One of a handful of resorts worldwide that can claim to have hosted World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic Alpine skiing events, Val d’Isère has long held a special attraction to the British.
It’s easy to see why. One of the world’s most famous ski resorts, Val d’Isère offers a vast skiing panorama, made famous by the great French skier Jean Claude Killy, after whom the ski area Espace Killy is now named.
Located at a snow-sure 1850m, with its lifts climbing to open up one of the world’s biggest verticals, crowned with glacier slopes used for summer skiing, this is not a modern purpose-built resort, although it has been mostly created over the past century.
“Val d’Isère may well be the ultimate ski resort – choc-box pretty at Christmas and great snow right through ‘til Easter,” says Richard Sinclair of specialist travel agency Sno.co.uk. “For the hardcore it’s home to legendary downhill piste the Face (got to be on your “skiing bucket-list”) and intermediates can get around the vast Espace Killy on blues and easy reds. For families the childcare in resort, and in the Brit run chalet hotels is superb, and for groups and couples looking for awesome après, look no further than infamous La Folie Douce run by local character Kelly Starlight, followed by late night debauchery in Dicks Tea Bar.”
Val d’Isère at the start of the 1930s was just a small hamlet at the valley head, served by a rough mule track. The farms about the area lay dormant for up to 8 months of the year because of the snow. It all changed in the early 1930s when Parisian industrialist Jacques Mouflier persuaded the local mayor to turn Val d’Isère into a ski resort. The rest, as they say, is history.
The local farmers trained as ski school instructors, a ski shop opened, the authorities brought running water and electricity to the village, and 6 years later the first ski lift was installed. Today the resort, which then had just four hotels, now has more than four hotels in the 5★ category alone.
Off The Snow
Not only does Val d’Isère meet the world’s best standards for those who enjoy the slopes, the resort also offers guests the opportunity to dabble in alternative activities, such as ice driving in the latest BMW, or a Michelin-starred feast.
The redesigned ice driving circuit opened last month with a new and improved circuit. The ice driving school offers private lessons, short courses, and initiations with professional drivers. Guests can choose to go behind the wheel and experience ice driving in the latest BMW, try ice karting, or any of the many other off slope options including snow grooming, huskie tours, and a new golf driving simulator.
In addition, Val d’Isère’s Aqua Leisure complex at the heart of the resort has recently been refurbished, and the wellness centre now has three new treatment and massage booths for that essential après-ski pampering, as well as aqua bikes for cycling with your body underwater – in case you still need to burn off energy after a day on the slopes! Any lift pass valid from 2–15 days gives one free entry into the complex, which has extensive wellness facilities including a large swimming pool.
Bring The Family
Although the resort is most famed for its tough slopes and expensive chalets, there’s plenty of family-friendly terrain, a pedestrianised centre, some enticing boulangeries and patisseries, and that excellent sports centre. In terms of where to stay, “I’d recommend Chalets du Jardin Alpin as it is run by the very lovely Isabelle, in a quiet location and has doorstep skiing,” says Jane Bolton, MD of Erna Low. A one-bedroom apartment for 4–6 persons costs from £1121 for the weeks commencing 11, 18 or 25 January and 1 February, this price includes a return Eurotunnel crossing with free upgrade to Flexiplus.
Another option, new in the heart of the old village and a short distance from the slopes, is a chic and stylish but family-friendly hotel, Les 5 Frères. Recently opened, it is able to cater to groups of all sizes by offering single bedrooms to a whole floor. The hotel has a dining and living room, library, cellar, and games room. If there’s any free time after skiing, guests can, if they wish, head down to the hotel’s kitchen and bake together!
Book A Chalet
Many Brits opt for chalet holidays in Val d’Isère, and VIP SKI is one of the resort’s specialists. Their custom-built Chalet Davos is in a quiet location within 10 minutes’ walk of the bustle of the village centre on the knoll of ”Le Cret” (although a chauffeured vehicle is on hand for this and the journey to the slopes).
The chalet, built in keeping with Val d’Isere’s architecture, maintains its character through smooth stone fireplaces, rustic oak flooring, and seasoned timbers. Marble bathrooms, handmade sofas, and goose down duvets are some of the luxurious touches, complemented by the basement cinema room with Blu-ray player, iPads, and the hot tub. There are fantastic views from many rooms, including the four-poster master bedroom. The chalet has three further bedrooms enabling the property to sleep up to eight people.
Prices for 2013–14 start at £869pp based on two sharing in April. Prices include return flights from London Gatwick, coach transfers, accommodation, catered chalet board of cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, three-course evening meal on 6 nights, followed by cheese board, coffee and mints, house wine, champagne, and canapés on arrival. Also included are daily newspapers, wake up drinks, ski hosting if required, and complimentary toiletries. New for this season is also the option to take on ”lighter options” in the evening for the main course.
A New Chef In Town
Val d’Isère is also famous for its gourmet cuisine, and there’s a new chef’s creations to discover this winter at the 5★ Les Barmes de L’Ours hotel, located at the foot of the famed Bellevarde slope. Home to one of the two Michelin-starred restaurants in Val d’Isère, La Table de l’Ours, the hotel has announce d a new chef, Alain Lamaison, has joined the kitchen this season, sharing his passion for French gastronomy and quality, local cooking.
Here you can enjoy a hearty skier’s lunch on the sunny terrace, or sit back and relax in the elegant and cosy dining room for an exquisite and memorable evening meal.
Erna Low: ernalow.co.uk
Les 5 Frères: les5freres.com
VIP Chalets: vip-chalets.com
Hotel Les Barmes de l’Ours: hotellesbarmes.com
