Resort Overview for Val d'Isère: One of the world's most famous ski resorts, Val d'Isère offers a vast skiing panorama made famous by the great French skier, Jean Claude Killy, after whom the ski area, Espace Killy, is now named. The resort has it all - a huge vertical stretching up to an altitude of year-round snow and skiing, with 90 lifts opening up seemingly endless terrain, including Olympic and annual World Cup downhills. In 2004 the resort won the rights to host the Alpine Ski World Championships, making it only the third resort in history to host all three events - and the only resort in the modern era to do so.
The resort is however, one of those that have materialised from nothing at the turn of the last century, when it was just a small hamlet at the valley head, served by a rough mule track. The farms about the area lay dormant for up to 8 months of the year because of the snow. It all changed in the early 1930s when Parisian industrialist Jacques Mouflier persuaded the local mayor to work to turn Val d'Isère in to a ski resort. The rest, as they say, is history.
The local farmers trained as ski school instructors, a ski shop opened, the authorities brought running water and electricity to the village and six years later the first ski lift was installed. Today the resort, which then had just four hotels, can cater for over 28,000 overnight guests, staying in the resort centre or in one of the satellite accommodation complexes of Le Fornet or La Daille. Rapid development in the 1950s and 1960s led to the construction of some rather ugly concrete buildings, but in recent years the resort has worked hard to use local materials and architectural styles to make it far more attractive.
The Skiing in Val d'Isère: The Espace Killy, the name of the ski region which Val d'Isère shares with Tignes, is huge, part of over 10,000 hectares of snow fields. As you would expect, this means there is something to attract all levels of skier, which in itself is of particular interest to serious skiers, who are usually the ones who run out of options on a week's ski holiday first. Not so at Val, which must make the world top 10 choice of any expert skier. This is the venue chosen by the International Ski Federation to stage the first European downhill race in the annual World Cup each December, using the OK trail.
Choose the Solaise bumps run above the resort or the Olympic Men's Downhill from Bellevarde (a good first choice as it gets the sun early and accessed by the high speed underground 'Funival' funicular). Later on take off in to the powder fields (remember a Guide...). Otherwise the descents from the Pissaillas glacier or the Tour de Charvet basin runs are equally recommended.
Intermediate level skiers are equally spoiled, if not more so, with numerous long, fast, wide trails heading off in all directions through the six skiing sectors of the Espace Killy.
Beginners again have all they need to progress rapidly, including free lifts in the resort's nursery slopes area and a choice of over 500 ski school instructors to help them on their way. Novices only risk is of being daunted by the huge terrain around them. First steps up the mountain are normally taken on the Solaise plateau, immediately above the resort.
The lift system has been designed so that it's possible to move around the Espace Killy without having to drop back in to the resort, so study that map carefully!
Après Ski in Val d'Isère:Val d'Isère has a 50 / 50 split of clientele between domestic and international, but half of the international market is British, making a sizeable impact on the après ski atmosphere at establishments such as Dick's T Bar with its lasers and videos and pubs like the Pacific Bar and the 'Karaoke-friendly' La Foret. The other major night spot is Le Graal.
Cultural events are staged throughout the season, including concerts at the resort's church whilst festivals are ataged at the Centre Henri Oreiller. The 'red train' a series of over 20 shuttle buses circling the various key sections of Val d'Isère runs until midnight.
Skier & Snowboarder Reviews of Val d'Isère:
Steve, Ireland (24/04/2010):
I'd def recommend La Folie Douce at the top of the Daille Gondola on a Friday afternoon for some awesome apres ski! We heard the bass line from 2 runs away! Helen, UK (21/04/2010):
Val D'Isere is a good all-round resort providing a large ski area and plenty of resort facilities. It's very popular with brits and there are plenty of all-english ski schools to choose from.
There's a free, efficient shuttle bus that runs between the towns which is really useful when you've missed the last lift at the end of the day!
There's a new indoor sports centre under the main Gondola with a really nice swimming pool. When we went out this year they were giving free day passes to the swimming pool when you bought your lift pass.
Val D'Isere is not cheap so be prepared to pay over the odds for your drinks!
Whilst it's not exactly "chocolate-box" pretty, Val D'Isere is still very charming and certainly a lot prettier than the 70's style buildings of La Plagne.
The resort is suitable for young groups and families.
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Accommodation in Val d'Isère:Search through our database to rent private ski chalets direct from the owners in Val d'Isère. Contact owners directly to make a booking. Rent ski chalet Val d'Isère, France
 | | Val dIsere chalet, Sleeps 12 | | Catered or part catered ski chalet in the centre of Val d'Isere.
The chalet is designed to sleep 11/12 guests in comfort. The sitting room has an o...... | | |
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For more information on Val d'Isère please visit the resort's website http://www.valdisere.com |
