Val d "Isere is a commune in southeastern France, in the picturesque alpine valley of Tarentaise, near the border with Italy. It is located between the Vanoise National Park (France) and Grande Paradise (Italy). The Isère River Valley is part of the world's largest ski area Espace Killy, named after Jean-Claude Killy, four-time alpine skiing world champion, hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and many other winter sports events, as well as the Tour de France.

Due to the decent heights and its own glaciers, the winter in Espace Killy is long, so you can safely go here any day of the season without risk of edging or slipping. At peak dates, however, there is no long stepping on each other's heels: enormous funds have been invested in funiculars and lifts, and they can easily "digest" 25-30 thousand people a day. There are no seasonal disproportions here, as until recently in Courchevel ("Russian January"). Still, you need to plan your trip to Val d'Isere in three to four months.

This region has the best properties of all French ski stations.

The complexity of the slopes of the resort - from blue to black; but not too confident skiers should not forget that the blue slope in Val d'Isere can be more difficult than the red one, for example, in Andorra - the difficulty of the slopes is slightly underestimated here. Gentle, conditionally "green" trails for beginners are located in the valley between the peaks of Rocher de Bellevarde and Col de Fresso. There is always snow in Espace Killy, because it is a high-mountainous region. At the same time, the most picturesque places are given to virgin lands for freeriders. Val d "Isere is one of best places for snowboarding. The Valpark Snowboard Park features a halfpipe, jumps of course, and untouched virgin lands on the slopes. Fans of cross-country skiing also have the opportunity to ski on excellent trails, of which more than forty kilometers have been laid in the valley.

All kinds of lift cables - gondolas, cabins, chairlifts, tows - stretch to the summits.

Did you know

On Solaise, the lower section of the Combe Martin track has been extended and profiled.

In Tignes, a comfortable six-chair lift Merles (3000 people / hour) replaced two chairs on the southern slopes of Chardonnet. The length of the new cable car has become somewhat shorter, but there is no need to change trains.

In place of the old chair lift, a new six-chair cable car “Grattalu” has been installed, which lifts 3000 people / hour from the Val Claret side to the Palet pass.

On the Aiguille Noire de Pramecou, ​​above Val Claret, a special zone (Skiing the Powder of Tignes) has been created for those wishing to master the technique of off-piste skiing, learn to “read” mountains and use ARVA avalanche beepers.

Five free cable cars for beginners operate in the Tigna sector. Two of them are full-fledged armchairs: “Bollin” above Val-Claret and “Rosset” above Tignes-le-Lac.

Leisure

Anyone looking for adventure away from the local trails should ask for advice from people who understand such matters. Vallee Perdue ("Lost Valley") - this name already speaks for itself - provides welcome "surprises". The entrance to the couloir next to the Trifolle slope is almost invisible for beginners, although it is in the middle. Within a few meters, this entrance becomes extremely narrow. Yet this descent can be called neither difficult nor dangerous. You should not just take risks in vain.

Val d'Isere has a ton of skiing options. From the upper station of the Grand Pre chairlift, you can go down to deep snow Tour du Charvet facing south, on Pointe le la Sana. The following slopes are pure delight: the Col de Persé on the Pissayas glacier, as well as an excursion to the Vanoise National Park. The descent passes through the Malpassé ravines, the area of ​​the headwaters of the Isère River. Be careful at the end of the season for avalanches and ice chunks flying from the glacier! You can get to the Danaid area from Solaise. The sweet spot will be the Lavanche corridor. Two classic slalom trails start at the Bellevard cable car.

Snowboard

Tignes: summer halfpipe on the Grande-Motte glacier. Winter funpark next to the Palafour track.

Val d'Isere: Halfpipe at the end of the Face de Belle-varde piste, there is also a snow park.

Cross-country skiing

Flat track- 44 km.

Tignes: 20 km. The longest is 6 km, Brevieres. The highest mountain trail on the glacier (2900 m, length - 6 km, difficult).

Val d'Isere: 24 km. The longest is 6 km, Manchet. The highest mountain trail (2650 m, length - 3 km, easy, cost € 8 per person).

Locality

Val d'Isere

Val d'Isere is built up with residences, hotels and chalets. Hotels are different, and the pricing is reasonable (excluding, perhaps, the Hotel Christiania). Being an expensive resort, it still does not deliberately crowd out the normal public, like Courchevel, and at least provides her budget alternative in the form of Tignes.

