Val d'Isere, France

The ski slopes

There is always snow in Val d'Isere. Usually when other resorts are suffering with snow shortages, you can bet on Val d'Isere to have plenty of the magic white stuff! The average annual snowfall in Val d'Isere is around 10m, this is enough to bury a two storey house, and the altitude 1850m to 3439m ensures that the snow is kept in perfect condition from late November to early May. The area has a superb coverage of snow cannons should there ever be a need.

Val d'Isere not only has one of the world's best snow records, it also has one of the world's largest ski areas, 100 square km's, with 300 km's of exceptionally exciting and varied runs for skiers of all standards. The off piste skiing is simply majestic, the best in the world!

The lift system has more than a hundred lifts, many of them high speed. The area also boasts two world class funiculars. The men's world cup downhill ski season traditionally kicks off every December in Val d'Isere - a great spectacle to be seen by all.

The ski village

Entering Val d'Isere by the unique La Daille gateway is a magical experience whether by day or night. Visitors feel like they are entering an arena as the spectacular surrounds of the mountain backdrop encircle and protect the village and its hamlets. This authentic setting seems to have been carved out of history itself. Sturdy wooden and stone houses with colonnaded facades line the streets with the oldest ones being easily recognisable with their construction dates carved into the door lintel. Some of these beautiful dwellings date back to the 17th century.

Village architecture straddles the old and the new and the modern constructions form a harmonious link between past and present. The heritage and traditions of Val d'Isere live on today. Val d'Isere is not only a village but is made up of a centre surrounded by five little hamlets, Le Fornet, Le Manchet, Le Chatelard, La Daille and Le Laisinant.

There is lots to do for skiers and non skiers, an ice rink, swimming pool, shopping, great restaurants, tea shops. Non skiers will find the resort extremely interesting, being situated near the Italian border gives Val d'Isere a unique personality, an authentic and romantic feeling of being in the heart of the alps.