Skiing Holidays in Val d'Isere, France

Val d’Isère is regarded by many as the epitome of alpine allure, where breathtaking beauty, exclusivity, and world-class skiing converge in perfect harmony. Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, near the glacial source of the Isere river, this ski resort boasts pristine views of towering peaks and endless slopes that are as varied as the famous après-ski hotspots.

It’s a Remote Sanctuary

Tucked away in a remote valley, Val d’Isère is a winter wonderland world of its own, offering an indulgent dose of warm seclusion that other resorts give a taste of. While it may feel like an escape from the every day, over 3 hours from Geneva, it’s far from inaccessible, with superb transport links to and around the town. The longer transfer puts off the faint-hearted, making it giving the place an exclusive, buzzing atmosphere free from the crush of other popular resorts.

With Mind-blowing Skiing

Seasoned skiers know the impressive variety of terrain here would make the often-samey 3 Valleys blush, not for lack of reds. Carving through powder on the legendary Tignes-Val d’Isere ski areas diverse runs feel different each day. The unique bowls and valleys of the area make for a fun day out, surrounded by captivating views that beg you to stop and snap. The more serene, tree-lined runs, curled up on the mountains like a fireside dog, are a snowball throw from some of the most exciting skiing in the world. For regular skiers, the region leading off-piste terrain doesn’t factor in, and working your way up to tackling the infamous La Face is more than enough to whet any appetite.

The Birthplace of Après-ski Heaven

Val d’Isère is home to the first and best Folie Douce (which have now spread across the Alps), where après takes on a whole new meaning. With top DJs spinning lively music over the surrounding mountain range, cabaret dancers, and a bustling crowd, it’s where ski boots come off and champagne corks pop. There’s no better way to wrap up a day on the slopes.

Down to Earth Glamour in the Clouds

There is an unmistakable air of exclusivity in Val d’Isère, with its boutique shops, Michelin-starred dining, and luxury chalets. But the resort, with its ancient church, cobbled streets and close proximity to budget-friendly more modern Tignes, remains at its heart an old mountain village. You are not going to see the gold glint of Courchevel’s glitzy high street here, if that resort was Dubai, this would be Paris. Elegant.

Rich Mountain Culture

Beyond the skiing, Val d’Isère’s unique culture adds another layer of appeal. With a charming blend of tradition and modernity, the village boasts centuries-old Savoyard roots and an inviting community spirit. From the traditional alpine architecture to its ultra-efficient ski lift network, the resort effortlessly balances its history with a forward-thinking approach.

Val d’Isère is as much about the experience off the slopes as it is on. It’s a place where exclusivity meets adventure, and where a little bit of luxury goes a long way.

When your going on holiday to the Alps, a chalet is always the best option, it makes the experience all the more special to stay in one of these unique alpine lodges. And in recent years, they have become some of the most beautiful and feature-filled properties in the world. After a day of fun on the mountain, the perfect way to spend the evening is your own mountaintop manor, quite literally on top of the world.

As luxury chalet experts who have spent over a decade collecting the finest chalets in the alps, we have the best chalets in Val d’Isere for you to browse and book. We have a broad range of chalets suitable for almost everyone. And if you’d prefer to stay in a hotel, we can connect you with the best of the bunch.

If chalets and hotels are not within your budget, you might want to think about a hostel or refuge. These basic, communal hubs are cheaper, but you get what you pay for. If you want to have as good of a time off the slopes as on, prepare to spend a little more. If you can afford it, you’ll be treated like kings and queens, but wherever you stay, Val d’Isere’s warm, secluded yet buzzing atmosphere will make you feel at home.

The resort sits around 1,850 meters above sea level. Its higher altitude is one of its main draws, sitting above most other ski resorts. By comparison, Paris sits at 25m, the lowest altitude ski resorts in Europe are around 350m high and most ski resorts are between 500m and 1500m high. In Val d’Isere, the local ski lifts take you up as high as 3,450m, and for context the highest mountain in the Alps (Mont Blanc) towers above everything at 4,809m.

The weather is the main benefit of the high altitude of the ski resort and ski area. Snow is more likely, and more likely to settle, at higher altitudes, making the ski resort one of the most reliable for traditional winter wonderland weather.

There is a lot to consider when going on any holiday, and due to the logistics of getting supplies to a remote mountain community, expect it to be more expensive than most destinations.

