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Val d'Isere Ski Holidays

Ski never-ending pistes and powder, ogle at colossal peaks and cosy Savoie architecture, then end the day with some of the world's most wild and wonderful après ski. Val d'Isere is considered by many to be the best ski resort on earth, and we’re inclined to agree.

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboard

At a glance: • ½ of Espace Killy • Fantastic après • Traditional chocolate box village • Skiable glacier

Great for: • Families • Groups • Non skiers • Catered Chalets

Ski never-ending pistes and powder, ogle at colossal peaks and cosy Savoie architecture, then end the day with some of the world's most wild and wonderful après ski. Val d'Isere is considered by many to be the best ski resort on earth, and we’re inclined to agree.

Val d'Isere Resort

In France's Rhone Alp region, Val d'Isere (pronounced: val de saire/sare/ser or val d sere) is widely thought of as one of the most brilliant and beautiful ski areas in the world.

In keeping with the giddyingly gorgeous surroundings, the resort itself is one of France's prettiest - a huddle alpine hamlets formed from cosy wood and stone chalets. With the original village dating back to the 13th century and a Christmas-card-worthy church steeple at its centre, there’s alpine charm by the bucket load.

While dreamily trad in appearance, Val's unlike other authentic ski towns in that it sits high at an altitude of 1850m. This means speedy access to the slopes and that the resort’s well placed to garner good snowfall throughout the season – usually opening before, and closing later than most other resorts.

One of the bigger ski resorts in the Alps, the resort is formed of a few different parts. Val d’Isere 1850 centre is home to the bulk of hire shops, ski schools, beginner slopes, bars etc. The old village or old town is where you’ll find historic farmhouses and the much-photographed church. La Daille’s the first area you enter on the way up from Bourg Saint Maurice, while Le Fornet is the village to the east of the centre. Then there are small hamlets like Le Cret, La Leggetaz, Le Manchet and Le Laisinant. Chalets, hotels and apartments are scattered throughout, rarely far from a lift or piste and shuttle buses run between the lot.

The numerous bars, clubs and restaurants here form one of the world’s most buzzing après ski scenes and off-slope activities are abundant too - the Aquasportif centre has swimming, sports and spa facilities and there’s an ice rink in the village centre.

Its good looks and great après are certainly deciding factors for choosing ski holidays in Val d'Isere but what really seals the deal is the world-class skiing and snowboarding terrain. This resort forms one half of the Espace Killy ski area: some say its snow-sure slopes are the best in the world for intermediate and advanced levels, and they’ve been home to some of the very best names in snow sports – most notably Olympic legend Jean-Claude Killy who the region’s named after.

This quality, powdery terrain is accessible by a fabulously fast and efficient lift system and, with an area lift pass, you're granted access to Tignes (which forms the other half of Espace Killy). In total you've got 300km of slopes to roam, including 2 glaciers, 2 snowparks, slow-paced beginner areas and absolutely oceans of off-piste.

With so much to do on and off the slopes, Val d'Isere works well for couples, groups, solo skiers and families alike. The tourist board have awarded it the 'Family Plus' label, and it's easy to see why - as well as children's ski schools, there's a cracking kids area in the leisure complex, as well as various childcare options, the new Val Kids mini ski area (where tots can try their hands at driving a cable car!) and a children's sledging slope.

Stats & FAQ

Location: France, Alps.

Established: 1934

Open: October - May

Downhill: 300km

View our detailed Val d'Isere snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Val d'Isere snow history.

Nearest Airport & Transfer Time:
Chambéry (CMF)145km, 1h45
Geneva (GVA)180km, 2h40
Grenoble (GNB)210km 2h50
  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • 90 56%

  • 44 28%

  • 25 16%

Top Altitude:3300m
Bottom Altitude:1550m
Resort Altitude:1850m
Longest run:10km (Tignes)
Slope Orientation:NSEW
Vertical Drop:1900m
Skiable Vertical:1900m
Night Skiing:Yes, every Thursday
Glacier:Yes

Snow Report

  • Top
  • 15cm
  • Base
  • 100cm
  • Forecast
  • 375cm

Web Cam

Val d'Isere web cams
Downhill Runs:300km
Beginner slopes:56%
Intermediate:28%
Advanced slopes:16%
Lift Pass Price: €294 (adult 6 day)
Nearby resorts: Tignes, Espace Killy, Les Arcs, La Plagne, La Rosiere

Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Val d'Isere

Skiers in Val d'Isere are schussing in the tracks of some of the world's greatest skiers. Olympic medallists Marielle and Christine Goitschel learned to ski here, not to mention triple gold winner Jean-Claude Killy, after whom the wider ski area is named.

