Guide 2 Val d'Isère
by Snowberry
Play YouTube VideoWatch a short film clip (credit Val d'Isère Tourisme)
The Insider Guide to Val d'Isère
Planning a trip to Val d'Isère? You've come to the right place.
Over the last 35 years we've helped hundreds of thousands of people enjoy their holidays here. We've watched the village evolve, skied virtually every corner of the mountain in every imaginable condition and spent countless Saturdays chatting to visitors about where they've stayed, where they've eaten, what they've loved and what they'd do differently next time.
Between us, our team has spent close to 300 winters working in Val d'Isère. We've built up an enormous amount of local knowledge, and Guide2Valdisere is our chance to share it with you.
Best of all, our recommendations are completely independent. We don't own hotels or restaurants, sell lift passes or receive commission for recommending one business over another. If somewhere deserves recommending, we'll tell you. If we think there's a better alternative, we'll tell you that too.
See the articles
You can check out the many interesting articles and advice on all aspects of coming to ski and stay in Val by clicking on any of the links below.
Ski Hire Isn't All The Same
Welcome to Snowberry Premium Ski Hire - 2026 / 27
only proper retail equipment - huge choice - over 100 models of skis - over 50 models of boots
only top of the range equipment available - fully personalised boot-fitting - skier orthotics in every boot
Snowberry Privacy Policy
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Snowberry Refund Policy (inc Covid 19)
Just to reasure you our refund policy is and always has been that you only pay for our hire services if you do take the equipment, and only for the period for which you keep the equipment. This relates to cancellation or curtailment as a result of Covid 19 in exactly the same way as it does to anything else. If you have to cancel your hire with us because of a new outbreak (or for any reason whatsoever) you WILL get all of your money back, immediately and with no questions asked. No ifs, no buts, no maybes and no fobbing you off with a voucher or telling you to claim on your holiday insurance.
In March 2020 when we were forced to close at a moment’s notice, we immediately and automatically refunded all clients who had booked with us for the remainder of the season without them even having to contact us to request a refund. As far as we know we were the first and one of the very few hire shops anywhere in the World to have done so. Regardless of the legal arguments, we feel strongly that this was the only ethical thing to have done.
IMPORTANT - IMPORTANT - IMPORTANT
Equipment Selection Section
Most shops buy very little new equipment each year and you pay the same price whether you are one of the lucky ones who gets newer equipment or one of the unlucky ones who gets skis which are often – we kid you not – five or more seasons old and well past their sell-by date. We don’t think this is fair.
When you book with us we first of all ask you to chose the ability level from Level 1 (cautious beginner) up to a Level 5 expert. But then unlike other shops, you can also choose the age of skis you would like to have, with the final price you pay reflecting both factors. If you want this season’s brand new skis, you’re guaranteed to get them with our Premium Plus Optionstrong> while if you’re happy to compromise with older equipment our Eco Optionstrong> means you will never pay the same as someone who has the new skis. We can’t say fairer than that!
Skier Orthotics
Essential for every skier
It is safe to say that every single skier, beginner to expert, needs some sort of sports orthotic in their ski boot.
It is safe to say that every single skier, beginner to expert, needs some sort of sports orthotic in their ski boot. It is safe to say that every single skier, beginner to expert, needs some sort of sports orthotic in their ski boot.
It is safe to say that every single skier, beginner to expert, needs some sort of sports orthotic in their ski boot. It is safe to say that every single skier, beginner to expert, needs some sort of sports orthotic in their ski boot.
The dynamic foot
The human foot is an extremely complex structure. It's dynamic in character and constantly changes its shape, volume, height and length as you weight and unweight it - ie as you flex in a ski boot.
So how on earth are you supposed to fit this foot – with no fixed shape or length - into the fixed confines of a hard plastic ski boot without it being at best uncomfortable and at worst excruciatingly painful?
The easy answer is by fitting a boot that is far to big.
