Located in the French Alps, a few kilometres from the Italian border, the beautiful resort of Val d'Isere has been a favourite of the rich and famous for decades. Host of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2009, the black runs of Val d'Isere are also a regular port of call on the annual World Cup circuit. As well as the usual downhill slopes, the nearby Pissaillas glacier has snow all year round, offering the unusual activity of summer skiing. The town itself used to be a simple Alpine village, and some of the original buildings and chalets can still be seen in the west, while the rest of Val d'Isere is now a modern development featuring hotels, restaurants and bars.
Val d'Isere isn't just about skiing, though, as there are a range of winter sporting activities available to visitors in the region. The ski area itself covers over 300 kilometres of downhill slopes, as well as several challenging off piste areas, though even experienced skiers shouldn't tackle these without the services of a local guide. Dozens of instructors work full time at the resort, running a ski school for children and offering private lessons to adults. You can also take guided walks in the valley, or a snowshoe hike in the mountains. Sit back and enjoy a ride on a husky-drawn sled if you fancy taking things easier or spend a couple of hours on the outdoor ice rink in the middle of the resort.
A free shuttle bus takes you from whichever part of the resort you are staying in to all slopes and ski lifts or just the rest of Val d'Isere, with its huge range of restaurants and excellent night life. The resort's indoor leisure centre is open all year round, home to a leisure pool, spa facilities, gym and climbing wall.
Although the area around Val d'Isere is much quieter in the summer months when the skiing season is over, there are still plenty of reasons to visit the region. As well as summer skiing on the Pissaillas glacier, the stunning scenery can easily be explored on foot. The downhill ski slopes are frequently used by mountain bikers in the summer months, and several ski lifts stay open all year round to take cyclists and walkers, or just those wanting to look at the view, to the tops of the slopes.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Val d'Isere? Then below is a selection of gites in Val d'Isere and villas in Val d'Isere that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
