Recommended
Mountain Lunch: Le Signal
Après Ski: Cocorico
Dinner: L’Atelier d’Edmond
Non-skiers: Tandem paragliding flight
Best Off-piste: La Banane
Best Ski Run: Manguard
Skiing
Ski Elevation: 1,785m – 3,599m
Pistes: 300km
57% Blue runs
26% Red runs
17% Black runs
Snowparks: 1
Airports
Chambery (CMF):
2h 15m / 144km
Grenoble (GNB):
2h 30m / 165km
Geneva (GVA):
2h 30m / 174km
Val d'Isere Luxury Chalet
As one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, you’ll find no shortage of luxury accommodation in Val d’Isere. Aside from the 1970s apartment blocks in La Daille, most properties around Val D’Isere have charming architecture. Contemporary interpretations of traditional stone and wood chalets keep a quaint village feel while adding plenty of modern flair.
FEATURES – Many of our Val D’Isere luxury chalets come with a combination of a hot tub, sauna, and steam room. Larger properties often have extra treats like cinemas and swimming pools.
SIZE – We have chalets that fit parties from two to 28 guests. If you have a bigger group, contact us to find out how we can select a combination of properties to meet your needs.
CATERING – Most of our luxury chalets in Val D’Isere come with catering. If you choose catered accommodation, you’ll receive flawless hospitality and daily luxuries like three-course dinners and afternoon tea.
LOCATIONS – The chalets in the centre of Val d’Isere offer the best of both worlds. They’re steps away from the slopes and lifts while also being in the heart of the shopping, restaurant, and bar scene. But this makes accommodation here highly sought after.
Val d’Isere is one of the most popular luxury ski resorts in the Alps. You’ll find that the best chalets get reserved early, especially around the festive period and school holidays. We recommend booking well in advance to avoid disappointment. Explore our large collection of luxury chalets in Val D’Isere to start designing the perfect ski break.
Looking for inspiration? Take a look at our recommend luxury ski chalets in Val d’Isere…
Chalet Machapuchare
This opulent chalet offers a serene location with easy access to the slopes. Spend afternoons lazing on south-facing balconies or curled around the fireplace in the open-plan two-story living area. If you crave a little more hustle and bustle, there’s a driver to take you into Val d’Isere for a night on the town.
Unwind in your terrace hot tub and take in the alpine views illuminated by the warm glow of your luxury chalet. If you get bored of mountain scenery, retire to the tropical oasis of your private spa, complete with a hammam, gym, and counter-current swimming pool.
Chalet Inoko
A wonderful combination of traditional alpine wood and playful modern design makes this sparkling chalet feel like home. Relax among the books and stonework of the open plan living area or sneak off to the TV snug and switch off for a while. The beautiful front terrace is a great place to socialise in the hot tub or by the crackling firepit. Or to truly unwind, head to the sleek spa area for a swim and sauna session.
Val d'Isere Chalet Collections
B&B chalets in Val d’Isere
Corporate chalets in Val d’Isere
Ski-in Ski out chalets in Val d’Isere
Val d’Isere chalets with hot-tubs
Catered chalets in Val d’Isere
Flagship chalets in Val d’Isere
Val d’Isere chalets with cinemas
Val d’Isere chalets with spa area
Val d’Isere chalets with saunas
Self-catered chalets in Val d’Isere
Large chalet in Val d’Isere
Val d’Isere chalets with gyms
Val d’Isere chalets with swimming pool
Val d'Isere
Stretching along an idyllic secret valley is one of the world’s most elite ski resorts. A stay in Val d’Isere is an elegant treat. Perfect for mountain lovers, party seekers, and families alike, this is a resort that gets five stars across the board.
Sitting at 1,850m and a few kilometres from the Italian border is a charming 13th-century village. Val d’Isere has branched out from these roots. But it still revolves around a pretty Tarentaise church marking the centre of its Old Town. Despite a cosmopolitan atmosphere, excellent shopping, and one of the best après scenes in the Alps, it has maintained a peaceful feeling, making it the dream resort for every type of traveller.
