Head to Fornet

On your first day, jump on the bus (they are free and frequent) and head up to the Fornet end of the resort. Go up to the Val glacier and spend your first morning cruising around the quiet slopes up there on great snow while everyone else queues to go up Bellevarde and Solaise.
Ali Law
 

 

 

 

The best places for apres-ski 

La Baraque bar - a great bar for live music and a chilled out vibe. They also serve lovely cocktails and fab food. It's a great middle ground bar - not a grotty seasonaire bar, nor is it super snobby and expensive like le Blizzard! One of my favourite places in Val! Also, for drunk after après food head to Alexandra pub for an excellent Pad Thai. Head to the Moris for the five euro drink that will really set your night off. 
Molly P




Enjoy the Aquacentre

If you fancy relaxing after a big day on the slopes and don't have the luxury of a spa in your hotel, there is a new public swimming pool and spa complex in the centre of town. It has everything from a big leisure pool, jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas to water cannons and a lazy river. It's also very affordable.

Lindsey Major

The Ex-Worker's Advice
I spent a season in Val d’Isere so here are a few insider tips. Only wish I was going back again this winter…

Skiing:

• On bluebird days head to the top of Fornet on the Glacier du Pissaillas. In my opinion the views are the best in the Espace Killy and offer up a couple of fantastic sweeping red and blue runs

• Other on piste classics include the long blue from the top of the Toviere to the bottom of the Tommeuse [needs an Espace Killy pass]

• Val d’Isere is high so you don’t need to worry about whether there will be snow, but when it’s cloudy or snowing heavily, visibility can be an issue as it’s largely above the treeline. Head for the trees at Fornet or La Daille for better visibility

• If you’re a strong skier then the Sache is a classic – very steep on the way into Tignes les Brevieres but it’s the longest run in the resort

Timing:

• The only time the resort ever felt busy was New Year and the week of the Paris half term. Even then it was more than manageable so go whenever suits! Apres

• Goes without saying that the Folie Douce is the top spot for those looking to party on the mountain, but if you want to continue the party back in town Café Face is my preferred spot for a lively atmosphere and a saxophonist mingling in amongst the revellers

• Alternatively, La Rosee Blanche in La Daille is more relaxed with an excellent sun terrace

• Blue Note in town may not look like much, but has a great atmosphere, staff and they used to serve a platter of bread and charcuterie to anyone buying drinks

Alternative entertainment

• The local swimming pool is first rate and the spa was affordable even on seasonniare wages

• The bakery on the main Val d’Isere high street will fulfil all your hot chocolate [huge bowl!] and patisserie needs

• A walk up the cross country ski track in the Manchet valley is beautiful if you need a morning off

 

Lunch on the mountain

• If you’re happy to part with quite a few Euros, L’Edelweiss on the way into Fornet is very hard to beat

• A more modest but homely alternative is La Sachette in Tignes les Brevieres – 20 euro set menu lunch is excellent value if you’re willing to take the trip to the far side of Espace Killy

• A lot of the mountain restaurants are very samey. Loop Bar in Tignes le Lac serves good non-Alpine food, but if the terrace is busy give it a miss as you could be in for a long wait for something to eat

Jonathan Henderson



 

Enjoy an 'up and over' chairlift

For early morning skiing, the Solaise sector is probably the best, it gets the sun early in the morning, softening the snow. The runs in the area are generally wide, although can get busy, especially heading back into thr resort around lunch time and the end of the day with ski schools coming back.

This area also has the 'up and over chairlift' (Leissieres Express) which takes you into Le Fornet. The glacier is also in this area, which tends to remain relatively quiet.

It's well worth a visit, so many cracking places to see, runs to do and venues to eat, I cannot recommend it enough.

Rachel Barclay

 

Start with the Fontaine Froide
Fontaine Froide is the best first run of the day! A perfect length to go top to bottom (without stopping!) to get the legs going in the morning!

Rachel Haycock




 

For great off piste

Take the Cugnai chair lift on Solaise. Go straight ahead at the top and over the lip of a fantastic bowl. Keep left to avoid slides, especially in spring. Beautiful, quiet and plenty of variations for repeat runs.

 

Eventually you will arrive at a secluded mountain hut for a cold beer and if it's sunny, a pleasant and very quiet relax on the deck before continuing and arriving at the Manchet chair lift. Keep right at the end if the run so as to access the bottom of the piste and the chair lift without any poling! Repeat

Robert Dodds