<strong>World class: </strong>Val d'Isere grew out of a small, remote alpine farming village at the end of the Tarentaise valley into one of the world's best-known ski resorts.
World class: Val d'Isere grew out of a small, remote alpine farming village at the end of the Tarentaise valley into one of the world's best-known ski resorts.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Vast</strong><strong>: </strong>"Val," as it is known by regulars, shares an extensive ski area with neighbouring Tignes to form one of the jewels in the crown of French winter sports.
Vast: "Val," as it is known by regulars, shares an extensive ski area with neighbouring Tignes to form one of the jewels in the crown of French winter sports.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Ancient origins:</strong> The Savoyard hamlet, with origins back in the middle ages and centered around a 17th century church, is now a glittering international destination.
Ancient origins: The Savoyard hamlet, with origins back in the middle ages and centered around a 17th century church, is now a glittering international destination.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Remote:</strong> Val d'Isere's first hotel opened in 1888 to cater for summer visitors, but the hard-to-reach valley, cut off for most of the year by snow with only a rough mule track as access, had to wait for the 1930s for winter tourism to take off.
Remote: Val d'Isere's first hotel opened in 1888 to cater for summer visitors, but the hard-to-reach valley, cut off for most of the year by snow with only a rough mule track as access, had to wait for the 1930s for winter tourism to take off.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Endless opportunity: </strong>The two areas together offer 79 lifts and 300 kilometers of groomed slopes and a wealth of off-piste opportunities for the adventurous in France's Haute Savoie region close to the Italian border.
Endless opportunity: The two areas together offer 79 lifts and 300 kilometers of groomed slopes and a wealth of off-piste opportunities for the adventurous in France's Haute Savoie region close to the Italian border.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Race pedigree: </strong>Val d'Isere is the hometown of 1968 triple Olympic champion Jean Claude-Killy, and every December it hosts the Criterium de la Premiere Neige -- a series of World Cup ski races to celebrate the first snows of winter.
Race pedigree: Val d'Isere is the hometown of 1968 triple Olympic champion Jean Claude-Killy, and every December it hosts the Criterium de la Premiere Neige -- a series of World Cup ski races to celebrate the first snows of winter.
Christophe Pallot/Getty Images
<strong>Gold standard: </strong>Val d'Isere hosted the men's downhill, super-G and giant slalom at the 1992 Winter Olympics. The downhill was held on a newly created course called "La Face." This steep, bumpy track, which visitors can ski as a black run, quickly gained a notoriety.
Gold standard: Val d'Isere hosted the men's downhill, super-G and giant slalom at the 1992 Winter Olympics. The downhill was held on a newly created course called "La Face." This steep, bumpy track, which visitors can ski as a black run, quickly gained a notoriety.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Podium places:</strong> World Cup races are also held on the "O.K." piste above the hamlet of La Daille at the entrance to Val d'Isere.
Podium places: World Cup races are also held on the "O.K." piste above the hamlet of La Daille at the entrance to Val d'Isere.
Michel Cottin/Getty Images
<strong>Sparkling: </strong>The "La Face" run finishes in the center of town.
Sparkling: The "La Face" run finishes in the center of town.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Skiing for all:</strong> Val d'Isere's ski area is spread across its Le Fornet, Pissaillas, Solaise and Bellevarde sectors with options for all standards, including extensive off-piste.
Skiing for all: Val d'Isere's ski area is spread across its Le Fornet, Pissaillas, Solaise and Bellevarde sectors with options for all standards, including extensive off-piste.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Summer fun:</strong> Val d'Isere is a thriving resort in summer with a wealth of activities, including extensive hiking and biking. Beneath the waters of the Lac du Chevril (pictured) below Tignes lie the remains of the old village, including a 17th century church, submerged when the hydroelectric dam was built in 1952.
Summer fun: Val d'Isere is a thriving resort in summer with a wealth of activities, including extensive hiking and biking. Beneath the waters of the Lac du Chevril (pictured) below Tignes lie the remains of the old village, including a 17th century church, submerged when the hydroelectric dam was built in 1952.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Re-development: </strong>Val d'Isere has undergone major upgrades in recent years including a sleek new gondola from town to the top of the Solaise region, improving access for beginners and intermediates.
Re-development: Val d'Isere has undergone major upgrades in recent years including a sleek new gondola from town to the top of the Solaise region, improving access for beginners and intermediates.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Easy access: </strong>On arrival at the summit of the 91-cabin Solaise gondola is a US-style day lodge with cafes and picnic areas. The new lift, 200 meters further up the mountain than the old chair, smooths out the links to the runs above.
Easy access: On arrival at the summit of the 91-cabin Solaise gondola is a US-style day lodge with cafes and picnic areas. The new lift, 200 meters further up the mountain than the old chair, smooths out the links to the runs above.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Mile hunters: </strong>With the modern lift system, confident mileage-hungry intermediates can travel from the far end of Le Fornet to the top of Tignes' Grande Motte in a morning, despite a distance of about 10 miles.
Mile hunters: With the modern lift system, confident mileage-hungry intermediates can travel from the far end of Le Fornet to the top of Tignes' Grande Motte in a morning, despite a distance of about 10 miles.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Open slopes: </strong>The wide bowl of the Bellevarde sector offers a series of cruisey pistes with links over to the Tignes ski area.
Open slopes: The wide bowl of the Bellevarde sector offers a series of cruisey pistes with links over to the Tignes ski area.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Party time: </strong>The Folie Douce above La Daille is the premier party spot on the mountain with live music, DJs and an energetic crowd on a sunny days.
Party time: The Folie Douce above La Daille is the premier party spot on the mountain with live music, DJs and an energetic crowd on a sunny days.
Val d'Isère Tourisme
<strong>Up and over:</strong> This famed chair from Solaise to Le Fornet could be nicknamed the "Up-and-OH-ver," for its stomach churning sensation as the lift crests a ridge and then plunges down the other side.
Up and over: This famed chair from Solaise to Le Fornet could be nicknamed the "Up-and-OH-ver," for its stomach churning sensation as the lift crests a ridge and then plunges down the other side.
Val d'Isere Tourisme
<strong>Luxury living: </strong>Val d'Isere caters for all tastes, from ski bums to billionaires. As well as a host of swanky hotels it boats myriad luxury chalets, such as Chalet Husky (pictured.)
Luxury living: Val d'Isere caters for all tastes, from ski bums to billionaires. As well as a host of swanky hotels it boats myriad luxury chalets, such as Chalet Husky (pictured.)
Chalet Husky/AndyParant.com
<strong>Soaring views: </strong>The Eagle's Nest chalet is another of Val d'Isere's premier properties available to rent.
Soaring views: The Eagle's Nest chalet is another of Val d'Isere's premier properties available to rent.
courtesy Chalet Eagle's Nest
<strong>Michelin star: </strong>Val d'Isere's most celebrated restaurant is L'Atelier d'Edmond in Le Fornet, a cosy two-Michelin-starred affair in an old barn with dishes harking back to the old Savoyard ways, infused with Mediterranean style.
Michelin star: Val d'Isere's most celebrated restaurant is L'Atelier d'Edmond in Le Fornet, a cosy two-Michelin-starred affair in an old barn with dishes harking back to the old Savoyard ways, infused with Mediterranean style.
courtesy L'Atelier d'Edmond