Mad Dog Ski: Ski Resort guidebooks for Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland

Val d'Isere - France

Val d’Isere has a well-deserved reputation for two things: the off-piste and the nightlife – and not necessarily in that order. The resort attracts everyone from the rich and famous (Bono and Richard Branson are regulars), who enjoy the 5-star chalets and fine dining, to snowboarders who live and breathe their sport. And, it seems, once you’ve been here, you’ll keep coming back.


Val d'Isere tourist office The key factor that lures people back here is the skiing. You may sometimes get more snow in America but in Val d’Isere you have access to challenging slopes, awesome off-piste and a good track record for blue-sky skiing.

There are three villages that make up the resort: La Daille, Le Fornet and Val d’Isere itself, with each having it’s own charm and appeal. La Daille is in great proximitiy to the slopes, and some of the best runs end up here, and being slightly out of the centre means it can be a cheaper place to stay in resort. Val d’Isere has its share of less attractive buildings but being a traditional ski town, Alpine brickwork and wood are springing up everywhere. Finally, Le Fornet sits at the far end of the Isere valley as a picture-postcard town. It can be expensive but is home to some of the best tree skiing and off-piste in resort.

Resort altitude1850m - 1850m
Highest lift3455m
Lowest lift1550m
Kms of piste300kms
No of lifts89
Black pistes12%
Red pistes27%
Blue pistes46%
Green pistes15%
Snow parks1
GlacierYes
Snowmaking650

Map of Val d'Isere - Open

What do you want to do?

Val d’Isere overview
An overview of the ski resort of Val d’Isere from where to stay, eating and drinking as well as non-skiing activities.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Val d'Isere as well as the low down on the different villages of the ski resort.
Planning your trip
Helping you to plan your trip with information on how to get to Val d'Isere.
On the piste
Getting you on the piste and around the ski area as quickly as possible including our favourite runs, where to get your ski hire from and which ski school to book with.
Food and drink
The inside view on where to find the best food and drink in Val d'Isere from the best apres-ski bars to the cosiest restaurants and where to eat when you’re skiing
Other activities
Can’t ski? Won’t ski? Too much snow or not enough? Find our about other activities in xx
Families
Skiing with children… dream or nightmare? With a little planning, it can be your best ski holiday ever.
Resort Directory
The list – sounds boring but it has all the important information such as doctors and dentists, internet and the tourist office.
Resort blog
Val d'Isere blogger, Ken Smith keeps you up to date on the resort, the snow and all the latest gossip...
Webcams and Weather
Webcams and Weather information for Val d'isere, France

Our penny’s worth - Open

At a glance - Open



Val d'Isere guidebook

Buy Guide

Snow Report:
Val D'isere
Report date:2 Jan 2009
Last snowed:1 Jan 2009
Fresh snow:10cm
Lifts open:46 out of 46
Snow depth:
Lower slopes:110cm
Upper slopes:180cm
Piste information:
On-piste:Good
Off-piste:Varied
Resort runs:Good
Snow conditions:
Pockets of fresh powder can be found off piste
Weather:
Lovely weather, perfect ski day