The villages of the Isère Valley and the lower lift stations are connected by regular bus service. Bus travel is free.

Near Val d'Isere are the Tarentaise Valley, Paradiski - the resorts of La Plagne, Les Arcs and Three Valleys (Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens).

All lifts in the Espace Killy area have a shared ski pass. The city closest to the valley is the French Bourg Saint Maurice.

Tignes

Accommodation: 65,000 beds in 60 hotels from 2 * to 4 *, apartments, boarding houses.

Val d'Isere is sandwiched between two ridges, and Tignes lies above an artificial lake. This is a little village, at least under the onslaught of a fashionable international resort, several picturesque stone quarters of Tarantaise and a church still hold. At the same time, the architecture of Tignes is concrete modernism abruptly ...

Entertainment: to The resort has been actively developing since the 30s of the last century. Accordingly, there is everything you need - convenient transport, sale, rental and repair of equipment, ski schools for children and adults, shops and a supermarket, nurseries and kindergartens (as well as tracks for children). The sports complex has a gym and gymnasium, tennis courts, a swimming pool, Turkish baths and a sauna, and a solarium. If you wish, you can fly by paragliding or helicopter, as well as dive with scuba diving under the ice of Lake Tignes.

A large number of restaurants with international and any national cuisine. There are restaurants at the upper lift stations, various bars and piano bars, pubs, internet cafes, bowling alleys, bridge, squash, in Tignes - a cinema (3 halls), 3 nightclubs. Large sports center. Library. Casino in Tignes.

Ski schools: in Tignes there are 7 schools, 350 instructors, in Val d'Isere there are 12, 450 instructors. Here you can acquire or improve your skills, as well as go on heli-skiing with a guide, see the most interesting trails or go off-piste.

For the youngest children, the resort offers kindergartens, nannies and nurses.

Just 5 kilometers from Italy is the small ski resort of Val d'Isere. It is a classic alpine village, built as modern buildings for tourists and old fabulous houses... Here, vacationers are guaranteed the stay of the most High Quality, big choice entertainment, as well as excellent trails for professionals and beginners.

Ski resort Val d'Isere is located in the valley of the Isère River, at an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level. Together with the ski area, they form the famous ski area - Espace Killy, named after the Olympic champion Jean-Claude Killy. It was on these slopes that the athlete took his first steps to the heights of world fame. Today it is a ski resort with excellent conditions for winter species sports and recreation: beautiful landscapes, tens of kilometers of groomed trails and a developed tourist infrastructure.

By the way. The highlight of the resort is the modern high-altitude train, which departs from La Daille to the highest point of the Rocher De Bellevarde mountain. This trip will leave a lasting impression on vacationers.

How to get there

By plane

The nearest international airports- (240 km) and (165 km). From any one can take the train to Bourg-St. Maurice, from where buses run to Val d'Isere. The train schedule can be viewed on the website. The cost of the trip is about 70 €.

By car

From Geneva to Val d'Isere, take the A41 to Annecy, then the N90 to Albertville, from where follow signs for Bourge-St. Maurice and then to Tignes. From Lyon, take the A43 motorway to Albertville, then follow the signs for Tottier, Bourg-St. Maurice and then to Val d'Isere.

By train

Prices for ESPACE KILLY lifts (season 2014/2015)

Number of days	Adults 14-64 years old, €	Children (5-13 years old) and pensioners (65-74 years old), €

Ski school and equipment rental

Val d'Isere has 12 ski and snowboard schools and around 450 experienced instructors. Vacationers can use the services of an instructor in order to ride with him off-piste or conquer slopes accessible only from a helicopter. Children's schools accept children from the age of three to study.

The resort has more than 20 rental points where you can rent both a set and individual items of outfit and equipment.

Equipment rental cost

Ski school tuition fees

Hotels and cottages

There are several small hotels here , located in a small cozy village with neat streets and buildings made in the same style of wood and stone. In the evening, all the buildings are illuminated with millions of lights, creating a unique atmosphere.

One of the most budget-friendly options for tourists is the small village of La Dal, where multi-storey chalet-style residences are located, and Le Forne , suitable for a calm and unhurried holiday. The average cost of living in hotels is 100 € for a double room with one large bed and breakfast included in the price.

