It may be the last month of the year, but the ski lifts are open and Christmas is on the horizon.
December in Val d'Isère: What's on and weather
This month sees the start of the winter season
We can expect sports competitions, opening parties, and there will obviously also be lots of festive celebrations including a visit from a certain Papa Noël. As you are no doubt aware, most things in December revolve around the last two weeks of the month, schools break up and travellers from near and far descend on the valley. There are a plethora of events coming up, from parades to special Christmas menus and New Year's blowouts.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December.
What are the weather and snow conditions like?
Thanks to the high altitude and geography of Val d'Isere you are guaranteed great snow and a white Christmas. It's definitely cold up there with temperatures averaging from -7°C to 0°C, and around eight days of snowfall. Make sure thermals are on your Christmas list.
Opening parties
If, like a lot of people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, especially during the festive season, you can hit up any of a number of local opening parties and après-ski sessions. Down at the bottom of the slopes you'll find bars offering great music, delicious food and happy hours. For late-night entertainment, the clubs hold special nights on most days of the week.
There are, of course, plenty of parties and festive evenings to experience in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. If you’re looking for the perfect entertainment for your group, check out the bars' social media and local listings for updates of tinsel-inspired events.
New Year's Eve
Always a big night, the town is full of revellers popping Champagne corks. The restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket-only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see the New Year in, make sure you've planned ahead.
Bars & Clubs in Val d'Isere
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La Folie Douce
The most famous mountain clubbing hotspot in the Alps with live music, DJs, dancers and performers
La Folie Douce in Val d’Isere is a true mountain icon, offering an unforgettable blend of gastronomy, celebration, and art de vivre. From the moment you arrive, the energy is palpable, making it the perfect spot for après-ski lovers looking to extend the fun well into the evening. Whether you’re here for lively music, spectacular performances, or simply to soak up the alpine atmosphere, every visit promises something special.
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Le Blizzard Bar
Cosy après-ski bar with cocktails, sharing plates, and a warm fireplace atmosphere
Le Blizzard Bar in Val d’Isere is a cosy and welcoming spot where you can relax and unwind after a day on the slopes. Sink into the soft, comfortable sofas, warm yourself by the fireplace, and take your time with a book, a chat with friends, or simply to enjoy the atmosphere.
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Ormelune Bar
Stylish, chic and colourful bar that's a little out of the ordinary
Ormelune Bar in Val d’Isere offers a warm and stylish retreat after a day on the slopes, whether you’re staying at the hotel or simply visiting. Just a stone’s throw from the pistes, it’s the perfect spot to pause on your way back to accommodation and enjoy a relaxing après-ski drink by the fireplace.
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Alex Bar
Live music at Hotel La Galise in this cosy but spacious bar
Alex Bar is a cosmopolitan hotspot in Val d’Isere, popular with both locals and visitors from around the world. Welcoming seasonnaires, tourists, and a mix of French and international guests, it’s a lively yet relaxed place to unwind after a day on the slopes.
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Le Salon des Fous Restaurant and Bar
Centrally located popular spot with regular live music in the winter season
This restaurant and bar is located in the centre of Val d'Isère on the main street.
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Chez Jules - Le Coin des Amis Bar
Small friendly bar with a great atmosphere serving delicious Thai food
Chez Jules – Le Coin des Amis is a small but hugely popular bar right in the heart of Val d’Isere, run by Jules himself, a retired competitive skier who now presides over one of the friendliest spots in resort. Known by many as the place to find the best genepy in town, it’s a must-visit if you want to sample this local favourite in the right setting.
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere
Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Fortunately, the ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:
- group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early, make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment
- if you're not in ski school, be an early bird - arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15
- ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break
- avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service
- seek out the peripheral areas - try to avoid the busy main ski areas closer to town
- get off-piste - competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry
Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere
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Group ski lessons
Group ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Group ski lessons
Ski and snowboard school group lessons with fully qualified British instructors
This ski school was set up in Val d'Isère in 2006 and has been hugely successful allowing them to expand into the resorts of Tignes, Les Gets, Morzine and Chamonix.
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Group ski lessons
Small groups for adults and children of all abilities with a well-established and trusted ski school
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
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Private ski lessons
Private skiing and snowboarding lessons with highly rated instructors
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
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Private ski lessons
Ski and snowboard school offering lessons with qualified British instructors
This ski school was set up in Val d'Isère in 2006 and has been hugely successful allowing them to expand into the resorts of Tignes, Les Gets, Morzine and Chamonix.
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Visit website 
Private ski lessons
British school offering a wide range of private lesson options tailored to all ages and abilities
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere
Family fun for everyone
Christmas is synonymous with school holidays. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes, Val d'Isere puts on a show for them. There are lots of activities to keep the little ones entertained on and off the mountain.
Wintersport Things To Do in Val d'Isere
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Dog Sledding
20-min dog-sledding tours around the Tarentaise mountains
Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.
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Heliskiing/boarding
Heliskiing/boarding trip in Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass.
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
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Snowmobiling
30min guided snowmobiling excursion
Passenger or driver, it’s up to you to decide!
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Helicopter tours
10, 30 or 60 minute private helicopter tours for up to five people
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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Guided snowshoe hikes
Half-day and full-day guided snowshoe walks through the mountains
Discover the charm of snowshoeing and venture to parts of the mountains even skiers don't go.
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Heli-Skiing
High mountain guides, ice climbing, mountaineering and heli skiing
Alpamayo are a group of high mountain guides based in Chamonix all year round as well as in Val d'Isere and Tignes in the winter.
December events in Val d'Isere
There's lots going on over the festive period in Val d'Isere, aside from the whole ski area opening up and sporting events beginning up the mountain, you'll find festive markets along with a real childlike excitement as the big day draws ever closer. You'll be able to spend time with main man and enjoy numerous festive events.
Keep an eye on our events calendar for what's on and when.
Events in Val d'Isere
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Beaujolais Nouveau 
Beaujolais Nouveau
The new Beaujolais has arrived!
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
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First Tracks Val d'Isère opening weekend
Enjoy the opening of the lifts and pistes with ski tests
Val d'Isère's slopes open this weekend with entertainments and the chance to test the latest ski and snowboard kit for the season.
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Criterium de la Première Neige
World Cup downhill and giant slalom ski races
One of the biggest events of the season with the world's best men's and women's slalom racers competing on the Face de Bellevarde and OK (Oreiller Killy) slopes in Val d'Isère.
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Classicaval music festival
Classical music festival in January and March
Classical music festival held in Val d'Isère's old baroque church, St Bernard Menthon, featuring internationally acclaimed musicians.
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Mountain Shaker
Mountain festival dedicated to board culture open to all
Over the week you can see pro and amateur riders compete in four competitions, and to end the week in style enjoy the Slopestyle World Cup.
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European Snow Pride, Tignes
Europe's biggest gay ski week hits the slopes of Tignes
For one week in March, Tignes hosts the most incredible European winter sports festival for the LGBTQI+ community. A week full of action and entertainment open to everyone.
