Skiing Val D'isere 2019
My trip to D’isere this year did not disappoint, the combination of brilliant ski conditions, quiet queues (we were outside of school holidays) and a brilliant bunch of people made another memorable trip to the mountains. I am lucky enough to love my job and I always have my customers in mind when I travel, here’s some feedback on my latest trip.
Val D’isere is one of my favourite ski destinations. I have friends based there and have visited many times over the last 10 years, it never fails to disappoint. Val is one of the most well-known resorts, along with nearby Tigne it forms the Espace Killy ski area of 300km of pistes and 78 lifts, so you’ll never get bored. There are a number of great restaurants up the mountain and the village is easily accessible for a mid-day break or lunch back at your chalet. Although there are beginner runs, it is a high-class ski area and so I’d recommend it to those with some experience.
Travel
You can either fly direct from Jersey to Geneva or via an easy transit in Gatwick. The transfer was around 3 hours so a little longer then some of the other resorts, however with Ski Lifts it was more than a comfortable drive, with Wi-Fi in the car for added convenience. The transfer service was very friendly and accommodating, allowing us to do a supermarket shop in Bourg St Maurice, (where the food and drink is much cheaper and worth stocking up on before heading up the mountains).
Accommodation
We stayed at the wonderful Chalet Sylvie, the only self-catering chalet under the Ski World collection. The value for money here was incredible. Boot warmers, under floor heating, all but one en suite room, log burners, good couches and floor to ceiling windows in the lounge. Every morning I watched as the red hues from the sun rise hit the mountains tops, with a cup of tea, magical! Clean, comfortable and an amazing location just a few minutes’ walk from the slopes and 5 minutes from the village centre, the bus stop is also just outside so incredibly convenient. I would highly recommend it!
Activities
If you are looking at getting more out of your skiing holiday Val D’isere offers ice-skating, night skiing, dog sledding, ice driving, spa’s, a fitness centre, plenty of great shops and restaurants for every taste, there is so much to do here if you fancy a day off the slopes.
One of our standout nights was at the Wilderness Camp with ‘Evolution 2’ for a yurt, fondue and sledding evening. We gathered at the main bus stop in Val and were driven the 30 minutes by minibus to Tigne where we were met with an incredible setting of Yurts, a large bonfire and a glass of wine on arrival. It was a majestic evening and felt quite a surreal under a beautiful night’s ski.
Once everyone had arrived, we had soup round the bonfire before heading into our designated Yurt for unlimited cheese fondue with a selection of charcuterie, potatoes, gherkins and bread along with a bottle of red and white wine per table. Once a little liquored up and to wake us up from our inevitable cheese coma it was time for the sledding. I haven’t laughed that much for a long time.
Evolution 2 do a great job, but it is worth mentioning that the sledding takes place in the dark down quite a bit of the run and there are some slightly worrying drop offs, so not recommended for everyone (you can get the car down if you wish).
Bars and Restaurants.
The Apres Ski is also especially good in Val, a huge selection of bars and the notorious Folie Douce; the most famous mountain clubbing hotspot in the Alps with its live music, DJ’s and dancers from around 3 you’ll hear it before you see it and the music reaches the board park for some ambience while you try out the jumps.
A few of my favourite places:
The Corner, Tigne – Newly opened, this little café at the bottom of Tuff’s lift has the best coffee I’ve had up the mountains and is a great quick stop off on the days you don’t want to leave the slopes. You can pick up a quick sausage roll, bacon butty or chips and cheese, it has a very English menu and great service. You know you’ve found a hidden gem when it’s filled with all the seasonaires from Val D’isere and Tigne.
Pignatta, Tigne – This was our spot for our last lunch, basked in beautiful sun and some incredible food at a reasonable price (for the mountains) this was a great restaurant. It also had little fire pits in the table to warm your hands up for a little apres as the temperatures drop, a lovely touch.
La Cascade, Mountain Restaurant Val D’isere - There are so many mountain restaurants but this one is worth a visit for the fabulous salad bar on offer. Even I need a break from the cheese and pasta/pizza at times and this provided a nice healthy alternative high up the mountains.
Le Lodge – A favourite amongst the Val D’isere locals makes this one of the most popular restaurants in town and needs reservations. The menu includes Savoyard classics such as cheese fondue, as well as a variety of meat dishes, pizzas and pastas, the steaks are especially good.
Le Petit Danois – Be careful when visiting for apres ski, there is a 2 for 1 happy hour from 4-5 pm and then a shot with every drink from 5pm – 7pm. One of Val’s most reputed drinking establishments it comes alive in the evenings with live bands but then kindly provides the full English breakfast the next day if you haven’t been able to make it up the mountain.
Blue Note Bar – Last but very much not least is one of my favourites for providing a lot of happy if not hazy memories over the years is the Blue Note Bar. A great place to mix with the local ski instructors, chalet staff and residents of Val D’isere. It’s a laid-back bar with table football, darts, pool and sporting events showing so you can relax for the evening and If you’re really nice, the owner Matt might even let you order pizza to the bar if you just don’t want to leave.
Friendly, relaxed and enough to keep you busy for a while, this was a regular stop off for us after dinner or a day skiing.
Already planning my next trip back.