The Val d’Isere ski resort is part of the Prostir-Killey ski area and is one of the most popular in the French Alps. At the resort, tourists are guaranteed accommodation of the highest quality, a large selection of entertainment and, of course, snow. The Val d’Isere skiing area was located in the narrow valley of the Isere River (18 km upstream from Paradiski), at an altitude of 1,850 meters above sea level.

The Val d’Isere region (including Tyn) is among the top ten European resorts in terms of the length of connected tracks (300 km, which you can navigate without taking off your skis). The holding of the Albertville Olympics in 1992 clearly benefited these places – the infrastructure underwent total modernization. With all its appearance, the resort, as it were, emphasizes the difference from its more democratic neighbors – Tina , Le Arc , La Plani: buildings that look solid, cladding with thorough stone tiles, bright night illumination, a large selection of hotels and apartments of a decent level, good restaurants. And the prices are not cheap. True, at the top, on the slopes, all this is not taken into account – only the mountains and your ability to cope with them remain. Apparently, the resort is less suitable for beginners than for advanced skiers (come here with 2-3 seasons of skiing under your belt), but for freeriders, it is a complete delight. Val d’Isere is a very reliable resort in terms of snow: it usually falls a lot, and the season lasts a long time due to good altitudes.

From the Middle Ages to the skiing era

The history of Savoie (currently divided into two parts – Savoie and Haute-Savoie), on whose territory Val d’Isère is located, is complex and interesting. In the Middle Ages, it was called Sabaudia and was a county of the Holy Roman Empire from the 11th century. In 1416, Savoy became a duchy, the capital of which was Chambery for a long time (later Turin became the capital). In the period of the 11th-18th centuries, Savoy sometimes expanded and then narrowed, periodically joining and losing lands in the territories of modern Italy and Switzerland.

Savoy was first annexed to France in the period from 1792 to 1814 (as the so-called department of Mont Blanc), and in 1815 it was returned to the Piedmont-Sardinian kingdom. In 1860, it was again annexed to France together with Nice as part of the Treaty of Turin.

During all these historical vicissitudes, a community began to form in the Yzer Valley. Val d’Isere in the upper village of the valley, located just below the source of the river Isère, became increasingly difficult to remain under the administration of the Parish of Tignes (today the historic village of Tignes is located at the bottom of the artificial lake Lac du Chevril, which appeared in 1952 after the construction of a hydroelectric dam; once every 10 years the water from the lake is drained for preventive works and you can see the remains of the old village. A copy of the original Tignes church can now be seen in the village of Tignes les Boisses). In 1637, the Pope granted them independence, because the journey to the parish church of Tynia across the Dale Gorge was an extremely dangerous undertaking. After gaining independence, the parishioners built their own church on the remains of the Roman building.

Val d’Isere in 1920

Life in Isere, which is far from major transport routes, was measured and subject to the changes of the season. Residents “hibernate” during the long winter period lasting 8 months. Lace weaving remains one of the crafts that local housewives did in winter: and now you can see lace white curtains on the windows, especially of old houses, pay attention to this during your trip. During the short summer period, residents worked in the fields, herded cattle, and made cheese. This way of life did not open up great prospects for the younger generation, and gradually the inhabitants began to leave the village. And ahead was the era of the birth and development of alpine skiing…

Val d’Isere as a ski resort

Three factors determined the development of Val d’Isere as a ski resort. Firstly, at first this place was considered as one of the most interesting and promising for the laying of tracks. The second factor was the construction of the road connecting France and Italy through the Iseran pass (the highest road pass in Europe). The road was inaugurated in 1937 in the presence of the President of France. And, as always in cases of great success, it was not without the great enthusiasm of certain people, in this case it was Charles Diebaut, Jacques Moufflet and the mayor of the city Nicolas Basile, who believed in the potential of the resort and invested all their energy in the construction and development of the infrastructure. Many problems had to be overcome on the way of formation: lack of electricity and water supply, difficult weather conditions and isolation from the valley by a high altitude and difficult road.

