Val d'Isere | Ski Resort Review

Val d'Isere in France's Upper Tarentaise Valley is one of the best ski resorts in the world, renowned for its extensive ski area and challenging off-piste terrain, high-quality accommodation and very lively après-ski . Perfect for keen intermediates and advanced-level skiers and snowboarders.

A Mecca for expert skiers & snowboarders, yet also a popular mainstream resort with high-quality accommodation and well-established services, Val d'Isere is undeniably world-class; it is best suited to those of intermediate to advanced ability, but the wide range of terrain in its extensive ski area means it can successfully cater for all ability levels.

"The local microclimate here has consistently delivered an accumulated snowfall total in excess of six metres most winter seasons"

Along with Tignes, it makes up one of the world's largest linked ski domains, the Tignes-Val d'Isere ski area. It’s one of the standout destinations in any round-up of the best ski resorts in France, thanks to its huge terrain, reliable snow and serious high-mountain pedigree.

The village sits at a snow-sure altitude of 1,850m, at the head of the Tarentaise Valley in France's Savoie department; the local microclimate here has consistently delivered an accumulated snowfall total in excess of six metres most winter seasons, making Val d'Isere a sound choice for anyone planning early and late-season ski trips.

One of those resorts you almost feel obliged to visit at least once, Val's lively upmarket apres-ski venues, chic boutiques, top-class hotels and deluxe chalets can make a holiday here very expensive, but visitors on more limited budgets can still find value for their money.

Best deals on Val d'Isere hotels: Book now on Booking.com

Best deals on Val d'Isere Ski Hire: Extra 5% off with SnowRental

Best deals on Val d'Isere Ski Lessons: Book now with Maison Sport

Val d'Isere - Ski Map & Pistes:

The three distinct sectors that form Val d'Isere's pisted ski area also have their own individual characteristics.

The Pissaillas Glacier/Le Fornet sector, at the highest and easternmost perimeters of the domain, has the quietest and most reliably snow-sure slopes and contains some good cruising runs through the upper Iseran Valley.

The central Solaise sector is Val d'Isere's original local ski hill, offering motorway-wide blue and red pistes that sweep through a high snowbowl and run down to the edge of the village via quite challenging sections through the wooded slopes above the central base area.

The Bellevarde sector is draped over an expansive snowbowl above Val d'Isere and La Daille, and houses the resort's two famous downhill courses: the Face black run, which challenged the world's elite ski athletes during the Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics and the 2009 World Alpine Ski Championships; and the OK red piste, used for the Criterium de la Premiere Neige races. This sector also houses Val d'Isere's spacious snowpark and is interlinked with two sectors of the Tignes ski area to form the Tignes-Val d'Isere ski area.

Tignes Interactive Piste Map:

Val d'Isere - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:

The quantity and quality of lift-accessible off-piste terrain is one of Val d'Isere's prime attractions, offering high-altitude glacial zones, super-steep couloirs, and powder-filled bowls. 

The Bellevarde side of the mountain has the most off-piste skiing in the Val half of Paradiski, with three famous runs The Banana, the south-facing Charvet Tour and the Face du Charvet. Some of the best powder can be found in the quieter Fornet section, while there are several ungroomed runs above La Daille. The Solaise sector has the least off-piste, but there is still plenty for the adventurous to enjoy, such is the extent of Val's off-piste terrain.

If all-time powder hunting is your thing, our guide to the world's best ski resorts for off-piste skiing will help you sniff out some serious freshies!

 Val d'Isere - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:

Val d'Isere is quite a sizeable village, with lots of hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs, shops and amenities, serving a year-round community.

A diverse international clientele populates the resort during the winter season, driving a very cosmopolitan and vibrant apres-ski scene; the action traditionally kicks off around three o'clock onwards at the renowned Folie Douce slope-side terrace bar at the upper terminal of the gondola above La Daille, and continues at a host of lively venues clustered around or nearby the central base area at Val d'Isere; new favourites that have already achieved legendary status include Cocorico Après Bar & Club and the Experimental Cocktail Club Val d’Isère. Also a Val legend is Dick's Tea Bar.

Despite the fact that a high percentage of guests stay in catered chalets and half-board hotels, Val d'Isere supports more than 60 busy restaurants, ranging from simple snack-food bars to swish Michelin-starred establishments, with lots of good quality venues somewhere in between.

The range of off-slope activities is also good: the municipal sports centre houses two swimming pools, saunas and steam room, a fitness suite and climbing walls; there's a small outdoor ice rink on the base-area slopes, plus there's a dizzying array of adventure activities on offer, including ice circuit driving, ice climbing, sightseeing flights in helicopters, tandem microlite aircraft or paragliding; as well as more sedate attractions such as scenic walks, a number of plush spas, and a cinema.

Val d'Isere - Ski Hire: 

With so many reliable chains in town, the easiest way to sort ski hire in Val d’Isère is simply to pick the shop that’s closest to your accommodation. All the big names are well represented — Intersport, Sport 2000 and Skimium each have multiple outlets spread across the resort — so swapping gear or dropping things back at the end of the day is hassle-free wherever you’re based.

Independent favourites such as Snowberry and Hors Limites continue to offer more tailored service and higher-end kit, while readers booking through Snowrental can also take advantage of an exclusive 5% discount on online rates, adding a welcome saving to a very polished rental scene.

Val d'Isere - Ski School:

If you want to learn to ski in Val d'Isere, you can choose from a wide selection of top-rated instructors in Val d'Isere on Maison Sport. Simply select your dates and lesson type, choose your ideal instructor and book online.

Other options include the ESF who offer a full range of individual and group lessons, Oxygène, Mountain Masters — well known for their off-piste expertise — Evolution 2, and ESI.