You’ll find even more winter delights as you ascend Val d’Isere’s efficient lifts. Linking with the neighbouring resort of Tignes, Espace Killy is one of the most beautiful ski areas in France. A prestigious area for the world of winter sports, 300km of varied piste reaches heights of up to 3,500m. Steep slopes and accessible backcountry make this a favourite for experts. While beginners have a nursery slope in the heart of Val d’Isere. High altitude, a local microclimate, and two glaciers maintain exquisite conditions all season long.
When you’re not throwing yourself into everything Val d’Isere has to offer, recharge back at your luxury chalet. With some of the best luxury chalets in the world living here, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Browse our selection of properties to start planning your trip to one of Europe’s favourite ski resorts.
Val d'Isere Resort
In the Tarentaise Valley Region is the sprawling Isere Valley. Val d’Isere stretches along 10km of its floor and branches up its steep sides. This once-small farming hamlet has boomed into the famous alpine destination we see today.
The charming village creeps outward from the original Old Town, with a twinkling high street stretching from La Daille to La Fornet. La Daille and La Fornet are small villages on either side of Val d’Isere. They are linked to satellite villages and hamlets high above the resort that are connected by a state-of-the-art lift system. You’ll find chalets sprinkled across the town centre and up the sides of the valley.
You’ll find no shortage of things to do in Val d’Isere. The stylish town has high-quality shopping and fabulous cafes. The world-famous party scene starts early on the mountain and continues in town well into the night. A social atmosphere and lots of winter activities make this a resort full of personality.
Val d'Isere Travel & Transport
Val d’Isere is flat compared to a lot of ski resorts, so it’s easy to get around on foot. You can walk to most places in under 15 minutes. If you don’t want to trek in your ski boots, there’s a free bus service throughout town running between Le Fornet and La Daille.
Travelling by car
Thanks to excellent motorways, driving to Val d’Isere is easy. The last 45 minutes up the mountain can be winding and challenging if you’re not a confident driver. It might be difficult to find a parking space so consider finding accommodation with parking included.
Travelling by train
The closest train station to Val d’Isere is Bourg St Maurice. Many high-speed and international rail companies operate to here, including Eurostar. From here it’s a 45-minute drive which you can take by bus or private transfer.
Airports
The closest airport to Val d’Isere is Chambery. But Geneva is a bigger transport hub with more choices of flight times and airlines.
Chambery (CMF) – 144km
By car – 2 hours 15 minutes
By train – 3 hours 30 minutes
Grenoble (GNB) – 165km
By car – 2 hours 30 minutes
By train – 3 hours 37 minutes
Geneva (GVA) – 174km
By car – 2 hours 30 minutes
By train – 5 hours 35 minutes
Lyon (LYS) – 220km
By car – 2 hours 30 minutes
By train – 4 hours 50 minutes
Private transfer
There are a range of transfer options into Val d’Isere, including shuttles, taxis, and helicopter services.
Val d'Isere Restaurants
With a sparkling cosmopolitan clientele, it’s no surprise that Val d’Isere has a world-class culinary scene. As well as classic Savoyard dishes, innovative chefs flock here to make their mark. Whether you want to graze Michelin star plates or snuggle up in a slope-side tavern, you’ll have endless options to fuel your week in the mountains.
In the town
Michelin-starred L’Atelier d’Edmond is a historic chalet with a lovely ambiance. Enjoy a tasting menu or a la carte French dishes that are thoughtful and executed with flair. La Table De l’Ours also achieved a Michelin star thanks to its elegant dishes using exquisite ingredients. Sink into plush décor by a crackling fireplace. Another solid fine dining option is La Grande Ourse. It has thrived in Val d’Isere since 1936 when there was only one ski lift in the resort. Treat yourself to a varied French menu and wine produced by the owner.
For a more rustic alpine setting, Le Casserole is a tavern-style restaurant that serves iconic mountain meals like tartiflette and fondue. La Baraque offers a similar setting, but with classic French dishes, great cocktails and live music. Taverne d’Alsace is one of the oldest restaurants in the village. Feast on regional cuisine and French wines in a traditional wooden tavern.
If you want to shake things up, La Mourra is a Japanese fusion restaurant with a stylish menu and a cosy but upscale setting. Or to really up your sushi game, book a table at Matsuhisa featuring Nobu. The hotel restaurant brings the expert craft of Chef Nobu to the Alps.
