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Val d'Isere resort snow
Ski France

Val d'Isere Resort Reviews

45.45° N 6.95° E

Weather Forecast for Val d'Isere at 2700 m altitude

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Visitor reviews for Val d'Isere Ski Resort

Val d'Isere Ratings

Overall: 4.2. Based on 74 votes and 65 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 4.7

  • Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
  • Is often closed due to a lack of snow
  • Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
  • Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
  • Val d'Isere is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 4.7

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Val d'Isere has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 4.7

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 4.4

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 3.5

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Val d'Isere

Public Transport: 3.9

  • There are no buses or taxis to Val d'Isere
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 4.4

  • No places to stay in/near Val d'Isere
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 3.0

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 4.8

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Val d'Isere

Ski in/Ski out: 4.5

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 4.2

  • There are no child care facilities at Val d'Isere
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 4.3

  • Val d'Isere relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 4.5

  • There are no snow groomers at Val d'Isere
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Val d'Isere are groomed daily

Shelter: 3.6

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Val d'Isere is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 3.4

  • If snow conditions are poor at Val d'Isere, it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 4.7

  • Val d'Isere usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 4.4

  • The staff at Val d'Isere are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Val d'Isere are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 4.0

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 4.7

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 4.8

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 3.8

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 4.8

  • No intermediate terrain at Val d'Isere
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 4.8

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 4.1

  • Not even a kicker at Val d'Isere
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 3.4

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Val d'Isere
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 2.4

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Val d'Isere has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 4.3

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 4.7

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 4.7

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 4.6

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.8

  • Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here
  • The non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week
  • The resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports

Winter Walks: 3.7

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 4.1

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 4.0

  • Overall, Val d'Isere is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 4.0

