Well, it’s been one heck of a week. We’ve had sun, we’ve had snow, and we’ve had one amazing event to take our minds off of our desolate bank accounts, the fat tyre forming around out waists, and of course, the fact that we’re slacking off at work, again.
Val d'Isere Snow Report: 21st February 2013
Big Air at the Frostgun Invitational
The Frostgun Invitiational, hosted in Val d’Isère for the first time this year, is a Danish-based big air freestyle event where some of the world’s best skiers go head to head, throwing down some of the hardest tricks imaginable in front of thousands of people. In addition to this amazing demonstration of athletic prowess, the Frostgun Invitational also means hosting some of the biggest DJs at our favorite spots in Val including La Folie Douce and La Doudoune. This year’s invitational, brought to us by Michael Fugmann and his crazy crew of cronies, was based right at the bottom of the Face, an ironic location as this is also the site for the World Championship ski races. Luckily for us, it would seem that the racing town of Val d’Isère is more than ready to bring freestyle skiing to the forefront!
To say that it was an incredible event is the hugest understatement of the century. With slopestyle qualifiers being cancelled in Sochi and a slue of skiers winning wild cards to the event, the Frostgun Invitational hosted a good 26 athletes bringing big air contests in Europe to the next level. Although the jump’s steep take off and flat landing were of strong concern on the eve of the contest, the skiers stepped up and threw down through training rounds, qualifiers, semis, and finals to please the thousand people deep crowd. PK Hunder, the oldest of the group, had to be pulled around on his skis in between take offs due to knee injuries and still managed to come in 5th! Apparently, when asked if he was disappointed, he stated that he was rather relieved to not have had a spot on the podium; he didn’t know if his knees could take them up there! He wasn’t the only Norwegian representing his country well as Johan Berg took 2nd place and Aleksander Aurdal took 6th. However, it was still the stylish Canadians that took it home with Alex Bellemare owning 1st place and Vincent Gagnier taking 3rd.
We’ll admit, after a contest like that with professional skiers dominating a 35-meter booter, we kind of started getting down on our own riding level. Thankfully, the cloudy skies and snow left us just as the 2000 danish students who came specifically for Frostgun had departed, giving us absolutely prime conditions to play with. After an off-piste session, we’ve been sure to rip up every single piste we can find, whether its another run up Grande Motte, le Fornet, or a good old run to la Daille. With the cooler temperatures we’ve been having the last couple of days, the snow has been left intact and at times the sun has even been shining over the entire Espace Killy. Sure, we have to play hide-and-seek with the sun here and there, but badlight serves as a timely reminder that we aren't quite Frostgun level heroes yet!
Thankfully, we have 2 more months of awesome snow times ahead to get our riding to their level.
Yeah, right!
Airport Transfers in Val d'Isere
Transfers for Val d'Isere
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Scheduled/Shuttle Coach Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 52.50 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Save money with convenient scheduled coach transfers, regular winter departures and practical resort drop-off points. Travel from Geneva or Lyon Airport to Val d’Isère with experienced alpine drivers, helpful airport representatives and ski equipment included.
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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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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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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 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.
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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.
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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La Poudreuse
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
This ski and snowboard rental shop offers one of the largest selection of top of the range equipment in Val d'Isère.
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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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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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"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!
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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!
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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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.
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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.
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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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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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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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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Biathlon lessons
Try your hand at Biathlon, the Olympic challenge of skiing and shooting
Biathlon is an Olympic sport which combines different techniques and strengths. Bringing together two different sports, cross country skiing and shooting. Give it a go in Val d'Isère.
