Isola 2000 was purpose built in the 1970s and is admirably compact—if not particularly pretty, architecturally. The spectacular mountain scenery and views down to the Côte d'Azur more than make up for the resort's ugliness, though.
The resort was home to France's first-ever snowboard club, and while its not standout enough to make our list of the best ski resorts for powder or the best ski resorts for beginners, it's a great jack of all trades — its location means there's something for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. It lies in a beautiful bowl close to the Italian border, just 90km from the French Riviera coast.
"A local micro-climate means Isola 2000 often gets snow when its more northern neighbours don't"
The high altitude of the slopes and a local micro-climate means Isola 2000 often gets snow when many of its more northern neighbours don't. This ensures some satisfyingly reliable conditions throughout the ski season. There are also 240 snow cannons covering nearly all its 120km of pistes, just in case.
While Isola's accommodation is not necessarily easy on the eye, it's certainly easy on the legs. It is ski-in, ski-out and there are a lot of great value self-catered apartments in the resort.
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Isola 2000 - Ski Map & Pistes:
While predominantly an intermediate's resort, Isola is also a great place to learn. There's a long, gentle slope near the resort base, with an exclusive nursery slope area and long blues to progress onto. A cut-price beginners-only lift ticket is available, giving access to just four of the key lifts serving the nursery slopes.
Of Isola's 45 runs, 13 are red and 22 blue, making it the perfect resort for intermediates. The slopes are on three faces and the Pelevos area offers the best variety, with many runs dropping down through the trees. Steeper terrain is to be found in the St Saveur sector, most notably the Super Vallon and Lou Mesclun black runs.
"Steeper terrain is to be found in the St Saveur sector"
Snowboarders will find an especially warm welcome here, as France's first-ever snowboard club was formed at the resort. There are many snowboard-friendly lifts and facilities, including a good high-altitude terrain park at 2,300m.
A must-do is to go to the top of the Cime de Sistron. On a clear day here, the views are absolutely wonderful, with the Mediterranean sea glistening in the far distance.
Isola 2000 - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:
More advanced skiers will find plenty of freeride terrain, and most of it is accessible from the chairs. The Mont Saint Sauveur sector has especially steep runsand is the most popular sector for off-piste skiing and snowboarding. There are also ski-touring possibilities into the beautiful Mercantour National Park.
As always, if you're venturing off piste, make sure you're carrying the correct avalanche rescue equipment (beeper, shovel and probe) and book a guide who knows the local terrain and conditions well. The tourist office can point you in the direction of local IFMGA-trained mountain guides.
Isola 2000 - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:
This is the only area where Isola 2000 scores badly. As a 70s-built resort, many of its buildings are obviously of a certain age—and some of them show it. But the resort has been investing a lot into upgrading the infrastructure and the newer architecture. Much of these upgraded buildings can be found in an area called The Hamlet, which is much prettier than the rest of the resort.
"As a 70s-built resort, many of its buildings are obviously of a certain age—and some of them show it"
That said, Isola is definitely fit for purpose; there are many great terraced bars and restaurants next to the slopes, as well as good-value shops and supermarkets nearby. Downtime activities to enjoy here include ice driving, ice skating, bowling, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, tobogganing and snowshoe walks. There is also a modern aqua centre just a 20-minute drive away, and a cinema in the centre, so you'll always find something to do.
Isola 2000 is a good bet for families with its mostly pedestrianised centre, highly convenient facilities, and good value ski schools and ski-passes. There is a good creche too, La Micro Creche, which accepts children from as young as three months. You'll also find ample child-friendly places to eat.
Isola 2000 - Ski Hire:
As in all French ski resorts, ski hire in Isola 2000 is easy to find with plentiful outlets, many of which offer online discounts. At Isola, there are three Intersport shops, three Ski-Set stores, a branch of Sport 2000 and more.
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Isola 2000 - Ski Schools & Lessons:
Isola is located in France, where the ESF is the main ski school. ESF offers its full range of group ski lessons and individual classes here, but you could also seek out The International Ski School, Esi which offers smaller group sizes.
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Bars and clubs
Snowball Bar
