Val d’Isere Ski Resort Guide
Val d’Isere has the enviable position of being known worldwide as one of the most iconic resorts on the planet. A lively main town centre area is where most of the apres-ski action happen – with two smaller villages of La Daille and Le Fornet at either end completing the resort.
A huge number of British and Scandinavian holidaymakers swell Val d’Isere’s population during the winter months. This provides the party atmosphere which the resort is renowned for. Although labelled as expensive and elitist by some, there are plenty of more affordable and relaxing amenities to be found. It’s not all Moet champagne and caviar, but it certainly can be if you want it.
Skiing in Val d’Isere
Val d’Isere’s first ski lift was built way back in the 1930s. The resort’s popularity was secured following local resident Jean-Claude Killy’s success in the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Although originally from Alsace, locals were so pleased with his performance that they named the large Espace Killy ski area after him.
This enormous skiable area shared with Tignes features 300km of pistes ensuring every level of skier is catered for. The majority of the area sits above 2000m meaning the terrain is as reliable as you get for snowfall. Val d’Isere also has a longer winter season than many of the lower resorts across Europe.
Despite the Espace Killy being a huge area, a quick and efficient lift system means very few queues on the slopes. Additionally there are very few connecting lifts needed to get around. The lift-accessed areas of off-piste skiing are known as some of the best in Europe as well. This means you can get your fix of fresh powder without ever trekking too far away from the pistes.
