More clear blue skies as we wait for fresh snow

Great conditions on piste although its getting firmer under foot

Imprint: By Wayne Watson, Updated 7 February 2026

It has been another great week of skiing under clear blue skies. I’ve managed some wonderful off-piste skiing so far this season but as you can imagine that after three-straight weeks of sunshine it is starting to get more difficult day-by-day to find good quality powder snow.

The piste skiing here remains excellent but with each passing week more and more skiers/boarders arrive and with the extra traffic the pistes are becoming polished and firmer. If it doesn’t snow soon it will be extremely icy by Christmas week. At the moment it’s incredibly blissful as the resort is empty but it won’t be long now before our privilege lifestyle will change drastically.

If you’re in the resort be extremely careful skiing down to the La Daille bus-stop at the end of the day. Because the OK is closed due to the races, the only open piste becomes very icy by the end of the day. I skied down a couple of days late in the afternoon and wish I hadn’t as it was narrow and the snow/ice was terribly hard. Don’t be afraid to take the bubbles down from the Folie Douce or the Olympique down the front of Bellevarde and save yourself some unpleasantness, especially if you are tired.

It’s World Cup time again this weekend, and it’s the best woman skiers in the world on show this weekend. By Sunday Val d’Isere will have hosted 8 World Cup races, the most ever by this time of the season.

There is very little snow in the Alps and although we need snow we’ve had a brilliant start to the season. Instructors, bar-staff, chalet staff, Pisteurs, hoteliers, shop-owners, and a lot of other people are busy making a living and once again we’re all very happy to have chosen Val d’Isere as our home resort.

There is still no snow in the near future so enjoy the sunshine and one of the only ‘open’ resorts in the Alps. Have a fantastic weekend and stay tuned for more news and photos on Monday.

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.

Ski Hire in Val d'Isere

Val Spirit Delivery

Location
Val d’Isere

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.
Place de l'Office du Tourisme

Location
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!
Boraso Sport

Location
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.
"Exclusiv" Expérimental Chalet

Location
Val d’Isere

Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Aigle des Neiges store!
Freeride

Location
Val d’Isere

The Precision Ski Freeride rental shop can be found in the old pedestrian part of Val d'Isere village, just at the bottom of the pistes.
Ab Skishop

Location
Val d’Isere

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere

See our Activity Guide

Helicopter tours

Location
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
EMTB on snow

Location
Val d’Isere

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.
Guided snowshoe hikes

Location
Val d’Isere

Discover the charm of snowshoeing and venture to parts of the mountains even skiers don't go.
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.
Snowmobiling

Passenger or driver, it’s up to you to decide!
Dog Sledding

Location
Val d’Isere

Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.