Guide to Val d'Isere, French Alps
Val d’Isère is one of the most highly regarded ski resorts in France. High altitude skiing, top class lift systems and a hectic apres-ski makes Val d'Isere very popular with the British. Ski schools abound, intermediates are spoilt for choice and advanced skiers are in heaven. Together with Tignes, Val is part of the Espace Killy, a huge ski region with over 300km. of piste. Skiing is possible from early December until May. The Pissaillas Glacier above Val d'Isere is open from late June to mid-August. This area is truly the top playground for modern European skiing.
Mountain Information Val d'Isere
Chambery, at 87 miles distance, is the nearest airport to Val d'Isere, Geneva is 110 miles, Lyon 135 miles. All major European cities have trains going to Bourg St. Maurice, the village in the valley below 19 miles from Val D'Isere. From here a bus goes up the steep mountain to the resort. By car, Val D'Isere is about 560 miles from Calais driving via Reims, Dijon and Geneva. Accommodation in Val d'IsereVal is very popular with British tour operators, taking 35% of the market. There are about 40 hotels, but chalets dominate in Val d'Isere. At la Daille you will find rather ugly purpose-built apartments close to the slopes. Le Fornet is a nicer village with traditional-style chalets but less night life. Les Barmes de l’Ours is a new 4 star hotel of international standard. The Christiania and the Blizzard are also popular. Savoyarde and Tsanteleina enjoy a strong British following. Lots of the self-catering accommodation is booked up early by tour operators. Alpina Lodge Résidence and Aspen Lodge are good for location and comfort.Eating out and apres skiThere are a lot of lively bars and discotheques in walking distance of the main village. Dick’s Tea Bar is the main disco and only nightclub. Try Le Petit Danois for a great English breakfast. Après-ski centres around Café Face, Victors, the Pacific Bar, Le Pub and the Saloon Bar beneath Hotel Brussel’s, teenagers gather downstairs at Bananas. Val d'Isere has plenty of nice affordable restaurants, cosy crêperies, Tex Mex and traditional French fare. La Grande Ourse is for gourmets. The Blizzard, Le Canyon, Chalet du Crêt and Perdrix Blanche are praised. Val also has 4 well stocked supermarkets.Non-skiing ActivitiesThere is some scope for the non skier. Leisure activities include walks, microlight flights, an ice skating rink, ice driving, tobogganing, snowmobiling, dog sled safaris, cinema, a sports centre with swimming pool, as well as two snowboarding parks. Watch out for firework displays, the weekly Street Fair and torchlight descents. The shopping is not bad either.For snowboarders, Val offers exceptional freeriding, natural cliffs and gullies. The brilliant terrain park above La Daille has a half-pipe and two boardercross courses. |
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