The first lift was put into operation on the slope of Mount Solais in 1936. But the resort really appeared on the ski map in 1937, when, ironically, two French government ministers who arrived on an official visit were trapped: 4 meters of snow fell and there was no way to quickly get out of Val d’ Isere opportunities And already in 1938, the construction of the first cable car on Solais began. At the same time, the support was far from unanimous: the president of the French ski federation, Jean Mathé, said that it was madness to build a ski resort here and that the event would be a complete failure. History has proven otherwise.

Jean-Claude Killy at the Grenoble Olympics in 1968

In the 1960s, an agreement was reached between the owners of the Val d’Isere and Tign cable cars to unify the regions, and in 1972, a third independent sector – Fornet – was added. In 1968, at the Grenoble Olympics, Jean-Claude Killy, who grew up in Val d’Isere, achieved stunning success, winning three gold medals (and thus winning in all three skiing disciplines). It is only natural that the united region was named after him and has since been known as the territory of Killie.

In 1992, the Winter Olympics were held in Albertville and part of the skiing program was held on the slopes of the Val d’Isere. On the initiative of the mayor Andre Degu, in preparation for this event, during the 80s, a program of total redevelopment of the resort and giving it a Savoy style was implemented, for this, in particular, a special stone mined in the Manche Valley was used in the construction.

In the center of evening Val d’Isere. In the background is the illuminated Face track .

And this is exactly how the resort welcomes guests nowadays: thorough, solid, elegant in the New Year’s way in the winter, where everything is aimed at ensuring that you can ride well in a day, and then relax, receive spa treatments and taste delicious Savoy cuisine in to one of the many (and quite expensive) restaurants.

Alpine skiing in Val d’Isere

This is a huge ski region, which includes 90 trails (however, you can safely include all slopes of the Mountain-Killey region in the resort area), two glacier skiing areas (Le Forme and Gran Motta) plus many quite difficult high-level trails. Despite the fact that Val d’Isereis positioned as a resort for advanced skiers (more than a third of the tracks here belong to the “red” and “black” category) and is famous for its Olympic-level downhill runs (it was here in 1992 that downhill competitions were held), many interesting sections can be recommended to beginners as well. First of all, the Solaise area is suitable for beginners, and what is unusual – several “green” tracks are located at the top of the slopes. And the Verte route stretches for 5 km from the top of the Col de Fresse almost to the bottom of the valley, which makes it one of the longest easy routes in the world – together with the “side sections” from Mount Belward (2827 m), its length is about 7.5 km !

Val d’Isere: downhill skiing and freeride

The trails of Val d’Isere are known for their variety, many trails are quite difficult. The height difference reaches 1,300 m (not including the tracks of the neighboring Tinya)

Fans of Val d’Isere consider it the undisputed leader not only in terms of difficult and interesting tracks (the maximum slope of the black Face track is 63%), but also one of the best places in Europe for freeriding. And indeed, in addition to the multiple (due to two glaciers, the exposure of the slopes and the microclimate) guarantee of snow, Val d’Isere has something to offer to experts and lovers of virgin lands.

There are a huge number of off-piste skiing routes on the surrounding slopes. To explore off-piste opportunities and not miss the most interesting routes, it is recommended to hire a guide. For strong skiers, an exciting day route to the village of Bonneval-sur-Arc will be very interesting. Off-piste routes of varying difficulty lead from the Pissaillas glacier, for example, through the Gorges de Malpasse you can descend to the village of Pont Saint-Charles and then return to Fornay on a cross-country ski track. This is a rather difficult route, especially when the snow is hard, it is recommended to be accompanied by a guide.

The slopes of Val d’Isere are divided into three main sectors: Belward (2770 m), Solez (2560 m) and Col de l’Iseran (2765 m), above – the Pissaillas glacier, 3300 m. The legendary black track of the resort with an impressive the slope and places are more like a track for a mogul – Face leads to Val d’Isere. Among other interesting tracks – OK (Oreiler-Killy) – long, sometimes quite difficult.

Many long red and short blue and even green routes diverge from the Boulevard towards the Shadow. The Col de l’Iseran sector with easy blue and green tracks is suitable for beginners. It is more convenient to get up here by cable car (cabin) from Forne, where you can get there by ski bus. Forne’s own tracks are red and blue, there is a black one that goes through the forest in places. Part of the lower routes of the Colez sector (closest to Val d’Isere) also pass through the forest, the upper sections are open and sunny.

