Val d'Isère
One of the Great Classic Ski Destinations
300km of pistes • 1,850m – 3,456m altitude • Season: Nov – May
Resort Overview
A genuinely European resort perched high in the Tarentaise Valley at 1,850m, forming the legendary Espace Killy alongside Tignes.
A Legendary Destination
First opened to skiers in 1934, Val d'Isère now welcomes guests from 29 November to 3 May with 300km of marked pistes, 78 lifts, and reliable glacier skiing almost all year round. The village sits at 1,850m with skiing up to 3,456m — a vertical drop of 1,930m.
💬 "Val D'Isere-Tignes has a vast ski area with extremely reliable snow. The hotels & lodges are all located either at the base of the ski lift or a short stroll away. For après, try La Folie Douce on-mountain at La Daille — lunch with live music, DJs and dancing in ski boots! In the evening: Dick's Tea Bar, Cocorico, Bananas, the Pacific Bar, Moris Pub or Le Petit Danois. And don't miss a hot crepe with sugar and fresh lemon from one of the village crêperies."
— Miranda, Travelplan Ski
At a Glance
Key Selling Points
Vast Ski Area
300km of pistes across Espace Killy — 5× the size of major Canadian resorts; combined with Tignes for even more terrain
World Cup Heritage
The Bellevarde Face hosted the 1992 Olympic men's downhill
Snow Guarantee
60% of slopes above 2,200m — high-altitude glacier means reliable conditions from late November
Alpine Village
Authentic French alpine village — compact, pedestrian-friendly, vibrant atmosphere. 3 distinct villages
Family Friendly
'Famille Plus' label — dedicated children's areas, ski schools, crèche from 18 months
Legendary Après
La Folie Douce on-mountain, Dick's Tea Bar, Cocorico, Bananas & more iconic venues in village
Ski Area & Trails
Named after legendary champion Jean-Claude Killy who won three gold medals at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics — one of the largest and most varied ski areas in Europe.
Trail Difficulty Breakdown
Val d'Isère alone: 152km of skiable terrain
Famous Runs & Highlights
For Beginners
Snow Parks & Fun Zones
Dedicated fun area for children on the mountain
Adventure zone for families
Parks for all abilities — jumps, rails, boxes
Trail Map Links
Pick up a printed piste map at any lift ticket office in resort. Download the official Val d'Isère app for real-time lift and slope status, plus Radio Val d'Isère (96.10 FM).
Always check slope status via the valdisere.com app before heading out each day. Conditions can change quickly at altitude and some runs may open/close throughout the season.
Ski School
Val d'Isère has several excellent ski schools catering to all ages and abilities. Travelplan books ski school via Oxygène.
Oxygène Ski & Snowboard School
⭐ Bookable via TravelplanExperience & Language
30+ years operating in Val d'Isère. English-speaking school — ideal for Australian clients.
Group Lessons
Max 8 participants per adult group. Children 5–12 by age and level.
Adults
Group ski & snowboard | Private lessons | Off-piste clinics | Race training
Children & Teens
- • Snowbear (age 4–5, max 3/group)
- • Children 5–12: ski & snowboard
- • Pro-Rider teen programme (12–17)
🎿 Beginner Lift Pass Deal
6 or 7-day lift pass €227 (adult & child) when booking beginner lessons with Oxygène
Other Ski Schools in Resort
ESF (École du Ski Français)
87 years | 400 instructors in 13+ languages
Offices: ESF Val Village & ESF La Daille
Groups: Half-day or full-day group lessons | Own children's snow gardens
6-day beginner lift pass €230 with 5–6 days of lessons (covers full Val d'Isère/Tignes area)
esfvaldisere.comEvolution 2
Groups limited to max 8 | 3-hour sessions | Strong off-piste programme
evolution2valdisere.comProsneige
5-day courses Mon–Fri (not beginners) | Off-piste/race training clinics
Misty Fly
Based at sports shop of same name | Place de l'Office du Tourisme
Great Value Tip
The beginner lift pass deal (€227–€230 for 6 days covering the entire Espace Killy area) is exceptional value. Clients who book first-timer lessons and the lift pass can ski freely across all of Val d'Isère and Tignes even when not in class.
