I hope you’ve all had a fantastic Christmas weekend and Santa was good to you.
Christmas skiing in Val d'Isere & Tignes
First class piste skiing across the Espace Killy
My wife and two daughters arrived on the 21st and we’ve had a great time making the most of the quiet conditions before the crowds arrive any day now. The piste skiing has been absolutely first-class and I’ve been very surprised at the snow quality at lower altitudes. On Christmas day we skied down to Tignes Les Boisses and the snow was firm but still grippy, and towards the bottom there were just strips of man-made that were in good condition. It will get tougher next week as crowds of holidaymakers arrive but up until now the piste skiing has been brilliant!
I have had a terrific weekend off-piste and the only way to get to good snow at the moment is to ‘skin’. I’ve had the pleasure of my thirteen-year-old daughter Millie skiing in my group and she is absolutely loving it, and is really enjoying the walking. We’ve skied the Glacier Pers on Friday (I forgot my camera), the Crete du Genepy and Mont Roup on Saturday, followed by the Sachette in Tignes on Christmas Day. Unfortunately we've had a lot of wind over the past three days, which has worked over the snow and 'stiffened' the snow on many slopes and this has cut down our options. It's a shame but we'll have to deal with it as no new snow is in the foreseeable forecast. The avalanche risk is 1/5 but don't let that fool you as there are isolated plaques caused by the high winds that have been blowing over the past few days.
Sunshine is forecast for the next week so don't forget your sun cream and my advice is to get out early and take advantage of the first couple of hours before the crowds come out. Not only is it less busy at this time but the snow quality is the best that it will be all day long.
Freshly groomed pistes are much softer and once the crowds start to slide around on the man-made snow they become polished and hard very quickly. And skiing over the lunch period is another way to avoid the crowds and the softer pistes can be found higher up the mountain, towards the Pissaillas Glacier at the Fornet or the Grande Motte in Tignes.
Have a brilliant week and look out for another update on Friday!
Follow more from Wayne in his Daily Diary.
NB. The areas Wayne has been skiing this week are off piste and not suitable to all skiers. Wayne has 35 years experience in these mountains. If you're considering going off piste you should always take a guide with you.
Airport Transfers in Val d'Isere
Transfers for Val d'Isere
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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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Shared Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 82.50 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Travel directly to your accommodation with a convenient minivan connection, scheduled departures and ski luggage included at no extra cost. With experienced alpine drivers and additional assistance at Geneva Airport, this service combines shared travel with the convenience of a final door-to-door transfer.
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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.
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Scheduled Shared Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Val d'isère from £41 per person one-way
Long-established, low-cost and straightforward scheduled shared airport transfers to the mountains, with regular departures you can book in advance. Offering competitive prices, convenient stops throughout the resort and friendly, English-speaking representatives to help at the airport, the service makes getting to your ski holiday simple and stress-free. Travelling by shared coach also helps reduce the environmental impact of your journey, with vehicle emissions offset as part of the service.
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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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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 545 per vehicle one-way (weekend rate)
Enjoy direct door-to-door travel, flexible collection times and a vehicle reserved exclusively for your group. Choose from four airports, standard or premium vehicles and experienced alpine drivers for a comfortable, personalised journey to Val d’Isère.
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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Rond-Point des Pistes
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
Rond Point des Pistes shop is located after the tunnel, next to the Front de Neige with direct access to the Bellevarde and Solaise ski lifts (where the fun starts!). The free buses from the Chatelard and Legettaz areas stop right outside as does the main La Daille – Le Fornet bus.
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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!
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Boraso 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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Val Spirit Delivery
Free delivery, fitting and collection service by British ski & snowboard rental shop
This is the only independent, British-owned ski and snowboard shop in the Espace Killy ski area which also offers a delivery service to Val d'Isere.
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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).
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere
Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere
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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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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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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.
Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere
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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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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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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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.
