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    France, Europe

    Val d'Isère

    1606m vertical, 150km of runs, 300km with Tignes. Olympic downhill host since 1992. Pisaillas glacier extends season November to May. Tarentaise, France.

    Season 2026 - 2027
    Opens
    28 Nov 2026
    Closes
    2 May 2027
    Days open
    155
    Annual snow
    6m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Val d'Isère operates between 1,850 and 3,456 metres, delivering 150 kilometres of marked piste across a vertical drop of 1,606 metres. Combined with neighbouring Tignes via the Espace Killy ski area, the domain offers 300 kilometres of piste served by 80 lifts across more than 10,000 hectares. The Pisaillas glacier provides skiing to 3,141 metres and summer access each July, whilst the Grande Motte glacier on the Tignes side extends the combined area to 3,456 metres on a joint pass. Val d'Isère hosted the men's downhill and alpine combined at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics and has held the Critérium de la Première Neige FIS Alpine World Cup since 1955.

    The ski area divides into four main sectors: Bellevarde above the village and La Daille, Solaise to the south of the resort centre, Le Fornet at the upper valley, and the Pisaillas glacier. Val d'Isère divides terrain into approximately 14% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced and 16% expert — the terrain skews towards the upper end of the ability spectrum, reinforcing the resort's reputation as a destination for confident intermediates and experts. The Face de Bellevarde black run descends 1,000 vertical metres from 2,826 metres to La Daille and forms the men's Olympic downhill course; the OK run on the same sector hosts the women's World Cup speed events. Two snowparks, dedicated mogul fields, a boardercross course and the wide Pisaillas glacier complete the off-piste and freestyle offering.

    The village of Val d'Isère sits at 1,850 metres in a broad bowl at the head of the Haute-Tarentaise, with traditional stone and wooden chalet architecture lining the main pedestrian avenue — giving the resort more Alpine character than purpose-built neighbours. The resort holds approximately 7,500 tourist beds across hotels, catered chalets and self-catered apartments, with a high concentration of four-star and luxury properties drawing a consistent international clientele. The La Folie Douce slope-side venue at La Daille is among the Alps' most celebrated après-ski destinations. Free shuttle buses connect La Daille, the village centre and Le Fornet throughout the ski day, with the last departures after midnight during peak periods.

    A joint Tignes–Val d'Isère pass costs €64 to €75 per day for adults in the 2025-26 season, whilst Val d'Isère-only passes run €58 to €68. Season passes cost €1,125 for the combined Espace Killy area and €899 for Val d'Isère alone. Children under 8 and seniors over 75 ski free, and a beginner one-ride pass provides single-lift Solaise access for €22. The resort suits confident intermediates seeking varied high-altitude terrain and experts targeting the renowned off-piste routes including the Banane couloir, the Charvet face and the Vallon de la Sache itinerary descending to Les Brévières in the Tignes valley.

    1354m
    Vertical
    154
    Runs
    150 km
    Piste
    6m
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    154 runs across 150 km of piste

    Val d'Isère spreads 154 runs across 150 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 22 beginner runs to find your feet and 71 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    154
    runs
    154 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner22 runs · 14%
    Intermediate62 runs · 40%
    Advanced46 runs · 30%
    Expert25 runs · 16%
    Time it right

    When to visit Val d'Isère

    The 2025-26 season runs from 29 November 2025 to 3 May 2026, spanning 155 days. The Pisaillas glacier and high-altitude Bellevarde terrain open first in late November, with the full Val d'Isère ski area typically operational by the Critérium weekend in mid-December. The Espace Killy link to Tignes opens once connecting slopes receive sufficient snow cover, usually by late November or early December. Summer skiing on the Pisaillas glacier operates from July to late August, offering up to 20 kilometres of groomed runs at 3,141 metres for national squad training and recreational skiers.

