Nestled between regal peaks close to the Italian border, the tiny village of Val d'Isere is home to what the locals proudly call le plus bel espace de ski du monde (the most beautiful ski area in the world).
And this might not be an exaggeration. From the top of the slopes skiers can take in the tallest peak in Europe at 15,774 feet, the elegant Mont Blanc, rising to the northwest. The downhill view is equally picturesque, with sparkling slopes that lead to a dammed lake.
Val d'Isere was first settled by a Celtic tribe in a valley that later became a main thoroughfare for commerce during Roman rule. It earned its current name in the 17th century, when locals built a church whose octagonal spire still stands as a landmark. With the installation of the first ski lift in 1936, so began Val d'Isere's transformation from hunting station to a mecca for winter sports.
The resort features two ski areas - Val d'Isere and Tignes - which together comprise Espace Killy, named for Jean-Claude Killy, who grew up here and won three gold medals at the 1968 Olympic Games. There are 90 lifts, including an underground funicular, which take you to 196 miles of downhill slopes and 27 miles of cross-country trails. Travelers could ski for a week without visiting the same route twice.
Val d'Isere is also renowned for offsite skiing with a range of terrain and exposures. Not all options offer safe conditions on the same day, but the place is so big that skiers will almost always find a good spot. Make sure you have the right equipment and know the snow and weather forecasts before venturing on unmarked runs. It may be wise to hire an experienced mountain guide.
This year the season runs between Nov. 26 and May 8, but skiing on the 11,335-foot Grande Motte glacier begins a month before and ends a month after the rest of the area. The resort gets an average of 20 feet of snow a year and plenty of sunshine. The high altitude all but guarantees good snow early and late in the season, which allows travelers to take advantage of better prices.
The resort offers accommodation choices for everyone, from cozy chalets at the foot of the slopes to luxury hotels on the main road to no-frills hostel-style establishments sprinkled throughout the village. Variety is also le mot du jour when it comes to culinary offerings, which range from upscale restaurants to pizza joints.
The only downside to Val d'Isere is that it is not easily accessible to those departing from North America. The most convenient route is a flight to Geneva, followed by a 4 1/2-hour bus ride.
A still longer, but more fun, route is to book a flight to Paris, and then board the overnight Snow Train ($415 through RailEurope), which is legendary for its disco carriage, where passengers can dance while the train speeds toward the mountains. The train goes to Bourg Saint Maurice, where travelers transfer to a local bus for a 30-minute trip to Val d'Isere.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
Wherever and whenever we're lost, DH and I look at each other and shout, "After all, it's an ADVENTURE!!" Flights to kathmandu
ReplyDelete