Val d'Isère (Espace Killy)
High altitude resort

Resort description

Situated at the convergence of two deep valleys, the original old village of Val d'Isere dates back to the 13th century, remnants of which are still to be seen in the actual resort developed since the 1930's. Today, this pedestrian-friendly resort is made up of several hamlets all connected by an efficient free bus service, making the use of a car of no great value. The emphasis on wood and stone cladding chalet style, gave to Val d'Isere an elevated profile - if not luxurious - over the years. With no doubt, the combination of extended skiing, lively ambience and fashion boutiques all around, make Val d'Isere one of the most sought after resort in the world.

Val d’Isere

 

The dramatic road from Bourg-St-Maurice opens onto La Daille which is the main entry onto the Bellevarde slopes.

 

You then pass the quiet hamlet of Cret before arriving in the centre of Val d’Isere.

 

Head to the right through a tunnel towards Rond Point des Pistes you come to the attractive hamlets of Joseray, Le Legattaz and Chatelard, the gateway to the Manchet valley.

 

Driving through Val d’Isere you reach the hamlet of Le Laisinant which has lifts out of the valley.

 

The finally hamlet in Val d’Isere is Le Fornet which is a quite and peaceful hamlet with a main lift to the Pissaillas Glacier

 

Skiing in Val d’Isere

 

Val d’Isere’s slopes are divided into 3 sectors:

 

Bellevarde- The home of the famous down hill course and easily reached by the funicular from La Daille. From the top of the Bellevarde slopes you can take a selection of lift that will take you to the slopes of Tignes.

 

Solaise - This area is accessible directly from the centre of Val d’Isere. It has a good selection of blue runs which are great to help build confidence.

 

Col de I’Iseran- This area can be reached from the Solaise area or by a new chair lift from Le Laisinant or cable car from Le Fornet. The runs at Col de I’Iseran are predominantly easy and are good for early or hesitant intermediates. You can access some great off piste terrain from here.

 

For beginners there are nursery areas in the resort centre and in La Daille.

 

Val d’Isere has some of the best lift served off piste runs in the whole of the Alpes and is a great resort for intermediates or experts who want to try off piste skiing.

 

Snowboarding in Val d’Isere

 

There is a terrain park above the La Daille gondola it has 2 half pipes, 2 quarter pipes and a boarder cross course with bumps, jumps, hips and rail slides.

 

Cross Country Skiing in Val d’Isere

 

There is a selection of trails in each of the 3 sectors.

 

Ski Schools

 

The ESF in Val d’Isere has 300 instructors with many speaking English.

 

They can offer private or group lessons for adults or children.

 

For children aged 4-5 years there is the snow garden so the children are taught to ski in a fun environment.

 

For more information about pre-booking Ski School in Val d’Isere please select here

 

Lift Passes

 

Lift passes give access to Val d’Isere and the whole of the Espace Killy ski area and can be purchased online from the Tourist Office website click here or from the lift pass office in the resort. 2008/2009 6 day prices were €208.50 per 14-64 year old and €167 per 5-13 & 65-74 year old. The passes are hands-free and other durations are available, including half days.

 

Pictures provided by the Val d’Isere tourist office
The Skiing
The two resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isere provide a large well-linked area with reliable snow record. Val d'Isere is known as one of the world's best resorts for experts. You can access Col de L'Iseran, which has some of the most beautiful off piste. Val d'Isere other 2 sectors have gentler runs ideal for beginners. Tignes also has a lot to offer, with the Grande Motte served by a modern funicular which takes experts as well as intermediates to the panoramic platform at 3030m, from where the extensive summer skiing terrain is accessible. The Espace Killy has something to offer to everyone.
Après Ski
Val d'Isere has an impressive selection of outings. All tastes are catered for in over 70 restaurants, from traditional cuisine served at Chalet du Cret to fish and seafood served at the Perdrix Blanche. Happy hours and nightlife stretches from cosy to noisy amongst 17 bars and 3 night clubs.
Amenities
Val d'Isere has a large selection of shops and services including, food stores, news agents, bakeries, beauty parlours, hairdressers, dentist, doctor, chemist and banks. Not to be missed are luxury boutiques where you can purchase the best of snow sports fashion and more.
Activities
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5pm children can discover the recreational zone at the foot of the slopes where they can try a selection of sports including: Airboard- where the rider has the impression of flying on the snow
Snake Gliss- where 2-20 people can go sledging, snow football or curling.
Other activities include: snow shoeing, riding on snow mobiles, going on a husky sleigh ride, driving on ice, ice climbing. Or enjoy the local swimming pool or ice rink.
Getting there
Driving distance: From Calais: 600 miles, approximately 9 hrs 30 mins.
Airport access: Chambery: 50 miles, approximately 2hrs. Lyon: 137 miles, approximately 2hrs 35. Geneva: 140 miles, approximately 3hrs.

