Planning a ski trip to Val d’Isère? Here's everything you need to know about the resort (and more!) courtesy of VIP SKI...
What makes Val one of the best ski resorts in France?
Val d'Isère is one of the most famous ski resorts in Europe, with good reason! The extensive Val d’Isère – Tignes ski area spans over 300 kilometres of pistes, and its high altitude and extensive snowmaking facilities ensure reliable snow conditions from late November to early May.
With a variety of terrain, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging off-piste routes, including the legendary Face de Bellevarde for experts, there's something for everyone. The Village Perdu outdoor play and relaxation area, which is nestled in the forest above La Daille, is a big hit with young skiers.
Val d’Isère continuously invests in its infrastructure to enhance the skiing experience for visitors with a lift system that is arguably the most connected and efficient on the planet. Furthermore, the après-ski is legendary with venues such as the Folie Douce (the original) and Cocorico offering a lively place to enjoy a beer or even dance on the tables after a day on the slopes.
What’s your top recommendation for a lunch on the mountain?
This is a difficult one to answer as there are so many lovely mountain restaurants in Val d’Isère! Here are four of our favourites:
1. L’Edelweiss is a beautiful restaurant with a fantastic wine list tucked away on the quiet Mangard piste in Le Fornet.
2. Le Signal is located at the top of the Fornet cable car, so accessible to non-skiers too.
3. L’Etincelle is situated on the snowfront in Val d’Isere and has a snack bar if you are looking for a quick pit stop before taking the Olympique or Solaise gondola back up the mountain, and a large sunny terrace where you can enjoy the à la carte menu in the sunshine...
4. Finally, if you’re looking for a delicious lunch back down in the village (or a cosy spot for an apéritif before dinner) then you can’t go wrong with Le Blizzard hotel. Look out for the barman David in his tartan trousers who’s been there for years!
Share with us a secret spot you always recommend to your clients...
Located in the centre of Val d’Isère village, by the main roundabout, Chez Jules – Le Coin des Amis is a small, friendly bar where the locals go. Run by ex-world cup skier, Jules, with seating indoors and out, it is great destination for après-ski or an evening drink.
What does Val have to offer for guests who don’t ski or don’t want to ski all day?
Val d’Isère is a great resort for non-skiers as it has a plethora of activities to choose from, not to mention a large selection of shops and restaurants. Non-skiers can still take advantage of the resort's ski lifts, with pedestrian access to stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Many snowy walks can be enjoyed down in the village and up the mountain, where it’s easy to meet up for lunch with skiers in your group. A pedestrian day pass costs around €22 and allows you to access the Solaise, Bellevarde and Pisaillas Glacier walking routes.
Why not take the Solaise gondola up for a walk around Lake Ouillette before enjoying lunch and a glass of something cold on the sunny terrace of the Plage de l’Ouillette restaurant?
If you’re keen to explore the local scenery and wildlife, then a snowshoeing trip with a local guide is a great thing to do while the rest of the group are on the slopes. Look out for marmots or ibex in spring.
For those seeking something a little more adventurous, guided snowmobile tours are available, allowing non-skiers to explore the winter wilderness and experience the thrill of riding through the snow. Or if you’re looking for some R&R, the resort boasts several spas and wellness centres, and a fantastic swimming pool, where visitors can indulge in massages, saunas and other rejuvenating treatments, providing a welcome escape from the cold.
We recommend checking the resort’s events page before you travel, as Val d’Isère often hosts cultural events, such as art exhibitions, classical concerts and film screenings, providing opportunities for both skiers and non-skiers to enjoy the local arts scene.
Top tip: Non-skiers who fancy joining in the Val d’Isère après scene at the famous Folie Douce can easily access the bar and restaurant via the La Daille gondola.
What’s the most spectacular run in Val?
This is another tricky one as there are several! One of our favourite runs in Val d’Isère is the “OK” red run, a famous World Cup downhill race course that starts at the top of the Bellevarde mountain and finishes 1,000 m later in La Daille. It is a great piste for advanced skiers looking for a challenge.
Another red run that shouldn’t be missed is the quiet “Arcelle” piste down into the Manchet Valley. This is a great run for a mixed group of intermediate/advanced skiers with some nice sections where you can practise your carving turns.
Not technically in Val d’Isère but part of the Tignes – Val d’Isère ski area, the “Génépy” blue run from the Grande Motte glacier in Tignes down to Tignes Val Claret is a lovely scenic run.
Do you offer guiding as part of your holiday offering?
We have partnered with Oxygene ski school in Val d’Isère to provide complimentary ski guiding on the first two mornings for guests staying with us in selected Hameau de Bellevarde chalets. This is a lovely way to enjoy sociable skiing and boarding with like-minded guests of similar ability and explore the ski area ready for the week ahead.
One thing that sets VIP SKI apart is the staff in resort... tell us why this is important.
Exceptional chalets in prime locations, delicious food and reliable transfers are all important, but our true strength lies in our people. The host running your chalet, the driver in your vehicle, and the nanny caring for your children can make or break your holiday; we do not take this responsibility lightly.
Ella & Claire manage recruitment during the summer. They will receive 1500 CVs again this year, interview 300 applicants and employ just 150 seasonal staff so they can afford to be choosy. Our colleagues tend to be more mature than most with an average age last year of 27, which we believe makes a difference. We look for people who will make sure our guests have a wonderful holiday.
WHY VIP SKI?
COSY CHALETS: Chalets designed by us from the inside out. We’ve sweated the detail so you feel completely at home in cosy wrap-around comfort; squashy sofas, private hot tubs, indoor pools and USB-C at your bedside. Little things make a big difference.
HEARTFELT HOSPITALITY: Our holidays are powered by our dedicated team who care about your holiday as much as you do. From the airport to the slopes, and back again, we obsess over the minutiae, so you don't have to. We make your ski holiday seamless by doing the simple things that really matter supremely well.
DELICIOUS FOOD: Homemade menus from fresh ingredients by your own private host. Food matters and your mountain exertions are rewarded with sumptuous food and wine. We've evolved; switch options for simpler meals, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and allergen-friendly options; everyone is welcome at our table.
PLENTY OF SNOW: If there’s one thing we all know and love, it’s snow. So, we’ve gone to the top of the hill so you can be absolutely sure of it. Height matters: the average altitude of our chalets is over 1800m. Size matters too: all our handpicked resorts offer more miles of piste than you could ever ski in a week.
TRAVEL CHOICE: We can’t pretend that the fun of the holiday begins at the airport, but we make getting there as easy as possible. Enjoy complimentary transfers from Geneva to our ski resorts with four departures every Sunday. You can choose the airline, airport, and time that works best for you - no restrictions from us.
HAPPY CHILDREN: Happy children make happy parents. We welcome guests of all ages. Our childcare will make your holiday and spoil you with a freedom you’d forgotten existed. You can trust us to look after your children, pack their days with fun, and allow you to relax on the mountain or chill in the bar.
Huge thanks to Kate at VIP SKI for taking the time to thoughtfully respond to our questions, and share her expertise on our blog. You can browse VIP SKI's luxury catered ski chalets in Val d’Isère on their website - Click Here.
Oh, one last thing to consider before your trip... don't forget to pack yourself a Val Midlayer! Available in a range of colourways for Men & Women, it's a must-have for any Snow Finel fan heading to Val d’Isère!