Val d'Isère

Among skiers the resort is famous above all for its technical slopes and for excellent freeride and ski touring terrain. Another undoubted magnet drawing skiers to Val d'Isère is the year-round skiing on the Pissaillas glacier. Around Val d'Isère there are more slopes for advanced skiers than in Tignes, but far less terrain for novices. The men's Olympic downhill is famous, as are the difficult pistes on the Sources de l'Isère glacier and in the glacial Prariond valley, and the mogul-covered slopes of Solaise. Alpine World Cup races are held here every year. For cross-country skiers Val d'Isère has 24 km of prepared trails, which is not much, given that the local snow and terrain could make the area around Val d'Isère an ideal place for the sport. Other sports on offer include swimming, trampolining, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, handball and climbing (the Salle des Sports complex in Val d'Isère). Social life is lively in the many restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs. Val d'Isère is one of those French ski resorts where it really takes some effort to get bored. This attractive resort can, however, get crowded, especially in high season, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing your dates.