
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sparkling: The "La Face" run finishes in the center of town.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Open slopes: The wide bowl of the Bellevarde sector offers a series of cruisey pistes with links over to the Tignes ski area.

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.

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.

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.)

Soaring views: The Eagle's Nest chalet is another of Val d'Isere's premier properties available to rent.

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.