Val D’Isere,  one of the top ski resorts in the world ‘Val’ as it is affectionately known, is linked with neighbouring Tignes to provide over 300 kilometres of pistes. This, together with vast areas of accessible ‘off piste’, makes Val d’Isere one of the worlds premier skiing & boarding destinations.

Don’t, however, be misled into thinking that this area is just for experts. To help you get started the nursery slopes in the village are free, whilst the beginners slopes higher up give novices the glorious experience of skiing in the high Alps alongside more experienced skiers and boarders. There is also an abundance of blue, green and red cruising runs.

Val d’Isere has a renowned lift system which even in the busiest times copes easily with all those wanting to get up the mountain. There are high speed links between Val d’Isere and Tignes which enable easy and quick access to the whole area which collectively is known as the Espace Killy.

All the Val d’Isere ski areas of Le Fornet, Solaise and Bellevarde are interlinked and have runs suitable for all levels of ability. Additionally all the areas are connected by the super efficient Train Rouge, the Val d’Isere bus service which is freely available to all staying in ‘Val’.

Unlike many other French resorts Val d’Isere is a proper town, not just a purpose built ski resort. As a result it has a bustling and lively atmosphere centred on the wide main street that runs the length of the town. It has a weekly market selling mainly clothes, local cheeses and saucissons. There are numerous shops, restaurants, bars for a quiet drink, bars for après ski with live music, night clubs for those with the stamina, a swimming pool, an open air ice rink and a cinema showing some of the latest films.

Together with the continual improvements to the town, with the emphasis being on the priority of the pedestrian and the ongoing improvements to the lift system, the future of Val d’Isere as a top international resort is assured. Their is a lovely cake shop that is very popular with clientele. If you are interested paying a visit is can be found here. It is well worth the time

Web cam A great view of Val d’Isere, showing the town and the the three main ski areas of the resort. The tree clad mountain in the middle of the picture is the Solaise with Val d’Isere’s nursery slopes at the foot of it. The most distant peak on the left is the Le Fornet area where chalet Grand Pares is located. The middle of these three peaks is the ridge that separates Le Fornet and the Solaise skiing bowl linked by the famous ‘up and over chair’. If you scan round to the right the Manchet Valley appears with the Chatelard area of Val d’Isere in the distance; ski chalet Foxtrot is located here, at the end of the blue Santons piste which comes off the side of the Bellvarde mountain. The shoulder of the Bellvarde can be seen coming down into the town on the right hand side of the picture. NEW – we are now using Twitter for daily snow reports & weather updates through the season see Valdisere Snow.