    Annual snowfall averages approximately six metres at resort level, with the 2024-25 season delivering an exceptional 9.3 metres at altitude across the Tignes–Val d'Isère area. The resort's position at the head of the Haute-Tarentaise captures both Atlantic storm systems tracking through the Rhône corridor and Mediterranean low-pressure systems lifting moisture over the Maritime Alps. Natural snow cover at 1,850 metres typically reaches 1.5 to 2 metres by mid-January, with the upper slopes and the Pisaillas glacier receiving consistent accumulation from December through April. Over 900 snow cannons cover approximately 50% of the marked piste network as a guarantee against early-season and late-season thin cover.

    December sees the Critérium de la Première Neige World Cup in mid-month, and snowfall can be limited on lower pistes until Christmas. January and February deliver the coldest temperatures, deepest powder accumulations and most consistent off-piste conditions across the Bellevarde, Fornet and Pisaillas sectors. March provides the ideal combination of long days, established base depths and warming temperatures for spring carving — widely considered the best all-round month on the mountain. April and early May offer excellent glacier conditions and quieter slopes, with late-season lift pass prices significantly below the high-season rate from 25 April.

    The Critérium de la Première Neige FIS World Cup runs 12-14 December 2025 with men's Giant Slalom and Slalom on the Face de Bellevarde, marking the event's 70th anniversary. The Women's Alpine Ski World Cup follows 20-21 December 2025 with Downhill and Super-G on the Oreiller-Killy slope at La Daille. New Year festivities include free outdoor concerts on the Avenue Olympique, with international DJ acts and local events continuing through January and February. The resort's closing weekend on 3 May 2026 features the traditional end-of-season spring festival with mountain performances and the last ski days of the Espace Killy winter season.

    Season 2026 - 2027
    28 Nov 2026
    Opens
    2 May 2027
    Closes
    155
    Days open
    6 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Val d'Isère, and where to stay

    Val d'Isère occupies the Haute-Tarentaise valley at the head of the D902 road in the Savoie department of south-eastern France, 30 kilometres south of Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The resort sits in a broad glacial bowl enclosed by the Tête du Solaise at 2,551 metres, the Rochers de Bellevarde at 2,827 metres, and the Col de l'Iseran ridge at 2,770 metres — the highest paved road pass in the Alps — which forms the natural boundary with the adjacent Maurienne valley. The Isère river rises near the resort and flows north through the Tarentaise towards Albertville and eventually the Rhône. The surrounding massif falls within the Vanoise National Park, protecting the upper valley from development beyond the ski area boundary.

    Bourg-Saint-Maurice serves as the nearest major town, 30 kilometres and 40 minutes north, offering supermarkets, a TGV station and the regional hospital. Moutiers lies 60 kilometres north via the N90 with further retail and hospital facilities, whilst Albertville sits 90 kilometres distant at the foot of the Tarentaise valley. Tignes occupies the adjacent valley 12 kilometres west, connected by lift and piste throughout the ski season via the Espace Killy link. Les Arcs and La Plagne — forming the Paradiski area — are within an hour by road for day trips or multi-resort ski safaris.

    The D902 from Bourg-Saint-Maurice provides the sole road access, climbing 1,400 metres over 30 kilometres through the Tarentaise past Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise and the Tignes dam. Geneva Airport lies 215 kilometres and approximately three hours west via the A40 autoroute through Annecy and the N90. Chambéry Airport sits 140 kilometres and two hours south via the A43 motorway and N90, making it the closest airport option with the shortest transfer time. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry is 240 kilometres and three hours southeast, while Turin Caselle in Italy sits just 130 kilometres via the Mont Blanc or Fréjus tunnels — often the fastest option for early-season arrivals.