  • Overall, Val d'Isere is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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December 15, 2003
Liam from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
If this season is like last we should have a big dump of snow late jan! I cannot wait to get back there and borrow the rail from the town centre, to add something to the hotel grounds, for after hours entertainment. Ps never drink and rail grind. Also never draft a skier into the tunnel at the bottom of the verte run, you do not know what (or who in my case is lying on the floor the otherside) might happen to be strategically placed to ensure you eat ice on the downslope the other side. Enough waffle I recomend dicks tea bar for apres ski (I will collect my free promotion drink when I'm back lads) and hitting the big red run from the top of the grand motte in tignes on a good day, try it at full speed dare ya!
December 29, 2003
on ma bum from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just got back from Val d'isere after a fantasic Xmas period here. Had a huge ammount of snow dummped 21st thro to the 23rd, opening up 80% + of the slopes. Even though this was a busy period with locals on holiday for xmas the slopes were generally quiet. As you would expect for this area the night life was lively. Looks like it will be another good season here and hope to get back there soon!
December 30, 2003
Ross from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just got back from a magical christmas in Val d'isere. The resort is fantastic, there are plenty of slopes, the snow conditions were pretty good,the first two days there was a huge dump which put it in good stead for the rest of the week. there is a fantastic range and quality of pistes there and I'll certainly be going back, soon, very very soon I hope!
January 11, 2004
ben from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Had a week in Val over New Year, my first visit there after about 10 years of returning time and again to the 3 Valleys (3V). Like millions of other Brits, I guess. But having heard so much about EK being the best ski area in the world, I wanted to compare and contrast with 3V. So how do the two areas compare? Purely a personal view of course, from an experienced intermediate who enjoys fast reds, a few mild blacks, and will dabble cautiously with a bit of off-piste. I would rate the pros and cons as follows: 1) Far better and easier off-piste opportunities in Espace K. 2) For long cruising blues and reds, 3 Valleys has many more satisfying long runs (few runs in EK to compare with Mont Vallon or Creux, for example). 3) 3V is much better for treeline ski-ing (important when visibility is poor). 4) Much better ski in/out convenience in many 3V resorts than in Val (Tignes is better I guess). One you are up on the mountain you really don't want to be going all the way down again to Val for a lunchstop, unlike say Courchevel or Val Thorens. And for beginners/early intermediates, most of the runs back home are a real pig! 5) EK is considerably higher on average than 3V and therefore generally more reliable snow (a factor with global warming...). It was a pleasure not to have to endure the slush and ice of Meribel this year! 6) EK just can't match the feeling you get in 3V of so many interesting and challenging journeys to take, via so many different routes from one valley to another. Not a fair comparison perhaps, as EK is half the size.... 7) Not scientific, but my gut feeling was that most prices in mountain restaurants etc. are significantly cheaper in EK than 3V. Can't speak for the bars in town, never had the energy to drag myself down there..... So on balance for me, 3V has it by a short head. But for any confirmed 3V addicts like me, do give EK a try - if only to remind yourself what you are missing! Ben
February 11, 2004
JohnBoy from Ski France France
Spent a week in Val from Jan 10th. A summarised snow report: Snow, more snow, a drop of rain & more snow! Basically it didnt stop for the week. Ridden in Val a couple of times before but always based ourselves in Tignes - now I know why. Espace Killy is an epic area & there's something there for all levels - unfortunately if your not drippin in bling the town of Val isnt so accessible. Everyone knows that Val has the rep for being pricey, but it seems worse than ever - comin from Ireland its all the more transparent since we're all Euro spenders now. ?11 for a burger! ?7 for a pint!? The Spar (or Sherpa) does 24 beers for about the price of 1 draft. I suppose it is more 'French' to drink at home & then go out late, but we've always managed the best of both worls in Tignes (check out Alpaca) Anyway, back to Tignes next time...til we hit the Lotto.
March 01, 2004
gail
Just returned from Val (Feb. 21-28) and had a great time. Having skied in Trois Vallees and in Vail, we know and like the challenge of vast terrain and lots of runs so Val did not disappoint in that regard. But, do not go during the French holiday--too many skiers unless you go off-piste and hope that there is still some good snow. They do not groom their runs very well so the condition of the runs deteriorates quickly and really depends on their getting lots of snow frequently. Runs down to the base are a horror--icy and crowded- so take your last run down on the chair or gondola- for the rest of the time stay high and away from the centre and try to find reds and blacks and off-piste with fewer skiers. Stayed at Hotel Mercure (3 star)- great location, good food and very gracious staff and a decent sized room for the 2 of us.a word of warning- I signed up for an off-piste lesson and planned my day around it, but when I arrived for the lesson I was told that there wasn't room for me. They gave me my money back but that did not make up for my having lost 1/2 day skiing (Evolution 2 is the name of the company)
November 19, 2004
Julian Barber from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Be very careful when renting appartment accommodation through Val Agence. We rented an apprtment and they refused to return our deposit due to ciragette burns. Nobody in our party smoked and nobody else visited our appartment during the week. Make sure that you get someone to inspect the appartment before you leave and get your deposit returned before you go. Since this experience, I have had other similar stories concerning Val Agence. We wrote to the Tourism Department and the Mayor, neither of which bothered to even respond to our complaints.
January 20, 2005
Matt from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I experienced exactly the same thing with Val Agence last year. I rented a 3 bedroom appartment at considerable cost and had a fantastic week. After being home for a few days I received a letter from them stating that they were retaining my deposit as there was a red wine stain on the sofa. I'd checked the entire place before leaving and felt sure that there were no such stains however, was willing to let it go as long as they could prove their case. Luckily, a friend of mine works in the centre of Val so he called in to their offices and asked them to let him see the damage. They imediately withdrew their claim and said that they would refund my deposit straight away. Two months and several emails later, I STILL hadn't received the refund so I wrote to MasterCard's dispute department enclosing copies of Val Agence's emails admitting their 'mistake'. The deposit was clawed back by MasterCard straight away. The moral of the story... AVOID USING VAL AGENCE - THEY WILL TRY TO RIP YOU OFF
October 27, 2005
Gemma Holloway from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have visited Val d'Isere over the last two seasons, 2004 and 2005. I have to say that the resort is very special, boasting this fantastic atmosphere that you can only grasp when you enter the village. I love the skiing and recommend 'Martin Mckay Skiing', an off piste ski coaching and guiding business' run by a Scottish Ski Coach, Martin Mckay. Martin showed us all the best off piste runs and coached us with our technique to enable us to develop a great confidence. Martin also uns on piste private ski coaching, visit their web site at www.skimckay.com. Tel: + 44 (0) 7710 237 094 - + 33 4 79 07 16 99. We stayed at a hotel called Les Lauzes situated next to the ancient church in Val d'Isere. This hotel proved to be ideal as it is right by the piste and boasts a great atmosphere. Good luck with Val d'Isere!
November 14, 2005
Alex Wilson from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Last year I stayed in a chalet operated by Mountain Rooms and Chalets; the whole experience was excellent, All the staff were very friendly and helpful, the chalet itself was beautiful and spotless, and in a great location. The snow, as you would expect in Val D'isere, was brillliant. The Owner has lived in Val for years so knows the best places to ski. I got the impression that they had a large number of repeat clients which to me is the best way to judge a company. I'm booking with them this year.