Val d’Isère Ski Resort

One of the world’s favourite ski resorts, Val d’Isère has access to the best all-around ski area in the world, the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area. With just over 100 lifts, this ski area has as much skiing as one could ever need, not to mention the longest winter in the Alps. The winter ski season here begins in late November and continues until early May, and conditions are seldom disappointing.

The main centre of the French ski resort of Val d’Isère has been virtually rebuilt and many of the buildings are imaginative contemporary interpretations of the traditional stone and Savoyard style wood structures.

Ski holidays to Val d’Isère were revolutionised with the introduction of après-ski in the 80s, when Dick Yates-Smith set up the seminal bar-nightclub known as Dicks Tea-Bar. There’s plenty of après ski options in Val d’Isère so you will not be disappointed.

Call our ski experts today to find out more about our Val d’Isère ski holidays.

Val d’Isère Transfer Time
Chambery
Map Marker 2h 0m
Grenoble
Map Marker 3h 0m
Geneva
Map Marker 3h 30m

Best For...

  • Après ski
  • Stylish resort
  • Sustainability
  • Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area

Resort Statistics

  • Resort Altitude 1,850m
  • Skiing Altitude 3,455m
  • Total Ski Area 300km
  • Lifts 90
  • Green Runs 53km
  • Blue Runs 147km
  • Red Runs 72km
  • Black Runs 28km
  • Cross Country 21km

Ski Accommodation in Val d'Isère, France

Our collection of Val d’Isère ski accommodation has been hand-picked by our ski experts. Whether you’re looking for a luxury escape, a boutique hotel or something suitable for the whole family, our experts would be delighted to help you find the perfect accommodation for your Val d’Isère ski holiday.

Ski accommodation
Ski Areas in Val d'Isère

Ski Areas in Val d'Isère

Val d’Isère ski resort is part of the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area alongside Tignes. With over 300km of piste-skiing and plenty of additional off-piste powder fields, there’s a huge array of skiing to be found here. Val d’Isère alone can be broken up into three ski areas; Le Solaise, Bellevarde and Le Fornet, all offering different slopes and styles of skiing.

Skiing in Val d'Isère

Skiing in Val d'Isère

Snow-sure, varied and extensive; the skiing in Val d’Isère ski resort is some of the best in the world and it’s a great place for all ages and abilities. The pistes are well connected and the different areas within the Tignes – Val d’Isere mean you can follow the sunshine around throughout the day. Beginners are recommended to head to the wide, cruisy slopes found in the Solaise and Bellevarde areas, whereas advanced skiers will enjoy the vast selection of black runs, including the world-famous ‘La Face’. There’s plenty of off-piste skiing for those looking for fresh powder.

Best Ski Runs in Val d’Isère
Snowboarding in Val d'Isère

Snowboarding in Val d'Isère

Val d’Isère is a brilliant ski resort for boarders, with an abundance of off-piste for the advanced and very few drag lifts for beginners to contend with. There are two fun parks, one in Val d’Isère and one in Tignes, both with a half-pipe and well worth a visit for any intermediate or advanced boarders heading to the Tignes – Val d’Isere.

Sustainable Choice

Taking the train is the most environmentally friendly way of travelling to this resort. We work closely with Eurostar and can tailor-make this package with competitive train rates – call for further details.

Ski Schools in Val d'Isère

Ski Schools in Val d'Isère

With many ski schools and instructors to choose between, there really is something for everybody.

We’ve partnered with New Generation and Oxygène and highly recommend their services. All of our partners offer fantastic lessons for all ability levels.

Book your ski lessons with our recommended suppliers. If you’re travelling during a peak week be sure to book these well in advance.

Crèches in Val d'Isère

Crèches in Val d'Isère

Le Petit Poucet is the most popular and is a non-ski kindergarten catering for three to ten-year-olds. t4 Private Nanny Service will look after children from four months old in your own chalet or accommodation, staffed by qualified British nannies. Both services offer a pickup and drop-off service in conjunction with the ski schools. We highly recommend pre-booking any childcare well in advance, especially for peak school holiday dates.

Top Ski Runs

Nursery slope
Located in the centre of town.


Col de I’Iseran
There are many gentle, wide, uncongested runs in this area with good progressive terrain.


Col Pers
One of out favourite off-piste runs for experienced skiers, from the Pisaillas glacier down to Le Fornet.

Restaurants in Val d'Isère

Restaurants in Val d'Isère

Chez Paolo – a traditional Italian restaurant serving pizza, pasta, meat dishes and homemade ice cream.

Edelweiss – our favourite; cosy in bad weather, great outside terrace when the sun is shining, highly recommended food.

La Fruitière – a self-service restaurant located within La Folie Douce mountain complex.

Best Restaurants in Val d'Isère
Après Ski in Val d'Isère

Après Ski in Val d'Isère

La Folie Douce – located at the top of the La Daille lift. The live band, cabaret acts and packed crowds party well into the night.

Dick’s Tea Bar – the go-to night club opens until 4am, queues start forming around midnight.

Bananas – ideal for those on the descent from the mountain and for late night drinks.

