Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere is a charming, traditional French village in a unique location. It is nestled at the bottom of a valley and at 1,850m altitude is the highest authentic mountain village in France. 

This means that for the whole winter season from the end of November until May, you are surrounded by a white fluffy blanket of snow that never really melts.

The village centre features a fine Baroque church and a cluster of ancient chalets built in traditional style using local stone, wood and slate. This gives the resort a warm and welcoming atmosphere that borders on the magical.

Those looking for a high-altitude, snow-sure, traditional village with high end services, hotels, shops and restaurants.

With plenty of catered and self-catered chalets, apartments and hotels to choose from, Val d’Isere caters well for families, groups of friends and couples.

With more than 80 restaurants, 30 bars and 4 night clubs, Val d’Isere offers the best and liveliest après ski atmosphere in the French Alps, along with Meribel in the 3 Valleys.

Val d’Isere is a 2.5 hour drive by private transfer from Geneva airport or train station.

It’s a 35min drive from Bourg St Maurice train station, the closest French train station.

A shared shuttle transfer from Geneva will take about 4hrs and will only drop you off at the village bus stop, not at your accommodation – not ideal if you are travelling with ski gear and luggage and don’t know your way around.

The most magical way to get there, from Geneva airport to Val d’Isere, Is by helicopter. This takes just 30 minutes and on the way you enjoy stunning scenic views of Mont-Blanc and the Alps on a journey you will never forget!

There are plenty of activities for non-skiers including an outdoor ice-skating rink, ice driving, ice karting,  paragliding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice climbing.

You will also find the impressive Aquasportif which offers classes such as Aquagym, aquatraining, aquacardio, aquabike, paddle, kids swimming classes, yoga, HIT, bikes, zumba, maxiforme, piloxing, pilates, bodystyp, stretching, etc… and  sports facilities such as climbing walls, sports hall, a weights room, treadmills, TRX and Omnia.

There is also Beach World, Spa World and Well-Being World.

• First tracks – 02 to 03 Dec 2023; During the opening weekend of Val d’Isère, come and test for free the latest skis and snowboards of the biggest brands on the test village of the snow front.
• Giants snow sculptures (around 10 Dec);
• Critérium de la Première Neige (ski world cup) – 9 & 10 Dec 2023 (Men) / 16 & 17 Dec 2023 (Women);
• Enchanted Christmas village with a host of festive illuminations, activities and events to get you in to the Christmas spirit – 23 – 30 Dec 2023;
• French National Ski Instructors Annual Christmas Show and Firework display; 26 Dec 2023;
• Festi Light every Thursday from January 11th to March 9th , where the main street is magically transformed into a snow covered pedestrian zone, with many twinkling AIRSTAR lights transporting you to a dreamlike world of fantasy with jugglers, musicians, DJ’s, ice sculptors and last but not least, the New Year`s Eve Fireworks Display

Val d’Isere-Tignes’ 300kms of groomed slopes and easily-accessible off-piste ski areas are open from November 29th 2025 to May 3rd 2026.

January 3^rd to Feb 7^th 2026 is the cheapest and best time to go (low season), followed by 7^th March until mid-April 2026 (the shoulder season).

For Australians travelling to France to ski during our January summer holidays, we benefit from the cheaper rates on offer in the French ski resorts’ low season.  This happens to be when the French and Europeans go back to work and school after the 2 week Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Europeans and the Brits flock to the resorts through February into March (DO NOT TRAVEL from 7^th Feb to 7^th Mar 2026 as this is the French school holidays). The slopes are extremely busy, the queues at the lifts are long and the price for accommodation is very expensive during that time.  Even all the restaurants are booked out!

Typically, in January, the snow is dry with the largest build up. It is also the coldest time, so you will need to make sure that you dress warmly. It is still wise to choose a high-altitude resort in case mother nature has not been kind earlier in the season. Bear in mind though, that snow-making is used to supplement natural snowfall in high traffic areas.

So, not only is January the cheapest time to go skiing in the French Alps, it is also the best time to go thanks to the weather conditions, the lack of queues, more availability and choice of accommodation and you get to breathe fresh air with your loved ones, rather than with thousands of other people!