Accommodation
From ultra-luxury ski-in/ski-out lodges and 5-star hotels to self-contained apartments. Val d'Isère sits at the premium end of the European ski market.
Pricing Guide: All prices shown are per 2 adults for 7 nights (land only = accommodation + transfers). Add flights from Australia (approx. AUD 2,400–4,000 per person return ex-Sydney, mid-January). Mid-January is low–shoulder season — quieter slopes, great value.
Silverstone Lodge
Six ultra-luxury Suites-Chalets ranging from 4-bedroom to 8-bedroom penthouses. High-end interior finishes, breathtaking views over the Alps and Bellevarde. Best for high-end private groups.
AUD 15,000–40,000+
Hotel Village La Mourra
5-star boutique hotel perfectly integrated with authentic stone, wood, and slate chalets. 8 luxury hotel suites plus 5 private luxury chalets. The most intimate luxury product available.
AUD 8,000–15,000
Les Barmes de L'Ours
Authentic and refined chalet magnificently positioned at the base of the Olympic downhill. A favourite for serious skiers who want ski-on access to world-class terrain.
AUD 8,000–14,000
Le Yule Hotel & Spa
Flagship 5-star ski-in/ski-out property. Complimentary breakfast buffet included. Log fire lounge, sun terrace, games room, babysitting, and free local shuttle. Ideal for families wanting luxury with full service.
AUD 7,500–14,000
Hotel Christiania
Grand traditional hotel — one of Val d'Isère's most iconic properties. Alpine-furnished rooms and suites. Been welcoming skiers since 1949. Perfect for clients seeking prestige.
AUD 6,000–10,000
Experimental Chalet
New boutique hotel by the Experimental group — 113 rooms and suites with views of the Vanoise massif. Each room uniquely designed with Savoyard forest touches. Exceptional village location.
AUD 4,800–7,500
Avenue Lodge Hotel
Contemporary Savoyard style with spacious bathrooms. Excellent central location makes it one of our most popular picks for first-time Val d'Isère visitors.
AUD 4,500–7,000
Hotel Le Blizzard
Warmly welcoming rooms with beautiful mountain and village views. Combines excellent slope access with authentic village atmosphere. Reliable quality and consistent guest satisfaction.
AUD 4,200–7,000
Alaska Lodge
Luxurious residence inspired by local chalet architecture. Six luxury apartments combining mountain style and modern amenities — wood, exposed stone, unique charm. Ideal for groups of 2–12.
AUD 4,200–6,500
Les Chalets du Jardin Alpin
Ski-in/ski-out apartments in traditional chalet style at the Solaise sector. 24 apartments with balconies/terraces and magnificent valley views. Note: minimum 7-night stay (Sun–Sun).
AUD 4,000–7,000
Vail Lodge
Exceptional ski-in/ski-out apartments close to Santons and Épaule du Charvet ski return. Great for self-sufficient groups who want flexibility. Some apartments with hot tubs on balcony.
AUD 3,500–6,500
Avancher Hotel
Warm Savoyard atmosphere with well-decorated hotel rooms, family rooms, and large 2–3 bedroom apartments with full kitchens. Great for families. Views from the terrace.
AUD 3,000–5,000
Hotel Ormelune
Recharge and discover a new kind of mountain holiday. Located in the charming old quarter of Val d'Isère. Unpretentious, comfortable, and well-positioned.
AUD 2,800–4,500
📌 Booking Note: Prices vary significantly by season. Early season (late November – mid December) and late season (April) offer the best rates. Mid-January is shoulder season — good value with solid snow. Peak Christmas/New Year and February school holidays carry significant premiums.
Ready to Book?
Check live pricing and availability for all Val d'Isère accommodation on our website or call our ski experts.
Activities & Après Ski
From legendary on-mountain parties to dog sledding, ice climbing and Savoyard dining — Val d'Isère has it all.
On-Mountain Activities
Après-Ski & Nightlife
La Folie Douce (on-mountain)Must Visit
At La Daille. Iconic — live music, DJs, dancers, afternoon parties in ski boots. Best in Alps for on-mountain après.
Cocorico
Large terrace at the base. Live music, buzzing early-evening scene.
Dick's Tea Bar
Long-established club favourite with British skiers. DJs + dance floor until 4am.
