Welcome to another season of updates and I hope you enjoy my regular Friday and Monday posts. I’ll keep you informed of snow conditions both on and off-piste, a bit of local news, and of course photos.
First week back on the slopes in Val d'Isere
150cm snow on the summits of the ski area
For the first time in 35 years I missed the opening weekend to spend a few more days with my wife and children but I arrived Monday night and have skied off-piste the past two days. The snow has been touched by the wind but is still very skiable, but the good news is there is a couple of metres of snow on the upper half of the mountain and even rocky areas seem to be covered. You can still find rocks if you try hard enough but the snow cover at altitude is the best we’ve had for many years and the base bodes well for the season ahead.
There was 50 centimetres of snow in the village but unfortunately two days of torrential rain washed it all away and the lower half of the mountain is no better off than it was last year, when we had very little early snow. Many people in town have had floods in their basements, garages and caves as half-a-metre of snow plus a deluge from above adds up an enormous amount of water. (My cave was flooded but I haven’t had the courage to go downstairs and have a look!) Fortunately Val d’Isere and Tignes have perhaps the best snow making in the Alps and it has been cold enough for the snow cannons to be working full-time and the lower slopes to the villages should be open any day now, which will make for fabulous piste skiing in the weeks leading up to the Christmas period.
With a lack of snow in America Val d’Isere has taken on some extra races and is now hosting 8 World Cup races over the next three weekends. The eyes of the skiing-world will be on us over the coming weeks and the resort is working flat-out to make snow, prepare the pistes and generally put on a good show. Unfortunately Lindsey Vonn is injured and I don’t think she’ll be racing, which is a shame because she is fantastic with the public. She’s always on hand to sign autographs and pose for selfies and Lindsey definitely adds some spice to the awards ceremony. (Especially when Tiger Woods was hanging about a couple of years ago!)
I you’re a snow worshipper you’re in luck as clear nights and wall-to-wall sunshine are forecast up until at least December 9th and there is a nasty rumour that the sun will shine for at least two weeks. Although we could use some snow at least we can enjoy some stunning weather and fantastic views, and the skiing is pretty jolly good as well as the open pistes are in great shape and the resort is empty. Have a great weekend and stay tuned for another update on Monday!
Follow more from Wayne in his Daily Diary.
Airport Transfers in Val d'Isere
Transfers for Val d'Isere
See all Transfers for Val d'Isere-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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
See all Ski Hire in Val d'Isere-
Visit website
Hors Limites
Ski & snowboard hire at the Tourist Office and close to the snowfront
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Hors Limites store!
-
Visit website 
Killy Sport
Ski & snowboard hire on Place Moufilier in the resort centre and close to lifts
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Killy Sport store!
-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website
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.
-
Visit website
Place de l'Office du Tourisme
ski hire shop ideally located in the heart of Val d'Isere
Ski hire shop located near the tourist office in the centre of the resort. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
-
Visit website 
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.
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere
Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere
See all Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
-
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
-
Visit website 
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.
Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere
Wintersport Things To Do in Val d'Isere
See all Wintersport Things To Do in Val d'Isere-
Enquire 
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.
-
Enquire 
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.
-
Enquire 
Dog Sledding
20-min dog-sledding tours around the Tarentaise mountains
Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.
-
Enquire 
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.
-
Enquire 
Snowmobiling
30min guided snowmobiling excursion
Passenger or driver, it’s up to you to decide!
-
Enquire 
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.
