Location
The world famous Val-d’Isere ski resort is nestled in the heart of the French Alps, a short stone’s throw from both Switzerland and Italy. It offers some of the highest on and off-piste skiing in the world. Twinned with the neighbouring Tignes resort, collectively referred to as The Espace Killy (after Jean Claude Killy, a ski racer from Val d’Isere who won three gold medals in the 1968 Olympics), the area boasts almost 300km of marked runs for every level of skier. Visitors can also enjoy spectacular alpine views and a lively après ski culture.
Facilities
Val d’Isere’s excellent off-piste areas have helped to establish the resort as one of the best in the world for experts. Furthermore, its high altitude and geographical location help to create a snow-sure micro-climate where snow records are excellent.
Intermediate and beginner skiers and even young children are well catered for with a wide choice of cruising runs and nursery slopes, and a modern and rapid lift system serves the resort exceptionally well.
Val d’Isere’s extensive snowpark offers a great range of facilities for freestyle skiing and snowboarding as well as a Chill-Out Zone with music, computers, a repair corner and BBQ facilities.
Hop aboard the Train Rouge, Train Bleu or Train Vert to travel from one end of the resort to the other. These free bus services run every few minutes with impressive efficiency.
Après ski
Val d’Isere Village has had an extensive make-over in recent years and many of its buildings have been revamped and restored. At the centre of the pedestrianized old town you will find a number of attractive buildings and chalets that house modern boutiques, shops and restaurants. A weekly market sells clothes and local produce and the village’s swimming pool, open-air ice rink and cinema offer plenty of entertainment for those in search of a break from the slopes.
Numerous bars and clubs attract a lively crowd with Le Graal nightclub being the latest addition to the après ski circuit. Dick’s Tea Bar is a firm favourite with disco divas and Café Face, the Pacific Bar, Bananas and Le Petit Danois are all worth a look for those in need of a tipple or two after a hard day’s skiing.
Getting there
Val d’Isere is accessible from a choice of airports in both France and Switzerland.
– Chambery is a relatively small airport in the middle of the French skiing region, two hours drive from Val d’Isere. Snap up a low-cost flight from Flybe or Jet2.com who both other departure points across the UK.
Find the best fares to Chambery.
– Lyon airport is a little further away from the main ski resorts – expect an onward journey to Val d’Isere to take about three hours. However, since bmibaby opened new routes from Heathrow to Lyon, the airport is conveniently and affordably accessible.
Find the best fares to Lyon.
– Geneva airport is ideally located for many ski resorts in the French Alps and Val d’Isere is less than three hours drive away. Flybe, bmibaby, easyJet and Flyglobespan all operate routes to Geneva airport from the UK.
Find the best fares to Geneva.
Iglu ski is currently offering some great discounts on package holidays to Val d’Isere. For example, flights, transfers and seven nights’ three-star self-catering accommodation is available on January 13, 2007, for £289 (was £339).
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(Image: dr_pete)
