Guide 2 Val d'Isere
The Val d'Isere Ski Area
Val d'Isere Ski Area
Linked with neighbouring Tignes, Val d'Isère forms one of the largest, highest and most snow-sure ski areas anywhere with over 300km of marked pistes and around 10,000 hectares of ski terrain.
That's huge by any standard (in 35 years here we're still not totally sure we've skied absolutely all of it), and there's something here for everyone, whether you're making your very first turns, cruising long blue and red runs, searching for fresh powder or looking for some of the Alps' most challenging skiing.
The Val d'Isère side of the ski area is made up of three separate sectors - Le Fornet, Solaise and Bellevarde / La Daille - all linked by an efficient lift system and a free bus service which runs every few minutes throughout the day. The lift network is so well planned that you can ski from the very top of Le Fornet right down to the lowest village of Tignes, Les Brévières, without taking your skis off once. From the centre of Val d'Isère, just two lifts will have you skiing in the heart of Tignes.
Those used to skiing in many other resorts including some of the world famous North American ones will be amazed by the fact that even in the very busiest periods you really hardly wait any length of time at all in queues.
If this is your first trip to Val d'Isère, you may well have your breath taken away by the sheer vastness of the mountains. The ski area seems to stretch as far as the eye can see, and a lot further too. With 88 fast, modern lifts, an outstanding purpose-built beginners' area high on the mountain, some of the most accessible off-piste terrain anywhere in the Alps, legendary pistes and off-piste descents, two excellent snow parks, glacier skiing and one of Europe's most advanced snowmaking systems, it's little wonder that so many people return year after year.
Of course, a ski area this large can also feel a little daunting on your first visit. Which sector is best for beginners? Where should intermediates head first? Which lifts can get busy? Where are the best long cruising runs, the hidden corners, the quieter slopes or the best snow after a storm? That's exactly the sort of local knowledge we'll share throughout this guide, helping you get the very best out of every day on the mountain.
01. Val d’Isère - Le Fornet
Le Fornet sits at the furthest end of the valley from Val d'Isère. You can reach it directly on skis from the main village via Solaise and the "Up and Over" (Lessières) chair or, if you're feeling brave and the 3000 drag lift is open, ski through the tunnel to the other side of the ridge at the top. Hold on tight though - this lift is steep, steep, steep!
Read more Book ski rental
02. Val d’Isère - Solaise
For many visitors, Solaise is where their Val d'Isère skiing begins. It's always been one of the resort's most popular sectors, particularly with beginner and intermediate skiers. The slopes are open, sunny and generally wide and forgiving. What a lot of people don't realise though is that Solaise has plenty to offer advanced skiers too. We're certainly not complaining about that - some of our favourite runs on Solaise are often virtually deserted.
Read more Book Ski Rental
03. Val d’Isère - Bellevarde / La Daille
Bellevarde is the biggest of Val d'Isère's three main sectors. It's a fantastic ski area in its own right and it's also your gateway to the vast Tignes side of the ski area, so sooner or later almost everyone ends up skiing here.
Read more Book Ski Rental
04. Val d’Isère / Tignes - Toviere
For most people skiing over from Val d'Isère, Tovière is their first taste of Tignes. You'd expect the boundary between the two resorts to run along the ridge, but in fact the Tommeuses chair, just beyond the Folie Douce is a Tignes lift, so you'll need a full-area lift pass from here on.
Read more Book Ski Rental
05. Tignes - Grande Motte
If there's one lift you absolutely have to take while you're in Tignes, it's the Grande Motte cable car.
Read more Book Ski Rental
06. Tignes - Sunnyside
The Sunny Side is probably the biggest sector in Tignes and it's certainly very aptly named. With wide, open, sunny pistes, it's perfect for everyone from confident intermediates upwards and offers some of the nicest cruising anywhere in the ski area.
Read more Book Ski Rental
07. Tignes - Boisses & Brevieres
A trip down to "Brév" is one of our favourite days out, especially when the sun's shining.
Read more Book Ski Rental