As an indication of this place's premier status - the resort has hosted championships including the 1992 Olympics, the World Alpine Ski Championships in 2009 and World Cup events every December.

If some of the best skiers in history have learned here, beginners can too. The resort has 2 nursery slopes, one in the centre and another at La Daille which means wherever you're based, you shouldn't have a long trek to the learning area. Once you've learned the essentials, super places to practice are the 2 'Slow Zone' areas on Solaise and Bellevarde - Madeline and Verte. The Col de l'Iseran runs are gorgeously wide, gentle and relatively quiet areas to build confidence. Learning to ski here is also very good value, thanks to the fact that the lifts serving the beginner runs don't usually require a ski pass.

For intermediate and advanced skiers, this is easily one of the best areas in the world. Two absolutely must-ski runs are the "OK" piste (which features in the annual World Cup) and the fearsome "Face" piste on Bellevarde (of Olympic and World Championship fame). Off-piste opportunities are abundant, as are challenging mogul runs.

Val loves snowboarders, and the relationship is firmly mutual. All pistes are open to boarders and there's oodles of deep powder freeriding terrain to lap up. It's especially good for intermediate and advanced boarders seeking a challenge, and because of the small number of button lifts, access to slopes is a never a drag 😉

The ski area has its own snow park, the Oakley Valpark, at a soaring altitude of 2500m. It comes with kickers of all kinds, plus rails, jumps, and obstacles. an airbag and quarter pipe, divided into separate zones for different abilities (including a fun zone). The snow park has its own sound system and a chill zone with a BBQ and we could easily spend the bulk of the day here. For younger riders, the Acticross is a family-focussed area with gentle bumps, jumps, curves, super tunnel and a fun slalom. And if you're keen for a chance of scene, scoot on over to the Tignes snowpark, which, regularly hosting X Games events, is seriously world-class.

When it comes to nordic or cross country skiing, Val’s grooves and groomers feel worlds away from the lively party town, but they’re actually fabulously accessible. Open up a piste map and you’ll spot 21km of tracks sharing the colour grading of downhill pistes. Ski schools like Oxygène at are at the disposal of anyone looking to learn, with lessons kicking off on the easy 1.5km green over in La Daille. If you’re au fait with the basics, there’s a brilliant mixed gradient trail in the Manchet Valley. Head up to the Solaise cable car, where a smooth green will land you at the Clochetons restaurant (for fab fondues and puddings). Guiding you peacefully through to the Manchet hamlet is a 3km blue, followed by a trickier 6.5km red to the high altitude (1850m) Le Manchet valley. The 2560m Ouilette Lake loop, also leaving from the Solaise car, has buckets of beauty and a generous helping of challenging stretches. The crème de la crème is by far Le Fornet - a 5km blue that runs out of Val d’Isere towards the magnificent Vanoise National Park.

Val d'Isere Apres Ski

Famed for its après ski, there's no chance of a dull evening in Val. Living up to its name, you'll experience ‘sweet madness' at the original Le Folie Douce, which brings you some of the best après ski in Europe - including dancers, musicians, raining champagne and much more... Once that closes, Dicks T Bar's a local legend, staying open into the early hours each night. Bananas is another firm favourite, much loved for its crafty cocktails and slope-side location.

In Val d'Isere's 90-something restaurants, you'll find dishes of all sorts, shapes and sizes, from traditional Savoyarde comfort food (La Casserole's fondues are fabulous) to pizzas in one of the many family friendly restaurants or takeaways (we like Flash Pizza and Pizz'n'Love). For foodies, Michelin starred Atelier d'Edmond (in Fornet) serves a fusion of gourmet international cuisine and local delicacies and La Peau de Vache's dishes are spectacular. If you want something a little more laid back, head round the back of the Billabong/Quicksilver shop where there's a corking American diner-style cafe, or try the burgers at L ' Arbre de Vie (which usually has good vegetarian options too).

Off-slope facilities are superb and varied, making this a brilliant destination for non-skiers. Outside, the village has a natural ice rink where you can skate amid beautiful surroundings and there are some wonderful walking routes and snowshoeing, ice-climbing, ice-driving, husky rides and even paragliding. Every Thursday evening, wander into the town centre to enjoy spectacular illuminations, live music and street entertainment, before heading to one of many après ski bars.

The huge Centre Aquasportif has something for all ages, however you like to spend your spare time. Swap slope-side for the complex's “Beach-Side” area where there's a swimming pool and separate leisure pool. Little ones can enjoy the paddling area while you relax with the currents and massage jets. Savour some peace, quiet and pampering in the Wellness Zone's sauna and stream room, where you can also have a hydro-massage or some spa treatments. There's a state of the art gym, and a range of sports halls where you can play a game of squash, volleyball, football, basketball, badminton or table tennis.

