Married early 40's.
We arrive in Geneva on Friday 4th December 2015 and then drive to Val D'Isere.
We have booked an apartment for 4 nights using Airbnb.com located next to Le Laisinant Lift.
We are good intermediate skiers.
We would appreciate any recommendations regarding:
1)The town, must see and do things?
2)Lively bars for coctails/apres ski?
3)Where to get a guide for half day on the first day, approx cost?
5)Where to hire Ski gear?
Any other recommendations would be appreciated.
Can't wait to go.
Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please
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Started by Millstreet in France 28-Nov-2015 - 8 Replies
Millstreet posted Nov-2015
Bedrock barney
reply to 'Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please' posted Nov-2015
Val d'Isere is my favourite resort along with Zermatt.
I've not stayed in Le Laisinant. It's slightly separated from the main town centre but I think walkable. There are free buses in any case running early to late. You will see that there are two pistes running back into Le Laisinant, one a blue the other a red. The blue run (Piste L) is very often shut due to avalanche risk as it runs within a relatively narrow valley. In fact it's never been open the three times I've skied in EK. The red is German Mattis, a really nice run with some steepish narrow bits.
We use Snowberry for ski hire. I think they'll drive out and pick you up. You can also leave your gear in the shop overnight which is a great service. They won't be the cheapest but I believe they are one of the best.
Can't help with lively bars. Not our thing really. If you want to go mad (and quickly into debt) you can sample La Folie Douce located on the Verte run and also accessed directly from the La Daille funi. Lots of Russians drinking £600 euro bottle of champagne etc. We tend to drop into the `Blue Note Bar at the end of our skiing day. 'Free' nibbles to go with your 6 euro beer.
If you've gone for the EK pass you will struggle to ski the whole place in a week. It's pretty vast even before you look into off piste. There are some great pistes on the Tignes side so I'd advise the whole area pass unless you are beginner skiers. Apparently it's possible to do the '4 corners' in a day - Val d'Isere glacier, Tignes Grande Motte Glacier, Tignes Les Brevieres and Le Fornet. Not tried it yet. Some of my favourite pistes - Arcelle, Orange, Ok, Triffolet, Double M, all of the pistes near L'Aiguille Percee.
Other will no doubt chip in with ideas.
Have a great holiday. We're off there on 18th Dec...also can't wait.
I've not stayed in Le Laisinant. It's slightly separated from the main town centre but I think walkable. There are free buses in any case running early to late. You will see that there are two pistes running back into Le Laisinant, one a blue the other a red. The blue run (Piste L) is very often shut due to avalanche risk as it runs within a relatively narrow valley. In fact it's never been open the three times I've skied in EK. The red is German Mattis, a really nice run with some steepish narrow bits.
We use Snowberry for ski hire. I think they'll drive out and pick you up. You can also leave your gear in the shop overnight which is a great service. They won't be the cheapest but I believe they are one of the best.
Can't help with lively bars. Not our thing really. If you want to go mad (and quickly into debt) you can sample La Folie Douce located on the Verte run and also accessed directly from the La Daille funi. Lots of Russians drinking £600 euro bottle of champagne etc. We tend to drop into the `Blue Note Bar at the end of our skiing day. 'Free' nibbles to go with your 6 euro beer.
If you've gone for the EK pass you will struggle to ski the whole place in a week. It's pretty vast even before you look into off piste. There are some great pistes on the Tignes side so I'd advise the whole area pass unless you are beginner skiers. Apparently it's possible to do the '4 corners' in a day - Val d'Isere glacier, Tignes Grande Motte Glacier, Tignes Les Brevieres and Le Fornet. Not tried it yet. Some of my favourite pistes - Arcelle, Orange, Ok, Triffolet, Double M, all of the pistes near L'Aiguille Percee.
Other will no doubt chip in with ideas.
Have a great holiday. We're off there on 18th Dec...also can't wait.
slippy slidey snow......me likey!
Edited 1 time. Last update at 01-Dec-2015
Andyoneil
reply to 'Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please' posted Dec-2015
Hi Millstreet
You will love VDI - like BB I adore the place (also like BB I won't give you a load of xenophobic scare stories about French mega resorts that some will)
I'd agree with much of what Barney says - Piste L is often closed but is good fun when open. If it is then you may want "reactolite" goggles as it goes from sun to shade a lot through the valley. If you want an idea of what it would be but its closed then the top part of "Santons" on the Bellevarde side is very similar (and hated by many)
Germain Mattis is a great run through the trees - needs a bit of care if busy / icy but manageable for all but beginners/very timid intermediates
The whole area is vast - the "four corners" that BB mentions is a great day out and perfectly possible on only reds and blues (apart from one short black Trolles into Tignes but that's steep with a long run out rather than technically demanding). The rest of the day is just a joy of travel
In resort I tend to get my gear from either Intersport or Ski Republic but have no real preference. If BB says that Snowberry will come get you and store gear then that may be a great shout if you are that little bit further out at Le Laisinant. But the bus service is great and frequent.
Bars - VDI is all things to all men: if you WANT to be seen with the trendies and pay for the privilege then you can. Equally if you want value there is plenty to be had. Chalet Bar/Doudonne club is right on the slope and has a happy hour on the terrace (you can then walk down the steps to the Rond Pont and get the red bus home.