One of the most popular hotels is the Hotel du Fornet, located in the center of the village of Le Fornet, just 2 km from the center of Val d'Isere. All rooms offer beautiful mountain views, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer. The cost per person starts at 99 €.

Restaurants and cafes

There are about 40 restaurants and cafes here. In small and cozy establishments of Val d'Isera, tourists can taste dishes prepared according to recipes from different countries. The best institution of the resort is La Grande Ourse, located at the educational slide. The average bill in it will be about 45 € per person, including the alcoholic drink. Another fashionable establishment is Le Blizzard, located in the hotel of the same name. There you can spend an evening in a romantic atmosphere. Democratic restaurants - La Corniche and Bellevue, where the average bill will be around 20 €. A list of all restaurants with phone numbers and addresses can be found on the website.

Entertainment

This resort is more suitable for lovers of a quiet holiday than for noisy party-goers. In your free time from skiing, you can visit shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, spas and discos. Also on the territory of the resort there is a sports complex, which includes a sports and gymnasium, courts, indoor pools, saunas, a climbing area, etc. Guests of the resort can visit the following types of entertainment: ice rink, helicopter ride, dog sledding, paragliding, as well as scuba diving under the ice cover of a local lake. Business card the resort is the bell tower of 1664, which is still functioning.

The most popular attraction is the Night in the Igloo tourist program, which is a helicopter ride up to a magnificent bar perched atop a mountain. There, tourists will enjoy light snacks and drinks accompanied by a jazz orchestra. After that, tourists go by snowmobiles to a bar made of ice, where a traditional Alpine dinner with fondue and other dishes will take place. At the end of the tour, vacationers go skiing down the night trails. The cost of such a tour is about 260 €.

Vacation with children

At the foot of the mountain is kindergarten Village des Enfants, where you can leave a child from 3 to 13 years old for the whole day. For small vacationers, distributed in different age groups, supervised by professional nannies and animators. The cost of one day with meals is about 50 €.

Also for children and adults there are excursions to the Ferme de l "Adroit farm, where you can see animals, as well as taste local cheese and fresh milk. Especially little ones love dog sledding trips, which will give a lot of pleasant emotions.

Ski resorts in France
Val d "Isere"

Val d'Isere: about the resort

Val d'Isere is one of the best ski resorts in France and, together with neighboring Tignes, is part of the vast Espace Killy area, named after local resident and Olympic champion Jean-Claude Killy.

During its existence, Val d "Isère has turned from an ordinary Savoyard village into a luxury resort, its architectural appearance is recognized as one of the most successful among the alpine resorts in France. gable roof combining wood and raw stone, a central street with shops, restaurants and hotels - Val d'Isere aims to become one of the best resorts France, and he succeeds. The central part of the village around the medieval bell tower is a pedestrian zone. Most of the hotels are located near the ski lifts, and ski in / out at this resort - rather a rule than an exception. Chalets and apartments, as a rule, are located a little higher, from them you can simply ski down to the ski lift, however, you will have to go back uphill.

Pros:
+ Large ski area with guaranteed snow.
+ Sufficiently modern lifts.
+ Good opportunities for snowboarding and freeriding.
+ Variety of accommodation options, an adequate selection of chalets and high-end hotels.
+ Nice resort atmosphere.

Minuses:
- Limited number of trails for beginners and children.
- The difficulty of some tracks is underestimated.
- High level of prices.
- Mainly difficult tracks lead down to the resort, skiing "to the door" is not always possible.

Val d'Isere: how to get there

The nearest international airports are Geneva (220 km, 3 hours by car), Chambery (140 km, about 2 hours by car).
Nearest railroad station- Bourg St. Maurice, 30 km. By train, Bourg Saint Maurice can be reached from all major cities in France. You can also get to Val d'Isere from Turin (about 2.5 hours) and Milan (about 4 hours).

Attention! The passes Petit St Bernard, Iseran and Mont Cenis are closed in winter.

Val d'Isere: trails and facts

Ski area - 1550-3456 m (Epass Killy).
The total length of trails is over 300 km (Epass Killy).
Blue - 35%, red - 45%, black - 20% (Espass Killy).
Season: late November - early May

Val d'Isere: ski passes

1 day ski pass:
For adults - 57 euros, for children 5-13 years old - 46 euros

Val d'Isere: Alpine Skiing and Freeride

The trails of Val d'Isera are known for their variety, many of them are quite challenging. The height difference reaches 1300 m (excluding the trails of the neighboring Tignes)

Fans of Val d'Isere consider him the undoubted leader not only in terms of challenging and interesting tracks (the maximum slope of the black Face track is 63%), but also one of the best places in Europe for freeriding. , exposure of slopes and microclimate) snow guarantees Wal d'Isere has something to offer to experts and lovers of virgin lands.

