Val d'Isère is a high-altitude resort (1,850m) with superb snow conditions, welcoming skiers from early December to early May. At the foot of the legendary Col de l'Iseran and at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, the village also welcomes visitors in search of nature and wellbeing.
In both summer and winter, Val d’Isère offers an amazing range of outdoor activities. In winter, its ski area, one of the most famous in the skiing world, has seen champions challenge each other on the legendary Bellevarde and Solaise slopes, whether at the Albertville Olympic Games (1992) or during World Cup events (Critérium de la Première Neige). In addition to its state-of-the-art ski lifts and 186 miles of pistes, the resort also stands out among international skiers for the quality of its snow cover and the excellence of its off-piste runs, in the grandiose setting of the Haute Tarentaise. As well as downhill skiing, Val d’Isère offers a wide range of winter activities, from cross-country skiing to cold-water swimming, ice skating and tobogganing.
There’s plenty to do in summer, too, with mountain pastures and perennial snow. The Iseran and Vanoise National Parks are the perfect playgrounds for discovering the fauna and flora of the Alps, as well as the iconic peaks of the Haute Tarentaise, from Grande Casse to Mont Pourri. Hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, via ferrata, Bike Park, aquatic centre, etc. In a high mountain setting of green, white and blue, the opportunities are endless.
The village and surrounding area boast a huge selection of shops. There are, of course, all the leading brands in the world of skiing: Moncler, Fusalp, Colmar, Bogner, etc. Over the years, luxury brands have also established themselves in the village, from the iconic Frojo jewellers (Rolex, Cartier, Messika) to Décalés (Brunello Cucinelli, Isabel Marant, Paul Smith, Ralph Lauren).
Val d’Isère’s shift upmarket has resulted in the development of its gastronomic, hotel and festive offerings. In addition to a growing collection of luxury chalets and apartments, since 2020 the village has been home to Les Airelles Val d’Isère, one of the latest additions to the group of the same name, which already has hotels in Courchevel 1850, Saint-Tropez, Gordes and the Château de Versailles. Alongside Le Yule, Les Barmes de l’Ours, Le Blizzard and K2 Chogori, this establishment completes a robust five-star hotel offering. At the same time, the village is undergoing a gastronomic revival driven by a series of chefs who bring out the best in the Alps. The leading starred chef in this movement, Antoine Gras, has made a name for himself with his virtuoso Table de l’Ours. Elsewhere, the more exotic fare is equally impeccable, as at L’Altiplano and Matsuhisa. On the slopes, there is a plethora to choose from: the café Bellevarde, René, Maison Louly, etc. rub shoulders with brands that have become a must: Fruitière/ La Folie Douce, the group’s historic establishment, which has reigned over Espace Killy since 1974, or Gigi, which has taken over Refuge de Solaise. At night, there is plenty to do in the lively Val d’Isère. There are plenty of après-ski venues, including the Café Face, the Doudoune Club and the Piaf.