted runs and unlimited off piste skiing within the Espace Killy area making it an ideal location for skiers and boarders of all abilities to find something which satisfies all.

Overview

The most beautiful ski area in the world offers an unforgettable ski experience. While ski enthusiasts zoom down the legendary Bellevarde slope like the competitors in the 2009 Championships, beginners can enjoy unrivalled, high-altitude skiing at their level on well-prepared slopes. Skiers of mixed ability can enjoy switching from perfectly groomed runs with beautiful scenery to powder skiing at the edge of the pistes.

The Espace Killy’s world-class terrain has wide blues for cruising and carving, long red slopes for building up confidence and seriously challenging black pistes and varied, accessible off-piste opportunities.

The resort retains its natural appeal as simple wood blends harmoniously with authentic stone. The style and elegance of the village is highlighted by the contemporary design of the chalets, hotels and shops nestled at the base of this grand ski area.

Resort Essentials

Ski Area: 300km of piste skiing

No. of runs: 159

No. of lifts:  97
Beginners / green runs: 22 slopes

Beginners / blue runs: 61 slopes

Intermediate / red runs : 46 slopes
Advanced / black runs: 25 slopes

Off piste: Excellent
Other: Cross country trails and handiski

Longest run: 10km
Fun parks: Yes

Snow machines: Yes

Ski bus service: excellent free bus service which runs until around midnight

Mountain restaurants/pubs: many

Kids Amenities: Yes
Family Friendly: Very Good

Non skiers: Excellent

Skiing in Val d‘Isere

Named after France’s Olympic downhill skiing champion Jean Claude Killy, the ski area offers over 300kms of pisted skiing and some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. Most of Val d’Isere’s lifts are long and rapid, travelling vertically more than horizontally, so there’s a lot of skiing back down for a short trip up. With its resort height and excellent snow conditions you can generally ski back to the heart of the village right until the end of April/beginning of May.

Val d’Isère is located in a steep valley and it is these steep slopes that have attracted the hard core skiers since the resort opened for downhill skiing in the mid 1930s. There is a vast choice of slopes in the high Alps where intermediate skiers and boarders can sample the stunning views and learn from those on the steeper pitches, on the bumps and in the snow park.

Resort Activities

There is plenty for non-skiers to do in the valley. Activities include walking on specially prepared trails, snow shoe walks, husky-sledding, ice-climbing, parapenting, balloon and light-aircraft flights, sledging, swimming, ice-skating, indoor climbing and fitness classes.
Less active entertainment includes the cinema (there are films in English most weeks), visiting the beauty centres, the casino, taking the cable-cars to mountain restaurants and view points, visiting the local Alpine history museum, or some serious shopping in the boutiques.

Val d’Isere is a child-friendly resort, making it suitable for families with children to visit. Obviously the main activity in winter is skiing and snowboarding and there are a number of ski schools who offer kids’ lessons and may also arrange child-minding, pick-up services, and other activities. There is a swimming pool and ice-skating rink just off the nursery slopes in the Solaise area

Eating Out & Après Ski

Val d’Isere has a variety of restaurants catering for all types of tastes. From traditional French dishes and local Savoyarde specialities to Italian, burgers and tex-mex options.

Just off the slopes is Grand Marnier with tables out on the slopes if the sun is still out. Also in this area is Saloon which is popular both for après and for later in the evening with a live band most nights for après ski. 

If you finish skiing in La Daille, then Folie Douce is a great place to stop while you are still on the slopes and the weather is good. There is daily live music from 3pm – 5pm with an outside bar and food station. The band plays on the roof and there is usually a huge crowd with lots of dancing in the snow and on the tables!

Val d’Isere is very popular for its nightlife and there are several bars open until the early hours. You will also find that the hotel bars will remain open for as long as guests are in there having a good time! The nightlife can be amongst the loudest and latest in the ski world but there is also a more civilised night time scene that focuses on cocktails and intimate bars rather than beer-swigging pubs and pumping nightclubs.

Winter Events for 2011-12

There are heaps of events held throughout the year in Val d’Isere and the Espace Killy, ranging from small and quirky local festivals to world renowned sporting events.
Piste map