The role of the orthotic
By using an orthotic you can limit the dynamic behavior of the foot, and help maintain a more constant foot shape and size.Sounds simple but it works.
Skier orthotics support and stabilise your feet inside your boots, limiting the dynamic behavior – shape, length, height, volume change – and allowing us to choose a shell shape and length that closely resembles that of your foot ie a shell that is not 2 sizes to big!
The orthotic and shell selection
Remember that every boot model has a slightly different shape so only certain models are suitable for certain feet.
Only by using an orthotic can we fit you in the correct shape and size of boot.
It is absolutely correct to say that you cannot fit select the correct boot shell and therefore fit a ski boot properly without first addressing foot instability issues.
Other benefits - Improved comfort
The orthotic also has many other benefits relating to comfort and ultimately performance.
By supporting and stabilising the foot an orthotic will help to reduce foot movement in the boot which can cause rubbing and bruising. Blood flow is also improved resulting in warmer toes.
Other benefits - Improved performance
A supported foot has better contact with the boot and ski resulting in better feeling and control and it also improves body alignment - all of which lead to better performance.
Problems that a skier orthotic can solve
If you have hired ski boots elsewhere in the past you may very well have experienced at least some of the following problems, all of which can be improved by using an orthotic -
PROBLEM your foot moves inside your boot
PROBLEM you tend to over tighten the front clips of your boots
PROBLEM you sometimes suffer from cramping under the foot
PROBLEM your forefoot goes numb especially when skiing hard
PROBLEM you suffer from cold feet
PROBLEM you get rubbing on your inside ankle bone
PROBLEM your foot continually aches and hurts
PROBLEM you get bruising on your shin
PROBLEM your toes hit the ends of your boots
PROBLEM you find it hard to control your skis
PROBLEM your ski tips wobble when you travel straight
PROBLEM you find edging difficult
PROBLEM you’re getting blisters
PROBLEM you have a bunion
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
FOR SNOWSPORTS EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Article 1. Object of these terms and conditions
The object of these terms and conditions is to define the general conditions of the rental of products offered by:
SKISHOP SAS
- Registered with the register of businesses and companies of Albertville under the number B335203535
- With a share capital of E1,000,000
- Whose registered office is at 129 Route des Marais, ZAC de la Gare, 73790 TOURS EN SAVOIE – FRANCE
- Whose principal establishment is at the same address
- Whose e-mail address is contact@my-ski.fr
- Whose telephone number is: +33 (0) 4 79 10 56 20
- Whose European TVA number is FR 78451141105
- And who is represented by their legal representative, who is domiciled for this purpose at the said registered office through their site accessible at the internet address: www.snowberry-valdisere.com, hereinafter referred to as the site.
Article 2. Application of these terms and conditions
These terms and conditions apply to all reservations made through the site. They supersede any other conditions or documents. By reserving, the client accepts them fully and without reserve. Skishop reserves the right to modify them at any moment.The conditions applicable are those in vigour at the time of reservation.
Article 3. Equipment and Options offered on the site
Presentation
The principal characteristics of the equipment and the options offered online are described on the site. Skishop reserves the right at any moment to retract one of more product references or any option featured on the site.The texts, photographs, graphics and information used in the description of products or options are non-contractual and may not be held in any way to bind Skishop. For further information concerning the products or options offered on the site, clients should contact Skishop:
By telephone on +33 (0)479 41 10 61 7 days a week 830 am to 1230 pm and 330 pm to 7pm from December to April only.
By e-mail at service@snowberry-valdisere.com
Or at the following postal address: SAS SKISHOP129 Route des Marais, ZAC de la Gare, 73790 TOURS EN SAVOIE – FRANCE
Duration of availability of the equipment and options offered.
The equipment and options offered on the site remain available only so long as they remain accessible on line, at Skishop’s sole decision, but subject to the proviso that availability is limited to the amount of stock available.
