Guide 2 Val d’isère

A Brief History of Val d'Isère

Photo credit - Val d'Isère Tourisme

These days Val d'Isère is one of the biggest, busiest and best known ski resorts anywhere in the World but it wasn’t always like that.

Long before the ski lifts, Val d’Isère was a tiny mountain village at the end of a very long and very difficult road. The locals were a hardy breed, life followed the seasons and winters were a challenge rather than an attraction.

Read on to discover the people, events and ambitions that shaped the Val we know today.


Don't Miss... Val d'Isère in 1937

Filmed in 1937, it captures both everyday village life and the early days of skiing just before the Second World War. You'll see the old streets, horse-drawn sledges, farmhouses, the first ski lifts and some wonderfully elegant skiing – bringing to life the people and places of Val d'Isère.

01. In the beginning

When you're standing in the main street on a busy February afternoon, with thousands of skiers everywhere, buses coming and going, and the terraces packed with people enjoying a beer in the sunshine, it's difficult to imagine that for most of its history this was just a tiny village at the end of a very long road.

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Photo credit - Val d'Isère Tourisme

02. The Development of Skiing

This age-old pattern changed when skiing – always a way of getting around the mountians in the winter – started to develop as a sporting pastime for mainly wealthy people. Suddenly Avalins could earn money in the winter without having to leave home!

Read more Book Ski Rental
Photo credit - Val d'Isère Tourisme

03. The Olympics and After

The 1980s were mostly about preparing for the Olympic Games. Jean-Claude Killy was one of the main drivers behind the successful bid to bring the 1992 Winter Olympics to Albertville.

Read more Book Ski Rental
Photo credit - Val d'Isère Tourisme

Photo credit - Blizzard Skis

Early / Late Season Opening Hours

PLEASE NOTE: the above opening hours apply 12th Dec - 11th April. If you require information on early or late season opening hours please contact us.