The Ski Resort
Val d Isere in one of the top 5 luxury ski resorts in Europe and many would probably place it in the top 2 or 3. Part of the Espace d Killy ski region and situated at an altitude of 1850m, it boasts over 300km of high altitude pistes with many of the slopes ideally suited for intermediate and advanced skiers. The beginners slopes are adequate but predominantly it has to be said that this is a luxury ski resort that is more directed at competent skiers rather than those that are just starting out. And just because Val d Isere is a high altitude ski resort, do not be fooled in to thinking that it will be ugly as a consequence. This is a resort that invented the word luxury long before many of us existed and as a consequence the shops and luxury chalets are all very tastefully styled in wood and local stone with the roofs finished in beautiful slate also from the Tarentaise quarries.
But it is not just the skiing that makes Val d Isere special; this is one resort that breathes luxury in abundance and the bars, restaurants and importantly the boutique luxury chalets ensure that you will just know as soon as you have arrived that you have joined an exclusive club for the week. As consequence you may however want to bring the American Express card. Part of the Val d Isere charm is its extravagance and also its ability to make any opportunity a chance for a damned good party. This is one luxury ski resort where the luxury is not about sleeping in the comfy beds that adorn the luxury chalets in this village. People arrive in Val d Isere to party as much as they come to ski. Do not therefore expect to be leaving the swanky bars until at least two or three in the morning without a well planned escape route!
Back to the skiing, being a luxury destination this ski resort has invested well in its infrastructure and therefore most chalets are a short stroll away from a high speed chair to whisk you up into the high mountains and skiing as high as 3,450m. Being so high the snow conditions are nearly always perfect with a good snow cover and just a step or two from the piste you will generally find some powder too.
Worth Knowing
For the ultimate in luxury travel, a Premier ticket on one of the two Eurostar trains is a must with Val d Isere just over an hour from Bourg St Maurice. A night train departs Friday (8.31pm) arriving the following day (6.27am) and with a Premier ticket you get great food and a luxury wide reclining seat. Alternative take the day train (departs Saturday 10.00am and arrives 6.20pm) and again a Premier ticket really does make a comfortable way to travel in luxury. There is a return Saturday day train (departs 9.44am and arrives St Pancras 4.11pm) and return night train (departs 10.15pm and arrives St Pancras 7.16am) of course as well.
Off Piste Skiing
Val d Isere is one of the best luxury ski resorts as a consequence of not only its style, but its off-piste. The Solaise area through the trees are just heaven in our view, but secure a Mountain Guide when you do it as it is steep in places. The Lavancher couloir is quite wide and attractive as a consequence, but remember Lavancher means avalanche so beware. The Pissaillas glacier has off-piste skiing starting at over 3,000m and can ski as close or as far as you are comfortable from the pistes. As in all off-piste terrain, we always recommend you ski with a Mountain Guide and here you will be on Glacier terrain with crevasse risk, cliffs, avalanches and many more. Bellevarde are is also very popular and probably has the most off-piste to be found with something for most off-piste levels.
Ski School
ESf are the most popular ski school for lessons. Evolution 2 and Oxygene are the other two big ski schools although there are many more.
Snow Boarding
Val d Isere is snowboarders dream with typically lots of powder, a great variety of ski runs, and off-piste that goes on and on. The Bellevarde being one of the most popular, along with the tree line skiing of Le Fornet in bad weather.
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Pros
One of the top 5 luxury ski resorts in Europe
300km of linked pistes
High altitude ski resort and skiing
Pretty village, with stylish luxury chalets and great apres-ski
Cons
Expensive
some much skiing and apres-ski you will need another holiday
Heavy British influence
Ski Resort Map
Ski Piste Map
Getting Around the Ski Resort
Most of the luxury ski chalets are close to the ski lifts although Val d Isere has become a little spread out with its growth and therefore some luxury chalets are close to lifts but a little away from the town centre. Therefore the bus service comes in handy in some cases regarding apres-ski.
Activities Outdoor
Val d Isere really is a top luxury ski resort and its activities reflect this. Take a husky sleigh ride snug in the warmth of traditional alpine blanket, enjoy Val d Isere mountain beauty with a leisurely snowshoe walk, or for the adventurous a spot of ice climbing. And for the perfect traditional luxury ski holiday, ice skating on the open ice rink.