Valsnow
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!
Incredibly good skiing all the way to Tignes & back
Some fantastic snow on great terrain this weekend
I haven’t seen a cloud in two weeks and although we could use some snow this non-stop brilliant sunshine is not too hard to take.
Holiday-makers are loving it and the piste skiing is as good as it gets on man-made snow and the pistes at altitude are brilliant with natural cold winter snow. I skied the piste down into Tignes on Sunday morning and was pleasantly surprised at how incredibly good the piste was all the way to the bottom.
The off-piste is pretty limited but I must say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this past week, skiing some fantastic snow on great terrain and with total solitude. We are all looking forward to some snow but conditions at the moment are pretty jolly good! I've managed to ski without too much 'skinning' but we'll need to start looking further afield this coming week.
The men had a World Cup Giant Slalom on Saturday and the race was won by Alexis Pinturault, a Frenchman from Courchevel, which of course sent the partisan crowd wild with flags waving and cowbells ringing. The first Canadian was Erick Read from the Banff Racing Club and Erick turns out to be the son of Ken Read, who was one of the best downhillers in the world in his day. Ken grew up in Calgary and won the downhill in Val d’Isere in 1975, and came second in 1980 and 1983. Ken was a member of the famous 'Crazy Canucks', when all four of the team members had a chance of winning. Being a Canadian from Calgary myself I followed Ken's career quite closely and like to fly my flag when I get the chance, Oh Canada! Sunday's slalom race was won by Henrick Kristoffersen from Norway and both races were well attended and a huge success as a sporting event with a massive benefit publicity-wise for Val d'Isere. I'm sure next weekend's Ladies World Cup Races will be just as successful.
If you like rocking blues Radio Val is absolutely superb in the evenings from 8:30 or so on. Seriously good blues, varied, and guaranteed to get your foot tapping and your body swaying. If you like rocking blues check it out!
Unfortunately there still is no snow in the forecast and we could be in for another couple of weeks of sunshine. It's cold enough to run the snow cannons so the pistes will be in great shape as the resort is working incredible hard to make and groom the snow.
If you're here this week have a fantastic holiday and log-on again on Friday for more news and photos.
Follow more from Wayne in his Daily Diary.
NB. The areas Wayne has been skiing in this report 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.
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
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Boraso Sport
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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Ab Skishop
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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Killy Pro Shop Avenue Lodge
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Pro Shop Killy Hotel Avenue Lodge store!
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Front de Neige
Ski & Snowboard Hire located at the bottom of the slopes, you can leave the shop with your skis on. 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!
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Rond-Point des Pistes
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.
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere
Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere
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Group ski lessons
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Airport Transfers in Val d'Isere
Transfers for Val d'Isere
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Private airport transfers
The Loyal Transfers team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.
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Shared bus airport transfers
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 and shared airport transfers
This company offers reliable private transfers from Geneva Airport to Val d'Isère. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
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Private and shared airport transfers
This company offers private and shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Val d'Isere, nearby areas, and resorts across the Alps. With great value fares on all journeys, it’s an easy way to save money.
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Shared airport transfers
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.
Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere
Wintersport Things To Do in Val d'Isere
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Snowmobiling
Passenger or driver, it’s up to you to decide!
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Helicopter tours
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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EMTB on snow
Try something new this winter with a guided e-bike session on snow (from eight years old). Join a sunrise ride above Val d’Isère or hire an electric bike in the afternoon and head off on your own adventure.
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Dog Sledding
Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.
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Heliskiing/boarding
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
Discover the charm of snowshoeing and venture to parts of the mountains even skiers don't go.
