Ski Holidays in Val d`Isere, France

• Snow Conditions in Val d`Isere France +

  Snow report issued:	7th Feb 12
  Last snowed:	31st Jan 12
  Fresh snow depth:	5cm
  Depth at resort:	135cm
  Mountain depth:	202cm
  Piste state:
  Excellent (Great conditions - wax up your skis!)
  Weather report:
  Predominantly sunny with cloudy spells
  Temperature:	-13°C
  Open lifts:	78 of 79

  View Val d`Isere snow history

• Val d`Isere Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	N S E W
  Very Easy Runs	22
  Easy Runs	61
  Medium Runs	46
  Difficult Runs	25
  Toughest Run Name	La Face
  Skiable Vertical	2050m
  Number Of Lifts	87
  Top Lift Height	3600m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	2
  Half Pipes	0
  Swimming Pools	5
  Night Clubs	2
  Mountain Restaurants	11

• Val d`Isere Piste Map+

  

• Val d`Isere Transfer Times+

  Geneva:	3 hours and 30 minutes
  Lyon:	5 hours

One of the world's most famous ski resorts, Val d`Isère has been synonymous with winter sports for more than 70 years. Unlike most of the well-known French resorts that have been purpose-built in the past 50 years, the original village dates back some 700 years, and although there have of course been many changes, most of the development has been tastefully done with traditional architecture and extensive pedestrian areas. Another difference to many of the purpose-built centres is that this is one of the most lively and vibrant resorts, with a buzzing après ski scene.

Above the resort the Espace Killy ski area is one of the world's largest, and popularly regarded as one of best on the planet. The resort shares 300km (nearly 200 miles) of pistes with neighbouring Tignes, the lifts climbing to some of the highest runs in Europe and opening up one of the biggest lift-served verticals you are likely to find. With Val d`Isere already one of the continent's highest resorts and with both it and Tignes being two of the three resorts in France to offer summer skiing on their glaciers, this is very much a snow sure destination. The resort's great snow record allows it to be one of the first to open in late November each year and one of the last to close, in May.

In 2009 the resort plays host to the World Alpine Ski Championships and thus joins the handful of resorts anywhere that have staged events in three major international formats - Olympics, World Cup and World Championships. It is the first time France has hosted the bi-annual Championships for nearly 50 years, the last time was in Chamonix in 1962.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  Although beginners might find that starting their ski careers in one of the world's greatest ski resorts surrounded by die-hard skiers some what intimidating, Val d`Isere does none-the-less have good facilities for first timers. There are gentle nursery slopes right in the resort centre conveniently located next to all facilities including the ski school office. The Village and Rogoney chairlifts, la Savonette 1 and 2 and the la Légettaz tow lifts, all serve easy terrain. The beginner lifts operate free of charge so you may not need a lift ticket for the first few days of your stay. We can also offer a combined lift ticket, equipment rental and tuition package deal, which is much better value than buying these elements separately.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  Val d`Isere offers extensive skiing for intermediates. The central skiing area is Solaise where the Tete de Solaise / Plan down to the village as well as Madeleine, Arcelle and Manchet are all made up of good intermediate level slopes. A second key area is the Pissaillas - Iseran area situated on the French / Italian boarder and furthest from the village, with excellent views of the Haute Maurienne region. The Mangard slope is a good choice here. The third main area at Bellevarde reaches 2850m and it forms the link with Tignes. Bellevarde is a triangular mountain with slopes facing in three different directions and offers a wide range of skiing. South / south west facing slopes become steeper lower down, and west / north west facing slopes offer an excellent view of the Grande Motte glacier, Grande Casse and the Mont Blanc.

• Advanced+

  Quite simply one of the world's top resorts for advanced skiers, Val d`Isere can keep some of the world's best entertained for years. The resort's signature expert run in the Bellevarde Face was home to the men's downhill at the 1992 Albertville Olympics. The run plunges three kilometers (nearly two miles) down from its start point at 2809m. There are many more descents to entertain on and off the piste. In the latter category the powder filled bowls of Tour de Charvet are particularly popular. For moguls, the Solaise run is renowned for having the biggest anywhere.

• Snowboarding at Val d`Isere+

  Given the resort's reputation it's no surprise the Val d`Isere's Valpark is one of the best in the world. Situated in the Bellevarde/La Daille area (2500m) the park is served by three surface lifts and a triple chair. It has a wide range of hips and jumps along with rails, a fun box, a rainbow and a boarder cross course. A chill out area with barbecue, tables and chairs and music is also on site. Then of course there's Val d`Isere's legendary freeeriding terrain…

• Other Activities And Facilities at Val d`Isere+

  Activities available include dog sledding, ice driving, paragliding, microlight flights, ice climbing, and snowshoeing. Tourist flights by helicopter and light aircraft are available or L'Adroit farm is open to visitors who will see cheese making and the farm animals.
  
  The resort's public swimming pool is located on the nursery slope and is open every day from 2pm to 7pm except Saturday. Nine of the resort's hotels have wellness spa and massage facilities that may be open to the public at certain times. There's also an ice skating rink located next to the nursery slope. It's open from mid-December to early March, depending on weather conditions. Other facilities include a cinema and the mediatheque where you can rent books and DVDs.
  
  You can also take a guided village tour, yoga or pilates class, take lessons from a French patisserie chef or join in with the local bridge or chess clubs. There are more than 70 shops.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  Val d`Isere has some of the best nightlife in the French Alps. Popular venues include Dick's T Bar, the Pacific Bar and Le Graal. There are about 70 places to eat in Val d`Isère so you will not have any difficulty finding something that appeals. The selection runs from creperies to gourmet guide-listed establishments.

• Ski Holidays in Val d`Isere suitable for Families+

  The Garderie Petit Poucet offers nursery care for children aged from three to eight. Children aged four and up can have lessons with English-speaking teachers in the Ecole du ski Francais, one of the largest ski schools in the world, employing 250 teachers. Beyond the youngest ages special classes are organized for older children in disciplines such as race training and freeriding. The resort also has a lot of activities and facilities for children such as fun nights with sliding devices like tubes and snakegliss (a long, articulated sledge for multiple riders) and snowshoeing for four and five year olds.