Where is Val d'Isère ski resort located?

Val d'Isère is perched high in the Tarentaise Valley region and vast Espace Killy ski area, bordering the famous Vanoise National Park and just a few kilometres from the French-Italian border.

This iconic ski resort is nestled between breathtaking views of mountain silhouettes and a rugged backdrop of evergreen pine trees. 

With over 300 kilometres of marked pistes catering to all skill levels, from beginners to expert skiers. The resort's high-altitude slopes and impressive off-piste terrain make it a favourite among advanced skiers and free-riders.

Skiiers can test their skills on the 1992 Olympic Men's Downhill slope, or explore this varied and exhilarating terrain on one of the many other stunning ski slopes. 

The historic village features architecture dating back to the 15th Century, creating the perfect alpine backdrop for a getaway in the snow. 

Oxford Ski Company can provide guests with a personalised and exclusive luxury ski holiday tailored for skiers of any level to enjoy. 

Luxury ski holidays in Val d'Isère: What to expect

Expect reliable, high-altitude skiing at a height of 1,850 metres above sea level.

Val d'Isère luxury ski resort is remarkably snow-sure and offers skiers of all experience levels a wonderful selection of runs enhanced with stunning scenery.

This resort is excellent for skiers at intermediate and above levels while offering exciting skiing opportunities for beginners and family groups. 

See our Val d'Isère chalets for luxury accommodation right on the slopes. 

When is the best time to go to Val d'Isère skiing?

Val d'Isère receives an incredible amount of snow in the winter months, which means it is usually open from mid-December to early May.

There is no bad time to go skiing in Val d'Isère, with superb piste grooming and one of the largest artificial snow-making operations in the world.

The best time to visit for guaranteed heavy snowfall is between December and February 

Our Luxury Ski Chalets in Val d'Isère

If you’re looking for a more relaxed evening atmosphere, our luxury Val d'Isère chalets are perfectly positioned around the resort, allowing you to enjoy the snow-covered peaks set against sunny skies, with plenty to explore on the piste and in the town itself. 

Luxury catered chalets in Val d'Isère

Below are some of our favourite options for fully catered ski chalets in Val d'Isère. 

• Eagles Nest - Sleeps 12 + 1 
• Etoile du Nord - West Wing -  Sleeps 10 +4
• Chalet Marco Polo - Sleeps 10 + 4 
• Chalet Husky - Sleeps 14 
• Chalet O Valala - Sleeps 12 + 1
• Chalets Orso and Orca - Sleeps 20 + 7 

Luxury self-catered chalets in Val d'Isère

If you desire complete flexibility for your luxury getaway, why not opt for a self-catered chalet? Here are just a few of our favourite self-catered chalets to discover.  

• Les Sorbiers - Sleeps 10 
• Chalet Arosa - Sleeps 10 
• Chalet Yeti - Sleeps 10
• Chalet Alice - Sleeps 8

Top tip: To get inspired for a Christmas winter getaway, read this guide and start planning your next escape with us today.   

Every year, we carefully select the very best luxury ski chalets in Val d'Isère from which guests can find their perfect fit.  

Each of our Val d'Isère luxury chalets offers something special, and we handpick each chalet to ensure they are set apart from the rest. Our strict criteria and experience in crafting the ultimate luxury chalet experience will provide both seasoned skiers and first-time guests with a luxury getaway in Val d'Isère like no other. 

Luxury Ski Hotels in Val d'Isère

We provide the same attention to detail and care in meticulously selecting and arranging lavish Val d'Isère ski hotels for our guests as a part of our exclusive service in providing the ultimate ski holiday experience and exceeding your greatest expectations.

We work closely with Val d'Isère hoteliers to ensure that all your needs are met, with a service that goes above and beyond.

Our favourite luxury ski hotels in Val d'Isère include: 

• Le Blizzard - a charming, chalet-style hotel with 70 alpine chic rooms and suites overlooking the mountain and village, all with private balconies.
• Hotel Airelles Val d'Isere- an almost unrivalled location at the base of the Olympic Bellevarde and Solaise slopes, this hotel brings the calibre of the top five-star hotels in Courchevel 1850 to Val d'Isère.

Skiing in Val d'Isère: What to expect 

A luxury holiday in Val d'Isère offers spectacular skiing for holidayers of all levels, be it exciting off-piste adventures or gentler areas for beginners.

The cross-border resort, Tignes, is close by and opens up a whole other network of interlinking lifts, stunning slopes, and a variety of runs for those of any skiing abilities.

The two resorts form the ‘Espace Killy’, a world-famous ski area with 300 km of pistes which are served by an immense lift system comprised of more than 90 lifts. 

In the Espace Killy or Tignes-Val d'Isère domain, you can expect the following mountain terrains and conditions: 

Ski terrain in Val d'Isère

• 300 km of downhill piste
• Resort height: 1850m 
• Skiing Elevation: 1550m - 3445m
• Green: 15% 
• Blue: 42%
• Red: 26%
• Black: 17%
• Longest run: La Sache (Black) - 10km

Snowfall levels in Val d'Isère

• Snowmaking coverage: 50%
• Average snowfall: 
• November: 64 cm
• December: 131 cm
• January: 114 cm 
• February: 103 cm 
• March: 72 cm

Val d'Isère ski lift information

There are over 90 ski lifts to transport skiers around and across Val d'Isère ski resort. These include gondolas and chair lifts as well as drag lifts and magic carpets for beginner access.

