With its huge ski area, state of the art lift system and long snow season, Val d’Isère absolutely deserves its reputation as one of Europe’s go-to destinations for winter sports lovers.
The Resort
Val d’Isère is situated at the head of the Tarentaise valley in the Haute-Savoie region of France, at an altitude of 1,850 metres. The resort combines high altitude skiing and year-round mountain activities with authentic French mountain heritage. The village dates back to the 11th century, but tourism only arrived in 1888 with the opening of the first hotel.
Val d’Isère’s evolution as a ski destination started in the 1930s, led by pioneering ski enthusiast Jacques Mouflier. By the 1960s the growing lift system comprised a total of ten drag lifts and two cable cars. From the 1960s onwards, the famed French skier Jean-Claude Killy was instrumental in the resort’s development into a modern ski resort, and the combined Val d’Isère-Tignes ski area was referred to as the ‘Espace Killy’ right up until the 21st century.
Despite the utilitarian architecture of many developments dating from the 1960s, the old village centre has retained its Savoyard character, with stone and timber buildings clustered around the old church, and more recent development has been more in keeping with traditional architecture and construction methods. The resort is made up of several distinct quarters including the main village, the quieter La Daille sector and the exclusive hamlet of Le Fornet.
Linked with neighbouring Tignes, the ski area has over 300 km of pistes and some of the Alps’ most technically challenging off-piste terrain. The high altitude and extensive snow-making facilities make for dependable conditions from the end of November until May. The resort has long held its place among France’s finest skiing with decades of hosting World Cup races, the 1992 Winter Olympics and the 2009 World Championships.
Easily accessed via Chambéry, Geneva or Lyon airports or by rail via Bourg-St-Maurice, Val d’Isère attracts an international clientele. As the resort’s popularity has grown, development has moved upmarket and Val d’Isère has an increasing number of luxury chalets and apartments catering to more affluent visitors.
Alongside high-end restaurants and designer shops, the resort’s legendary après-ski and nightlife ensure that Val d’Isère continues to rock from late afternoon until the small hours. Revellers can choose between a diverse range of venues including la Folie Douce on the piste above La Daille, and many establishments in the village ranging from grungy bars to sophisticated hotel cocktail lounges and nightclubs hosting international DJs.
Our Val d'Isère Properties
The Val d'Isère Ski Area
Val d’Isère’s ski area combines high-altitude terrain with extensive off-piste opportunities. Linked with neighboring Tignes to form the Espace Killy (now officially known as Val d’Isère-Tignes), the resort offers access to 300 kilometres of pistes and some of Europe’s most reliable snow conditions, with runs reaching from 1,550 metres to 3,456 metres at the Grande Motte glacier.
Despite its reputation for challenging terrain, Val d’Isère has also invested heavily in facilities for beginners. The newly redesigned Solaise area features a dedicated beginners’ zone at 2,500 metre, offering snow-sure conditions and a series of progression runs with spectacular views. At village level, the recently created nursery area in the Rond Point des Pistes provides an excellent learning environment, while the La Daille sector offers several confidence-building blue runs.
Val d’Isère’s ski area is spread over several distinct sectors. The Bellevarde sector, accessed via the Olympique gondola or Funival funicular, provides some of the resort’s most challenging pistes, including the famous Olympic downhill run, La Face. However, intermediates will find endless cruising on the blue runs from the top of Bellevarde towards Tignes, and the long, rolling reds of the Manchet Valley. The Solaise area, recently enhanced with a new gondola, offers excellent intermediate terrain and some of the resort’s best snow, while the Le Fornet sector provides access to the Pissaillas glacier and some of the most reliable early and late-season skiing in France.
Off-piste opportunities are almost limitless, with the Tour du Charvet, the Couloirs du Pisaillas, and the legendary Grands Vallons providing some of the Alps’ classic descents. The Col de l’Iseran area is exceptional for ski touring, particularly in spring, while the north-facing slopes of Le Fornet have powder snow for many days after storms.
The high altitude and extensive snowmaking ensure reliable conditions throughout the season, and recent lift improvements have reduced queues at key points. Progressive intermediates will particularly appreciate the variety of terrain, from the gentle blues of La Daille to the more challenging reds under the Grand Pré lift. The winter ski season usually runs from November through to May, with summer glacier skiing also available on the Grande Motte in neighbouring Tignes.