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Val d’Isère

Luxury Ski Resort

Welcome to Val d'isere

Val d'Isère has to be one of the most beautiful French ski resorts, nestled in a valley at the foot of the mountains with its chocolate-box chalets and high-end hotels spread between the central town and its outlying villages. It remains a firm favourite with both British and French holidaymakers, many who come here year on year. Linked with nearby Tignes, it also gives you a massive ski area to play with.

THE AREA

The village, located at the end of the Tarentaise valley, stands at a respectable 1,850m, with top slopes at an altitude of nearly 3,400m, beneath the summit of the Pointe du Montet. The top lift in Tignes is on the Grande Motte glacier and reaches 3,456m. Snow cover is reliable throughout a long season and nature is backed up by the largest snowmaking facility in Europe.

RESTAURANTS & CUISINE

Food is a great part of life in the French Alps, and with all those outdoor pursuits to try you can rest assured it is all very hearty! Local specialities are often cheese or cream based (sometimes both…) featuring local meat, potatoes and with a token green salad. The food in the Alps is often accused of being unadventurous and ‘lardy’ but there are plenty of delicious regional dishes besides the good old fondue. The emphasis is very much on fresh local produce and so cured and seasoned meats will have come from cattle grazed on Alpine pastures, the local cheeses of Abondance and Beaufort will be prevalent and, although there isn’t a coastline in sight, there is still a regional fish dish! The féra is caught in nearby Lake Geneva and is a popular dish served in many restaurants, alongside other lake fish such as Omble Chevalier (char), truite (trout), brochet (pike) and perche (perch).

Things to do in Val d'isere

Dance on the Tables at La Folie Douce

Renowned for its wild afternoon parties that begin at around 3 or 4pm, La Folie Douce pumps out some thumping bass that you will probably hear as you ski the surrounding areas. The large wooden tables are there to be danced on, while bartenders spray champagne over the crowd. A live saxophonist also adds to the jazz of the place.

Ski All Four Corners of Espace Killy

For even the keenest skier, this can be quite a challenge. You will need to be up for first lifts, skip the long lunch and celebrate your achievement at après-ski instead (if your legs haven’t already turned to jelly). Essentially, you must cover the four corners, which encompass the top of Tignes Glacier, Tignes Les Brévières, Val D’Isère Le Fornet and Val D’Isère La Daille, which is also where you will find the Folie.

Sing Your Heart out at Cocorico

If you fancy yourself as a bit of an indie pop star, here’s your time to shine. Cocorico is a live-music bar playing everything from Kings of Leon to old classics. You’re bound to know at least some of the lyrics, and will soon be singing along at the top of your lungs.

Conquer La Face

This infamous black run has been used for many slalom races, but the average punter will probably be wishing they hadn’t taken that left turn. Combining sheet ice and a nearly vertical drop, this run is an enormous challenge, and chances are at least people on it are wondering how to get themselves out of this pickle, and whether or not it’s easier to go down bottom first. a beer in your hand.

Go Paragliding

If you have always dreamed of being able to fly, you don’t get much closer to it than paragliding. As you ski off the side of the mountain and take off, you can take in some magnificent views over the glistening mountains. The adrenaline is addictive, and chances are you’ll be booking another session soon after you’ve landed.

Sunbathe and Have Lunch at Bar de l’Ouillette

When the sun’s beating down on you and the snow is becoming slushy, you are fully excused from skiing to go and lounge on the comfy seating and deckchairs and lap up the sun on the terrace of Ouellette Plage. During the warmer months, barbecues are held here, too. Who’d have thought you were in a ski resort?

Party the Night Away at Dicks Tea Bar

This is the only place to be seen after dark; the club is famous for its frivolous parties and for hosting a long list of celebs. With bottles of Bollinger everywhere and a young crowd, you’re bound to have a great time; just make sure you don’t miss the next morning’s skiing because of it!

Shop

Val D’Isère boasts some fantastic shopping, and whether you’re looking for the crown jewels, new ski wear or just a cosy hat to keep your head warm, they have it all. Seasonaires love Planks Clothing.

Master Some Tricks in the Park

If you see yourself as a pro skier or boarder, why not test this out in the snow park? Whether you’re nailing your first 180 or practising for the X-Games, Val has a great park with features for beginners, intermediates and experts, so why not have some fun on these jumps, rails and boxes?

Travel to Val d'isere

AIRPORTS

4 international airports • Geneva (3h by car) • Lyon (3h by car) • Chambéry (2h by car) • Grenoble (2h by car) 1 heliport with organised transfers

TRANSFERS

There are regular bus or private transfers (multilingual taxis) from the airports and train stations in Bourg-St-Maurice. During the winter season, Val d’Isère wants to offer you comfort and well-being as well as a maximum of safety and service. The street parking is also forbidden. As a semi-pedestrian resort, Val d’Isère allows you a brief stop to unload your car, after which you must go to one of the resort’s car parks. Parking are free during the summer

RAIL

The closest train station is at Bourg-Saint-Maurice (45 mins), which offers an excellent and frequent service including high-speed rail options (TGV, Eurostar, Thalys).

SELF-DRIVING

The Iseran pass is closed during the winter season.

30km from Bourg Saint Maurice (40 min)
86km from Albertville (1h20)
135km from Chambéry (2h)
240km from Lyon (3h)
220km from Genève (3h)

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