Best time to go

Best time to ski Val d'Isere

Best time to visit & ski Val d'Isere

Thanks to the presence of the Pissaillas glacier, a high altitude and a vast adjoining area, Val d'Isere is great for skiing from the beginning of December through to the end of April. Besides the snow-sure nature of the Pissaillas, a majority of the slopes are situated above 2,500m altitude, well positioned to get the best snow coverage. To top it off, there's 150km of further terrain in the rest of the Espace Killy, including Tignes' Grande Motte glacier. The slopes face North, South, East and West with plenty of south facing pistes for milder mid-winter skiing and cooler north facing ones if you're skiing later in March, so you can enjoy the sunshine and avoid the slush. For when mother nature needs a helping hand, over 300 snow cannons are stationed around the glacier and adjoining areas to keep the pistes in great condition.

Val d'Isere is buzzing with festive cheer over the Christmas and New Year period and a popular destination for families during school holidays because of its fantastic snow and vast range of activities. If you're not held down by term dates and would rather opt for a quieter holiday, avoid these dates, although here at Sno we think they're the best times to visit!

Browse all Val d'Isere ski deals or read about holidays in December, January, February, March or April.

Peak Dates

Val d'Isere is a winter wonderland throughout the season, but if you spend Christmas in Val d'Isere you'll enjoy so much more on top of the Christmas card-esque scenery. The resort pulls out all stops to ensure an unforgettable Christmas. Children will love the magic shows and concerts not to mention the appearance of Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas, elves and other fairytale characters. Fun activities are planned on the Acticross for the whole family and the resort is a real feast for th Val d'Isere Christmas ski holidays ‣

Val d'Isere's renowned après ski scene ensures that you see in the New Year in Val d'Isere in style. Each venue puts on its own night, with live bands and top DJ's. As the clock strike's twelve, everyone heads to the town centre for an incredible firework display. Val d'Isere New Year ski holidays ‣

Breakfast is served with fun family activities on the Acticross on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during February half term in Val d'Isere. The floodlit sledding slope is another family favourite and snow conditions are fantastic. Val d'Isere Half Term ski holidays ‣

There's a free Easter Egg hunt for children to enjoy during Easter in Val d'Isere and thanks to slope direction, altitude and snowmaking equipment, you're unlikely to be disappointed by the condition of slopes even at this stage of the season. Val d'Isere Easter ski holidays ‣