Prices
The rental prices and prices for the options offered on the site are given in Euros, including taxes, and remain valid so long as they remain accessible on the site, at Skishop’s sole decision. Skishop reserves the right at any time to modify the rental prices or the prices for the options offered on the site. The price applicable to a reservation will remain the price in force at the time of the reservation. Promotions or price reductions offered on the site are valid only for reservations made through the site. The price for any equipment rented or option taken in-shop, including additional equipment or options or modifications to a booking made online, will be based on the public prices displayed in-shop. However, for any extension of the rental period requested in-shop prior to the expiry of the initial period the hire cost will be charged in accordance with the prices and discounts applied at the time of the online booking.
Article 4. Reservation
Reservation of products and options offered on the site is made online using the following process
- choice of the arrival date and the rental period and entry of any applicable partner
- choice of equipment including category, ability level and additional items required (boots, helmets...) for each user
- input of each user’s personal information (name, weight, height, age etc)
- selection (or not) of optional insurance against loss or theft of the hire skis/snowboard
- completion pf party leader details and general group information
- consultation and unconditional acceptance by the customer of these terms and conditions
- payment by credit or debit card
- order confirmation sent to the client by email to the email address provided by the client
The contract consists of the the terms and conditions of booking and online rental prevailing at the time of booking, the reciept by Skishop of the customer’s reservation, the email confirmation of payment and reservation sent to the client. The customer may obtain a copy of these documents on request:- To the following email address : contact@my-ski.fr ;- Or to the postal address :SAS SKISHOP129 Route des Marais, ZAC de la Gare, 73790 TOURS EN SAVOIE - FRANCE
Article 5. Payment
Currency
Payment of the rental price is made in Euros. No other currency is acceptable regardless of the nationality of the client or the country from which the booking is made.
Payment
Payment is made in advance during the booking process. Payment is made via the secure online Banque Populaire payment system. SKISHOP has access to confidential client information regarding payment as part of this process. The following payment methods are accepted:Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and other major credit cards)
Article 6. Cancellation
The booking may be cancelled or amended by the client at any point up to the point of collection of the equipment, by contacting Skishop by e-mail at service@snowberry-valdisere.com or by post at the address given above. The client does not require to give any justification for the cancellation of their booking and no penalty is applied. The right to cancel the contract can not under any circumstances be exercised after the client has taken possession of the equipment. In the case of cancellation of the contract by the client prior to collection of the equipment, the reimbursement of any sum paid by the client in advance will be made within a maximum period of 30 (thirty) days from receipt of the client ‘s request to cancel the contract, by credit card used by the client to pay for the reservation.
Article 7. Collection of Equipment
The client may collect the equipment reserved at the date, time and place indicated in the confirmation e-mail.At the time of collection, the client must confirm that the equipment collected by them conforms to their reservation. In the event of the client not being satisfied that the equipment collected by them conforms to their reservation they must indicate any discrepancy or anomaly in their own handwriting accompanied by their signature. Failure by the client to indicate any such discrepancy will be held as acceptance that the equipment supplied to the client and collected by them conforms to their reservation.
Article 8. Rental of Equipment
Period of Rental
The rental period is as indicated on the e-mail confirmation of the reservation. Any extension of this period may be arranged in-shop on collection of the equipment or during the rental period. Skishop reserve the right at their discretion to refuse a request for the extension of the rental period, in particular in the event of there being a problem with availability of the equipment. The prices and other conditions applying to this extended rental period will be those applicable at the time of the online reservation.
Use of the Rental Equipment
The client shall be the sole judge of their capacity to use the equipment rented and that of the persons identified as users of the equipment at the time of the reservation request. The client alone is responsible for their use of the equipment from the point when they take possession of it. The equipment rented is destined only for use by the client and those persons indicated as users of the equipment and the client has no right to sub-let the equipment or to lend it to third parties whether for a consideration or free of charge.