    Bourg-Saint-Maurice station receives direct TGV services from Paris-Lyon in just under five hours and seasonal Eurostar services from London on Saturdays throughout the main winter season. Local Altibus coaches cover the 30 kilometres from station to resort in approximately 40 minutes, with departures timed to meet TGV arrivals and adult tickets costing €12. The resort centre is fully pedestrianised along the Avenue Olympique, with multi-storey underground parking and satellite car parks at La Daille and Le Fornet freeing the village of traffic during the ski day. Free shuttle buses operate on a loop connecting La Daille, the resort centre and Le Fornet throughout the ski season until late evening.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Val d'Isère, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

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    22 July 2026
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    18 July 2026

    Lift tickets

    13 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Adult Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily

    €64up to €75 peak

    Full Espace Killy access to Val d'Isère and Tignes with 300km of slopes and 2 glaciers. World-class high-altitude skiing from 1850m to 3456m including the legendary Face de Bellevarde Olympic downhill course.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Adult Val d'Isère Only Daily

    €58up to €68 peak

    Val d'Isère area pass covering Bellevarde, Solaise, Le Fornet and the Pisaillas glacier. Access to 150km of slopes including the Olympic downhill course without the Tignes link.

    Buy pass
    Child 8–13

    Child Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily

    €54up to €62 peak

    Children's Espace Killy access to Val d'Isère and Tignes. Family glacier skiing across 300km of French Alpine terrain with glacier access year-round and dedicated beginner nursery areas.

    Buy pass
    Youth 14–18

    Youth Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily

    €54up to €62 peak

    Youth rates for the full Espace Killy ski area featuring world-class terrain parks and off-piste. Teen skiing across Val d'Isère and Tignes with glacier access and the legendary Face de Bellevarde.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–7

    Child (Under 8)

    Free

    Free skiing for children under 8 at Val d'Isère. Complimentary access to one of France's premier ski destinations with dedicated ValKids beginner areas and family-friendly facilities.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–74

    Senior Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily

    €54up to €62 peak

    Senior discounts for Espace Killy glacier skiing. Explore Val d'Isère and Tignes' 300km of slopes with reduced pricing for ages 65-74 across two glaciers in the French Alps.

    Buy pass
    Senior 75–99

    Senior (75+)

    Free

    Free skiing for seniors 75+ at Val d'Isère. Complimentary access to the full Espace Killy area including the Olympic downhill course and Pisaillas glacier upon proof of age.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Afternoon Pass (from 12:45pm)

    €52up to €61 peak

    Afternoon access to the full Espace Killy ski area from 12:45pm. Ideal for late arrivals or those wanting a half-day of skiing across Val d'Isère and Tignes.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Beginner One-Ride Pass

    €18up to €22 peak

    Single-ride beginner pass giving Solaise gondola access and entry to the ValKids play area. Perfect introduction to Val d'Isère for first-timers with gentle learning terrain above the village.

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    Multi-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    6-Day Espace Killy (6=7 Deal)

    €384up to €450 peak

    Six-day Val d'Isère–Tignes pass gets a 7th day free plus 2 entries to Val d'Isère's Aquasportif Centre. Best value for week-long Espace Killy skiing holidays in the French Alps.

    Buy pass
    Adult 8–64

    Family Pass (4+ People)

    €318up to €372 peak

    €300 off the total for 4+ passes of same duration (from 6=7 days) including 2+ adults and 2+ children aged 8-18. Family savings for exploring the full Espace Killy ski area together.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 19–64

    Season Pass Espace Killy

    €1,125

    Unlimited access to Val d'Isère and Tignes all season from 29 November to 3 May plus Aquasportif Centre entries. Premium glacier skiing across France's Tarentaise Valley from €1125.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Season Pass Val d'Isère Only

    €899

    Val d'Isère area season pass covering Bellevarde, Solaise, Fornet and the Pisaillas glacier for the full 2025-26 winter. More affordable alternative to the full Espace Killy season pass.

    Buy pass

    Val d'Isère lift tickets & passes

    Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 28, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Val d'Isère typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.

    Day passes start from €18, with peak rates up to €75.

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Val d'Isère day pass cost?+
    Val d'Isère day passes range from €18 to €75 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Val d'Isère lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Val d'Isère lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Val d'Isère, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Val d'Isère lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Val d'Isère - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Val d'Isère lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Val d'Isère offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Val d'Isère directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Val d'Isère.

    More Val d'Isère intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.