Travel to Val D’Isére with ski insurance from Essential Travel

The ski resort of Val D’Isére is located 140kms east of Chambery on the French/Italian border, about three hours’ travel time from Geneva. It is part of Espace Killy, which includes Tignes, and covers an area of 10,000 hectares of snowfields. Val D’Isere has a huge ski area (much of it at high altitude), world-class lift infrastructure and a vast array of après-ski activity.

The village is located at an elevation of 1,850m, rising to a height of 3,550m at the top of the ski runs. Val D’Isére features a total of 140 ski runs and the ski terrain covers every level of skiing expertise. There are a total of 97 lifts, as well as 15 ski schools with approximately 530 instructors.

Nearby attractions include the purpose-built developments at La Daille (1,785m) and Le Fornet (1,930m). Val D’Isére is linked with Tignes to provide skiing over the whole area of Espace Killy. Cross-country skiing is available to La Daille and Manchet. The closest provincial city is Bourg St Maurice, 30km from Val D’Isére.

The main ski season is from late November to early May, but year round skiing is available. The most convenient means of getting to Val D’Isére is via the gateway airports of Lyon and Geneva, although train and bus services are also available.

Skiing in Val D’Isére

One of the most famous ski resorts, Val D’Isére ranks alongside St Moritz, Stowe and Cortina. It is situated 140kms east of Chambery on the French/Italian border, with a journey time of about three hours by road from Geneva. The ski resort is part of Espace Killy, which includes Tignes, and covers an area of 10,000 hectares. Val D’Isére is massive, with much of its area at high altitude. It offers a world-class lift infrastructure and a fine selection of après-ski.

Val D’Isére features a total of 140 ski runs, consisting of 34 red, 22 green, 69 blue and 15 black. La Verte is the longest run at 4.8kms. The ski terrain of the resort covers every level of skiing expertise, with 17 per cent of the runs for beginners, 47 per cent intermediate, 26 per cent advanced and 10 per cent expert.

There are a total of 97 lifts, consisting of four cable cars, four gondolas, two funiculars, 46 chairlifts and 41 surface lifts. Cross-country skiing covers a distance of 444kms to La Daille and Manchet. Additionally, there are 15 ski schools with 530 instructors.

There are plenty of other facilities and activities to keep you busy off the slopes. Enjoy the three fitness centres, helicopter skiing, hiking, ice-skating, indoor swimming, mono-skiing, paragliding and tobogganing. Bars, restaurants and dancehalls also provide entertainment.

High season runs from late November to early May, but skiing is available year round. The first few weeks of January are the cheapest for a ski holiday. Access to Val D’Isére is provided by car from Geneva airport, train from Bourg St Maurice, regular bus services from train stations and airports. A free shuttle service is provided in the village.

Après-ski in Val D’Isére

There are 27,695 beds available, 2,444 of which are in hotels. The nearby developments at La Daille and Le Fornet provide alternative accommodation. Facilities are provided for many activities; there are three fitness centres, along with helicopter skiing, hiking, ice-skating, indoor swimming, mono-skiing, paragliding and tobogganing.

Bars, restaurants and dancehalls offer a variety of après-ski activities. Shopping and service facilities are comprehensive and include a local radio station, seven doctors/ physiotherapists, two pharmacies, an optician, four banks, television and car rental, sports and camera shops, a florist and beauty shops.

Ranked with the likes of St Moritz, Stowe and Cortina, this ski resort is quite well known. It is part of Espace Killy, which includes Tignes, and covers an area of 10,000 hectares of snowfields. Most of this vast ski area is at high altitude, and the resort offers top-class lift infrastructure and excellent après-ski. Accommodation is provided by hotels, pensions and self-catering apartments, and there are additional beds in La Daille and Le Fornet.

Transportation in Val D’Isére

Val DIsere ski resort is 135kms east of Chambery and 165kms southeast of Geneva and is directly accessible by road only. The gateway airports for Val D’Isére are Lyon and Geneva, from where you can take a Skibus or hire car to the resort. Train services are available, with bus service to the village.

By hire car, take the A-40 southeast and drive though the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Pre-Saint-Didier, and then back into France to join the N-90 and D-902 to Val D’Isére (170kms; three hours). The resort is fairly remote but straightforward enough to get by car. The quickest route from Calais utilises major tolled autoroutes to Pre-Saint-Didier (Italy). From there, follow the SS-26 back into France to meet up with the N-90, as above (975kms; 10 to 11 hours).

By rail, there is a direct overnight Eurostar service from Londons Waterloo station to Bourg St Maurice on weekends throughout the winter season, and direct day service on Saturdays. During the week, Eurostar trains from London go to Paris with a change to the Bourg-bound TGV train. From Bourg Saint Maurice, take a taxi or bus to Val DIsere.

Flights to Geneva connect from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow, including both scheduled and charter flights. Transfers from the airport are normally by coach, although mini buses and taxis can be arranged for an additional cost. Regular bus services are available from airports and train stations.