Val d'Isere Ratings & Customer Feedback
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Average Rating 4.6 out of 5
I'm just writing in to say what an awesome time we had in Val d'Isere and thanks for recommending it to us. Not a great spot to ski on the cheap but def one of the very best. We stayed in a catered chalet/hotel Moris which is not the most salubrious but wonderfully friendly and expertly hosted. Thanks a million... + more
Matt Burgon,
5 out of 5
Val d’Isere was a lot better than I expected, given that it has a reputation for being quite snooty! The skiing is brilliant and I’d definitely go back for the skiing alone. We had really good snow – the resort is quite high and has long runs down, which got a bit icy at 4pm, but otherwise conditions were fi... + more
Wendy-Ann Calsen, St Albans
5 out of 5
We love Val d'Isere so so much. We have been coming here for 11 years and cant fault it. There's a lot of lift upgrades all the time, the snow is the best with great snow making if required. We ski with Martin at skimckay, an amazing British ski instructor. The altitude means the snow is really great so if you ... + more
Paul,
5 out of 5
We had a great time in Val d’Isere, we hadn’t been before but it was very enjoyable and we will definitely be returning! As it was April the weather was very warm by mid-afternoon. We had the whole array of skiing conditions, from ice in the mornings to pure slush at the end of the day. It was ok if you timed... + more
Helen,
4 out of 5
I wasn’t very impressed with Val d’Isere – we booked at fairly short notice knowing there had been loads of snow the week before, and considering it was mid-January I thought it would be fully open with everything linked up very quickly. The three different parts of the mountain were all open, but they didn'... + more
Mark Allen, Bournemouth
2 out of 5
Val d’Isere is probably the biggest resort I’ve ever been to – it’s a bit different from other resorts, with lots of big buildings. The après is really good there, we liked Cocorico. Folie Douce is an experience… I’m glad I did it but I’m not sure if I’d do it again! We had a few days of pretty heavy s... + more
Andy, UK
5 out of 5
I’ve been to Val d’Isere loads – there are two main things I like about it: Firstly there’s just the variety. The whole Killy Espace has great skiing for all levels, my wife who doesn’t ski much enjoyed the nursery slopes, while we could blast all over the area into Tignes. Secondly it has a nice young f... + more
Mr Daly,
5 out of 5
Absolutely brilliant snow conditions which is the main thing for me – skiing is my be all and end all when I’m on a ski holiday so I can’t say much about the apres. The reason I’ve skied here so much is that I like quite difficult, varied skiing and not having to do the same runs. I spent quite a lot of tim... + more
Dave Kyle, Somerset
5 out of 5
A wonderful week in Val d’Isere, it’s one of our top resorts. There’s such a big range of slopes and you can get over to Tignes where there’s even more to ski. It’s a great resort but I wouldn’t say that Val d’Isere’s somewhere for true beginners, it’s more intermediate to advanced. There are some gree... + more
Annette, North Somerset
5 out of 5
Technically, Val d’Isere is a tricky resort and if you were a beginner or you’d only been skiing for 2-3 years, it wouldn’t be much fun. We loved it. It was such a different skiing experience. Just because of the natural landscape of the area, the blue runs are as tricky as hell – we skied a green whe... + more
Christopher, Oxfordshire
5 out of 5
Val D has a reputation as being insanely expensive, but it's not as bad as all that. You can still find reasonably priced self catered apartments, and the majority of the bars are the same price as you'd get in any French resort. Big exceptions are the folie douce, club Doudonne and Dick's Tea Bar, which are st... + more
Rory,
5 out of 5
It snowed on the Wednesday but for the time of year we visited (last week of the season) the end of the day was always slushy. We still had a great time, we spoke to the locals who told us the best places to ski. I’ve stayed in Tignes 10/11 times and only gone down La Face to Val d’Isere. Hadn’t done the For... + more
Tim Fry,
5 out of 5
We had a great time – the skiing conditions were good. I’ve been to Val d’Isere quite a few times and obviously the ski terrain is the main reason why; it’s just the extent of it all the way over to Tignes. It’s a combination of exploring all the extremities of the Espace Killy, from the far edges of the T... + more
Nick,
5 out of 5
Really good fun in Val d’Isere – and some of the best weather I’ve had on a ski holiday. There was a big dump the week before, we had blue skies every day, and the snow held out right until the very end! It’s a top resort and one of my favourites. The range of terrain is what keeps me coming back, depending... + more
Rob,
5 out of 5
Loved the skiing, there’s loads of intermediate stuff and the ski area wasn’t very busy which was so nice. We enjoyed going over to Tignes, though we didn’t really make it over to the other end. If you haven’t been before, go to the après bar up on the mountain, it’s quite pretentious but good fun! We did... + more
Jackie, Surrey
5 out of 5
Telemark tracks in Val d’Isere are very good, they do alpine skiing as well as telemarking and the instructors were excellent. They managed to get me telemarking in 4 days and I would recommend them. + more
Alex, Devon
5 out of 5
On the whole the weather in April was good, it wasn’t until later in the week that the conditions became as you’d expect for that time of year. I’ve skied here a few times and like the ski area – OK it’s a pretty alpine village but I would be just as happy staying in Tignes. It’s mainly the height of the ... + more
David Cruikshank,
5 out of 5
Very lucky with the snow over our half term in Val d’Isere! In all it was an amazing week and we were surprised that the resort wasn’t as busy as we’d expected – we were expecting it to be heaving at half term but the queues were fine! It is a great all round resort with everything you need and I would reco... + more
May,
5 out of 5
On my last visit to Val D’Isere I wish I could have stayed longer. It’s a very pretty resort and, with its great snow conditions, is a perfect resort for keen skiers. If you’ve never skied before there’s plenty of beginner skiing to learn on, but the sheer size of the Espace Killy really comes into its own ... + more
Alison Brown, Sydney
5 out of 5
Val has really fun tree-lined skiing, it was quite icy during our holiday but that could happen in any resort. We had one of the best powder days in the trees I’ve ever had in my life, skiing back down to Le Fornet. Val d’Isere itself is quite a high price resort to stay in but if you stay in La Daille or Le ... + more
Andrew Fyfe, Aberdeen
5 out of 5
I’ve skied in Tignes four or five times and skied in Val before – it’s just good skiing really! There are loads of nice runs and you can get to places easily. Skiing over to Tignes is really nice and the Pissaillas glacier (on the other side from Tignes in the top left corner of the piste map) is really high... + more
Mr Ferguson, West Wickham
5 out of 5
The skiing is amazing here. It’s a millionaire’s ski resort, you can’t get better than that. There is some nightlife; the best place to go out is the pub under the Chalet Hotel Moris. Everyone around resort was so friendly. The free shuttle buses are very good for getting around. I love it here, I want ... + more
Mr Holland,
5 out of 5
I’ve skied all over Europe and the States and the one resort that would come close is Whistler. We had an absolutely lovely week, the snow was fantastic and everything went well. We had a big dump of snow so the conditions were perfect, our friends had been the week before when they had really hot weather bu... + more
Jimmy, Bristol
5 out of 5
We ski once or twice a year and this was our first time in Val d’Isere – it’s by far the best resort we’ve been to! We were here for Christmas and if we’d been skiing anywhere else lower down we wouldn’t have had any snow. As it was, the snow wasn’t great but we still managed to have a good ski every m... + more