We specialise in luxury accommodation, so can confidently explain our prices. Accommodation tends to make up most of any holiday budget, but you’ll also need to pay for flights, transfers, food, drink, ski hire and ski lift passes. Like a ski holiday to any resort, these additional costs require a bigger budget than other types of holiday.

The least expensive private accommodation in Val d’Isere on our website is the 1-bedroom Flocon apartment which costs €2,210 per week in the low season and €3,890 in the high season.

The most expensive private accommodation in Val d’Isere on our website is the 6-bedroom chalet Marco Polo which costs €44,300 per week in the low season and €195,000 in the high season.

Val d’Isere is open all year round, with a small local population. However, as a ski resort, many restaurants and other businesses centre their operating times around when the ski lifts are operating. The lifts start running in winter when the snow has begun to settle and stop in spring when the snow melts.

In winter, you can expect the first lifts to open, and the town to become livelier, at the end of November. They remain operational until the first week of May.

In summer, hiking and biking enthusiasts eagerly await the lifts opening at the start of June. They remain operational until the first week of September.

Val d’Isere is open all year round, with a small local population. However, as a ski resort, many restaurants and other businesses centre their operating times around when the ski lifts are operating. The lifts stop running in spring when the snow stops falling and start again in winter when the snow returns.

In winter, you can expect the first lifts to open, and the town to become livelier, at the end of November. They remain operational until the first week of May.

In summer, hiking and biking enthusiasts eagerly await the lifts opening at the start of June. They remain operational until the first week of September.

The ski season in Val d’Isere ends at the start of May, but there is a small amount of glacier skiing available all year round.

Val d’Isere is open all year round, with a small local population. However, as a ski resort, many restaurants and other businesses centre their operating times around when the ski lifts are operating. The season ends and the lifts stop running in spring when the snow stops falling and start again in winter when the snow returns.

In winter, you can expect the first lifts to open, and the town to become livelier, at the end of November. They remain operational until the first week of May.

In summer, hiking and biking enthusiasts eagerly await the lifts opening at the start of June. They remain operational until the first week of September.

Val d’Isère can be good for beginners, but it’s not primarily designed with new skiers in mind. The resort offers a few beginner-friendly zones, such as the nursery slopes near the village and some well-groomed green runs like those in the Solaise area (accessible as part of the wider ski lift pass or its own special, beginner-oriented ski pass). These areas provide a safe environment for newcomers to build confidence while enjoying the stunning scenery.

Due to its relatively challenging terrain, Val d’Isère may not be the best choice for first-time skiers. The resort is renowned for skiing with technical runs and advanced trails taking up large parts of the ski map. Some of the blue (intermediate) runs can feel steeper and more intimidating than those at other resorts. Don’t be put off though, there is a beautiful variety of runs for intermediate skiers to enjoy, and test themselves, so the resort is a great choice if you’ve been skiing before.

The high altitude of Val d’Isere can also lead to more ice on the slopes than other resorts, making it more difficult for beginners to navigate. If you’re a complete novice, a resort with more extensive beginner areas and gentler gradients might be a better fit. Check out our blog post on the best ski resorts for beginners here for more information.

Val d’Isère is a good ski resort for families, but it depends on the needs and preferences of your group. The resort offers excellent facilities for children, including events and activities, dedicated beginner zones, ski schools with highly skilled instructors, and childcare services. Family-friendly accommodation is also widespread, including chalets with playrooms and hotels with amenities like kids’ clubs.

Val d’Isère, like every resort, is not going to be the ideal choice for every family. Much of the ski terrain is better suited for intermediate and advanced skiers, which can limit options for beginners. Additionally, the high altitude and icy conditions on shaded slopes are not ideal for young or inexperienced skiers. Thankfully, there are plenty of ski resorts, each with unique strengths and character. Families with children who have never been skiing might prefer a resort with more beginner-friendly slopes and a wider variety of activities for children. Check out our blog post on the best ski resorts for families for more information.

La Face in Val d’Isère is renowned for its steep and challenging terrain. With an average gradient of around 32% and sections exceeding a 50% incline, it is one of the most demanding black runs in the French Alps. Spanning approximately 3 blink-and-you’ll miss them kilometres with a vertical drop of over 950 meters, it combines steep pitches, narrow sections, and icy patches, making it a go-to for expert skiers in Val d’Isere seeking a thrilling challenge. It’s one of the most famous runs in the Alps, and should only be attempted by accomplished skiers.

It is pronounced “Val – diz – air”.