There are a huge number of off-piste routes on the surrounding slopes. Hiring a guide is recommended to explore the off-piste possibilities and not miss out on the most interesting routes. For strong skiers, the exciting day route to the village of Bonneval sur Arc will be very interesting. Off-piste routes of varying difficulty lead from the Pissaillas glacier, for example, through the Gorges de Malpasse gorge, you can go down to the village of Pont St. Charles and then return to Fornet along the cross-country ski trail. This is a rather difficult route, especially when the snow is hard, a guide is recommended.

The Val d'Isera slopes are divided into three main sectors: Bellvarde (2770 m), Soleise (Solaise, 2560 m) and Col de l'Iseran (Col de l "Iseran, 2765 m), higher - the Pissaillas glacier , 3300 m. The resort's legendary black trail with an impressive incline and in some places more like a mogul trail - Face leads to Val d'Isere. Among other interesting trails - OK (Oreiler-Killy) - long, sometimes quite difficult.

There are many long red and short blue and even green runs in the direction of Tignes from Bellevard. Sector Col de l "Iseran with easy blue and green tracks is suitable for beginners. It is more convenient to get here by cable car (cabin) from Forne, where you can take a ski-bus. Forne's own tracks are red and blue, there is one black one, passing through the forest Some of the lower trails of the Solese sector (closest to the Val d'Isere) also pass through the forest, the upper sections are open and sunny.

The training slopes are located on the outskirts of the Val d'Isere and are served by short drag lifts. For snowboarders in different sectors there are snow parks and jumps, the tracks are mostly laid through the forest, there is a border cross track. sometimes in Val d'Isere, you can get stuck on gentle slopes or in the forest.

Restaurants & Bars in Val d'Isere

The resort has many restaurants serving traditional French and Savoyard cuisine, and you can also find establishments with Alsatian, Italian, American, Mexican and European cuisine.

La Grande Ourse is one of the resort's finest restaurants, with a few other worthy places concentrated in the resort's four-star hotels. Le Blizzard at the hotel of the same name has an atmosphere and good food. La Taverne d "Alsace - Traditional French cuisine at affordable prices. The restaurants at the stylish Hotel L" Aigle des Neiges offer all kinds of food options in several price ranges.

Alpine restaurants, various bars and piano bars should not be ignored. The resort, popular with the British, is not without pubs, although prices are growing from year to year. On the main street and in more distant corners of the cruort, you can browse the Internet cafes, go to the bridge club or hang out until the morning in one of the nightclubs.

The resort has a sports complex with tennis and squash courts, an ice rink, swimming pools, a sauna and a fitness center, nightclubs, 2 cinemas, more than 100 shops. Paragliding and hang-gliding, snowmobiling and dog sledding will complement your skiing holiday.

After skiing: wellness and more

In Val d'Isere, guests are also offered snowshoeing, dog sledding, rock climbing, paragliding, sledging, snow scooters. Many good hotels have spas and indoor pools. The resort has skating rinks on the natural and artificial ice, curling, cleared 13 km for walking. With kids. Animation programs in high season, a kindergarten for children from 3 to 8 years old, a ski school - teaching kids from 2.5 years old. With children, you can ride a sled along a kilometer track, several times a week from 17.00 night skiing is open. All five-star hotels and most 4 * hotels offer wellness complexes, most often with their own pools.

Val d'Isere Hotels & Chalets

For those who are looking for more democratic options for accommodation, several “suburbs” have been built around Val d'Isere. for fans of skiing, Le Laisinant is significantly cheaper than accommodation in the center of the resort.In general, when going to Val d'Isere, you should be prepared for a fairly high level of prices.

