Val d'Isere

Val d'Isère has to be one of the most beautiful French ski resorts, nestled in a valley at the foot of the mountains with its chocolate-box chalets and high-end hotels spread between the central town and its outlying villages. It remains a firm favourite with both British and French holidaymakers, many who come here year on year. Linked with nearby Tignes, it also gives you a massive ski area to play with.

Val d'Isère's record of snowfall is exceptional. Whilst benefiting from the same Atlantic depressions as other French resorts, it often receives heavy falls of snow from the Mediterranean low pressures which dump their snow on the Italian Alps. The snow coverage tends to be one of the best in Europe and conditions normally facilitate good skiing right to the end of the season at the beginning of May.

Originally a small farming village, Val d'Isere has developed into a modern Alpine resort while maintaining its village feel and sense of tradition. The old town of Val d'Isère consists of charming stone and wooden-clad chalets, shops and hotels, centred around a buzzing high street with a number of small hamlets on its outskirts, namely Le Cret, Le Joseray, Le Chatelard, La Legettaz and Le Laisinant.