• Gondola: 6 
• Chairlifts: 42
• Drag lifts: 30 
• Cable cars: 3 
• Magic carpets: 4 

Val d'Isère lift pass cost

You can expect to pay around £209 to £263 for a six-day lift pass. Family passes and bundles including both the lift pass and equipment are also available. 

Intermediate skiing in Val d'Isère

Val d'Isère is an unrivalled location for skiers with intermediate to advanced experience levels. Intermediates can explore every bit of the breathtaking Tignes-Val d'Isère domain with an incredible amount of choice available. Enjoy serene and picturesque blue and red runs in the La Daille and Bellevarde sectors or some dynamic glacier skiing.

Advanced skiers will be presented with some of the best skiing in Europe with its steep black runs, impressive moguls, and sensational couloirs.

Off-piste skiing

The Val d'Isère ski area has some of the best off-piste skiing in the world with easily accessible areas from lift systems, exciting trails, and varied terrain. Advanced skiers and adventurous intermediates will have a blast exploring this ultimate playground.  

Glacier skiing

At Val d'Isère you have access to both the Grand Motte and Pissaillas glaciers with pistes that are available for those of all abilities. Pissaillas Glacier is perfect for intermediates, with a range of exhilarating runs starting at a height of over 3,100m. 

Val d'Isère skiing for beginners:

There are many exciting skiing options for beginners at Val d'Isère. Test your abilities on the purpose-built nursery slopes before you venture to higher spots. In the town centre, there are several magic carpet ski lifts that are free to use, offering access to the Village Nursery slope’s two green pistes. There are also a number of ski schools that we can recommend to make sure you and your loved ones are in good hands.     

Val d'Isère for families

Val d'Isère resort is perfect for families and offers a number of options for ski school, childcare, and slopes specifically for children. For example, the ski kindergarten is held in an enclosed area on the nursery slopes. Val d'Isère prides itself as a family-friendly resort that considers safety a priority, with a number of childcare options to help you look after your little one while you ski. 

The best ski runs in Val d'Isère to explore 

• Col de I’iseran: wide and gentle runs with accelerating terrain 
• Col pers: an off-piste run from the Pisaillas glacier down to Le Fornet that is a particular favourite among seasoned skiers
• OK: Best for confident intermediates, stunning tree-lined run that you can follow all the way to the famous apres-ski bar La Folie Douche 
• Mangard: Blue run with incredible scenery and views 

The best après ski in Val d'Isère

Aside from exceptional skiing and sunny vistas, Val d'Isère is world-renowned for its lively après ski and nightlife. 

La Folie Douce

One of the most famous après bars in the French Alps is located right on the slopes, La Folie Douce Val d'Isère. Be prepared to soak in champagne and dance the night away in your ski boots! 

Dick’s Tea Bar 

Another legendary late-night spot venue is the Dick’s Tea Bar, a staple of the Val d'Isère nightlife for 30 years where you can dance to DJs from all over the world.

Cocorico 

Cocorico Val d'Isère is another popular apres ski spot for seasoned skiers, with a live band every day helping to bring the atmosphere up a notch. 

Underground Cafe

Meanwhile, to feel like a local, head to Underground Cafe in Val d'Isère, with French chic decor and upbeat music all night long. 

Pacific Bar Val d'Isère

If you’re keen to catch your favourite sports events, head to Pacific Bar. Complete with a VIP lounge, six plasma screens and a friendly atmosphere, you won’t want to leave!

Victor’s Val d'Isère 

If you’re after the perfect spot for cocktails, head to Victors! With a bar open daily from 4 pm and a resident DJ to get the night started, be sure to hit happy hour to make the most of this apres ski destination. 

Val d'Isère Boutique shopping

Take a stroll through the streets and archways of Val d'Isère and gaze through the picturesque window displays of charming boutiques and shops.

Expect to stumble upon artisanal food shops (Maison Chevallot with spectacular patisseries and pastries), jewellers, fashion boutiques (Magasin Bérénice and Margherio Boutique), high street fashion featuring big sports brands (Oakley, Columbia, Patagonia), and “the only bookshop in the French mountains”, Le Bouquiniste. 

Luxury dining in Val d'Isère

Fine dining in Val d'Isère is found both on the mountain and in the village. Linger over a long lunch of exquisite regional spreads at l'Etincelle, found just down the piste from La Tene.

If you’d prefer to indulge in a Michelin-starred meal,  L’Atelier d’Edmond offers beautifully presented plates in the ambience of a nostalgic, vintage chalet.

La Table de l'Ours boasts exquisite cuisine served by a Michelin-starred chef and a mountain-chic atmosphere.   

Winter activities in Val d'Isère

There are plenty of non-ski activities to enjoy off the slopes at Val d'Isère, be it swimming in the indoor pools at Le Centre Aquasportif or visiting the cinema.

If you would prefer to take advantage of the exceptional snow, there are a number of extraordinary winter activities that you can participate in, including: 

• Ice driving
• Ice skating rink in the centre of the village 
• Snowshoeing 
• Ice diving 
• Dog sledging 
• Ice climbing 

Recommendations for your trip to Val d'Isère….

Below are our favourite recommendations from the team at Oxford Ski Company: