Val d'Isere Events - Winter

Wondering what to do this Christmas and New Year? The festive season in the snowy Alps is always magical and every year there is some sort of celebration in resort to mark the occasion. Christmas is a far less commercial event in France than in the UK and so you won’t find things publicised for months in advance - but you can always be sure of a glass of vin chaud (mulled wine), a few carols and perhaps the odd firework or two!

Many of the restaurants will put on a special festive menu with champagne and traditional French dishes, so book in advance if you want to treat yourself to a meal out. Likewise, planning ahead is advised if you have your heart set on ringing in the New Year in a particular bar or club – many of them are ticket-only, so enquire in advance to avoid disappointment!

The week leading up to Christmas sees Val d’Isère sparkling with festive cheer! The lights are up throughout the resort, the Christmas market is in full swing and Father Christmas himself may even put in an appearance! Christmas Mass, musical concerts and children’s shows all add to the fun.

Come midnight on New Year's Eve the hoards of tipsy revellers head down to the roundabout in the centre of resort for the big countdown – not an official event as such, more of a long-held tradition. On the stroke of midnight you are advised to duck as champagne corks and fireworks are unleashed in celebration!

To find out exactly what Val d'Isere has in store this year have a look at our What’s On Calendar. You can read about the revelries of years gone by in our Après Ski Report, just use the drop-down box called ‘Archived Reports’ to go back to the date you are looking for. To get a feel for what Val d'Isere nightlife is all about, take a look at our Dining & Going Out Guide.

Val d’Isere has long been host to the Critérium de la Premiere Neige (‘the first races of the new snow’); in 2006 Val d'Isère celebrated its 50th year of hosting the competition which brings the world’s top male and female skiers together to compete in Downhill, Super G and Slalom races. Races are held on the La Daille pistes, where names of the previous winners reads like the history of skiing for the past half a century! Sadly, with this event being so early in the season weather can play a big part in the overall success of the competition. In previous years the event has been cancelled or moved to an alternative location. The event has also on occasion been affectionately renamed the ‘Premier Slush’! For further information and routes of previous years races see here.

Created nearly 30 years ago, this race is an International Alpine Ski Race for Children, run at the end of the winter season. Historically, it was an event with the Children from Val d’Isere’s Ski Club and other children’s of various ski clubs however, increasing numbers of entrants resulted in the race organisers reviewing the race format, and registering the race in the International Children ski race calendar. La Scara is now considered in the ski world as a real “Children’s World Championships” and is now used as qualification for the selection process at national level. The race is open to both Boys and Girls, runs over 4 days. French children must qualify for the ‘International races’ which then take place the following days. In previous years, the event has attracted up to 1400 competitors; with a split of approximately 1100 French skiers and 300 International skiers from 28 nations. 

Classical music festival held in Val d'Isere's church in the old town. The programme includes classical pieces as composed by various favourites, including Beethoven and Schumann

In 2006, Val d’Isere is host the its 10th International Film festival featuring eleven specially selected films ranging from adventure sports to ethnic encounters and documentaries. During the week the festival is running, there is the opportunity to watch a the films which will eventually be judged by a jury of professionals of varying professions and members of the public too.