[lwptoc]
Many consider Val d’Isère to be one of Europe’s best winter sports destinations. Year after year, ardent ski, snowboard, and party fans flock to the stylish and beautiful resort, which is complemented with world-class ski terrain.
Val d’Isere is one of the world’s best ski resorts. It boasts wide, high-altitude snow-sure slopes that it combines with Tignes to create the Espace Killy ski area. The town itself, despite its size, is more appealing than most ski resorts, with a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs.
The Espace Killy is rightfully famed for both the quality and amount of skiing available. There are 300km of snow-sure pistes and approximately 90 lifts here, more than enough to keep even the most enthusiastic intermediate entertained for a week. For specialists, there is lots of off-piste, some of which is highly challenging and most of which is readily accessible through the lift system, but a lengthy uphill climb or long traverse may be required. The options are practically unlimited for skilled ski tourers with skins and powerful legs.
It’s a veritable skier’s paradise with something for everyone, from absolute beginners to expert skiers. The nightlife off the slopes is unrivaled, with vibrant pubs to enjoy the famed après scene, trendy bars for a beverage, and a handful of nightclubs to get your groove on.
Val d’Isère has a plethora of eating alternatives for you to enjoy. Choose from classic Savoyard restaurants, sophisticated bistros, or more comfortable (and less expensive) restaurants and pubs providing a variety of ordinary foods from throughout the globe. Accommodation in Val d’Isère is rather expensive, as is dining out and partying, but you are paying to be in one of the world’s most recognized ski resorts.
Although there are cruisey blues and novice regions, the skiing is best suited to expert skiers, who will appreciate the numerous demanding pistes and legendary off-piste chances. The Val d’Isère calendar is jam-packed with all kinds of events and festivals taking place at the base of the slopes, most notably fireworks and contests. Val d’Isère is a location that has it all: facilities, world-class skiing, and a thriving nightlife.
The state-of-the-art Solaise gondola, which opened in December 2016, is the most recent addition to the ski resort. There are 91 cabins, each with a 10-person capacity, heated chairs, and WiFi, so there will be no bottlenecks during peak season. The voyage up takes about 7 minutes, making it one of the world’s quickest gondolas. At the summit, there’s an American-style Day Lodge with a bar, picnic area, kids’ section, and two sun terraces to take advantage of the breathtaking views. There’s also a fantastic beginner’s area up there, where beginners may learn the fundamentals at high altitude.
Val d’Isere is a serious candidate for the title of greatest ski resort in the world. Such recognition, however, comes at a cost: Val d’Isere is one of the most costly ski destinations in the Alps.