On the slopes
The infamous Folie Douce houses their a la carte restaurant, La Fruitiere. Enjoy Savoyard dishes with a colourful and modern twist. Make sure you finish in time to attend the legendary cabaret show. Also at Folie Douce, newcomer La Cucucina has authentic Italian dishes and an all-Italian team. Italian Renaissance décor frames dreamy Mont Blanc views.
For cosy rustic chic, La Peau de Vache is halfway down the famous La Face run. Sit in the candle-lit wooden cabin or take in the sprawling views from the sunny terrace. Traditional French dishes and huge meat portions are paired with an elegant collection of fine wines. Another option for Savoyard cuisine and excellent wine is Edelweiss. The traditional mountain restaurant has stunning views of the valley.
The biggest debate of the week will be which place has the best pizza- l’Etincelle or La Triffolet? l’Etincelle has a large sun terrace to take in 360° views while sipping something from their wine cellar. Feast on pasta and pizzas laden with seasonal toppings. La Triffolet is just as popular. Graze high-quality slope-side pizza accompanied by as much wine as you want as it’s only a short skate to the base of La Daille.
If you happen to find yourself on the Tignes side, head to La Ferme Des 3 Capucines. The renovated Savoyard farm building is a cosy place to enjoy farm-to-fork traditional recipes using produce from their on-site farm. Or for cheesy treats and sweeping views, curl up in the sheepskin décor at Le Panoramic.
Val d'Isere Apres & Nightlife
With a long history of après ski and some of the most established clubs in the Alps, Val d’Isere knows what they’re doing when it comes to delivering epic alpine parties. But if the thumping music gets to be too much, there are lots of simple and cosy venues where you can curl up and have a conversation.
The party starts on the mountain at Folie Douce but the rest of the revelry continues back in town.
- It’s difficult to go skiing in France and not hear the words Folie Douce. These world-renowned après bars are famous for their post-slope revelry. And the original one is right here in Val d’Isere! Their cabaret parties are a true mountain experience. Thanks to the La Daille cable car, non-skiers can join in too.
- The huge terrace of Cocorico has live music every day from 2 pm. Stomp your ski boots on the table while flames shoot into the air. With no commute home to worry about, it can get a little wild.
- For a similar atmosphere, check out La Petit Danois. It’s smaller than Cocorico but popular with Scandinavians for its al fresco live music and table dancing.
Have a relaxed evening at one of the pubs and lounge bars. Or to keep the party going, just follow the music.
- You’ll find the locals sipping happy-hour cocktails at Victors Bar. They have a warm and friendly atmosphere and a resident DJ to get the party started.
- If you’re tired of glitzy bars and rowdy clubs, check out the eclectic Le Garage. The old garage-themed décor of this brewery offers a no-thrills space to unwind.
- The Saloon Bar is popular with the seasonaires for its rowdy atmosphere and great guest DJs.
If you have the stamina, you’ll find pumping laser-filled clubs to keep you going until the early hours.
- The status of Dick’s Tea Bar attracts famous DJs all season long. They have been bringing the party to Val d’Isere since après ski became trendy in the 80s. You definitely won’t be making first lifts after an evening here.
- Hidden under the nursery slopes, the legendary Daoudoune Club has hosted huge acts such as David Guetta and Pete Tong.
Val d'Isere Ski Area
With one of the best snow records in Europe, skiing in Val d’Isere is an absolute delight. With 97 ski lifts linking 300km of piste, there’s something to keep everyone happy here. Beginners can learn in the security of a nursery slope in the town centre, intermediates have endless piste to explore, and experts will find steep slopes and accessible backcountry.
The ski area
The immense Espace Killy stretches across Val d’Isere and the neighbouring resort of Tignes. The intricate and efficient lift network will take you anywhere you want to go. They are modern and fast, so if you want to you could ski from Le Fornet to Tignes in one morning.
From Val d’Isere, there are eight major hubs for getting up the mountain, including a giant gondola and high-speed underground funicular. Reliable buses connecting the lifts are free with your lift pass. The Val d’Isere side has three main ski areas:
- Le Solaise is home to difficult blacks like the famous Rhone Alps run. But there’s great skiing for intermediates here too.
- Bellevarde has good intermediate and advanced terrain. Here you’ll find La Face, the most well-known black run in the resort.