Best Après Ski in Val d'Isère
Non-Skiers in Val d'Isere

Non-Skiers

From ice-driving in a BMW to dog sledding or winter walking; there’s plenty to do off the slopes in Val d’Isère ski resort. There’s a cinema for snowy days or evenings with children and a great leisure centre with two large pools, with one entry included in the cost of your lift pass. It’s a fabulous place to be regardless of whether you’re skiing or not, and there are plenty of restaurants in the town which are fantastic to visit throughout the day and evening. The après ski bars are also well located so that those not on skis can join the rest of the group easily.

Top Things to Do in Val d’Isère

Map of Val d’Isère

Val d'Isère Ski Holiday FAQs

Tucked away in the heart of the French Alps, the world-renowned ski resort of Val d’Isère sits in the Tarentaise Valley, a stunning region close to the France-Italy border. This exceptional ski resort boasts over 300km of slopes to explore, making it one of the most popular winter sports destinations in the world. From Val d’Isère, skiers can enjoy easy access to neighbouring resort Tignes.

At an elevation of 1,850m, the charming mountain village of Val d’Isère offers spectacular panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains that surround it. The ski resort and ski areas reach altitudes above 3,000m.

If you’re new to skiing or are looking for slopes where you can build your confidence, Val d’Isère makes a fantastic choice for a ski holiday.

Although often associated with experienced skiers, the resort of Val d’Isère is surprisingly beginner-friendly. The Solaise area is perfectly suited for beginners, with a vast array of gentle slopes and magic carpet lifts that are ideal for building your confidence. As you progress and become more comfortable, you can explore wider green and blue runs such as those found in the Madeleine area, providing you with a gradual learning curve.

You can also take advantage of the excellent ski schools and skiing lessons with our trusted instructors while skiing in Val d’Isère. If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, be sure to book your ski lessons in advance to ensure you secure your space.

Thanks to its high altitude and reliable snow cover, Val d’Isère boasts a fantastic ski season.

Typically, January provides the quietest period with excellent snow conditions and plenty of great ski deals on offer. However, lots of people choose to visit during December for a truly magical experience full of festive cheer.

Val d’Isère proves popular with families and groups during the February half-term holidays, so you may find it busier at this time. March and April are also wonderful times for a ski holiday to Val d’Isère as you can benefit from sunnier days and longer lift hours.

France is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations for a family-friendly skiing holiday, and with ski resorts like Val d’Isère, it’s not hard to see why.

Although it’s renowned for its challenging terrain, Val d’Isère makes a fantastic choice for those looking to book a ski holiday the whole family can enjoy. The resort boasts dedicated beginner zones that are perfect for little ones to learn at their own pace, along with the excellent ski schools and lessons on offer.

Aside from skiing, the resort’s relaxed and welcoming atmosphere makes it ideally suited for families, with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and other facilities catering to those travelling with children. The crèches and nanny services on offer in Val d’Isère, such as Le Petit Poucet, provide the perfect opportunity for parents to spend a few hours exploring the more challenging slopes or simply relaxing and soaking up the views, confident that their children are in safe hands.

There’s also a wide range of other activities and experiences you can enjoy together, from snowshoeing and dog sledding to ice skating and even airboarding!

Although the world-renowned slopes are undeniably a huge draw for those visiting Val d’Isère for a ski holiday, there’s so much more to be explored.

The resort and surrounding areas are a haven for those who love to try their hand at unusual and thrilling activities. From challenging hiking trails with breathtaking views across the snowy peaks to horseback riding and mountain biking, you’ll never be short of fun.

However, the Val d’Isère ski resort also caters to those seeking a more relaxed getaway. There are countless restaurants and bars to spend evenings enjoying exceptional traditional cuisine and après ski festivities with fellow holidaymakers. You’ll also find a wealth of luxury accommodation options complete with swimming pools, spas and treatment centres for some well-deserved downtime away from the slopes.

If you have your preferred departure date in mind for your Val d’Isère ski holiday, you can leave the rest to us. Our experts will be on hand to help you with everything from travel arrangements and accommodation to activities and unique experiences, creating an itinerary that is entirely bespoke based on your wishes.

All you need to do to get started is get in touch with our team today or fill in our online enquiry form and one of our ski experts will contact you at a convenient time to help you plan the skiing adventure you’ve always dreamt of.

The overall cost of your tailor-made ski holiday to Val d’Isère will depend on where you’d like to stay, how long you’d like your trip to last, the size of your travelling party, and what sort of activities you’d like to include. We’ll take all of this into account when providing you with a quote, so you can have peace of mind knowing everything is in hand ahead of your departure.

Before embarking on your Val d’Isère ski holiday, there are some essentials that you’ll need to make sure you’ve packed for your trip

  • Ski jacket
  • Ski trousers
  • Ski socks
  • Ski gloves
  • Ski helmet
  • Goggles
  • Neck warmer or balaclava
  • Sunglasses
  • Long-sleeved layers and thermals
  • Comfortable walking boots
  • Casual clothing for evenings or days away from the slopes
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Hat and scarf
  • Toiletries
  • Essential travel documents
  • Phone and charger
  • Cash and debit or credit cards
  • Sun protection
  • SPF lip balm
  • After sun lotion
  • First-aid kit
  • Small rucksack
  • European plug adapter

For more tips on what to pack, check out our ski holiday packing list blog.

We Can Tailor-Make a Holiday to Suit You...

We have a team of experts on hand to help you choose the perfect holiday. From a luxury ski weekend in Val d’Isère to a big adventure in the Rockies, we’re whatever you want your holiday to be.

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