Return of Equipment
The equipment rented must be returned no later than 9 (nine) am on the day following the last day of the rental period. The client will be charged for a full day’s rental on the basis of the public prices available in-shop for any equipment not returned by the said time. In the event of failure to return the equipment for whatever reason the client will be invoiced, in addition to the rental price, on the basis of the following table
- Junior Level 1 skis: 100 €
- Junior Level 2 skis: 150 €
- Junior Level 3 skis: 200 E
- Adult Level 1 skis : 300€
- Adult Level 2 skis: 400 E
- Adult Level 3 skis: 500 E
- Adult Level 4 skis: 600 E
- Junior Board: 200 E
- Adult Level 1 Board: 300 E
- Adult Level 2 Board: 500 E
- Junior Boots: 100 €
- Adult Boots : 150 €
- Junior Helmet: 50 €
- Adult helmet: 50 €
For clarity, it is specifically stated that the rental cost will not be deducted from the sums above.
In the absence of handwritten reserves made by the client at the time of collection of the equipment, the client recognises and accepts that the equipment is in good condition at the time of collection and must be returned in the same condition.
All equipment is coded and marked and the same equipment with the identical codes and marks must be returned
In the event of the equipment being damaged in any way due to negligence or deliberate misuse of the equipment by the client, the cost of returning the equipment to good condition will be invoiced to the client. Damage due to negligence or deliberate misuse of the equipment by the client which can not be repaired will be invoiced to the client on the same basis as equipment which has not been returned as outlined in the tables above. For clarity, it is specifically stated that the rental cost will not be deducted from the sums above. In all of these circumstances, where the equipment rental has been paid for by credit card the client authorises SKISHOP to charge all or any sums due as outlined in this article against the credit card used to pay for the reservation. It is specifically agreed that SKISHOP shall be the sole judge of what amount to negligence or deliberate misuse and on whether damage can or cannot be repaired.
Article 9. Optional Insurance against Loss Or Theft
At the time booking or at the time of collection of their equipment, the client may elect to select the optional insurance offered by SKISHOP which covers the risk of loss or theft of the skis or snowboards rented. Boots and helmets are not covered by this insurance.The cost of this option is:
- 3 (three) Euros per day for adult equipment
- 2 (two) Euros per day for children‘s equipment (up to and including age 12 years)
This releases the client, subject to an excess being paid by them, from the obligation to pay the replacement cost of the equipment in the event of loss or theft of the equipment rented.The excess for which the client remains liable is as follows:
- Junior Level 1 skis: 25 €
- Junior Level 2 skis: 35 €
- Junior Level 3 skis: 50 €
- Adult Level 1 skis: 100 €
- Adult Level 2 skis: 150 €
- Adult Level 3 skis: 200 €
- Adult Level 4 skis: 250 €
- Junior Board: 50 €
- Adult Level 1 Board: 100 €
- Adult Level 2 Board: 200 €
If the payment for the equipment rental has been made by credit card, the client authorises Skishop in advance to charge any excess due by this same method.
Article 10. Early Return of Equipment
Should any of the equipment rented by the client be returned before the end of the rental period, for whatever reason, the period of rental remaining will be refunded in accordance with the prices and terms and conditions of rental applicable at the time of booking and payment.
Article 11. Responsibility
Skishop will not be held responsible or liable in any way for any failure:
- arising from an act of the client or from a third party to the contract.
- or arising from force majeure
In no event will Skishop be liable in any way as a result of hypertext links from the site to other web sites. Skishop will not be liable in any event should it be impossible, as a result of the client ‘s fault, to acknowledge receipt of the rental request or to confirm the reservation by e-mail. This will apply in particular where the e-mail address supplied by the client does not exist, is wrong, is not valid or is saturated and unable to receive messages.
Article 12. Applicable legal system and language of the contract
This contract is subject to French Law. The language of the contract is French. If the contract is translated into a foreign language the French version will rule.
Article 13. Litigation
Any litigation must be submitted to the jurisdiction of the courts in Albertville (France) who will be the only courts of competent jurisdiction.