- Le Fornet is mostly blue and red runs. It’s a quiet area that may be good for timid intermediates to build their confidence. It also gives you access to Pointe du Montet, the highest area in resort and home to the Pissaillas Glacier.
- La Daille has great runs for all levels. From here you can take the underground funicular into the wider ski area on the Tignes side.
Boarders
Val d’Isere is one of the best resorts for snowboarders in France. With excellent lifts, very few drags, and long wide pistes, newer boarders can come into their own. While accessible off-piste, miles of terrain, and reliable snow records make it a dream for freeriders.
Beginner snowboarders will be happy on the nursery slopes in the centre of the village. Once progressing, most people head to Solaise. When making your way home at the end of the day, avoid the Santons blue as it gets flat towards the bottom. Towards the later part of the day, most of the routes home get crowded and hard-packed. If you’re not confident or just feeling lazy, you can take the lift down the valley.
Get a workout on the choice of long runs down La Daille. But if you’re coming across from Bellevarde, try to avoid the flats. The routes from the top of the funicular in Tignes are popular with boarders. The runs are long and present a few challenges.
If you want to show off your moves, you’ll find a snow park with a half pipe in both Val d’Isere and on the Tignes side. The Val d’Isere park is under the Mont Blanc chair lift and has rails and kickers for a mixture of abilities.
There’s lots of backcountry for you to make fresh tracks but to get the most out of Espace Killy, it’s recommended you go with a guide. From Toviere take the Rocs red and cut back under the lift. This takes you to a huge stretch of off-piste before joining the Triffolet red back to La Daille. Or to to make La Face even more gruelling, cut off at the top and ride the unmarked terrain down. On bad weather days, the trees in Le Fornet give you some terrain to play with.
Beginners
Although hailed as an advanced resort, Val d’Isere is a fantastic option for your first time on the slopes. With a great choice of ski schools and excellent, snow-sure nursery areas, you can learn in a safe and relaxed environment.
There are beginner areas in Val d’Isere in La Daille, Solaise, and in the town centre. Here you’ll find free magic carpets, green pistes, and a play area for younger students. If you’re looking for childcare options for your little ones, the ski kindergarten is in an enclosed space on the nursery slopes.
When you’ve mastered your snow plough turns, there are exciting options for building your skills. There’s only one green run back into town and some of the blues can be harder than expected. If you’re looking for variety or get tired at the end of a long ski day, you can take the lifts out and back.
There’s a large Ski Tranquille zone in Bellevarde with several different green routes to try. You can take one of the lifts home or ski the long green that takes you back to La Daille. Take the Madeleine Express chairlift in Solaise for long and wide runs perfect for practising your turns. If you’re feeling confident, from here you can make your way to the quiet blue runs of Col L’Iseran.
Our recommended ski schools:
- Oxygene is a large independent school with an excellent reputation. They offer group and private ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults, as well as off-piste guiding.
- Progression Ski instructors are a mixture of previous national champions and highly qualified instructors. They offer small group lessons and clinics for children and adults in skiing, snowboarding and telemarking.
- New Generation are a British company established for over 20 years and operate across the Swiss, French, and Austrian Alps. They offer group, private, and off-piste lessons for all ages and adaptive lessons for people with disabilities.
Intermediates
While Val d’Isere is a great resort for intermediates, you should expect runs to be more difficult than their labelled colour grade. Many blues present the challenges of a red and some reds would be marked as blacks in other resorts.
For finding your ski feet, start in Solaise or Belelvarde. There are wide blues in these sectors to get you warmed up. Finish the day in Bellevarde by taking the Santons blue home. It has outstanding views and gets you to the centre of town just in time for après.
You’ll find slopes to progress on in Col d’Iseran. From here you can head up to Glacier du Pissaillas and enjoy cruising through the trees. From Le Fornet you can take the long red from the top of the Laisinant chair to the valley floor. It’s usually quiet so you can use it as an excuse to max out your speed. Or for something gentler, take the long blue route back to the bottom of the Le Fornet lift. Make sure to stop and admire the stunning views across the valley.
The red run at the top of the Manchet Express is a quiet place to get a feel for the red runs.
If you want to make your legs burn, there are multiple long reds down from La Daille and Bellevarde with fast lifts back up to the top again. Before the end of the week, the red slalom slope on the way back from Solaise is a good way to test your skills.
