Val d'Isere

Visit Val d'Isere, Rhone-Alpes

Val d'Isere is an important ski station in the Savoie department of the Rhone-Alps. It falls within the Vanoise national park a few kilometres south-east of Tignes.

The conversion of Val d'Isere from small mountain village to major resort came a little later than Chamonix to the north, starting from around the early 1930's. In 1936 the road across the mountain to val d'Isere was complete - and the transformation could start in force.

The ski resort of Val d'Isere

At an altitude of 1850 metres the traditional village is now a very popular ski centre, of international renown - unusually, more than half the visitors to the resort are from overseas, and the important 'Alpine Ski World Cup' competition is held here each year.

The town itself is perhaps rather over-developed, and it now has a large number of hotels, shops, chalets and restaurants, to satisfy the needs of the many visitors that come here during the winter months. Happily there have been successful efforts to preserve the town's original architectural style - an attractive style of stone and wood building.

There are some interesting traditional buildings to be seen in the town, such as the baroque style church.

Of course, the main appeal of Val d'Isere is because it offers access to one of the largest, most popular and most attractive skiing resorts in the Alps, known as the 'Espace Killy'. The region contains 300 kilometres of ski runs, accessed by 90 different ski lifts, to ensure that everyone can find a suitable challenge regardless of level of skill and experience.

Numerous other mountain related activities are also available, from mountain climbing and hiking to skating and husky sledge rides. And if all that is too active for you, time your visit for one of the many skiing events held in Val d'Isere, and watch how the professionals do it!

During the summer months the focus of the resort changes, with hiking in the beautiful scenery of the vanoise national park being the most popular activity.

See more Alpine Ski resorts or search for ski holidays in France.

Suggested places to visit near Val d'Isere, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Courchevel 27km; Meribel 33km; Val Thorens 35km; Valmorel 41km; Albertville 51km; Chamonix 53km; Megeve 53km; Saint Gervais Les Bains 53km; Nevache 56km; Serre Chevalier 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Val d'Isere

Val d'Isere tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Col de l'Iseran - site of natural beauty (6km) : Glacier des Bossons - site of natural beauty (48km) : Aiguille du Midi - site of natural beauty (48km) : Mer de Glace - site of natural beauty (50km) : Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - recommended detour (53km) : Le Brévent - site of natural beauty (55km) : Lac Cornu - site of natural beauty (57km) : Vallee de la Claree - grand site of france (59km) :

French version: see Val d'Isere (Francais)