Our knowledge of the resort comes from years of responding to email enquiries, getting ourselves lost, finding ourselves, late-night bar conversations, your feedback, plus translations of French brochures. Find out what Val d'Isère is like before you visit, learn a bit about the history of the town, the surrounding area, and what you can expect from the weather.
Val d'Isere & its Surroundings
An original small alpine farming village, Val d'Isere has continued to develop into a modern alpine village whilst maintain its village feel and sense of tradition. Life in Val started at the village church and today the Church remains very much a part of the town. The 'Old Town' is undoubtedly the prettiest, with quaint, old stone properties lining little snow filled streets. A certain savoyard way of life is embodied in these traditional stone and wood houses.
This French ski resort remains a firm favourite with both the British and French offering some of the best skiing and boarding in the world. There's over 300km of marked pisted runs and unlimited off piste skiing within the Espace Killy area making it an ideal location for skiers and boarders of all abilities to find something which satisfies all. In combination with its neighbouring resort Tignes, the 'Espace Killy' area is dedicated to all aspects of skiing. It is also set to host the World Skiing Championships in 2009.
... see "Val d'Isere - The Local Area" for more
History of Val d'Isere
The inhabitation of the Val d'Isere area dates back to before Christianity. Over time, the people who passed through this mountain region left their mark on the area, their unique treasures and cultural diversity helping to establish in the first inhabitants of Val d'Isere their sense of hospitality. It wasn't until the early 18th century and events of the French revolution that developments, which shaped the Val d'Isere valley into the resort know and love today, began.
The local parish church, named after Saint Bernard of Menthon, the patron saint of mountain dwellers was built in 1664. The village church was one of the few churches that wasn't destroyed by the French revolutionaries and still stands today in the heart of the Val d'Isere ‘old town’ as a testament to years gone-by - regarded by many as a symbol of the strength and soul of the village.
... see "Val d'Isere : From Past to Present" for more
About the Vanoise National Park
The Vanoise National Park is one of the highlights of the Tarentaise region; a haven for all sorts of wildlife as well as a magnet for outdoor sports enthusiasts, it is well worth a visit at any time of year. Access is free and it is open year-round. ... see "Vanoise National Park" for more
Dining & Going out in Val d'Isere
Val d'Iseres' nightlife is almost as exhausting as its mountain pursuits! With a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafés to keep you well fed and watered there is also a plentiful array of opportunties for a bit of après or late-night venues for a spot of clubbing. The countless terraces ensure that you can always find a sunny spot to relax in... ... see "Val d'Isere Food & Drink" for more
The Weather in the Mountains
Bordering both Switzerland and Italy, the French Alps are one of the principal mountain ranges in France; the others most notably being the Vosges in Alsace and Lorraine, the Pyrenees in the extreme south, the Massif Central and the Jura. The weather and climate of the French Alps and Jura tend to be very similar to that found in the Swiss Alps. These high mountain areas have their own distinctive climates, with heavier precipitation and generally colder temperatures than the rest of the country throughout the year. At elevations of 1500 m and above, almost all precipitation in winter falls as snow that will usually remain on the ground from November until as late as May or June, particularly in areas above 2000 m. ... see "The Alpine Climate" for more
FAQ's - Resort Information for Val d'Isère
Here is collection of general resort knowledge compiled from years of responding to email enquiries, getting ourselves lost, finding ourselves, late-night bar conversations, your feedback, plus translations of French brochures. We have put this resource together to help you out when you are planning a trip to the resort. Updating this section is a never-ending task so if we have missed anything out, or you spot that we are out of date or just plain wrong, please do let us know!
The Val d'Isere ski App is now available on your iPhone! Everything you need to know and more about the Val d'Isere resort on the new iPhone application. Download it here or read on for more information >>> ... see "Valdinet.com iPhone App" for more
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