A traveler's guide to Val d'Isère
Stay in Val d'Isère and treat Tignes as the other half of the pass, not as a different holiday. The altitude is why people book it.
Val d'Isère is the ski resort at the head of the Tarentaise, linked with Tignes as Espace Killy. The village is older than the purpose-built stations around it, the snow is high, and the Face de Bellevarde is the run the Olympics made famous. A week here is one lift pass and two villages.
When to go
The resort is high enough that January is already a real ski week, not a gamble. February is busiest. March keeps the snow and adds a longer afternoon. The road in from Bourg-Saint-Maurice can close in a heavy storm; the first and last days need slack.
On the hill
Start on the village side if you are still learning the map, then cross toward Tignes once you know the way home. The Grande Motte is the glacier day and the snow-sure backup. Bellevarde is the face you look at from town; ski it when it is groomed unless you meant the bumps. Off-piste off the ridges is guide territory. The last lift back from Tignes is the mistake people make once.
Village and passes
Val d'Isère has a center you can walk. La Daille is convenient for the funicular and a haul to dinner. Le Fornet is quiet and at the wrong end if you want restaurants. Buy the Espace Killy pass. A cheaper local pass wastes the reason you came. Book a table in February or eat early.
If you only remember this
- Learn the last lift back from Tignes on day one.
- La Daille is a convenient bed and a long walk to the village at night.
- The road from the valley closes in serious storms. Do not fly in and drive up on the same tight hour.
- Bellevarde's race face is a groomed piste some days and a mogul field on others. Look before you drop in.