Val d'Isère

• Beginners

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• Intermediates

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• Experts

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• Snow Record

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• Families

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• Charm

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• Apres Ski

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• Weekends

Probably the best skiing in the world. Val d’isere combines with Tignes to provide on the best snow sure playgrounds in Europe. The altitude and microclimate ensure a long season with April snow generally down to resort level.

In favour of Val d'Isère

The focal point of the resort is the pedestrianised ‘old’ village which contains an 11^th century church and a few genuine old farmhouses dating back to the time when the settlement was a hunting lodge for the Ducs de Savoie. It now houses smart boutiques and restaurants. The main street has been remodelled with wide pavements and Savoyarde style wood and stone cladding on the original 1960’s buildings.  Despite the large scale of the resort the ‘Train Rouge’ bus service runs every few minutes, thus skiing in two or three different areas in one day appears seamless. Varied skiing available from glaciers, nursery slopes, wide cruising runs steep moguls to vast areas of deep snow terrain. Queuing never appears to be a problem as there 8 ways to access the skiing. A huge range of ski schools and mountain guiding schools: including the ESF, Top Ski and Snow-Fun. A paradise for snowboarders with such a vast terrain. Good Children’s’ facilities, including the Village des Enfants and Le Petit Poucet nursery. Val d’Isere is a serious ‘party town’ with something for everyone from small friendly hotel bars to louche late night bars and vibrant clubs.

Disadvantages

There are plenty of nursery slopes, but there is no easy run down to the village. The shuttle bus, although free and frequent, can be very crowded at peak times.

The resort is so large that you are quite likely to need to use the bus at the end of the day to get back from either the le Fornet or the la Daille areas.

Non-skiing facilities

Time out from the mountain is well catered for with a weekly market,husky sleigh rides, helicopter trips, ice climbing, ice skating, and guided snowshoeing.  Swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.  Cinema with French and English films.