ATOLprotected
Resort — 1,850m
Max — 3,488m
Geneva - 2h55; Grenoble - 2h15;
Chambery - 1h55
Val d'Isère is in a class of its own when it comes to snow sports. Part of what was formerly called the Espace Killy ski area, it links with neighbouring ski resort Tignes - opening up a virtually unrivalled range of pistes to enjoy during your ski holiday.
In addition to 300km of runs for all abilities, almost 25,000 acres of off-piste terrain, and easy access to the Grande Motte Glacier, Val d'Isère also has plenty to pique the interest of non-skiers - think ice diving and snowshoeing, plus helicopter rides over the Alps. Travelling on a budget? Catch the state-of-the-art Solaise gondola to the top of the mountain instead for equally memorable views.
When the lifts close, unclip your skis and get ready to enjoy Val d'Isère's epic après scene, from restaurants with jaw-dropping outlooks which serve up tasty local bites (fondue, anyone?) to buzzy nightlife venues, including the original Folie Douce.
Val d'Isère's high altitude means it has super reliable snow cover and an exceptionally long ski season which lasts from November to late April. The pistes in this corner of the Alps offer something for everyone, whether you want to learn the basics on gentle nursery slopes or you're up for tackling tricky backcountry routes. Fancy doing some summer skiing? Hop over to neighbouring Tignes to test your skills on the Grande Motte Glacier.
Val d'Isère skiing may be a particularly popular pick for more advanced skiers, but there's also plenty to enjoy if you're a newbie to the sport. There are two nursery ski areas that can be accessed for free, one near the village centre and one in La Daille, plus there are wide blue runs at the top of the Solaise gondola for those ready to progress. If you're learning from scratch, we can set you up with lessons at an excellent English speaking ski school.
Those with a little more experience of snow sports are also in luck as Val d'Isère has a superb range of blues and reds criss-crossing the resort.. If you're keen to cover miles of snowy terrain, trickier blue runs at higher altitudes are in abundance. For those after a challenge, there are steeper runs - including the popular OK piste used for the women's World Cup - which speed you right down into the valley, plus spectacular off-piste trails if you're feeling brave. What's more, the Val d'Isère Snowpark, up at 2,500m, is perfect for practising rails and jumps.
Val d'Isère is one of the pinnacles of advanced alpine skiing thanks to some seriously tricky black runs and opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime off-piste skiing. Essential slopes for pros include La Face, a black run with an infamously steep descent, which has formed part of both World Cup and Olympic skiing events. Want to venture off the marked pistes? There is triple the off-piste skiing available here than in Whistler, the biggest area in North America. The biggest range of off-piste skiing is over in the Bellevarde area. Check out FatMAP of the area for inspiration, or we can sort out a friendly guide to show you the best routes.
The whole thing was very smooth and effortless and it was really handy to have Packed on whatsapp meaning you could as a question anytime and it was fairly informal too! I will definitely be recommending Packed to others!
They were so helpful and quick to respond. Provided me with a variety of options that were so nice and everything sorted.
Excellent service, very responsive and knowledgeable. Second time using these guys and all has gone well both times. Definitely recommend, see you again next year!
I approached Packed with a work project, searching for a Ski trip for 50 people. Right from the beginning the customer service was super, within a couple of days I had 2 trips that fitted the criteria perfectly. Due to the nature of my job I was unable to progress quickly and was back & forth with questions and requests, but nevertheless Ed Mellor continued to be professional, extremely helpful and patient. There was never a delay is receiving responses to my many emails.
Excellent response times, nice query too small and just made my life so much easier. Thank you!
Great team, great service. Will definitely use again.
I saw an advert on Instagram and thought it’d be worth a shout as I was having a hard time booking a ski trip for myself and 6 mates. From start to finish it was easy messaging through WhatsApp and they found brilliant deals for us. Would happily recommend to anyone thinking of using them. Ed was fantastic and super fast to reply and keep my up to date
Would absolutely recommend. It made booking a group holiday so much easier and completely removes the hassle. will definitely be using again.
I've booked with My Swft for the last 3 years, 4 holidays in total. This year was even better. The new online booking is really simple to be able to share with the group and get people to choose a location. Then everyone managing their own booking makes it even easier for the group leader!
Fantastic service for all aspects of the holiday. Made our leaves easy.
Very good service from the team at MySwft. Very responsive to messages and would highly recommend using them...I certainly will be again!
If you're after a picture-perfect backdrop for all your post-ski selfies, you can't beat Val d'Isère. Despite being completely refurbished in the 90s, the resort still retains its traditional Alpine feel. It's littered with charming chalets, hotels and apartments, plus the après scene is legendary.
