World Snowboard Guide Insurance

Val d'Isere, France

Introduction

Val d’Isere as a place to go snowboarding is amongst the best in France. However the most essential piece of kit you will need with you is your black Amex. It’s got a great lift system, a reliable snow depth and some fantastic riding - with loads of off-piste only a short hop from the lifts.

They are trying a little harder to make snowboarders welcome by holding events like the Big Day Out, and have built a snowpark which is now much better than Tignes', although together they make up Espace Killy.

The resort is set along one road starting with La Daille a few ugly blocks of flats that won a hat-full of French architecture awards in the 70's. You may find you’ll start or finish your day here, as it’s only a short free bus ride from the resort proper and home of the Funival funicular, which will whip you to the top of the mountain faster than Bush could invade any oil producing state.

The main village has been tastefully developed using a lot of the local stone. The main street is full of designer shops, restaurants and British bars, set back from the road are loads of hotels and chalets ranging from affordable to ridiculous.

New for season

05/06: new 6-seater chair in the Laisinant area linking to Fornet and Solaise. Installation of snow cannons on the glacier for summer/autumn, and more cannons on winter area. Replacement of Montets drag

04/05:Bellevarde high speed Gondaola

Resort Statistics

Resort Type:  Alpine
Winter: Nov to May
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 97
Cable cars: 4
Gondolas: 4
Chair lifts: 46
Drag lifts: 41
Other lifts: 2 funiculars
Max people per hour: 12,000
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 140
Total ride area: 186miles (300km)
Longest run: 5.5km

Top lift: 3450m
Vertical drop: 1900m
First lift: 1550m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 59%
Red runs: 30%
Black runs: 11%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:  Full Espace Killy
Half-day 30 euros
1 Day pass 41 euros
6 days 197.5 euros
Season 957 euros
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 6m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 15%

Facilities

Night Riding: :  No
Snowboard Schools: ESF and some Brit based schools
Snowboard Hire: lots of hire shops

Heliboarding: :  In Italy but can fly out of val d'isere
Snowmobiles: Yes

Further information

www.valdisere.com/
Email:info@valdesere.com

Online:57 register/login