Many would argue Val d'Isere is the best ski resort in the world. And who are we to say otherwise - we love it too! From long mountain lunch hot spots to picturesque walks and epic pistes.
Get to know Val d'Isere
Val d'Isère is a charming resort at 1850m, close to the border of Italy. The ski area is connected with Tignes, creating Espace Killy; an expansive area offering 300km of slopes to explore. The resort centre (Olympic Avenue) offers shopping, bars and restaurants which tail off into the smaller villages in La Daille and Le Fornet.
The town is extremely pretty as old stone buildings are modernised with cosy woods and romantic lighting. Val d'Isère hosts a weekly entertainment programme including a light festival, while outdoor ice-skating and ice-driving are on offer if you're looking for more than just skiing.
Why you might love it
Amazing restaurants
Lively apres ski
World-class ski area
Nice Aesthetic
Non-skiers
At a glance
Ski area
Tignes-Val d'Isere
Resort altitude
1850m
Piste range
1550–3456m
Lifts
78
Green runs
21
Blue runs
65
Red runs
44
Black runs
24
More about Val d'Isere
Why we love Val d'Isere
Val d'Isère is luxurious and offers plenty of opportunity to indulge in the finer things in life. If Michelin starred restaurants or extravagant chalets are your cup of tea, look no further. Val D is home to the spectacular Folie Douce which is accessed by a heated gondola in La Daille.
On skis, there are two glaciers to explore, various tree runs to master and many mountain top restaurants to enjoy until the sun goes down. Off the mountain, there are ample spas, shopping and bars to keep you busy.
To top off your holiday, try a heliskiing trip which will take you over to neighbouring Italy.
Incredible skiing in Val d'Isere
Val d’Isere is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world and it’s for good reason. Many would claim it is the greatest ski area in the world and you’d be hard pressed to find a local who says otherwise.
Linked with Tignes you have a whopping 300km ski area to explore with everything from glaciers to sensational off-piste, open bowls, moguls, steeps, couloirs and world class snow parks.
The whole area is incredibly high and the north facing slopes help hold the snow. And due to its geographical location, Val d’Isere gets heavy snowfall from multiple weather fronts giving the area one of the best snow records in Europe.
Val d'Isere après ski
The apres ski scene definitely rivals the quality of Val d’Iseres ski slopes. The town is brimming with bars and restaurants and you have no shortage of amazing options when it comes to après ski.
All the usual sunset drinks, sophisticated cocktail bars in town or spa options are available. Plus you have some table stomping madness up on the slopes as well.
The original Folie Douce brings the Ibiza-style festivities to the slopes. Cocoricos is jammed with live music and Le Petit Danois brings a little Danish flavour to the mix. Take your pick.
What we like
- Luxurious accommodation in a resort that looks how you'd imagine a ski resort
- Top chefs, Michelin Star aplenty, but there are heaps of other amazing options as well
- The ski area is very hard to beat, with an amazing snow record to boot
- Enough apres options that you can find your vibe, whatever you fancy from top-notch spas to dancing on the tables
Worth knowing
- It's not a cheap resort, think London prices
- You can catch the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and it's a 40 minute taxi from there (plenty of cabs waiting normally as well as a scheduled shuttle if you time it right)
- A lot of the hotels have spas you can pay to access even if you are not staying there
Hidden gems
Best Bite
There’s a small restaurant in La Daille that’s a local favourite as well. It’s pretty much essential to book but Le Barillon is worth it and is great value for money as well.
Best Piste
If you’re learning then the wide cruisy slopes around the Solaise and Bellevarde ski area are the places to head.
Apres Ski
It has to be Cocorico for an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. Some of the best live bands in the Alps play here and it’s only open until 8pm. Get here early if you want a table (to dance on rather than eat).