The Val d'Isere slopes include three main areas: Bellevard, Soleis and Col de Lieseran. Bellevard hosts the World Cup track. The excellent black "Face" track has a very varied terrain. The Col de Lieseran area includes itself a glacier with the possibility of skiing at heights of up to 3300 m.There are mostly simple trails, but it will take quite a long time to get to the glacier. over the bed of the Ysere, covered with a snow shell, to the village of Fornet The most interesting, in terms of sport, are the tracks on Bellevard. The longest track is 5 km ("Verte"). Please note that the difficulty of some tracks is underestimated. For snowboarders there is a snowpark with a half On certain dates (detailed information - at the points of sale of season tickets) Espace Killy ski pass for a period of 6 days or more makes it possible to ride for one day in La Plagne - Les Arcs, in the Three Valleys, Valmorel. All ski pass holders for 7 days or more can use the resort pool free of charge.

The Val d'Isere region (including Tignes) is one of the top ten European resorts in terms of the length of connected pistes (300 km, along which you can navigate without taking your skis). The holding of the Albertville Olympics in 1992 clearly benefited these places - the infrastructure underwent a total modernization. With all its appearance, the resort seems to emphasize the difference from its more democratic neighbors - Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne: solid-looking buildings, faced with impressive stone tiles, bright night illumination, a large selection of hotels and apartments of a decent level, good restaurants. And very expensive prices. True, at the top, on the slopes, all this does not count - only the mountains and your ability to cope with them remain. Perhaps the resort is less suitable for beginners than for advanced skiers (come here with 2-3 seasons of skiing behind you), but for freeriders there is complete freedom here. Val d'Isere is a very reliable resort in terms of snow: usually there is a lot of it, and the season, due to the good heights, lasts a long time.

pros Large ski area Well knitted, compact region for its size Very few drag bars Two glaciers, snow guarantee Excellent freeride opportunities Large selection of accommodation close to ski lifts, regular ski buses Very beautiful Savoyard village Large selection of good restaurants Polite and cordial attitude of the owners to the guests of the resort, knowledge of English Supermarket with good choice products in the center of the resort

Minuses Not always regular preparation of tracks Few long runs There are practically no forest trails Inexpensive, including food in restaurants Long road from the airport

Interesting Facts 60% of slopes are located above 2200 m Cup Face Olympique de Bellevarde is one of the five most prestigious tracks in the world The first lift launched in 1936 Resort Guest Ratio: 55% French, 45% Foreign The first settlers were the Celtic tribe of the Cetrons before the Christian era.

History

Start

Traces of human presence in Val d'Isere appeared before the Christian era. The first inhabitants here were the Ceutrons - one of the tribes of ancient Gaul. They inhabited most of the Tarantaise Valley (in the modern department of Savoie), which today includes cities such as Albertville, Moutiers and Bourg Saint Maurice. Pliny the elder called them "borderline" - the people living on the western border of the Alps. These people knew how to stand up for themselves. The Greek historian Polybius described how aggressively the Cetrons attacked Caesar's army during its march across the Alps to Lake Bourget (Lac du Bourget): they threw huge stones from mountain passes, causing significant damage to the Roman troops. Polybius also describes the meeting of the Cetron ambassadors with Hannibal. Preserved Roman records of cetrons from Axima, Aime.

One of the important cultural centers was Darantasia, which gave the Tarentaise Valley and the region its name. The priests made this city an important religious center, which it remained until the end of the first millennium. They called it Monasterium, nowadays it is the city of Moutiers. The village of Montgirod, also known as Forum Claudii Ceutroneum during Roman times, has retained its original name.

View on a larger map

From the middle ages to the ski era

The history of the Savoy (currently divided into two parts - Savoy and Haute-Savoy), on the territory of which Val d'Isere is located, is complex and interesting. In the Middle Ages, it was called Sabaudia and was from the 11th century the county of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1416, Savoy becomes a duchy, the capital of which long time was Chambery (later Turin became the capital). During the 11-18 centuries, Savoy either expanded or contracted, periodically joining and losing land in the territories of modern Italy and Switzerland.

For the first time, Savoy was annexed to France in the period from 1792 to 1814 (as the so-called department of Mont Blanc), and in 1815 it was returned to the Piedmont-Sardinian kingdom. In 1860 it was again annexed to France along with Nice under the Treaty of Turin.

