Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère became a ski resort in 1934. The first cable car was inaugurated in 1942.
The first Critérium de la Première Neige took place in 1955. The slopes rise to an altitude of 3,456 m, for a maximum height difference of 1000 m. The ski area, which covers 1,000 hectares, has 300 km of marked pistes, 90 ski lifts and 140 pistes. The resort is framed by the massifs of Solaise and Bellevarde.
The legendary Bellevarde face hosted the men’s ski events at the Albertville Olympic Games in 1992 (with the exception of the slalom). In 2009, the Alpine Skiing World Championships were held in Val-d’Isère. The Solaise slopes host the women’s speed events (downhill, super-G, downhill and super-combined slalom). All other events take place on the Bellevarde piste.
The Val-d’Isère Sports Club is today one of the most successful in the world. It has counted in its ranks many prestigious champions, such as Henri Oreiller, Jean-Claude Killy, the sisters Marielle, Christine Goitschel and Ingrid Jacquemod.
Nestled at an altitude of 1,850 m and surrounded by high peaks, the resort guarantees snow from the end of November to the beginning of May on an area shared with Tignes.
In summer, it opens the doors of the Col de l’Iseran, the highest road pass in the Alps to travellers, as well as those of the Vanoise National Park to hikers. Boasting exceptional accommodation, large hotels or family houses, Val d’Isère has developed a certain art of living in the mountains that is unique and appreciated by all.