Ski Facts
Village height:
1850m (6,070ft)
Slope range:
1500m (4,921ft) - 3455m (11,335ft)
Ski area:
Espace Killy
Piste coverage
300
Ski lifts
90
Ski runs
 308
Green
 44
Blue
 122
Red
 92
Black
 50
Snow cannons
 331
Beginners
 **
Intermediates
 ***
Experts
 ****
Boarders
 ****
Local Ski Area
Val d'Isere has 150km of slopes, 50 ski lifts, 22 green runs, 61 blue runs, 46 red runs and 25 black runs.

Tourist Office
+ 33 (0)4 79 06 06 60
Click to Val d'Isère (Espace Killy) website
 
Accommodation
Les Balcons de BellevardeOur rating: ***
Studio Sleeps 4
(c30 m2) Living area with a double sofa bed, alcove with bunk beds, bathroom, separate WC.

1 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 5
(c 30-34m2) Living area with double sofa bed, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds plus a folding or pull-out single bed, bathroom, separate WC, in the disabled apartments WC is in the bathroom.

1 Bedroom Alcove Sleeps 7
(c48 m2) Living area with 2 single beds and 1 pull-out single bed, 1 bedroom with a double bed, 1 alcove with bunk beds, bathroom, separate WC, shower room.

2 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 7
(c 45-50m2) Living area with 2 single sofa beds and 1 pull-out single bed, 1 bedroom with a double bed, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds,
bathroom, shower-room and WC (in some apartments WC is in the shower room).


2 Bedroom Alcove Sleeps 6-8
Eureka ValOur rating: ***
1 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 4
(34m2) Living area with a pull-out sofa bed (making 2 single beds), 1 bedroom with a double bed, 1 bathroom and separate WC.

1 Bedroom Alcove Apartment Sleeps 6
(c42-52m2) Living area with a pull-out sofa bed (making 2 single beds), 1 bedroom with a double bed, 1 alcove with bunk beds, a1bathroom with a bath and a separate WC.
Please note: the alcove has a door and window.


1 or 2 Bedroom Alcove Apartment Sleeps 8
(60m2) Living area with pull-out sofa beds (either 2 or 4 single beds), 1 bedroom with a double bed, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 alcove with 2 or 4 bunk beds, 1 bathroom and separate WC. Please note: the alcove has a door and window.
Les Chalets du Jardin AlpinOur rating: ***
1 Bedroom Alcove Sleeps 6
(c 35m2) a living room with 2 pull out beds, kitchenette, 1 bedroom with a double bed, 2 bunk beds, 1 bathroom and 1 WC.

2 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 6
(c 45-55m2) living area with a pull out sofa bed (making 2 single beds), a bedroom with a double bed, a bedroom with twin beds, a bathroom with a bath and a separate WC.

2 Bedroom Alcove Sleeps 8
(c 60m2) living area with a pull out sofa bed (making 2 single beds) a bedroom with a double bed, a bedroom with twin beds and an alcove with twin beds, 2 bathrooms each with a bath and a separate WC.

3 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 8
(c 68m2) living area with pull out sofa bed (making 2 single beds), a bedroom with a double bed, 2 bedrooms each with twin beds, 2 bathrooms each with a bath and 1 or 2 separate WCs.

3 Bedroom Alcove Sleeps 10
(c 70m2) living area with a pull out sofa bed (making 2 single beds), a bedroom with a double bed, 2 bedrooms with twin beds and an alcove with bunk beds, 2 bathrooms each with a bath and 1 or 2 separate WCs.
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