During all these historical rewins, a community began to form in the Isère Valley. Val d'Isere, the upper village of the valley just below the source of the Isère River, was finding it increasingly difficult to remain under the control of the Tignes parish (today the historic village of Tignes sits at the bottom of the artificial lake Lac du Chevril, which appeared in 1952 after the construction of a hydroelectric dam; every 10 years the water from the lake is released to conduct preventive work and you can see the remains old village... A replica of the original Tignes church can now be seen in the village of Tignes les Boisses). In 1637, the Pope gave them independence, because the journey to Tignes Parish Church through the Daille Gorge was an extremely dangerous endeavor. After gaining independence, the parishioners built their own church on the remains of a Roman building.

Life in Ysera, located far from major transport routes, was measured and subject to the changes of the season. The inhabitants "hibernated" during the long winter period lasting 8 months. Weaving lace remains one of the crafts that local housewives did in winter: even now, on the windows, especially of old houses, you can see white lace curtains, pay attention to this during your trip. During the short summer period, residents worked in the fields, grazed cattle, and made cheese. This way of life did not open up great prospects for the younger generation, and gradually the inhabitants began to leave the village. And ahead was the era of the birth and development of alpine skiing ...

Val d'Isere as a ski resort

Three factors predetermined the development of Val d'Isere as a ski resort. Firstly, initially this place was considered as one of the most suitable and promising for laying routes. The second factor was the construction of a road connecting France and Italy across the Iseran pass (Col d'Iseran, the highest mountain road pass in Europe). The road was inaugurated in 1937 in the presence of the President of France. And, as always in cases of great success, it was not without the great enthusiasm of individuals, in this case it was Charles Diebold, Jacques Mouflier and the mayor of the city Nicolas Bazile, who believed in the potential of the resort and have invested all their energy in the construction and development of infrastructure. On the way to becoming, I had to overcome many problems: lack of electricity and running water, difficult weather conditions and isolation from the valley by a high altitude and difficult road.

The first lift started working on the slope of Mount Solaise in 1936. But the real resort appeared on ski map in 1937, when, ironically, two French government ministers on an official visit were trapped: 4 meters of snow fell and there was no way to get out of Val d'Isere quickly. And already in 1938, the construction of the first cable car to Solais began. At the same time, the support was far from unanimous: the president of the French ski federation, Jean Matter, said that it was crazy to build a ski station here and the event would be a complete failure. History has proven otherwise.

In the 60s, an agreement was reached between the owners of the cable cars Val d'Isere and Tignes on the unification of the regions, and in 1972 a third independent sector was added - Fornet. Growing up in Val d'Isere in 1968, Jean-Claud Killy achieved overwhelming success at the Grenoble Olympics, winning three gold medals (and thus winning all three alpine skiing disciplines). Quite naturally, the unified region was named after him and has since been known as the territory of Killy (l'Espace Killy).

In 1992, the Winter Olympics were held in Albertville, and part of the ski program was held on the slopes of Val d'Isere. At the initiative of the mayor, Andre Degouey, to prepare for this event during the 80s, a program of total redesign of the resort and giving it a Savoyard style was implemented, for this, in particular, a special stone mined in the Manchet valley was used in the construction.

And this is exactly how the resort welcomes guests in our time: solid, solid, New Year's elegant in winter period where everything is geared towards getting you a good day out and then relaxing, spa treatments and some great Savoyard cuisine in one of the many (and quite expensive) restaurants.

Restaurants and cuisine

The region has a large selection of good restaurants (although relatively few located directly on the slopes) with a cozy atmosphere: decorated with wood, with fireplaces, all sorts of ruffles and fashionable rustic decorations (somewhat reminiscent of Austria in spirit). Some establishments have their own rather long and rich history, as evidenced by the photographs posted on the walls.

The invariable fondue, raclette and tartiflette are presented almost everywhere. We definitely recommend trying another local specialty - a complex dish, which you partially prepare yourself. It is usually called braserade and looks like this: they bring you a special mini-grill with coals and a grate on top. For meat, you can choose thinly sliced ​​beef or chicken, and you yourself cook right at the table to the degree of doneness that you like. The garnish is served with potatoes baked with cheese (divinely delicious), a plate of green salad and several sauces. The resulting combination is simply delicious, and the self-cooking ritual lends a special, magical charm to the eating process.

If you decide to have a snack during the skiing break, then of course there are pizza, sandwiches and baguettes, pancakes with various fillings, mulled wine and hot chocolate almost everywhere - a standard choice for a skier who does not want to burden his stomach too much. Just remember that the resort is not cheap and the prices may surprise you a little. For example, hot chocolate costs 6 euros, mulled wine - 7 euros, pizza - from 12 euros.

