When To Go

Val d'Isère is open for skiing and snowboarding from November to May, and ski conditions are usually fine throughout. Due to its great reputation, the resort is nearly always busy, but with over 300km of piste, finding your own spot to carve isn’t too difficult.

Top 5 Places To Stay

• Le Savoie

  This modern Savoyard-style property is located in the centre of the Val d'Isère, within 100m of the ski bus stop and lifts, and 32km from Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Decorated in a modern chalet style and offering mountain views, the 25 guestrooms all include high-speed internet connections, satellite television, and minibars. A half-board rate is also available.

• Hotel Kandahar

  Hotel Kandahar is a chalet-style property with stone walls and wooden beams, 300m from Espace Killy ski area. Guestrooms are with soft fabrics, wooden beams and carpeted floors and all have balconies, Internet points and cable television. Guests can unwind in the steam room, relax with a drink at the bar and sample the French brassiere-style fare.

• Residence Maeva La Daille Soleil

  This is a south-facing high-rise chalet-style residence located at resort entrance, one kilometre from the centre of Val d’Isère. Apartments boast balconies with views of the slopes and include fully equipped kitchens with electric coffee makers.

• Pierre & Vacances

  Residence Les Balcons de Bellevarde – With façades of wood and local stone, this modern residence is 200m from the ski lifts and 100m from Val d’Isère’s shops. Guests can relax on the wooden balconies with dinner prepared in the apartment kitchenettes.

• Hotel le Danival

  This ski-in/ski-out hotel is situated at the foot of the slopes near the old village, 30m from the nearest ski lift. The 16 guestrooms feature balconies with sweeping views of the Bellevarde Olympic ski run.

Top 5 Things To Do On Your Visit

• Nightlife

  Après-ski in Val d'Isère is regarded as among the most lively in the entire Alps, so if you’re young (or young at heart), prepare for long days on the piste followed by a night on the tiles. Most bars are predominantly English speaking.

• Shopping

  There are some great shops in the centre of the resort, especially if you’re self-catering and need to stock up on some tasty delicatessen buys. If not, then there’s always the array of ski/snowboard fashion and equipment shops.

• Skiing

  Val d'Isère’s ski conditions are seriously good. L'Espace Killy, named after France’s favourite skier, is almost always in the top bracket whenever there’s a ‘best ski areas’ poll, and the lift system is so well-structured it means that waiting time is minimal.

• St Bernard de Menthon

  If you want to get away from the snow, then there are a few culture attractions around town. The most interesting is probably the church at St Bernard de Menthon, which dates back to the 17th century. The cobbled streets around it are also picturesque.

• Hiking

  5. Although the resort is generally tailored solely towards the ski season, recent years have seen a surge in the popularity of summer hikes around the Solaise and Bellevarde mountains. Chairlifts still operate in the summer, although walking it has some advantages. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some eagles on your way up.