Skiing & Snowboarding in Val d’Isère

Val d’ Isère is a very popular resort. It offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in France. There’s a great lift system, massive snow depth and loads of off-piste just near the lifts. The main village has been developed into a tasteful tourist area. The main street has lots of designer shops, bars and restaurants. Further back you will find all the accommodation, ranging from affordable to exorbitant.

The skiing and snowboarding

Val d’Isère is skier and snowboarder heaven. Freeriders will have the time of their lives as there are 200 miles of piste and a vast tract of off-piste. Try the Les Marmottes, which has tons of fresh off-piste tracks, and the Vallée Perdue which has a risky track only a few feet wide in places. For freestylers, there is an endless area available to indulge yourselves. The fun park under the Mont Blanc chair is small but still a must-see. Additionally, there are two slopes in the village center which are perfect for beginners. Once you are comfortable with the basics of snowboarding, there are plenty of slopes available for you to enjoy.

Where to stay

There’s a whole range of lodgings to choose from. For those who want the Val luxury experience, the five-star Les Barmes de l’Ours is recommended. This is Val’s premier hotel complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant and an elegant spa. The Avenue Lodge on the main street is a luxury chalet-style hotel with cutting-edge room and suites and an impressive spa and pool. If you want a family-friendly place, look no further than Le Brussel’s, a charming four-star hotel with a spa, pool and sun terrace. Also try Hotel Tsanteleina, a traditional hotel in the village center with some great family rooms. Those who’re on a budget, head over to UCPA Val d’Isère, a non-profit residential centre where the prices include full board, lift pass, rental equipment and any training classes. For affordable and well-located chalet accommodation check out Ski Bonjour, they have some great early and late season deals and the catering is top notch.

Where to eat

You have lots of dining options to choose from. For those who want to taste luxury cooking, there are various places such as La Fruitière, where guests can sample wines and cheeses from across France and the menu includes wholesome meat and pasta dishes. Le Signal is another pleasant dining service which offers traditional cuisine made from fresh ingredients. If you are looking for moderately-priced eating places, L’Edelweiss is a warm, welcoming restaurant which is a particularly good choice after a cold day. Les Tufs is another ideal place which offers a menu that includes pizza, pasta and fondue. For those of you on a budget, Les Marmottes has by far the best self-service and you can find good dishes under €10.

Après shred

Val d’Isère is a great spot for young crowds and boasts some amazing clubs. Much of the partying takes place at Folie Douce, a crazy outdoor club on the slopes. But keep in mind that the drinks’ prices here are ridiculously high. In the village, there are some notable nightlife spots such as Café Face, a good, relatively cheap club. The Morris pub has great live music and is ideal for late-night partying. If you want a quiet and unobtrusive setting, check out the Bluenote, a small, friendly bar frequented by seasonaires. Sports lovers can head to the Pacific, which has lots of screens and an abundance of drinks. The ideal place for seasonaires is the Saloon, complete with a DJ and live music. Le Doudoune is a noisy nightclub open until 5 am with a free shuttle service to drop you home.