Well, that was a fantastic weekend of skiing but it must have been the coldest three days of the season! Last week was warm enough for people to be eating and drinking outside in the sunshine and I ended up taking a layer off and was ambushed by the low temperatures on Friday.
Cold but brilliant skiing in Val d'Isere
Fresh snow and low temperatures
I’d taken my team up to the Fornet, which is the coldest place in the resort when the temperature drops and we needed to seek shelter and have a hot chocolate to warm-up. The skiing was however absolutely brilliant and we skied a Lower Combe du Signal, a Combe du 3300 and by this time we were pretty cold and went in to warm-up. We then went over the Col Pers and because everyone is piling through the Gorge du Malpasset we ‘skinned’ up to the Grand Torsai, which is the normal route when the gorge isn’t open, and we had a trackless mountain in front of us with fantastic snow. It was a great result and it’s always a pleasure to have a huge area all to yourself.
It was cold again on Saturday (-17 ºC on Bellevarde) so I put on more layers, dug out my neoprene boot warmers, put on a thicker hat, and headed towards the sun in Tignes. Unfortunately, it clouded over and the sun didn’t really get through but it was a slightly warmer day and not so bitter. We had some great skiing in the Little Lavachet on our way into Tignes where we found some wonderful snow in the Sachette, skiing all the way down to Les Boisses, before finishing off the morning in the Familial.
Sunday was still cold but slightly warmer again and overcast for most of the day. There was the odd window of brightness but the light was still pretty flat. The snow was so good on Saturday that I returned and skied similar runs with variations on Sunday.
The Meteo France forecast for the week ahead is for it to remain cold with the possibility of a little snow on Monday, then partly sunny Tuesday and Wednesday and then cloudy again on Thursday. Another forecast calls for a little snow on Monday and Tuesday and the bright blue skies for Wednesday and Thursday. I definitely prefer the latter but Meteo France is generally fairly accurate so we’ll wait and see what comes our way.
The resort is slowly becoming busier and the pistes on the lower part of the mountain are starting to become firmer and almost icy in places, especially towards the end of the day. The best piste skiing can be found higher up the mountain where there is less man-made snow in the mix, and certainly earlier in the day.
On Saturday the hours changed for the lift openings so you’ll have the chance to ski an extra half-hour every day. The connecting lifts back-and-forth between Tignes and Val d’Isere are now open until 17:00 instead of 16:30, and the Olympique now opens at 08:50 instead of 09:00.
I haven’t mentioned it for a while but the pavements in town are absolutely lethal again. Do take care when walking around the resort and if you’re elderly or carrying children look into buying some crampons that slip over your shoes. They can be found in most ski shops and Jean Sports carry a good stock, and they are very effective. The doctor’s surgeries are full of people who’ve injured themselves in the street and I personally find the state of the pavements shocking, but Val d’Isere has this ‘white’ policy and don’t clear the pavements.
Have a fantastic week and stay tuned for another update on Friday morning!
Follow more from Wayne on his Daily Diary.
Ski safely off-piste
Exploring beyond the ski resort boundaries is an amazing experience for anyone who's physically fit and has mastered the pistes well enough. There are, however, risks associated with venturing outside the safety of the marked/patrolled ski area, including awareness of your actions on those below you on the slopes. Mountain guides are professionally qualified and have extensive knowledge of the local terrain, to provide you with the safest and most enjoyable possible experience in the mountains; as a visitor here we highly recommend you hiring one. Many ski schools and also mountain guides provide instruction in off-piste skiing, avalanche safety and mountaineering techniques. Make your time in the mountains unforgettable for the right reasons, ski safe!
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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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 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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Scheduled/Shuttle Coach Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 52.50 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Enjoy daily scheduled departures, onboard toilets, convenient resort stops and ski luggage included at no extra cost. With experienced alpine drivers and dedicated airport assistance, these transfers offer a comfortable and affordable way to reach Val d’Isère.
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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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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.
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
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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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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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Ski Republic Village
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
Val d’Isère Village ski hire shop is ideally situated in the centre of the village, next to the ski schools and the lift pass office and being directly on the snow front it is ski-in, ski-out!
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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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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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"Exclusiv" Expérimental Chalet
Ski & snowboard hire on Place de l'Eglise and close to the lifts
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Aigle des Neiges store!
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere
Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere
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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.
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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.
Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere
Wintersport Things To Do in Val d'Isere
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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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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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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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Ski Guides
Independent ski guides specialising in off-piste with English speaking instructors
This school was formed in 2012 by a small group of experienced and dedicated ski guides who wanted to re-kindle the 'club' atmosphere of teaching snowsports.