If you’re looking for a challenge, there are off-piste routes suitable even for advanced intermediates in Val d’Isere, so hire a guide for the day and get exploring.
Advanced
With some steep red runs and demanding blacks, experts will find more than enough to challenge them in Val d’Isere. Whether you’re looking for steep piste, leg-burning moguls, or hair-raising couloirs, you’ll find some of the best skiing in the world here.
The most famous black run in the resort is La Face. This was the 1992 Olympic Men’s Downhill slope. It starts easy and gets progressively challenging as you approach the last section. At 10km long, La Sache on the Tignes side is the longest run in Espace Killy. While the black from the top of Teleski des 3000 is the steepest. Other black pistes of note include Rhone-Alps, the FIS women’s Downhill course.
If you want to cover serious ground, challenge yourself to ski from above Le Fornet to Les Brevieres. These are the furthest two points from each other in Espace Killy and you get to include La Sache on the way. Make sure you allow enough time to get home before the lifts close.
It’s easy to get to incredible off-piste areas from the lifts, making Val d’Isere an excellent option for a lazy freerider. You’ll find excellent lift-served off-piste around Le Fornet and in the Manchet Valley. There are also accessible routes from La Daille, including the famous Vallee Perdue. Le Fornet is quieter and often less tracked. Col Pers is a popular route which takes you from the Pisaillas Glacier to Le Fornet.
The Espace Killy area is massive and it’s time-consuming even to suss out the best pisted areas. Steep valley sides, cliffs and concealed rivers can make the backcountry dangerous in Espace Killy if you don’t know the safe routes. To get the best experience, maximise your time, and stay safe, we recommend hiring a guide to show you around.
Weather
High altitudes, a microclimate, and two glaciers maintain huge amounts of snow in Val d’Isere throughout the winter season. And with excellent piste grooming and some of the best snow-making facilities in the world, this is an incredibly snow-sure resort. It’s blessed with one of the longest winter seasons in the Alps, with lifts often being open from late November until early May. For the best chance of powder dumps, visit in December and January.
December
December is the high season in Val d’Isere. It’s an expensive time to visit and attracts more exclusive guests. But if you want a lavish place to spend the festive season, this will deliver.
Average snowfall: 128cm
Snow days: 10
January
January is less busy in Val d’Isere, offering great deals and quiet uncut slopes. It’s a cold month with lots of dry, light powder.
Average snowfall: 114cm
Snow days: 9
February
Thanks to the school holidays, Val d’Isere in February is busy with families and children. Booking well in advance is recommended. It’s very cold but with lots of dry bluebird days.
Average snowfall: 94cm
Snow days: 9
March
The days are getting longer and the powder is still smashing. Make the most of longer days skiing or spend the extra hours in the sunshine at après.
Average snowfall: 76cm
Snow days: 9
April
There’s still snow on the ground and lifts often stay open well into early May. Val d’Isere can get busy over easter but outside of these dates are great end-of-season deals.
Average snowfall: 47cm
Snow days: 4
Things To Do In Val d'Isere
The bustling village of Val d’Isere is a great option for non-skiers. Whether you want to stay active and take in the scenery or throw yourself into resort life, you’ll find more than enough to keep you occupied.
The shopping in Val d’Isere is fantastic. As you stroll down the illuminated Olympique Avenue, you’ll pass everything from designer jewellers to artisanal delicatessens. As well as international fashion brands and big-name sports shops, you’ll find lovely designer boutiques. If you want to put on a spread back at the chalet, browse for local pastries, cheese, and charcuterie. Don’t forget to stop in La Cave sur le Comptoir to pick the perfect wine pairing and indulge in a little tasting at the same time.
If you’re more of an outdoors person, there are plenty of ways to take in the alpine landscape without clipping on a pair of skis. Get around in style by going dog sledging or ice driving. Enjoy a relaxing day of snowshoeing or try exhilarating activities like ice diving and ice climbing. Back in the village, you can enjoy the outdoor skating rink, the cinema, and the swimming pools in Le Centre Aquasportif.
Our luxury Val d’Isere chalets blog covers a wide range of topics: the latest luxury rental properties in Val d’Isere, local news, snow conditions, new and top rated restaurants and bars, best rental shops, spa’s and swimming pools, top 5’s and of course, Ski Chalets in Val d’Isere!