The training slopes are located on the outskirts of the Val d’Isere, served by short rope lifts. For snowboarders, there are snow parks and ski jumps in various sectors, the tracks are mostly laid through the forest, and there is a border cross track. But the tracks of the neighboring Tinja are better suited for snowboarders, as sometimes in Val d’Isere you can get stuck on gentle areas or in the forest.

A carefully thought-out system of lifts connects the resort village with all areas of skiing. Moreover, they are mostly laid along the ridges, so the slopes of the valleys, in which the majority of the tracks pass, are almost completely devoid of funicular stands that interfere with skiing. Val d’Isere and the adjacent resort villages of Le Cret, La Die and others are planned in such a way that most of the hotels and apartments are located in the immediate vicinity of the ski slopes and lifts, and a number of resorts end within the town. At the same time, the town itself is quite picturesque with its colorful Savoy architecture and relatively few modern buildings.

The resort has 15 ski schools, including specialized slalom and snowboard schools.

Val d’Isere Zoopark with tracks of different levels of difficulty – from “green” to “black”, a spacious zone for beginners, numerous structures for performing various tricks. In the area of ​​Val Borsa, there are three tracks for border cross.

The ski season in Val d’Isère runs from November to April (lower slopes) to early May (glaciers).

A 24 km long ski run is laid around the village

Ski pass

A Val d’Isere ski pass for 1 day will cost 42-45 euros for an adult (13-64 years old), for children (5-12 years old) and pensioners – 35-40 euros, for six days – 203-225 and 162 euros, respectively .

A ski pass for the entire Espace Killy area for 6 days will cost about the same as a Val d’Isere pass for 13 days – 339 and 269 euros, respectively.

Ski passes for children under 6 are free. When buying a season ticket for 6 days or more, for an additional payment of 10 euros, 1 day of skiing in the Paradiski, Three Valleys and Valmorel regions is provided ; for an additional payment of 22 euros – 1 day of skiing in La Rosiere – Espas San Bernardo.

The approximate cost of classes in a group for adults – from 45 euros for 3 hours, for children – 35-40 euros for half a day (depending on the program and food).

Infrastructure

During its existence, Val d’Isere has turned from an ordinary Savoyard village into a luxurious resort, its architectural appearance is recognized as one of the most successful alpine ski resorts in France . Chalets with a gable roof, combining wood and raw stone, a central street with shops, restaurants and hotels – Val d’Isère aspires to become one of the best resorts in France, and it succeeds. The central part of the village around the medieval bell tower is a pedestrian area. Most hotels are located close to the lifts, and ski in / out at this resort is more the rule than the exception. Chalets and apartments, as a rule, are located a little higher, from them you can simply ski down to the lift, however, you will have to go back uphill.

Val d’Isere offers tourists a stunning combination of high-quality skiing in a classic mountain village. The resort does not offer any other mind-blowing entertainment, although, of course, there are several bars, discos, restaurants and spa centers. In the evening, you can visit a large number of restaurants of various culinary schools, various bars and cafes, pastry shops, many shops of all kinds – the infrastructure of the resort is excellently developed.

The resort has a modern sports center (area 600 square meters) with playgrounds for sports and a gymnasium, a climbing wall, a paragliding club, an “ice” car club, a bowling alley, a bridge salon and other sports facilities.

Aqua Lesure is a modern water complex, which has a 25-meter swimming pool, a relaxation pool with water cannons and directed currents, three jacuzzis, three saunas, a hammam and several massage rooms. There is also a large sports area with a fitness center, tennis tables, badminton and squash courts, a climbing wall 135 meters high and various simulators. In addition, 13 hotels in Val d’Isere offer residents and guests of the resort their spa centers for relaxation after skiing.

The city has an open ice rink, which from the beginning of the season is open from 14:00 to 19:00, and after mid-February from 15:00 to 20:00. Next to the rink is a chalet that sells hot drinks and regularly hosts entertainment.