LOSS / THEFT EXCESS INFORMATION
FOR SNOWSPORTS EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Article 9. Optional Insurance against Loss Or Theft
At the time booking or at the time of collection of their equipment, the client may elect to select the optional insurance which covers the risk of loss or theft of the skis or snowboards rented. Boots and helmets are not covered by this insurance.The cost of this option is:
- 3 (three) Euros per day for adult equipment
- 2 (two) Euros per day for children‘s equipment (up to and including age 12 years)
This releases the client, subject to an excess being paid by them, from the obligation to pay the replacement cost of the equipment in the event of loss or theft of the equipment rented.
- Junior Level 1 skis: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 100€ / Excess (with insurance) - 25€
- Junior Level 2 skis: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 150€ / Excess (with insurance) - 35 €
- Junior Level 3 skis: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 200€ / Excess (with insurance) - 50 €
- Junior Boots: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 100€ / Excess (with insurance) - NA
- Junior Helmet: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 40€ / Excess (with insurance) - NA
- Adult Level 1 skis: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 300€ / Excess (with insurance) - 100 €
- Adult Level 2 skis: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 400€ / Excess (with insurance) - 150 €
- Adult Level 3 skis: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 500€ / Excess (with insurance) - 200 €
- Adult Level 4 skis: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 600€ / Excess (with insurance) - 250 €
- Junior Board: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 200€ / Excess (with insurance) - 50 €
- Adult Level 1 Board: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 300€ / Excess (with insurance) - 100 €
- Adult Level 2 Board: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 500€ / Excess (with insurance) - 200 €
- Adult Boots: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 150€ / Excess (with insurance) - NA
- Adult Helmet: Replacement cost (without insurance) - 40€ / Excess (with insurance) - NA
If the payment for the equipment rental has been made by credit card, the client authorises Skishop in advance to charge any excess due by this same method.
Snowberry Bootfitting
'EXCLUSIVE' TO SNOWBERRY'
Snowberry has developed a unique process for fitting ski boots in rental. This process is based on exactly the same principles you would experience in one of the world’s leading retail fitting centres and is based on a 3-Step Process.
Step 1 - Analysis Process
The first stage of your boot fit is a thorough examination of both feet to allow us to select the correct shell shape and boot model.
This involves is a unique 8-point analysis –
- we assess your performance requirement
- we measure the length of both feet
- we measure the metatarsal width of both feet
- we measure the instep circumference
- we assess overall volume
- we assess the instep shape
- we check the ankle width
- we check the calf volume
Step 2 - Model Selection
The information gained from your foot analysis enables us to select the most suitable boot from over 60 different models for adults and another 27 models for kids. The aim is to select the boot that best resembles the shape of your foot which will hold your foot firmly but comfortably.
The key to good bootfitting is shell (model) selection. As every boot model varies in length, width, instep height, volume distribution, ankle and toe box areas, this is extremely difficult.
Wrong shell selection is the single biggest problem skiers have with rental boots.
Step 3 - Our Fitting Process
Very few skiers actually know how to put a ski boot on and clip it up correctly.
For this reason, we personally fit every boot - opening the shell up, sliding your foot in and correctly clipping it up, explaining the importance of this process - especially regarding comfort, boot performance, cold feet and safety issues regarding binding release.
Do not underestimate the importance of this. It sets the foot correctly in the boot, and believe it or not, improves your skiing performance and keeps your feet more comfortable and warmer.
The Secret Ingredient - Skier Orthotics
Proper boot-fitting starts by stabilizing the foot and limiting the dynamic mobility of the foot which is the main limiting factor when trying to fit boots correctly. To do this we put orthotics in every boot.
The orthotic is THE ESSENTIAL, without one you will end up with a boot that is far too big, the result - your foot will move around leading to lack of control, pain and discomfort.
It is impossible to fit a ski boot correctly without firstly stabilising the foot using a skier specific orthotic - it simply cannot be done!
Snowberry are the ONLY shop that we know of that actively uses a system of orthotics in ALL our rental boots (even for juniors).
Draw what conclusions you wish from this!