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Val d'Isere for Skiing & Snowboarding
Skiing & Boarding in Val d'Isere |
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Val d'Isere is one giant natural fun park and there really is something for everyone here. To help you navigate your way around this vast area, we have produced an insiders guide on some of the best skiing and boarding to be had, and where to feed those hungry stomachs whilst your on the mountain. Also in this section is some information on cross-country skiing in the valley, skiing for the disabled, and features on how to improve your ski technique. And if you feel a bit 'all the gear but no idea', our articles on skis and snowboards will help you get a better understanding of the types of skis and snowboards available.
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Ski Areas in Val d'Isere |
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Val d’isere is one of the top ski resorts in the world providing over 150 kilometres of pistes and this, together with vast areas of accessible "off piste", makes it ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Skiers seem to outnumber the snowboarders a little but there is a comfortable balance of both sports – each taking advantage of the different areas Val d’Isere has to offer (Le Fornet, Le Solaise and Bellevarde). ... see "Val d'Isere Skiing Revealed" for more |
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Insider's Guide To... |
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With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite runs throughout the Espace Killy and suggested some itineries for you to try. There are also sections on where to find the best off piste, where you're most likely to find the quietest pistes, and where to find the nicest mountain restaurants for lunch. Happy exploring! ... see "Where to go in the Espace Killy for..." for more |
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Snowparks in Val d'Isere |
Val Park
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Val d'Isere is a 'Mecca' to snowboarders the world over and the town positively encourages boarding - there are no pistes which are closed to boarders and there are vast areas of fantastic off-piste. Boarders and free-style skiers have access to the Val Park in the Bellevarde area via the Bellevarde or Olympique cable cars or the La Daille funicular. If you are coming over from Tignes you can take the Bolin Express from Val Claret or the Aeroski.
The park boasts loads of different hips, jumps and rails for all levels as well as a boarder cross and half pipe. If you'd rather just watch the action, the chill chalet is a great place to catch some sun with music, BBQ, facilities, chairs and tables.
There is also a large snowpark over in Tignes Val Claret with a similar atmosphere and two large half-pipes, see Tignes for Skiing & Snowboarding to find out more. During the summer months you can top up your goggle marks on the Grande Motte snowpark which is open for most of the year, go to Tignes Summer Activities for more details.
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Cross Country Skiing (Ski de Fond) |
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Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. There are two different techniques – classic and skating. Classic is the easiest for beginners; you simply place your skis in two parallel groves, push off and glide around the trails. Skating is more energetic and a slightly harder skill to grasp; you push your feet out to either side as though you are ice skating and use your poles simultaneously to gain momentum.
You can hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles fairly inexpensively from most sports shops and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics from most ski schools or private instructors. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges! The skis are lighter and slimmer than downhill skis and the boots are much softer and more comfortable.
The tranquility of cross country (also known as Nordic) skiing is perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. It is a great form of aerobic exercise and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes, while the relaxed pace makes it a more tranquil way to enjoy the surroundings!.
 | | 'Skating' Style |
Once you have grasped the essentials, head off into the beautiful and tranquil cross-country trails situated in the Manchet Valley, La Daille, near Le Fornet and by the Ouillette lake. No lift pass is needed, and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes.
Val d’Isere has a total of 21km of tracks for cross-country skiing and most of the ski schools also offer instruction in this discipline. Cross country circuits are free to use and are shown on the piste map with their level gradings – green, blue, red or black.
- In La Daille – To the left of the main road just past La Daille is an easy, green,1.5km long trail
- In the Manchet Valley – There is a 1km track running from the Solaise cable car to the Clochetons restaurant (green) and then a further 3km to the Manchet old hamlet (blue) - this trail is sunny in the morning and early afternoon. There is also a 6.5km long red run – Le Manchet
- At the Ouillette lake – At the top of the Solaise cable car, walk to the Madeleine chairlift and there is a 2km blue trail around the ‘Ouillette lake’ on the right hand side
- In Le Fornet – From the Le Fornet cable car, there is a 5km blue trail out of Val d’Isere to the border of the Vanoise National Park
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Handiski (Skiing for the Disabled) in Val d'Isere |
Val d'Isere caters for disabled skiers. If you wish to have ski lessons, ESF and Oxygene have qualified instructors for disabled skiers at €300 a private session per day. They can discuss the specific needs of each skier and advise on or provide equipment accordingly. Ski-Lesson.comalso offer private lessons for disabled skiers with morning, afternoon or full day options available. They are based out of number of ski shops around town, namely; Eskiador (Portillo Building), Snowberry and Iseran Sports and offer price discounts for booking on-line.
In terms of accommodation, the best thing to do is check with your tour operator or chalet owner about the facilities they provide for disabled visitors. Places which do have disabled facilities include:
Maeva or Pierre & Vacances Residence - Located at the entrance to the resort, in the La Daille quarter, 200 m from shops and a restaurant and 2 km from the centre of Val d'Isere. All apartments of the residence are comfortable, well furnished and equipped with modern amenities.
Pierre & Vacances Residence – Located in the resort centre. This residence, with its facades of wood and local stone, is ideally positioned close to the supermarkets, restaurants and the slopes. It offers comfortable guestrooms that are well equipped with a kitchenette, refrigerator and microwave.
Auberge Saint Hubert - Located in the heart of the mountain resort of Val d Isere, the hotel is only a few yards from the pistes, ski-lifts and the picturesque old village. The Auberge Saint Hubert offers a lively bar, a salon de thé with free after ski tea and a restaurant with exquisite cuisine serving regional Savoy specialities. The 28 rooms are comfortable and spacious, and most have a balcony with a village or mountain view.
Maeva Le Rond Point des Pistes - Situated at the base of the ski lifts in the heart of the village. The residence provides comfortable and well-furnished apartments, equipped with necessary amenities.
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Equipment & Clothing Guide |
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Have you literally got 'all the gear' but have no idea what to do with it?? Unless you want to look like Posh Spice on the slopes, knowing a bit about your skis/snowboards/transceivers etc will help you avoid being any old Wannabe... Having the right equipment for your chosen sport/activity will help ensure that you get the best possible introduction to your sport (if you are a beginner), or speed you along in your learning curve if you are looking to improve. The easier and quicker you learn, the more pleasurable your experience will be! In this section, you will find guides to help you select the most appropriate gear for your sport and your ability. ... see "All the Gear But No Idea...?" for more |
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Skiing Tips & Techniques |
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We have teamed up with one of our top ski school instuctors to produce guides on ski technique. The articles featured here include learning how to carve and how to conquer moguls. To ensure you get the most out of your time on the piste, check out our Ski & Snowboard School Listings and perfect your skills! ... see "Tips and Techniques - Skiing" for more |
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Snowboarding Tips & Techniques |
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Improve your snowboarding style with our helpful techniques tips section, brought to you courtesy of Keith McIntosh at Alpinelines. It's often the smallest thing that makes all the difference to your riding! ... see "Tips & Technique - Snowboarding" for more |
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Lift System & Passes in Val d'Isere |
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With such an extensive lift network in operation both summer and winter, it makes sense that there are a wide range of lift pass options available for the skier or boarder, mountain biker and pedestrian. ... see "Val d'Isere Lift System & Passes" for more |
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Skinets Support Tool |
