Getting around Val d'Isère
Once you've arrived in Val d'Isère, how do you get from A to B?
You've probably spent a long time organising how to get to resort, but getting around in Val d'Isere itself is equally important.
We’ve put together this handy guide on the best way to get around so you can get to all the key places, and help you find your bearings quickly.
Buses
As with most ski resorts, Val d’Isère also runs an excellent free bus service.
There are three routes - red, blue and yellow, linking various areas of the resort from morning to night every day of the season.
The red line is a great way of getting over to the La Fornet ski area should some of the chair lifts be out of action due to high winds.
Also if you want to avoid skiing the extremely tough 'Face' at the end of the day, skiing down to La Daille and catching a bus back to the centre of town is a very easy option.
The yellow line ski bus does loops of the centre of town, going via the main strip of hotels to the front des neige and the rond point.
The timetable is displayed at each bus-stop and paper copies can be picked up in the resort. After the ski lifts are closed, the buses are much less frequent.
Taxi
Taxis are a great way to get to some of the less accessible restaurants in Val, like Les Clochetons or L'Atelier d’Edmond.
It is recommended to book in advance from a number of local companies.
On foot
Val d’Isère is very accessible on foot.
The town centre is relatively flat and you can walk to most places within 10 or 15 minutes. It's worth buying some ice-grippers for your boots, as Val d'Isère operates a white road policy. They can be bought online or from most winter sports shops in town.
Walking to La Daille takes approximately 20 minutes along the main road out of town, while a walk to Le Fornet would take much longer.
The uphill walk to Le Fornet is long, yet scenic, taking up to an hour from the centre of town. There are no pathways, so you have to walk along the road.
The walking routes up the Manchet valley towards the frozen waterfall are particularly spectacular and get you away from the hustle and bustle of Val d’Isère.
Take the lifts
The Olympique Gondola goes from the centre of Val d’Isère at the front des neige, and provides access to the Bellevarde restaurant, as well as some stunning views. Heading up from La Daille, the gondola takes you directly into La Folie Douce, the legendary après-ski bar.
Both the Solaise lift and Solaise télépherique are available to pedestrians. The Tête de Solaise restaurant at the top has an ever-growing reputation and the panorama from the top on a sunny day could rival almost anywhere else in Espace Killy.
Use the pistes
Val d’Isère itself is one of the more difficult resorts to ski down to.
From the Bellevarde side of the mountain, the town is reached by the former Olympic Downhill run La Face. From the Solaise mountain, the red run Piste M is the easiest route from top to bottom.
Skiing down to La Daille is a good option to get down from the Bellevarde side of the mountain. OK is a fantastic run and Diebold is a nice blue run through the trees. The free bus is then available every 10 minutes to get back to the town centre.
