We’ve been confused about the weather and the snow conditions before, but not like this. It has only taken us a week though to realise that our new decision to base our attires entirely on the happenings outside was a terrible idea. After getting caught in tights in -15 degree weather or in a huge puffy jacket in 10-degree weather, we just gave up altogether. Then we figured it out - it is officially spring in Espace Killy!
Val d'Isere Snow Report: 8th April 2013
A confusing spring...
The last three days are perfect examples of the phenomenon known as springtime here. First, we woke up to some serious snowflake action. Pulling back the curtains early on Saturday morning, we were more than excited. With clouds hanging low on each mountain face, our eyes were fighting for their lives as snowflakes the size of chips took on our faces while heading to the bus stop. It was only during this trek that we realized just how unbearably hot it was outside. Not only were the massive flakes not sticking to the ground, but our many powder layers were far too heavy for a day like that. The ground itself was now melting! No more snow on the streets, and just some serious concrete. So we did what anyone else in our overly hot, heavy, and unseeing position would do, we went skiing for the first time in 9 years (we're boarders you see) and stuck around the Village and Rogoney lift.
The next day, we woke up in clouds, literally. With the shifts in humidity and temperatures (and a bunch more complicated terms a seasonnaire rarely comes across), a huge cloud of fog had roled into Val d’Isère, bringing with it some seriously wet and bone chilling winds from the valley. It was decided, we would rest up for the week and not go riding that day. Our lazy day was amazing, truly amazing, until we had the pleasure of waking up at 1 or 2 pm only to find an absolutely gorgeous day. The sun had pierced through the cloud, the humidity had lifted, and the winds had died down, all while we were sleeping. While it was awesome to wake up, it was a little less awesome to found out that it had been a gorgeous day from the minute our heads hit our pillow for this morning nap.
Today was another test altogether as the weather remained so consistently poor, we were surprised to be comfortable in the kits we had left our houses with. Seeing as the snow has been really soft lately due to the increasing spring temperatures and that we can’t see too much with the poor visibility, we decided to come in early, and mourn another weather shift with a Red Erik in Le Petit Danois. And while we meant to stop at one beer, when you have their all-day breakfast, you always end up having a couple more. Although, let’s face it; how can we feel guilty? When you can only hope for some sunshine or some serious snowfall, one should stay occupied with some serious drinking. The weather made us do it!
For the sake of our livers, we’re just hoping that the weather gods realize that a spring with some sunshine could do all of us, goggle tans and all, some serious good.
Airport Transfers in Val d'Isere
Transfers for Val d'Isere
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Val d'Isère from €349 per vehicle one-way (weekend rate)
Travel from Geneva Airport to Val d'Isère with an experienced Alpine transfer service operating since 2012. Enjoy a private, door-to-door journey with professional drivers who know the mountain roads and flight monitoring to help manage delays. Choose between standard and VIP minibuses, with complimentary child seats available for families. Free onboard Wi-Fi makes the journey more comfortable, while automated pick-up reminders help take the stress out of your return transfer.
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Shared Airport Transfers
Low-cost and professional shuttle bus transfer service to Val d'Isère
Booking with them means your holiday won’t involve the stress of public transport, the cost of private transfers, or the hassle of fitting snow chains on a hire car.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Val d'Isere from €524 per minivan one-way (weekend rate)
With over 5,000 rides completed and 95% of clients returning, this private transfer service is designed around the needs of skiers, from reliable airport pick-ups to comfortable journeys to your accommodation. Experienced, professional English-speaking drivers, vehicles prepared for Alpine winter conditions and no extra luggage fees for skis or snowboards help make travelling easier. With airport meet and greet, door-to-door transfers, secure online booking and a focus on punctuality, you can organise your Val d'Isere transfer with greater peace of mind.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 545 per vehicle one-way (weekend rate)
Enjoy exclusive vehicles, direct door-to-door travel and flexible collection times from four major airports. With experienced alpine drivers and premium vehicle options, private transfers offer a comfortable and personalised journey to Val d’Isère.
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Private Airport Transfers
Established and efficient private transfer service to and from Geneva Airport
Comfortable private airport transfer service connecting Val d'Isere with Geneva Airport, with a choice of standard and premium vehicles.
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Scheduled/Shuttle Coach Airport Transfers
Quick and secure way to organise transfers from local airports and stations
A key booking portal for local coach and bus transfers in the French ski resorts. Using this service to coordinate your travel means getting to resort could not be easier.
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
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Snowberry Slopeside
Ski & snowboard hire at the Rond Point des Pistes in the heart of Val d'Isere
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Snowberry Slopeside store!
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Valsnow
Ski & snowboard rental shop opposite the bus station in Val d'Isere.
Ski and snowboard hire located in the centre of Val d'Isere. Save time and money by booking online and have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive enabling you to hit the slopes straight away!
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Ab Skishop
Ski rental in the centre of Val d'Isere between the bus station and tourist office
Florent and his team offer you a warm welcome to their store Ab Ski, which is located in the heart of Val d'Isere on the Avenue Olympique (in between the two roundabouts on this main road).
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Iseran Sport
One stop shop for all your ski and snowboard equipment hire in Val d'Isere
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
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Portillo
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
At the entrance to Val d’Isère, on the avenue Olympique, our SKI REPUBLIC Val Portillo shop is on your left hand side (coming from Bourg St Maurice or la Daille), 100 m past the ice driving circuit and just past the petrol station.
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Snowberry Streetside
Ski & snowboard hire in central Val d'Isere within easy reach of the lifts
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Snowberry Streetside store!
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere
Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere
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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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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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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.
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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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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.
Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere
Wintersport Things To Do in Val d'Isere
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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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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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Snowmobiling
30min guided snowmobiling excursion
Passenger or driver, it’s up to you to decide!
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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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Dog Sledding
20-min dog-sledding tours around the Tarentaise mountains
Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.
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Biathlon lessons
Try your hand at Biathlon, the Olympic challenge of skiing and shooting
Biathlon is an Olympic sport which combines different techniques and strengths. Bringing together two different sports, cross country skiing and shooting. Give it a go in Val d'Isère.