Val d'Isère is split into three main sections: the village centre (also known as 1850 due to its altitude), La Daille (home to a super smart gondola opened in 2019) and Le Fornet (a chocolate box Savoyard village). Around the main resort and across the valley you'll also spot a handful of pretty hamlets to ski through or stay in.
This is the very heart of Val d'Isère and where you'll find the majority of the accommodation, après ski venues and ski hire shops. Its lofty position means there are slopes you can access straight from the village which almost always have good snowfall. In the centre itself, there are lots of beautiful buildings to admire, including Val d'Isère's picture-worthy Baroque church.
Located just below Val d'Isère centre, La Daille is the first village you drive through when you pass through Tignes on the way up the mountain, and it's easily reached by shuttle bus from the village centre. Its mix of runs for every ability makes it a good choice for at least one day of your ski trip, plus the La Daille gondola is the access point for those hoping to spend an hour or so soaking up the buzzing après scene at La Folie Douce Val d'Isère.
This picturesque hamlet to the east of the main village is easily reached on skis or on the free shuttle bus, which connects the two in under 10 minutes. Dotted with attractive chalets, Le Fornet is additionally the jumping off point for numerous backcountry ski adventures, especially in the Col d'Isère.
As well as formidable skiing, Val d'Isère has a reputation for awesome après ski. It's the location of the original Folie Douce whose sun terrace you'll find packed with a lively crowd most days of the week during the winter.
In Val d'Isère itself, ski-in, ski-out après bar Cocorico always draws a crowd with its live bands, drinks deals and table dancing. Petit Danois on the north west edge of the village has more of a pub vibe - think pool tables, pints and a menu featuring burgers and buffalo wings.
If you're after somewhere casual for a quiet drink at the end of a tiring day of skiing or snowboarding, Chez Jules is a cosy drinking hole in the heart of Val d'Isère that's run by Jules, a former competitive skier.
Whatever you're craving during your daily mountain adventures, you're bound to find it in Val d'Isère. The resort is home to a wide mix of restaurants, from La Luge at the Hôtel Le Blizzard with its rustic alpine interiors to the slick two Michelin star L'Atelier d'Edmond located in Le Fornet.
For a little bit of history while you eat, head to La Grande Ourse opposite the main ski lifts in Val d'Isère centre. It was the first ever restaurant in the resort and serves up some mouthwatering local dishes from its cosy dining room and heated sun terrace. Another great place for local bites - think gooey fondues and rich stews - is La Casserole.
And, finally, if you've got your mind set on some high quality cuts of meat, don't miss Le 1789 where you can tuck into 1kg of some seriously tender beef ribs paired with a bottle of rich red French wine. Travelling in a particularly large group? Have us book you a table in advance.
If you want to let your hair down on your group ski trip, Val d'Isère doesn't disappoint. Dick's Tea Bar is a real stalwart of the resort's nightlife scene that's been around since the late 70s. You'll find it on Rue du Parcs des Sports in the centre of the village and it blasts out great tunes until 5am most nights.
Alternatively, head back to fun Petit Danois for their late night live music sets or make a beeline for the Doudoune Club that's known for hosting world-class DJs like David Guetta and Roger Sanchez. If you're more of a cocktail kinda group, La Baraque is a cool bar restaurant on the northern edge of Val d'Isère with live bands playing from 7pm til 11pm.
Need to refuel on the mountain? There's a great selection of eateries scattered across the Val d'Isère pistes.
Those hoping to tackle La Face will want to consider treating themselves to a gourmet burger (fillings include foie gras, smoked salmon and duck confit) at the atmospheric, La Peau de Vache. As well as delicious food, cosy interiors and friendly staff, it also has two resident labradors called Charlie and Nemo who are always up for finishing off your meal.
If you've got your eye on some of the slopes near La Daille, Les Tufs has a lovely sun terrace where you can enjoy a pizza or tempt your tastebuds with some local specialties. Another high altitude eatery with fantastic views is Le Signal at the bottom of the Fornet gondola. Alternatively, Bar de l'Ouillette in the Solaise ski area overlooks a lake and has a menu of French favourites like croque monsieurs and crêpes.
Keen to party at the Folie Douce? Next door is where you'll find La Fruitière - the perfect spot to line your stomach with a five cheese platter or a big bowl of French onion soup.
Searching for somewhere spectacular to stay on your ski holiday? Val d'Isère accommodation is some of the best in the Alps, with plenty of beautiful ski-in, ski-out chalets and five-star hotels featuring unbeatable views and luxe extras.
If you're keen to book a Val d'Isère chalet, you'll find dozens of options for larger groups, plus budget ones you can share with other skiers. There are also a handful of Val d'Isère apartments ideal for smaller groups looking to cater for themselves.
Stuck as to which Val d'Isère accommodation option might be right for your group? Send us a message over WhatsApp or Messenger and we'll send over some potential picks.
Here's a slice of what's on offer to give you an idea:
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