Val d’Isère

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More discreet than Courchevel or Megève, Val-d’Isère is a mix of the two: an authentic village (though this time in high mountains) with establishments and chalets geared towards luxury. What we love about Val d’Isère is its stone-built village character, its fine addresses and its near-guaranteed snow cover. Its ski area is linked to Tignes, forming an XXL area in the heart of the Vanoise massif.

📌 Northern French Alps – Savoie

Val d’Isère

📏 Altitude: 1850 m

🎿 Alpine skiing: 300 km

⛷️ Cross-country skiing: 20 km

🌟 Resort style: Village resort

💰 From 78 €/day (2026-2027)

21 green

67 blue

41 red

29 black

📅 Open 28 November 2026 to 2 May 2027

Overview of Val d’Isère

At the very top of the Tarentaise valley, Val d’Isere has an end-of-the-world feel. It takes 1h30 and 90 km to reach Val d’Isere from Albertville at the motorway exit. Up there, this village at 1,800 metres altitude has rapidly become a resort with an international reputation. It consists of several sites: La Daille — at the entrance to the Val d’Isere plateau — is a group of 1970s residences, with some more recent residences and a few chalets. 2 km from the centre, La Daille is ski-in ski-out, well positioned for skiing both Tignes and Val d’Isere. The Village — stretching over just over a kilometre — sits at the confluence of the Isere river and the Manchet valley. Mostly recent but composed of large chalets and buildings clad in local stone and covered in lauze, the village takes its architectural cues from local traditions. It is dominated on one side by the Solaise ski area and on the other by Bellevarde, whose face has become an iconic ski run. Le Fornet — right at the end of the valley before the first ramps of the Col de l’Iseran — is a more authentic hamlet of large stone chalets, also situated at the foot of the slopes.

Our review — Val d’Isère

★★★★☆ 4.0/5

Ski area — key figures — Val d’Isère

🌟 Village resort (Savoie)
📏 1850 m Village altitude (3450 m Top altitude)
🏨 33.091 tourist beds
🎿 158 runs

13.3%

42.4%

25.9%

18.4%

🚠 45 ski lifts

Power moment^*: 24351 km.sk/h (Major resort)

Average lift age: 28 years

Get directions to Val d’Isère

When to visit

Val d’Isère in summer

At 1,850 metres altitude, Val d’Isere offers an invigorating summer, between the majestic mountains of the Vanoise, wild nature and varied activities. Though mornings can be cool, the alpine light and purity of the air make every day unique. On the edge of the Vanoise National Park, the resort is an ideal starting point for exploring exceptional natural sites. The Col de l’Iseran — the highest paved mountain pass in Europe — attracts cyclists and walkers for its spectacular views over the glaciers. The Aiguille de la Grande Sassiere, accessible on foot without technical equipment in August, is one of the highest summits reachable without alpinism techniques, rising to over 3,700 m. The Prariond refuge, nestled in a hanging valley, invites total immersion in the calm of the high mountains. Above Solaise, the Lac de l’Ouillette seduces with its turquoise waters and remote atmosphere.

🎯 Things to do in summer:

✅ Road cycling • ✅ Downhill MTB • ✅ Enduro MTB • ✅ Hiking • ✅ Glacier hiking • ✅ Rock climbing • ✅ Via Ferrata • ✅ Tree climbing • ✅ Canyoning

Val d’Isère in winter

With 300 km of runs linked to Tignes, Val d’Isere stands as one of the largest ski resorts in the Alps. Its alpine ski area, rising to 3,456 m, guarantees exceptional snow cover. Skiers enjoy 161 runs (from green to black) spread across eight iconic sectors, including Bellevarde, Solaise, Fornet/Iseran and the Pissaillas glacier. Must-dos: the mythical Bellevarde face, the panorama from the Grande Motte or the Col de l’Iseran. Val d’Isere also offers 20 km of cross-country skiing, snowshoe routes, ski touring and original activities such as dog sledding and ULM flights. The village lives to the rhythm of legendary apres-ski venues such as La Folie Douce and the Refuge de Solaise. For relaxation: spa, aquasports centre, starred gastronomy and shopping. In Val d’Isere, winter is lived intensely — on the slopes as much as off them.

🎯 Things to do in winter:

✅ Alpine skiing • ✅ Cross-country skiing • ✅ Ski touring • ✅ Ski joëring • ✅ Snow MTB • ✅ Dog sledding • ✅ Snowshoeing

Skiing

Below is an overview of the ski area accessible from Val d’Isère: Tignes – Val d’Isère (alpin).

Ski area — Tignes – Val d’Isère

⛰️ Altitudes: 1550 m – 3450 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 300 km
💰 Day pass: 78 €

Skiing at Tignes and Val d’Isere takes place across a large linked ski area of nearly 300 km of runs. At the gateway to the Italian border, it is high-mountain skiing with 2 skiable glaciers between the Vanoise and Gran Paradiso national parks. The ski area reaches 3,456 metres at the Grande Motte glacier (Tignes) and 3,240 m at the Pissaillas glacier (Val d’Isere). The ski area spans over 50 km2. Predominantly technical, the ski area remains accessible to average skiers. It has 161 runs — 56% blue and green, 44% red and black — across 8 sectors: Bellevarde, Solaise, Fornet/Iseran, Pissaillas, Toviere, Grande Motte, Palet and Aiguille Percee. With 60% of runs above 2,200 m, snow reliability is excellent. Must-dos include: the view from the summit of the Grande Motte, the crossing of the Col de l’Iseran, the Arcelle descent (Solaise — Manchet valley), and the mythical Bellevarde run.

Our full guide to Tignes – Val d’Isère

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