landmark
Face de Bellevarde
The steep black run drops directly into the village. Take the Olympique cable car to watch experts tackle the 980-metre vertical drop.
Vraag ParleyFrankrijk
Val d'Isere
High-altitude Alpine skiing with steep terrain and serious snow.
introduction
Overview
Val d'Isere sits at 1,850 metres in the French Alps near the Italian border. It connects directly with neighboring Tignes to form a 300-kilometre ski area known as Tignes-Val d'Isere. The valley offers dependable snow cover from late November through May, but high prices and cold winter shadow come with the altitude. Free shuttle buses connect the main village to outlying hamlets along the valley floor.
Arrival via Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Take the TGV to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then catch the 45-minute bus up the valley. Booking the bus seat ahead is mandatory on winter Saturdays.
High Altitude Advantage
The village sits at 1,850 metres, with slopes reaching up to 3,456 metres. High altitude guarantees reliable snow cover from November to May.
The Tignes-Val d'Isère Pass
Buy the full area ski pass to access 300 kilometres of connected slopes. The local-only pass saves little money and cuts off half the mountain network.
Val d'Isere
Jmex · CC BY-SA 3.0
Val d'Isere Centre — The traditional stone village core with pedestrian streets, busy shops, and dense après-ski activity.
Rundvald · Public domain
La Daille — A functional high-rise hub at the valley entrance with direct funicular access to Bellevarde.
Tiia Monto · CC BY-SA 3.0
Fondue savoyarde served with bread and local cured meats in Val d'Isere.
Juliano Mendes · CC BY 2.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Col de l'Iseran
At 2,770 metres, this is the highest paved pass in the Alps. It opens to road traffic only in summer, connecting Tarentaise to Maurienne.
Vraag Parley
landmark
Funival
This underground funicular climbs through solid rock from La Daille to Rocher de Bellevarde in under five minutes. It runs in any weather.
Vraag Parley
landmark
Vanoise National Park
France's oldest national park borders the ski resort. Summer brings chamois sightings and hiking trails through protected alpine meadows.
Vraag Parleyattractions
On the map
areas
Where life happens
Val d'Isere Centre
The traditional stone village core with pedestrian streets, busy shops, and dense après-ski activity.
DiningShoppingNightlife
AfwegingStreet noise carries late into the night near the main strip.
DichtbijSolaise and Express Bellevarde lift hubs
Vraag ParleyLa Daille
A functional high-rise hub at the valley entrance with direct funicular access to Bellevarde.
Fast lift accessLower ratesSelf-catering
AfwegingConcrete apartment blocks dominate the landscape.
DichtbijFunival underground funicular and La Daille gondola
Vraag Parleyfood
Heavy Alpine cheese and high-altitude dining
Savoyard dining revolves around raw-milk cheeses like Beaufort and Reblochon. Fondue savoyarde and raclette dominate local evening menus, best paired with dry Savoy white wines like Apremont. Mountain self-service rest stops charge steep premiums for basic lunches, so dining well on the mountain requires booking slope-side tables days in advance.
Fondue savoyarde served with bread and local cured meats in Val d'Isere.
Juliano Mendes · CC BY 2.0- Reserve mountain lunches
On-piste spots like La Fruitière and L'Etincelle fill up by 11:30 AM. Reserve three days ahead for peak winter weeks.
- Supermarket inflation
Valley grocery stores charge 30% more than supermarket chains down in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Stock up at the base if driving.
history
A short history
Val d'Isere evolved from an isolated high-altitude farming community into an international ski destination. The opening of the Col de l'Iseran road in 1937 linked the remote valley to the rest of France. Winter sports development began shortly after, led by local visionaries who recognized the area's snow reliability.
- 1937
Iseran Pass opened
President Albert Lebrun inaugurates the road over Col de l'Iseran, connecting the isolated village to national transport networks.
- 1992
Winter Olympic Games
Val d'Isere hosts the men's alpine skiing events on the Face de Bellevarde for the Albertville Winter Olympics.
- 2009
World Alpine Ski Championships
The resort hosts the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, cementing its status for technical racing slopes.
where to stay
Where to stay
Location determines your daily routine in Val d'Isere. Choose based on whether you prefer walking to nightlife or having immediate ski-in access to the lifts.
- First-timers & nightlife loversVal d'Isere Centre — Immediate access to bars, ski schools, and the central bus terminus.
- Budget-focused skiersLa Daille — Cheaper self-catering apartments right next to the Funival funicular.
transport
Getting around
You do not need a car inside Val d'Isere. The resort runs a frequent, free shuttle bus network that links every hamlet along the main valley road.
Vanaf Bourg-Saint-Maurice Train Station (QXB)
- Public bus45 min€14
Cars Région line T3; advance booking recommended on winter weekends.
- Taxi40-50 min€90-€130
Night and Sunday surcharges apply; rank located directly outside the station.
- Shared shuttle45-60 min€15-€25
Operates primarily during ski season aligned with train arrivals.
- Private transfer40-50 min€100-€160
Must be booked in advance; recommended for families with ski equipment.
Runs every five minutes along the main axis between La Daille and Le Fornet during ski lift hours.
Connects central Val d'Isere to the Le Chatelard and Le Joseray residential areas every 15 minutes.
Cars Région bus lines link the Bourg-Saint-Maurice train station to Val d'Isere in 45 minutes for approximately €14 one way.
Street parking is strictly prohibited in winter for snow clearing. Underground garages cost roughly €25-€30 per day.
cost
What things cost
Val d'Isere ranks among the most expensive ski resorts in Europe. Peak-season accommodation, lift passes, and mountain dining command high prices.
- Slope-side coffee: €4.50 – €6.00
Expect higher prices at mountain huts reached by lift.
- Evening main dish in village: €28 – €45
Fondue sets usually require a minimum of two diners.
- Daily equipment rental: €35 – €60
Performance and off-piste gear sits at the upper end of the scale.
seasonality
When to go
DEC – JAN
Cold temperatures guarantee hard snow. Short sun hours leave the valley floor in shade by mid-afternoon.
Drukte
Snow
FEB
French and European school holidays make this the peak crowded month. Lift lines are long and prices max out.
Drukte
Snow
MAR – APR
Longer daylight and warmer weather create ideal spring skiing conditions. High-altitude lifts keep snow cold.
Drukte
Snow
JUL – AUG
Summer season opens with Col de l'Iseran access, high-altitude hiking in Vanoise, and mountain biking.
Drukte
Snow
practicalities
Good to know
- Prepare for cold shade
December and January feature low sun angles. High peaks block direct light from the village by 2:30 PM.
- Off-piste safety gear required
Avalanche transceivers, probes, and shovels are essential before leaving marked ski runs in Val d'Isere.
- Book ski school early
ESF and independent English-speaking instruction spots sell out months in advance for February holidays.
- Carry snow chains in car
French law mandates winter tires or snow chains in mountain zones from November through March.
- Summer glacier closing
Summer skiing on the Pisaillas glacier depends heavily on winter snowfall levels and may close early.