One of the most popular entertainments is the “Evening at the Needle” program. By helicopter, tourists climb to a bar on the mountain, where light snacks and drinks await them to the accompaniment of a jazz orchestra. Then the group goes on snowmobiles to an ice bar, where a traditional alpine dinner with cheese fondue and other dishes will take place. And at the end of the evening, the tour participants ski down the night tracks. The average cost of such a tour is about 260 euros per person.

In addition, dog sledding and paragliding are available to tourists. There is also a large sports center with several swimming pools, gyms and saunas.

The Museum of History is opened in the oldest house of Val d’Isere , built in 1662.

Wi-Fi is available in four areas of the resort.

Val d’Isere: restaurants and bars

The resort has many restaurants with traditional French and Savoy cuisine, as well as Alsatian, Italian, American, Mexican and European cuisine.

La Grande Ourse is one of the resort’s best restaurants, and several more decent places are concentrated in the resort’s four-star hotels. Le Blizzard in the hotel of the same name is distinguished by its atmosphere and good dishes. La Taverne d’Alsace – traditional French cuisine at reasonable prices. The restaurants at the stylish Hotel L’Aigle des Neiges offer a variety of food options in several price ranges.

High mountain restaurants, various bars and piano bars should not be overlooked. The resort, which is popular among the English, is not without pubs, however, the prices are increasing from year to year. On the central street and in more remote corners of the resort, you can sit in an Internet cafe, go to a bridge club or hang out until the morning in one of the nightclubs.

In the region, there is a large selection of good restaurants (although relatively few are located directly on the slopes) with a cozy atmosphere: decorated with wood, with fireplaces, all kinds of frills and fashionable country decorations (somewhat reminiscent of Austria). Some institutions have their own, quite long and rich history, as evidenced by the photos hanging on the walls.

Restaurant La Carniche outside and inside

Invariable fondues, raclettes and tartiflettes are presented almost everywhere. We definitely recommend trying another local specialty — a complex dish that you partly prepare yourself. It is usually called braserade and looks like this: they bring you a special mini-barbecue with coals and grates on top. As meat, you can choose thinly sliced ​​beef or chicken, and you yourself cook right at the table to the degree of browning you like. Potatoes baked with cheese (very tasty), a plate of green salad and several sauces are served as a side dish. What is obtained as a result of the combination is simply wonderful, in addition, the ritual of self-cooking gives the process of taking food a special, magical charm.

A special mini grill for cooking braserade

If you decide to have a snack during a ski break, of course, almost everywhere there is pizza, sandwiches and baguettes, pancakes with various fillings, mulled wine and hot chocolate – the standard choice for a skier who does not want to burden his stomach too much. Just remember that the resort is not cheap and the prices may surprise you. For example, hot chocolate costs 6 euros, mulled wine – 7 euros, pizza – from 12 euros.

Apartment dwellers prefer to cook for themselves: there are two Spar stores in town (one right in the center of the resort), with a very good selection of products (you can even buy live lobster from the aquarium) and reasonable prices.

Sights of Val d’Isere – what to see.

Val d’Isere is a small resort that lovers of excursions will find interesting to walk around. Interesting historical monuments can be seen here literally at every step, in the very center of the city you can see a beautiful old church. It was built in the 17th century and is a vivid example of the baroque style, over the hundreds of years of the existence of this church, it was possible to preserve many original elements of decoration. The walls of the church contain many religious artifacts, including a very beautiful ancient iconostasis.

The Museum of History is located in one of the most beautiful historical buildings, its collection is relatively small, so a tour of the museum will not be tiring, it can be visited even with children. The main part of the museum is devoted to the history of the development of the resort, it presents an interesting collection of old photographs and historical documents, as well as samples of sports equipment used by skiers decades ago.

An ideal place for a family vacation will be a local farm, where guests are always welcome. The farm is especially popular among vacationers with children, it can be visited at any time of the year. Guests of the farm can meet very cute animals and learn how to care for them, and in the warm season visitors are offered to see how vegetables and spices are grown on the farm.

The resort has a very interesting Crafts Center, a visit to which should also be included in the excursion program. It introduces visitors to the most interesting craft traditions of the region, this center regularly holds master classes, including educational activities for children. Many travelers visit the craft center as a museum to admire interesting products and buy unique handmade souvenirs.