Doudoune Club
European crowd, themed nights, guest DJs. Busy peak weeks.
Pacific Bar / Moris Pub / Le Petit Danois
Relaxed pub atmosphere; great for groups.
Bananas
Popular mid-evening stop for cocktails and crowd.
Off-Mountain Activities
Ice Rink
Right in the centre of the village
Ice Climbing
Guided sessions available
Dog Sledding
Popular with families
Ice Driving (Passenger)
A unique thrill on ice
Aqua Complex
Lap pool, play pool, sauna, steam room, gym and massage
Spas
Available at most 4–5 star hotels; also dedicated resort spas
Shopping
Boutiques and ski shops throughout the village pedestrian zone
Crêperies
A hot crêpe with sugar and lemon juice is a resort institution
Fondue & Tartiflette
Must-try Savoyard dining experiences
Events Calendar
World Cup racing, music festivals, para-alpine events and end-of-season celebrations — there's always something happening.
First Tracks Opening Weekend
Ski & snowboard equipment testing, après parties, special deals
Critérium de la Première Neige (70th ed.)
World Cup alpine racing — Face de Bellevarde & Oreiller-Killy. One of the biggest events of the season.
Christmas Festivities
Santa & elves on slopes; village decorations & events
Classicaval Music Festival
Classical music in an alpine setting — unique cultural event
FIS Para-Alpine Skiing World Cup
Based in Tignes — downhill & giant slalom para-athletes
Classicaval (Second Edition)
Second run of the popular classical music festival — spring skiing + culture
La Scara Youth Race — Day 1
46th edition — FIS U14 Super G & FIS U16 Slalom
Santa on the Slopes
Free event — Santa with treats for children
Adventure & Discovery Film Festival
Mountain film screenings; great for a spring ski trip
Spring Break / Ski & Chill Festival
End-of-season: Val'athlon, film screenings, international DJs
Season Close
Last day of main ski area. Pisaillas Glacier open into June.
🎿 Best Time to Visit
Mid-January is one of the best-value windows — snow conditions are excellent, slopes are quieter than the Christmas/New Year peak, and the Classicaval Music Festival adds a cultural dimension. Recommend clients travelling mid-January book early as hotels fill quickly even in shoulder season.
Check AvailabilityPractical Information
Getting There
Flights from Australia
No direct flight from Australia to a Val d'Isère gateway. Standard routing is Sydney/Melbourne → Dubai/Singapore/Doha/London → Geneva or Lyon, with a total travel time of approximately 26–30 hours. Geneva is the most popular gateway.
Transfer Options
Travelplan offers three transfer options bookable through our website. Advise to book transfers at the same time as accommodation:
Shared Transfer (Geneva ↔ Val d'Isère)
Operated by SnowDrone or Altibus. Budget-friendly, may involve short wait for others. Coach or minibus. Book both directions at time of booking.
Private Transfer (Geneva → Val d'Isère)
Operated by Ski France. Direct door-to-door service. Higher cost but ideal for families/groups.
Getting Around the Resort
Ski Hire
Travelplan offers ski hire through two providers — both offer delivery/collection to your accommodation:
Ski Butlers
Delivery to chalet or hotel. Adult Performance, High Performance, First Timer & Child packages. Also snowboard rental and accessories.
Oxygène
Shop fit or Chalet fit. Bronze/Silver/Gold/Diamond ski grades. All ages including Child (2–12) and Teen (13–16). Helmets and clothing rental also available.
⭐ Chalet Fit
Instructor comes to your accommodation to fit boots and skis — highly recommended for families with young children.
Clothing Hire
Les Petits Montagnards — outdoor rental experience for snow clothing. See: lespetitsmontagnards.com
Lift Passes
Weather & Snow
-4°C to -12°C
January Average (valley to summit)
100–220cm
Summit Snow Depth (Jan)
Currency & Costs
Useful Contacts
Travelplan Ski
1300 SKI SKI | www.travelplan.com.au
Val d'Isère Tourist Office
www.valdisere.com
Oxygène Ski School
oxygene.ski | +33 4 79 41 99 58
ESF Ski School
esfvaldisere.com | +33 4 79 06 02 34
Emergency (France)
112
Mountain Rescue (PGHM)
+33 4 79 06 19 24