Mrs Wright, Devon
5 out of 5
I hadn’t been to Val d’Isere before but my husband had skied here several times. It’s a nice, good quality resort – not rowdy in any way – it just has a good scene going on. There’s some lovely shopping to do if you like that. The ski area is big so you can do plenty of skiing, we went over into Tignes wh... + more
Mr & Mrs Cullens, Glasgow
5 out of 5
I’m not much of a skilled skier but I’ve been to Val d’Isere many times and normally they send the piste basher up at night to get rid of the moguls, so you normally have nice open runs to carve on. However it wasn’t like that this. There were so many people on the slopes because it was French half term – ... + more
Oliver Herford,
5 out of 5
I’d heard good things about the skiing in Val d’Isere as it’s quite high so you’re more or less likely to get some good skiing there. The conditions were OK as we’d had a big dump on Boxing Day before we arrived – before then we’d heard that it had been pretty bad. There wasn’t any further snow while we... + more
Shaun, Hertfordshire
4 out of 5
This was the one and only time I had been to Val d’Isere. It has a huge ski area and is really snow sure. We had the Espace Killy lift pass and skied everything – a bit of piste bashing, a bit of off piste. There was so much snow that out of the 7 days we were there the high part only opened on two occasions ... + more
Ray Codona, Glasgow
4 out of 5
Val d’Isere is definitely worth going to. The area is fine for snowboarding with some pretty good link ups. We found some really good snowboarding at the very top of the glacier on the left hand side, there were a couple of powder days while we were here and we had the area to ourselves for a good three hours ... + more
Mr Jason Upsall, Fareham
4 out of 5
We enjoyed Val d’Isere, there was plenty of snow even though it was the end of the season. If you’re over 65 you can get a discounted ski pass which we hadn’t known, we ended up having to get a refund for one of our party who’d paid full price. Unlike Tignes, etc Val d’Isere isn’t all ski in, ski out whic... + more
Peter Mackinnon, Colchester
4 out of 5
We had an excellent week with excellent snow – a mix of powder and sunshine. I would definitely recommend visiting Val d’Isere, and the Folie Douce is something you absolutely have to do! In general the town is really nice and well kept, and nothing is too far from the slopes. + more
Richard,
5 out of 5
Visibility was quite low on a few days, so we ended up going to have coffee and fondue. You can use the swimming pool once with your ski pass, so we could have done that – and one of the other guests in our chalet was a non-skier who found lots to do in the resort, like snowshoeing and yoga. If the weather had... + more
John, London
5 out of 5
Some of us had been before, others hadn’t, but we all loved the week in Val d’Isere! It’s a good all-round resort that had everything we needed. If you’re staying a bit away from the ski area there are some lockers at the bottom of the slopes that are open to everyone. You have to pay but it made our week s... + more
Ali Record, Dorset
5 out of 5
There’s a lot to do in the evenings and apres wise. I was impressed by the options available. Also ski wise, with Tignes on one side and the glacier on the other it was good. I would recommend going down to Doudoune for the apres experience. + more
Al,
5 out of 5
My personal favourite, combined with Tignes it has some really great offpiste, a good park, and nice open runs. Good altitude, Snowsure and good night life, it’s a favourite for a reason. + more
Seb, London
5 out of 5
I’d been to Val d’Isere many years ago and came back with the kids in December. There’s enough going on, with plenty of skiing. The only downside is the length of the transfer as it’s a bit windy and a couple of the children felt unwell, but that’s just the geography! Luckily we had enough snow for what we... + more
Richard N., York
5 out of 5
We had a great Christmas in Val d’Isere. We skied from 9am til dusk every day, and got to ski every tentacle of the ski area. Only about 5 runs were shut because there wasn’t enough snow. We stayed in La Daille which is quiet but OK – you can reach the centre of Val d’Isere in a 2-5 minute bus journey. + more
Anonymous, London
5 out of 5
Val d’Isere is a lovely resort. The colour scheme is a little strange (lots of greens and browns), but overall it’s a gorgeous place and I’d highly rate it. + more
Angela,
5 out of 5
We love Val d’Isere and have been back a number of times. For my husband, it’s the limitless skiing, a huge area with so much off piste. There are also quite a few people we know there doing seasons etc. and we’re part of Ski Club GB so we can always meet up with other people. When we go at the beginning of ... + more
The Mocatta’s, London
5 out of 5
We visit Val d’Isere a lot as I have friends who live there. If you haven’t been before, just have a walk around and explore the town. The resort is changing and developing a lot and there are always new pubs and restaurants to try. Christmas week had the worst snow I’ve ever experienced in Val d’Isere, but... + more
Mr & Mrs Myers,
5 out of 5
My partner and I are boarders and this is our favourite resort, we’ve been to a few different places and always go back to Val d’Isere. I like the huge area and there are so many shops and facilities. Someone who hadn’t been there would definitely enjoy it. + more
Katrina Haase, Egham
5 out of 5
St Anton, Verbier and Zermatt don’t hold a candle to Val d’Isere. It’s one of the best in the Alps. We went there by Eurostar and it’s the best way to travel! Got on the train at Ashford – you don’t have to get to the airport 3 hours before you fly and once you’re on board you don’t have to move lugga... + more
Brian, Matfield
5 out of 5
Been to Val d’Isere at least twenty to thirty times, it is just brilliant. The ski area is absolutely enormous – it’s massive – you couldn’t get bored here even if you stayed for a month. The town is really nice, very British, full of brit-run restaurants and bars with a few French restaurants too but ... + more
Stephen, Norwich
5 out of 5
A beautiful chocolate box resort, Val D’Isere was a fantastic holiday destination. We stayed in a chalet right next to the Solaise Express, so it was ski in/ski out and couldn’t be more convenient. The varied skiing was beautiful; we went later in the season and the snow was still fantastic higher up if a lit... + more
Tom, Sno Staff
5 out of 5
Been to Val quite a few times now, the main reasons for returning being the skiing and nightlife (the Moris bar’s my favourite). Definitely get the whole area pass if you haven’t been before. The leisure centre is also worth a visit as it’s fairly cheap and the swimming is free with your lift pass. + more
Joshua Owens, Danbury
5 out of 5
Unlike Tignes, Val d’Isere is very pretty and the fact that you can get from valley to valley is fantastic, there’s so much skiing to be done. The weather was mixed, some good and some bad but nothing we couldn’t handle. Everything was fully operational and the slopes were well groomed. Considering the peak ... + more
Sally A., Wales
5 out of 5
I’d been to Val d’Isere years ago, it had changed a lot since then and despite a couple of bad weather days we still had a good time. We didn’t go out in the resort that much, but it has quite a lot of upmarket shops. There aren’t many bars once you’re past enjoying Dick’s Tea bar. When the wind stopped a... + more
Pete, London
5 out of 5
Been to Val a few times, it’s really good for everyone. Apres ski is always good in val, loads of places have live music and happy hours. + more
Christopher, Andover
5 out of 5
We came to Val d’Isere because we wanted to meet up with old friends in Tignes, and it worked well, it was easy to ski together over in Tignes and round Val d’Isere, etc. Tignes is good for advanced level skiers. It has a lively centre and there are plenty of bars and restaurants. We had a good time. + more