For those who live in the apartments and prefer to cook on their own, there are two Spar stores in the city (one right in the center of the resort), with a very good selection of products (you can even buy a live lobster from the aquarium) and reasonable prices.

One day sightseeing route or how to see the whole territory of Killy in one day

If you have come to Val d'Isere for one day and want to get an idea of ​​the pistes, landscapes and landscapes, or, for example, only one fine day out of 6 vacation rentals was given to you by nature, or you just want to arrange a big ski safari for yourself to be proud of later to tell your friends about it, it is quite possible. Despite the impressive sounding figure of “300 kilometers of connected trails”, the region is relatively compact and well connected with lifts and descents. An additional plus - many tracks have backup and almost always you can choose the option of descent according to your strength (or even go down on a lift; for example, not everyone dares to go down the black Face Cup track, they have a descent into the city in l'Olymique cabins) ...

So, we present to your attention a one-day route that will allow you to drive the region along a conventional ring from edge to edge and see all the main attractions of the Killy area, including both glaciers. It is quite within the capabilities of intermediate skiers when skiing at a pace without "protruding tongue", although it will take a full day of skiing and will require good physical endurance. Since the route is focused on maximum accessibility, the most simple options tracks. Again, which is good - if you feel tired, you can change the plan on the fly and return to the hotel rather quickly. Of course this is not the only option, you can easily build your own tracklist.

We start from Val d'Isere (point 1, 1850 m) no later than 9 am, so as not to get bogged down in the morning queues. We ascend on the Olympic gondola lift to the top of Roche de Bellevarde (point 2, 2827 m), tighten the fastening of the boots and, admiring the surrounding panorama, we rush along the blue Diebold track to the Tommeuses transfer chair lift (point 3) in Tignes. Climb Toviere (point 4, 2704 m) and down the blue Piste H to Val Clare (point 5, 2100 m). Two descents, two ascents - and we were already in Tina.

We take the local metro - the Grande Motte funicular (point 5): after 6 minutes in a narrow tunnel we find ourselves at an intermediate station (point 6), then another Grande Motte lift - and we are on the "roof of the world", at an altitude of 3456 m (point 7 ). Let's take a breath, because then there is a long, many kilometers descent of Val Claret (point 8) with a drop of almost 1.5 kilometers. To do this, choose either the long blue Genepy or the shorter and steeper red track under the Les Lanches chair. In the case of Genepy, be careful - it has rather deep dives in the middle part and long, gentle sections, in front of which you should gain good speed in advance in order to slip them without problems.

Further along a bunch of four lifts and two short blue slopes (points 8-14) we ascend to the top of L'Aiguille Percee (point 14, 2748 m). It is here that, perhaps, the main local attraction is located - a very beautiful rock, in which the forces of nature have made a rather impressive hole several human heights in height. To get close to the arch and take a picture in the opening, you will have to leave the track and walk a short section along the virgin soil. However, as a rule, there is already a ski trail laid by dozens of other beauty connoisseurs.

We admired, took pictures and moved on to the upcoming lunch in Tignes Le Brevier - the extreme right edge of the Espace Killy map (point 15, 1550 m). The descent is long, but the lunch is worth it. In addition, along the way, very beautiful views to the lake Lac Du Chevril.

Depending on the pace, the queues for the lifts and the number of photos taken, you will be in Le Brevier around 1pm (maybe even earlier). 45 minutes for lunch-mulled wine-toilet in one of the cozy local establishments (closed or fresh air- choose yourself, depending on the weather) and go to the second part of our ski trip to the left edge of the map.

The return to Val d'Isere is relatively short. A bunch of cabin and chair lifts, a blue descent (points 16-18) and we are in Tignes Le Lac (2100 m) - the second Tignes, lying on the opposite shore of the lake from Val Claret. The cabin lift ascends to the summit Toviere, already passed in the morning (this time point 19), from which we descend along the blue track with the "original" name Edelweiss. In order not to repeat ourselves, we will not climb the Marmottes lift to the beginning of the Face route (although if you feel a lack of time or energy, you can do so), but we will make a small detour: the Mont Blanc and Borsat Express chairlifts take us up the Col de Fresse (points 20- 23). And along the blue-green link Genepy-Santons we go down to the meeting point, which cannot be changed - the central roll-out of Val d'Isere (points 24-25).

