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.
Access is via the Solaise Bubble which whisks you from the town centre to the top of the mountain in just seven minutes. Non-skiers can use it too, making Solaise one of the easiest areas of the mountain for the whole family to enjoy together.
At the top you'll find a panoramic viewing terrace, picnic area and one of the best viewpoints in the resort.
The beginners' area is one of the best we've ever come across. There's a children's skier-cross where youngsters can play and learn basic skills without even realising they're actually learning, while Mum and Dad can watch from the warmth and comfort of the lodge. There are tables inside and out together with vending machines selling hot drinks and snacks.
The whole area is incredibly accessible for non-skiers, making it perfect for families, parents with children who are too young to ski, or grandparents who still want to watch the younger generation take to the slopes. There's also an igloo, a zip wire, a sledging area, a mini snow factory and plenty more to keep everyone entertained.
Solaise bubble
The Solaise Bubble can carry 3,600 people an hour so queues are rare even during the busiest weeks.
You can leave your skis outside or bring them into the cabin, relax on the heated seats and catch up on social media using the free WiFi. If you get the chance, look out for cabin number 91. It has luxury leather seats and a glass for one of the best views you'll ever have from a ski lift.
Once at the top, beginners will appreciate the huge amount of work that has gone into reshaping the area. The gradient at the top has been reduced to just 7%, while the magic carpets mean you don't even have to worry about getting on (or falling off!) a lift.
Solaise bubble
As your confidence grows, you'll probably tackle Madeleine before progressing to Glacier.
From Glacier, the Lessières chair heads over towards Le Fornet. Locals call it the "Up and Over" because that's exactly what it does - up one side of the ridge, over the top and down the other. The alternative, if your thighs can cope with it, is the legendary 3000 drag lift. With gradients reaching 76% in places, it's definitely not for the faint-hearted!
The old, rickety Cugnai chair is mainly used to access the off-piste over the back, while from the top of Madeleine you can drop skier's left for more challenging skiing towards Manchet or continue down past the bottom of the Datcha lift towards Le Laisinant via the "L" Gully or Germain Mattis through the trees.
The lower slopes back into the village are noticeably steeper than those higher up the mountain. The reds and blacks here can become busy just before lunch and again at the end of the day, but they're usually a lot quieter during the middle of the morning or mid-afternoon when most people are still skiing higher up and can be a lot of fun.
The infamous Solaise bumps of the 1980s and 1990s have long since been bashed to within an inch of their lives. However, if moguls are your thing, keep skier's left down the S and you probably won't be disappointed.
Or drop off the main run onto the black Rhône-Alpes, built as the ladies' downhill course for the 2009 World Championships. It's usually much quieter than the main pistes although there are a few short, steeper pitches that can become quite icy.
For non-skiers, beginners or anyone feeling tired or nervous, the Bubble will whisk you straight back down to resort level in next to no time.