Nigel Bird, Brighton
5 out of 5
There are plenty of bars and a couple of clubs in town. In terms of the prices, I found them fair enough, they were less than I was expecting. I’m intermediate level and the skiing was excellent for me. It’s easy enough to get down to the village from the ski area, you can either brave the slopes or take the ... + more
Christopher Harris, Coventry
4 out of 5
A lovely, beautiful place. We went there as novices and it was fine for us. The nursery slopes are limited but there was more than enough for us to learn on. I’d say it’s more of a resort for advanced skiers. The kids are snowboarders and they loved it. It’s suitable for everyone really. We didn’t eat out m... + more
Alexander Stocker, Buckinghamshire
4 out of 5
You can’t fault Val d’Isere for younger people. The nightlife is really good but everyone knows that anyway... if you don’t go to Folie Douce while you're in Val you’re certainly missing out! It’s fairly difficult to get back to Val without going down a red piste, so beginners or people with less confiden... + more
Jack Hutton, Newquay
4 out of 5
You have to be prepared to break the bank to ski in Val d’Isere but otherwise it’s great! I can’t fault the skiing. The runs down into town are difficult but beginners can just take the cable car back. The blue Santons piste that runs back into the village is notoriously difficult, at the end of the day it t... + more
Michael Walker, Loughborough
4 out of 5
It’s a good resort. It’s a big area, you can ski over to Tignes, etc. I was impressed with it. The snow was good too but it was very cold, - 19 degrees! Don’t do the main blue run down into town at the end of the day, it’s much better to do it early on in the day, especially if there is good snow. We had a... + more
Lee Appleby, West Sussex
4 out of 5
Val d’Isere wasn’t bad at all – it’s prettier than a lot of places I’ve been. The ski area’s wicked – the snow was a bit ropey at the end of the week but you can’t complain after a week of glorious sunshine! There’s also plenty to do besides skiing. + more
Matt & V, Oxfordshire
4 out of 5
The skiing area is fantastic, you can’t beat it! Nightlife is really good – Dicks seems to be where everyone was, lots of students in fancy dress. Folie was alright in the daytime, opens around 4 oclock, we never stayed there too late but you can get the cable down if you do. Not really for beginners, m... + more
Mr Carter, Leicester
4 out of 5
As a ski resort, Val d’Isere is good but hellishly expensive. There was exceptionally good snow when we were here last April, quite a lot more than expected but it was very quiet in the town at that time of year. There’s lots of skiing and some good parks for doing tricks etc, the ski area is probably better ... + more
Alex,
4 out of 5
This was our first time staying in Val but we had skied over from Tignes before – if I had to choose between the two resorts, I think I prefer Tignes, although Val d’Isere was perfectly fine. We didn’t get out much apart from all the skiing although we did head out on New Year’s Eve when they had a very goo... + more
Joe M, Scotland
4 out of 5
Val d’Isere is a nice little town, very picturesque! It’s very expensive but that’s France for you. There are some lovely little eating places in Val itself, not busy bars but quaint little pizzerias etc. They put on the light show while we were there which was great. I would advise going to the swimming poo... + more
James Collins, Stockport
4 out of 5
We keep returning to Val d’Isere because of the skiing domain, there is so much skiing to do! We get the full area ski pass and tend to do the whole lot across Tignes and Val d’Isere. It’s a pretty good area for all levels, even for beginners there are some nice runs and the ski schools are very good. It’s ... + more
Anon, Nottinghamshire
4 out of 5
We stayed in Val d’Isere over New Year’s week 2015-16. It had snowed before and we had a week of sunshine which was lucky. I’d go back, if only for the fact that there was snow – there were quite a lot of resorts at that time of year that were looking at green grass and they seemed to be shipping a lot of p... + more
Martin, Cheshire
4 out of 5
We normally ski in Austria but loved Val d’Isere! Even though the weather wasn’t the best it could be, we had a brilliant week. We are more advanced skiers – there wasn’t enough snow to do off piste but I imagine it would be outrageously good! It would have definitely been better with a lot more snow. + more
Nicky,
4 out of 5
It was snowing a lot but we skied every day despite the weather, though on some days the visibility was poor. I would recommend Val d’Isere to anyone, beginner or advanced – there is something for everyone. I would give Val d’Isere a 5/5 usually but I felt that the resort was funnelling us all onto a few run... + more
Anon, East Sussex
4 out of 5
We had a bit of everything when it came to the weather, the snow came in so we had a couple of days off piste. It was busier when it got sunny but the area wasn’t as busy as Tignes. I’ve been to Val several times before and on the whole it’s got a bit of everything. One thing that I find frustrating is that ... + more
Travis,
4 out of 5
Val d’Isere’s really pretty – a lovely resort. It was the beginning of the season and the weather was quite warm, but thanks to the snow cannons there were enough slopes to enjoy. + more
Katie Salisbury,
5 out of 5
Truly one of the greats. Val d’Isere chalets are characterful, the hotels have great service, and the self-catering apartments allow those of us on a very modest budget to ski and stay in a magical place (with the small extra effort of shopping and cooking for ourselves). The most popular 3 resorts in the worl... + more
Richard, Sno Staff
5 out of 5
The basics: The ski resort was established in 1934 and is now firmly recognised as one of the world’s most desirable ski destinations. Located in South East France in the Rhône-Alpes region, Val d’Isere is just 5km from the Italian border. The village incorporates a unique balance of history, with some of it... + more
Sarah Kennedy, East Sussex
5 out of 5
The skiing at Val d’lsere is of the highest standard and the village has hosted numerous world competitions, including Alpine Skiing during the 1992 Winter Olympics. World Champion Skier Jean Claude Killy grew up in Val d’Isere so you can be assured you are skiing at a very special resort. There is even a ski... + more
Sarah Kennedy, Kent
5 out of 5
Snowboarding and Skiing - Val d’Isere ski resort is versatile and most skiers will find something to suit their holidaying criteria. There is a large amount of accommodation to choose from, including chalets, hotels and apartments. Whether you are looking for a basic holiday or a luxury trip of a lifetime the ... + more
Naomi, Hillingdon
5 out of 5
I’ve always enjoyed skiing in Val d’Isere – it depends what you’re looking for from a ski holiday, the Solaise area is really good for kids and families as it has loads of nice blues and reds, while Tignes also has a lot of good skiing. + more
ANON,
5 out of 5
Good mix of skiing and nightlife to suit everyone. Not great conditions at beginning of March (not enough snow). + more
Stuart Verth, Bristol
4 out of 5
We had a lovely week and Val d’Isere was nice enough but I think there could be a bit more going on in terms of après ski. We went to Val Thorens the year before and it certainly had more of an après ski feel… they did have things for Christmas (nice ice sculptures) but I would have preferred a few more bar... + more
Kate Willison, County Durham
4 out of 5
Been to Val d'isere a couple of times, staying in the main town at my friend's apartment. The skiing is fantastic, and my recommendation is the route down into La Daille and also the run to La Fornet - a very nice quick run. We also went to Sainte Foy for a day, which is much sleepier than Val, but the runs wer... + more
Simon Noris,
3 out of 5
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Families in Val d'Isere