There are also suitable attractions at the resort for sweet tooth lovers, they should definitely visit the Chevallo House. This is the name of the historic confectionery, which was opened in 1965. Since its opening, it has been delighting the city’s residents and its guests with luxurious pastries prepared according to the author’s recipes with chocolate and traditional cookies with meringue. In this confectionery, training courses are regularly held, which anyone can sign up for. Many guests of the resort visit this shop to buy sets of sweets for their loved ones.

Family vacation with children in Val d’Isere. Where to go, what to show the child

Val d’Isere is one of the most popular ski resorts in France. Taking children here, you can be sure that the love for winter sports will be instilled in them from childhood, because a wonderful vacation will be remembered for a long time. Everything that is done here is carried out conscientiously, there is no need to worry about safety once again. Here you can go skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. Before this, there is always a briefing, during which you should listen as carefully as possible to what is said at the training.

If you are traveling with the youngest children (from 2 to 6 years old), you should pay attention to the Village des Enfants, where they can enjoy games and socializing with their peers. There are drawings, and trampolines, and toys, and all of this is in bright colors, which, as you know, really lifts the spirits of children. Nearby is the Val d’Isère Téléphériques – Domaine Skiable, where you can go ice skating or skiing. There are a lot of red tracks and only one blue track, and the territory of the complex is very large.

Those who prefer to swim in the pool will love the Center Aquasportif Val d’Isère. This is a huge and modern sports complex, which has a 25-meter swimming pool for adults, a sauna, as well as a children’s pool with water jets. In addition, the center is very clean, which will certainly please parents. Another place where you can buy plenty is called Le Lagon. It is located on the territory of the ski complex, and the price of the ski pass ticket includes a visit to the swimming pool. In this way, bathing will be a great end to an active pastime. There is a 25-meter pool, a children’s pool, and water slides, so it’s all worth experiencing while on vacation in Val d’Isere.

You can have a great time with the whole family at Camping les Richardes. Despite the fact that the center is quite small, it is very spacious and cozy, and thanks to the friendly staff, it is very pleasant to stay in the complex. Children who love to play any sport, especially tennis, should be taken to Tennis Aventure Val d’Isère. Picturesque scenery of Lake Chevril – this is what else children should be shown when visiting the Val d’Isere ski resort . The lake is very large, and besides, it is very peaceful and calm here. A picnic here would be a good idea. And if you climb the nearby mountains, they offer beautiful views of the lake.

Val d’Isère is rich in natural attractions, and another confirmation of this is the location on its territory Réserve Naturelle de Tignes-Champagny. Here you can ride the funicular, enjoying extremely beautiful views of the mountains – and at such moments everyone realizes that seeing something better is more likely impossible. Another interesting park is called Parc national de la Vanoise, it is a pleasure to take a family walk through it. Magnificent views, fresh air – all this only speaks in the most accurate way that the reserve is definitely worth visiting. It is also a great place for a picnic.

It is worth noting a couple of places where the soul of a sweet tooth and a child will be happy like never before. First of all, this is Crêperie Au Grand Marnier, where the best French pancakes are prepared, and the hot chocolate is also worth trying. Secondly, it is interesting to visit Le Blizzard, here you can try wonderful candies. At Dans le jardin des alpes you must try the chocolate ice cream, many consider it the best dessert they have tried in their life. And another place with delicious desserts is called Bar d’Altitude L’Ouillette, they make wonderful pancakes.

At the foot of the mountain, at the very bottom of the resort, there is a kindergarten “Dytyache Selo”. You can leave a child aged 3 to 13 in it for a day. Professional babysitters, animators and ski instructors will take care of the children, divided into different age groups. Children aged 18 months to 3 years are admitted to a separate nursery group. “Children’s Village” is open every day, except Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost of one day including meals is about 50 euros.

Summer vacation in Val d’Isere

In the summer of 2012, a combined cycling area for cyclists was opened in Tina and Val d’Isere following the example of their common ski area. Here, lovers of active recreation will be offered a wide selection of carefully prepared tracks with a total length of 150 kilometers, from the easiest areas for beginners to the most difficult descents for experienced athletes, 5 lifts and many different routes. The combined bike park is open every day from June 30 to September 2. 13 special patrols take care of the territory, inventory and visitors.

