winter
season |
|
summer
season |
|
resort height |
1850m |
highest lift
|
3550m |
snow range |
6,069 - 11,715 ft |
snow
probability |
excellent |
transfer
times |
Chambery 2.75hrs |
Lyons 3.25hrs |
Geneva 3.75hrs |
|
click map for larger picture
|
|
Serious
enthusiasts of ski and aprés-ski from
all over the world return time after time to this real favourite of
ski resorts. Val d'Isère makes
up one half of the enormous L'Espace Killy area, providing an
abundance of piste and off-piste skiing. This is the undisputed
capital of modern alpine skiing. The European season kicks off here
in early December.
|
The heart of
Val d'Isère dates back to the 13th century, a great contrast to its
futuristic neighbour, Tignes. A variety of bars and clubs
keeps the nightlife kicking into the early hours. The Le Forent glacier
guarantees snow. The Funicular railway lifts 272 skiers in 4.5
mins to the top of Bellevarde at over 9000ft. |
|
good points |
bad points |
- great for beginners
- superb skiing
- lively après-ski
- reliable snow record
- tough runs
- extensive off-piste
- variety of intermediate and expert skiing
- some of the best lift served off piste runs in
the world
- lots to do for non-skiers
|
- some runs to village are challenging and are
unsuitable for beginners
- expensive
- piste grading understates the difficulty of
runs
- lack of tree level runs
- limited child care
|
|
mountain restaurants |
whilst many of the self-service restaurants leave a lot
to be desired, most of them have fantastic restaurants upstairs or
attached offering very reasonable prices for the Plat du Jour. Le
Signal at Le Fornet, La Fruitiere, the Edelweiss and the Trifollet all
offer great food and there are numerous good restaurants on the edge
of the beginners' slopes - Grand Ourse, Bananas. |
aprés ski |
Recommended
is Dick's T-Bar for the laser show and videos. For a pub atmosphere
try The Pacific Bar and for live bands, visit the Moris Pub |
activities |
accompanied snow-shoe walks (short walk every morning
and longer one in the afternoon), skating, swimming, a fitness centre
(plus several more in various hotels), bridge sessions, lots of sun
terraces, cinema (with films in english) *
fitness centre (english tuition) * indoor swimming pool (free with
7-21 day liftpass) * parapenting * skidooing * Ice rink * ice climbing
* dog sledding |
eating out |
more
than 50 restaurants. * 3 course set menu approx €23 * local
fondues with wine and desert €22 * Pizzas €7.60 * try
"1789" for fondues, La Perdix Blanche and Le lodge for
pizzas and Bananas for mexican food |
other amenities |
weekly
open air
market
* supermarket * lots of boutiques * art exhibitions |
children |
The ESF take children from three in their Jardin des
Enfants. Snowfun take children from three in their Club Nonours and
from four in the Marmottons. Infants and children are taught in
separate groups |
tourist
office |
BP 228, F73155 VAL D'ISERE |
tel
33 479 06 06 60 |
fax
33 479 06 04 56 |
|