Val d'Isere and the Espace Killy has a very reliable snow record, and often has great skiing boarding when many lower resorts are struggling. This is partly due to the fact that; many of the ski runs are above 2300m, many slopes are north facing and it has two glaciers with skiing all year round.
Over the last few years Val d'Isere has made many improvements to the resort and ski area. Lifts have been upgraded, slopes reclassified, grooming and preparation of the runs vastly improved.
A very extensive snowpark has been created in the Bellvarde La Daille, it has great facilities for all freestyle skiing and boarding and is served by a chairlift, two drag lifts and a rope-tow. The snowpark even has a " chill-out zone", with music, a webcam, a computer to check out the days photos, a repair corner and BBQ facilities.
Val d'Isere town itself has gradually had a facelift, many buildings are now faced in wood and stone and the central area is now very attractive, atmospheric and pedestrian friendly.
Val d'Isere - Resort news 2007 - 2008
Val d'Isere has been chosen to host the 2009 Alpine World Championships. The organisers intend that the event will be "car free", which will certainly pose a logistical challenge. They plan to hold the mens events on Bellevarde, and all the womens events on Solaise with finishing areas close to each other on the nursery slopes, which will be quite spectacular.
This winter (2007/ 2008) the annual mens world cup downhill race normally run in early December has been resheduled and will be held over the weekend of the 2nd February. This is so the races can be held on the Face rather than the usual OK piste at La Daille. It is intended to be a trial run for the world championships the following year.
After 2009 Val d'Isere will join just 3 other towns which have played host to both the Winter Olympics and the World Championships - Chamonix, St Moritz and Garmisch.
the Val d'Isere lift pass company (STVI) have installed an electronic lift pass system which worked well last winter. If you are skiing for less than 8 days it is no longer necessary to have a photograph for your lift pass and the "card" you are issued with can remain safely in your pocket for the whole of your skiing or snowboarding day - a great bonus on snowy days!
in 2005 a new 6 person detachable high speed chair lift opened from Le Laisinant, the village situated at the foot of the "L" and Mattis pistes, and between Val d'Isere and Le Fornet. This new lift, the Laisinant Express, means skiers and boarders, having come down these lovely runs, will no longer have to catch a bus back to the town centre lifts and of course it will be the nearest lift to our chalet Branges. The chairlift departs from the roadside and rises right up to the ridge that separates the Solaise and Le Fornet ski areas. From the top of the chair there is a choice of two brand new pistes; one, L'Arollay, takes you down into the Le Fornet ski area and the other, L'Aiglon down the Solaise side to the ridge. this addition to the list system has proved very popular.
in 2005 resort reclassified the runs from the top of the Solaise mountain back into the village. The piste "M" which was blue, is now red, the piste "A" which was red, is now black & the piste "S" which was black is now "Naturide" - a black piste that is patrolled but not groomed.
Val d'Isere - Weekly events
- every Monday evening between 6 pm and 7.45 pm in the Pacific Bar. Come and join Richard and other members of staff for a drink and a chat.
For a flavour of what is invloved see; Finlays Drinks Evening!
- every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, from 5pm at the foot of the slopes, there are a variety of activities to try; snake gliss - linked sledges, air board - bodyboarding on snow, snow football, curling & ski racing. Just turn up and join in.
- every Thursday from 6.00pm to 7.30pm the town centre is transformed into a pedestrian zone and there is a variety of street entertainment - jugglers, mime artists, musicians, ice & snow sculpting what is on varies from week to week.
- every Monday throughout the day and into the early evening selling a great variety, from sweets to sweatshirts - see See Last Entry of 2007!!!
- Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 18.00 in Dick's T Bar, Monday and Thursday introductiory talk. Tuesday a more in depth session.
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For Val d'Isere news, views, weather plus where to ski, eat & drink. |
During the winter we provide regular weather updates on our Snow conditions page.
For other Val D'Isere skiing information & resort news please see www.valdisere.com.
To see conditions as they actually are; webcams.
Also for further information on Val d'Isere, visit; Mad Dog ski resort guides.
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