With the Famille+ label, Val d’Isere is classified as one of France’s greatest family resorts. The ski area is best suited to those who have already been skiing a few times but if you’re bringing learners along, there are 2 nursery slopes and specific children’s zones as well as various ski schools that do group and private lessons (you can even book lessons as a family to learn and improve together). See if the ticket office are still doing the ‘family ski pass’, where you can save money by purchasing everyone’s passes together. A top tip is to get the lifts back down at the end of the day if you’re with nervous skiers as the runs back to town can get quite tricky. For children who aren’t quite old enough for ski school, the resort also has a range of childcare options at the Children’s Holiday Village (at the bottom of the slopes) and the Petit Poucet nursery (often we can include on-site childcare with accommodation bookings too).

The Val kids area (below Le Lounge in the Solaise section) is one of the new additions to resort. It’s a cracking place for 4-10 year olds and everyone else will wish they were in that age group - essentially a mini ski resort where youngsters can learn how to make snow, pretend play mountain rescue, work a piste basher and even ‘drive’ a cable car! There are toboggans and swings here too, as well as deckchairs for parents and picnic tables for snacks.

Little ones will also love the outdoor zone in the middle of the resort, where they can race on sledges, build snowman and make snow angels to their heart’s content. On recent years, the area at the foot of the pistes has been turned into a family fun zone on certain nights of the week, with a snake gliss, airboarding and more. If everyone needs warming up after a day on the mountain, head to the Aqua leisure complex which has a ‘beach world’ and ‘wellness world’ to keep both children and grownups happy.

