Val d'Isere, France
Resort life
Off the board, theres husky dog sledging, ice climbing, ice karting, snowmobiles, paragliding, cinemas and loads of bars full of merchant bankers and red-faced blonde Swedes plus maybe a few French.
Like many top French resorts, the main drawback is the cost.
Eating
For a fry-up breakfast go to the Billabong Café, and if you want a meal in the evening, take a stroll with the fur-clad poseurs along the main street and choose anything from sausages to sushi, or try some of the exclusive hotel restaurants.
Nightlife
Val d'isere is like the St Tropez of the French Alps, Full of good-looking people spending a lot of money (and most of it daddy's). Cafe Face oozes cool and chic. This is a posers paradise, you'll find them sipping champagne listening to live music being mixed with silky house tunes. Bananas has a good vibe but can get packed, and if you are on the pull, check their ID before leaving.
Lowering the tone is the Pacific which is great for watching all premiership games, and you can imagine the rest.
Accomodation
Most of the accommodation is of a good standard and situated close to the slopes. This inevitably means cold walks home after you have had a skinful, so there is a free bus service which becomes less frequent has the night goes on.
Hotel search
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
Snowboard Schools:
ESF and some Brit based schools
Snowboard Hire:
lots of hire shops
Night Riding: :
No
Other activities
Heliboarding: :
In Italy but can fly out of val d'isere
Snowmobiles:
Yes
Further information
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Summary
Great mountain, expensive town. Overall, Val d'Isere has something for everyone. There's varying terrain for all abilities, some great off-piste and a good snow record but be ready to pay for it. They take card and cash, don't you worry.
MONEY WISE: Dear but if you got the cash, do it.
Terrain & parks
HALFPIPE:
Yes - 2
TERRAIN PARK:
Yes - 2
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:Yes
TREE RUNS:Yes
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Image Gallery
Piste Map
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