On one of the few in the region, Solaise Express canopied chairlifts, we climb to the top of Solaise (point 26, 2560 m). A short transit to the rather long Glacier Express lift (points 27-28), from which, along the upper section of the Liessieres highway, we approach the next express of the same name (points 29-30). The express crossover and at the moment of the pass over the summit causes a sinking heart, something like a roller coaster. After the express train we cling to a very nimble Col pill yoke, then another chair, mop yoke (points 31-34) - and we are at the top of the second glacier (Glaceier de Pissaillas).

On other three-thousanders there are more interesting views (for example, Marmolada in the Dolomites or Augille Rouge in neighboring Les Arcs), but this does not detract from the advantages of skiing: wide blue and red tracks that do not force you to work seriously, but give a pleasant feeling of flight and freedom. In addition, the descent is going to be long - we roll to the leftmost point of the map, the place Le Fornet (1930, point 35). Again 1.5 km of vertical drop, a continuous descent, which is especially good in the lower part before going out to the lower station of the funicular. This is where you can let go of the skis and enjoy the speed with might and main (if, of course, you still have strength after a whole day of travel).

Well, the sun is going down, the map is passed, it remains to close the circle and return to the starting point. If the lifts are already closed, you can return on the ski bus, which regularly walk along the valley, but we are in time (and the sporting spirit lives in us). Climb the Fornet funicular and the Vallon de l'Iseran cabins and again the Liessieres Express roller coaster, this time in the opposite direction (points 36-39). Passing through the top, we greet the setting sun, which floods the spacious couloir with its warm light.

Ahead is a long blue-red-blue descent to Val d'Isère along the Leissieres, Germain Mattis (alternative - blue Piste L) and the last, in places forest, blue traverse du Laisinant, on which you will have to knock a little with sticks (points 40-42). And here we are again at the meeting point, the point from which all the routes of Val d'Isere begin and end. The sun has already left the valley, only the tops of the distant peaks are highlighted in yellow-pink - the last impression of such a large and bright ski trip.

The 4-star Hotel Tsanteleina is located in Val d'Isere and features an indoor pool, spa and wellness center, hot tub, hammam and sauna. The highest level of service, 4 stars, and pulls on all 6, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, the restaurant is beyond praise, we were very satisfied with everything, and we are very demanding customers who have seen a lot and have something to compare. The location is excellent - 3 minutes walk to the ski lifts, there are many restaurants and shops nearby, 5 minutes to a grocery store and a pharmacy (they are almost the only ones in this city). Opposite there is a good medical center (I had to ask for help, they helped us a lot).

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9.2 Superb 109 reviews

Val d'Isere

This chalet-style hotel is located in the heart of Le Fornet, just 2 km from the center of Val d'Isere and 200 meters from the ski lifts. Everything about this hotel was perfect, if you like a relaxed end to your hard day’s skiing, this is the place for you.

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9.4 Superb 154 reviews

Val d'Isere

Hotel La Galise is just 50 meters from the ski slopes, in the heart of Val d'Isere, in the Espace Killy ski area. I actually cannot fault the hotel at all, the location was fabulous, the staff so friendly and helpful. Their recommendations to where to eat were first class and even booked them for us. Would definitely go back there again.

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9.3 Superb 110 reviews

Val d'Isere

La Tovière is located at the foot of the Val d'Isere ski area, part of the Espace Killy ski area, and is ideal for skiing enthusiasts. A very friendly hotel. Comfortable rooms, comfortable mattresses, good zone spa (there is a small pool - 8 * 4 m) Distance to the ski lifts - 150 meters. Nice room for storing skis and drying boots. Nice and friendly staff. They don't have their own parking lot, but they make a discount on paid public covered parking, which, by the way, is a hundred meters away. The hotel is located 1.5 km from the center of the village, but this is rather a plus, since it is very pleasant and useful to walk from the restaurant after dinner))

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9.0 Superb 166 reviews

Val d'Isere

This chalet-style hotel with traditional Alpine décor is located in Val d'Isere, a 5-minute walk from the ski station and 50 meters from the stop of the free ski bus. New, fantastic hotel - full 4 stars, not far from five, although marked with three. Perfect cleanliness, wonderful breakfasts, modern Scandinavian design, professional staff - it's just not clear why three zanzdi. Special thanks to the staff and the owner of the hotel for the excellent work