In the summer, the use of lifts is free for cyclists and for those who go to the mountains on foot.

There are other free options during the summer. In particular, you can use the swimming pool. Guided mountain walks are organized regularly.

Val d’Isere hotels

31 hotels of various categories, located mainly in the city center, numerous apartments. Luxury hotels, a large number of expensive 4 * class hotels. Most hotels are located in the immediate vicinity of the ski slopes, and you can get up on skis almost at the entrance. Prices, on average, are higher than in other French resorts. There are budget options for accommodation in numerous three-star hotels, chalets and apartments. For those looking for more democratic accommodation options, several “suburbs” have been built around Val d’Isere. The not too cozy village of La Dai with the ubiquitous faceless high-rise buildings, the more pleasant (but not close) Fornet or the convenient for skiing fans Le Lezinan are significantly cheaper to stay in the center of the resort. In general, when going to Val d’Isere, you should be prepared for a fairly high level of prices.

Chalet l’Avalin 4 star hotel

Chalet l’Avalin apartments are located in Val d’Isere , at the foot of the ski slopes. It offers chalet-style apartments with private balconies, ski storage and boot dryers. Guests are also invited to take skiing lessons from the owner of the apartment.

The apartment offers a view of the mountains. A DVD player is installed in the living area with a fireplace. Free Wi-Fi and a fully equipped kitchen area are at guests’ disposal in all apartments.

All apartments are equipped with washing machines and dishwashers. Other facilities include free private parking. Tignes Golf Course is 15 km away and Bourg-Saint-Maurice Train Station is 30 km away.

Chalet TOLIMA 5 star hotel

Chalet TOLIMA is located in the commune of Les Joserays. There is a restaurant, a shared lounge and a terrace. The balcony offers a view of the mountains.

The chalet has a DVD player, a kitchen with a dishwasher, a microwave and a fridge, a living room with a sofa and a dining area, 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms with a bath and a shower. Amenities include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.

The chalet offers a à la carte or full English/Irish breakfast.

Chalet TOLIMA has a sauna. Skiing can be enjoyed within close proximity of the chalet, and ski storage space is available at the chalet.

Chalet TOLIMA is located 1 km from Val d’Isere and 11 km from Tignes.

Chalet La Marsa

Chalet La Marsa is located in Le Fornay, just 150 meters from the ski lifts and 2.5 km from the center of Val d’Isere . A wellness center with a sauna and a hot tub, a terrace and a lounge with a home cinema are at your disposal.

All rooms at Chalet La Marsa are decorated in warm colors and equipped with a flat-screen TV. In addition, they all have a private bathroom with a hairdryer, slippers and free toiletries.

Regional cuisine is served for lunch and dinner. Guests have free Wi-Fi in public areas and a place to store ski equipment.

In addition, guests are provided with free parking. A bus to the ski slopes stops nearby. The chalet is located in the Vanoise National Park, 34 km from the train station of the city of Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

Chalet Lievre Blanc

Offering mountain views, Chalet Lievre Blanc is located in Val d’Isère, just 1.2 km from Belward Express Ski Lift and Soleise Express Ski Lift. Free Wi-Fi is available. Guests can relax on the chalet’s balcony. Hiking and skiing are popular in the surrounding area.

The chalet has 4 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a bath.

There is a ski storage room on the territory.

Popular attractions such as Funival ski lift, Etrots ski lift and others are located near the chalet.

Val d’Isere: how to get there

The nearest international airports are Geneva (220 km, 3 hours by car), Chambery (140 km, about 2 hours by car).

The nearest railway station is Bourg-Saint-Maurice, 30 km. Bourg-Saint-Maurice can be reached by train from all major cities in France. Val d’Isere can also be reached from Turin (approx. 2.5 h) and Milan (approx. 4 h).

Attention ! Petit St Bernard, Iseran and Mont Cenis passes are closed in winter.

Recommended routes: From Lyon or Chambéry: Take the A43 to Albertville, then Moutiers, then the D902 to Bourg St Maurice and Val d’Isere. The road from Lyon takes 3-3.5 hours.