See our selection of family favourite chalets, hotels and apartments for more info on where to stay. Only you know the best way to get your brood to the slopes, so whether it’s with flights and transfers, a self-drive package, train travel or just the accommodation, our ski specialists can help find a holiday to suit you.

Select your departure dates and travel preferences at the top of this page to find something that suits you best – you can also arrange everything from low price to high or by star rating.

GroupsGroup Holidays Val d'Isere

This legendary resort really does have something for everyone and accommodation to match, whatever your group size, preferences or budget.

Catered chalets are ideal for a group getaway – enjoy a cosy, intimate setting to yourselves by booking a chalet with rooms to suit your group size. Chalet Rousell sleeps 10 and is only 1 minute from slopes, making it perfect if you’ve got a group of snow lovers to match. Hotels are another group-friendly option, especially large properties like Club Med that are likely to have late availability in case any stragglers want to join up later. If it’s cheap you’re looking for, and mucking in on the catering isn’t a problem, apartments can be ideal. We like the Balcons de Bellevarde Apartments which have a quiet but convenient location, around 5 minutes’ walk from both the lifts and the town centre.

The ski area is suited ideally to groups of skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. If you’re taking beginners, there are two nursery slopes, one located in Val d’Isere centre and the other in La Daille – so whatever area you stay in, less confident skiers won’t have to travel far. There are some world class descents for more confident skiers who can get the Espace Killy pass to experience Tignes. Any non-skiers tagging along for the ride won’t be disappointed either, with activities including ice skating and shopping to name a few. Non-skiers looking to keep up with the rest of the group in terms of exercise can while away a good few hours at the Aquasportif – which has pools of all shapes and sizes as well as a gym and sports courts and a wellness centre.

If it’s partying you’re after in Val, it’s partying you’ve got. Local legends include Dicks T bar and the Folie Douce – both absolute must-visits if you want to sample the après here.

Ask us about our group deals and discounts to see if they apply to you. Our group holidays come with flights and transfers, channel crossings or just accommodation-only depending on your plans. Search below or give our ski specialists a call for all the advice and assistance you need to make choosing and booking as easy as possible.

Which are the best ski holidays in Val d'Isere?

Accommodation Number of nights Price (per person) from
Chalet Tolima 7 £ 779
Chalet Hotel Le Savoie 7 £ 789
Chalet Thovex 7 £ 964
Chalet La Rocheure 7 £ 1129
Club Med Val d'Isère 7 £ 1768
Hotel Christiania 7 £ 1889

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