The Petit Danois is tucked away off the main road (but 1 min from bus stop) and has a dirt cheap happy hour. Last year cost me about a tenner for 4 beers and 4 HUGE Gin and tonics - anyone who tells you that VDI is always mega expensive is talking crap, that's cheaper than Wetherspoons. We also like Cafe Face which has prices that start dirt cheap at 3 and then go up by the hour to scary times!
Ski Guides - we usually use a guy called Marc Pissailas (sp?) via Evolution2 but VDI is renowned for its schools and guides so I think you'd be unlucky to get a bad experience
Town itself has lots of shops (some mega expensive) and a good market a couple of times a week for cheese and meat etc.
Out on the slopes go down to Tignes Les Brev and see the dam - very impressive though you can't see the mural of Hercules very well now. Aiguille Percee (rock with a hole in it) is worth a look above Tignes - ski through off piste if good snow
If you are good intermediates then all of the piste skiing is do-able no bother but do appreciate that some of the grading is, ahem, patchy. So if you want to come down to La Daille then come down the red OK (great fast run - can get icy on mid section through trees) or Orange. Do NOT come down Vert (the green) as its flat in places, crosses several other runs and is littered with knackered beginners. Its a hazard. As is Santons down into VDI itself
I could go on all day about runs but have a look at the map and come back with any specific questions and we will help if we can
Most of all - enjoy! (we're doing the 3V this year not the EK)
Andy
You will love VDI - like BB I adore the place (also like BB I won't give you a load of xenophobic scare stories about French mega resorts that some will)
I'd agree with much of what Barney says - Piste L is often closed but is good fun when open. If it is then you may want "reactolite" goggles as it goes from sun to shade a lot through the valley. If you want an idea of what it would be but its closed then the top part of "Santons" on the Bellevarde side is very similar (and hated by many)
Germain Mattis is a great run through the trees - needs a bit of care if busy / icy but manageable for all but beginners/very timid intermediates
The whole area is vast - the "four corners" that BB mentions is a great day out and perfectly possible on only reds and blues (apart from one short black Trolles into Tignes but that's steep with a long run out rather than technically demanding). The rest of the day is just a joy of travel
In resort I tend to get my gear from either Intersport or Ski Republic but have no real preference. If BB says that Snowberry will come get you and store gear then that may be a great shout if you are that little bit further out at Le Laisinant. But the bus service is great and frequent.
Bars - VDI is all things to all men: if you WANT to be seen with the trendies and pay for the privilege then you can. Equally if you want value there is plenty to be had. Chalet Bar/Doudonne club is right on the slope and has a happy hour on the terrace (you can then walk down the steps to the Rond Pont and get the red bus home.
The Petit Danois is tucked away off the main road (but 1 min from bus stop) and has a dirt cheap happy hour. Last year cost me about a tenner for 4 beers and 4 HUGE Gin and tonics - anyone who tells you that VDI is always mega expensive is talking crap, that's cheaper than Wetherspoons. We also like Cafe Face which has prices that start dirt cheap at 3 and then go up by the hour to scary times!
Ski Guides - we usually use a guy called Marc Pissailas (sp?) via Evolution2 but VDI is renowned for its schools and guides so I think you'd be unlucky to get a bad experience
Town itself has lots of shops (some mega expensive) and a good market a couple of times a week for cheese and meat etc.
Out on the slopes go down to Tignes Les Brev and see the dam - very impressive though you can't see the mural of Hercules very well now. Aiguille Percee (rock with a hole in it) is worth a look above Tignes - ski through off piste if good snow
If you are good intermediates then all of the piste skiing is do-able no bother but do appreciate that some of the grading is, ahem, patchy. So if you want to come down to La Daille then come down the red OK (great fast run - can get icy on mid section through trees) or Orange. Do NOT come down Vert (the green) as its flat in places, crosses several other runs and is littered with knackered beginners. Its a hazard. As is Santons down into VDI itself
I could go on all day about runs but have a look at the map and come back with any specific questions and we will help if we can
Most of all - enjoy! (we're doing the 3V this year not the EK)
Andy
Millstreet
reply to 'Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please' posted Dec-2015
Bedrock Barney & Andy O Neil thank you for taking the time to give us some tips on Val D'Isere.
It is our first time in Val D'Isere and only a 4 night stay, so it is essential that we have the bones of a plan before arriving.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a very good piste map for Val D'Isere?
I have an iphone, any apps you'd recommend or should we stick with traditional methods on the slopes?
Really Really buzzin at this stage, departing Ireland this Thursday night!
It is our first time in Val D'Isere and only a 4 night stay, so it is essential that we have the bones of a plan before arriving.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a very good piste map for Val D'Isere?
I have an iphone, any apps you'd recommend or should we stick with traditional methods on the slopes?
Really Really buzzin at this stage, departing Ireland this Thursday night!
Andyoneil
reply to 'Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please' posted Dec-2015
The official web site has an intercative piste map which shows you what is open when. All of the major lift tops have boards with the map on and the big ones have LEDs showing whats open etc
App Wise - Ski Trail Maps from Almeesoft is "usually" up to date but I havent checked for this year (I uninstall through the summer to make way for golf gizmos. I also use Ski Tracks to time my runs, descent, distance covered etc. And the official VDI app is probably a good idea too.
Just remember that data costs money so any maps etc you want to download first rather than on the mountain.
Just checked the webcams and there is snow all through the tiown and in La Daille so most stuff should be open - you will have a great time!
App Wise - Ski Trail Maps from Almeesoft is "usually" up to date but I havent checked for this year (I uninstall through the summer to make way for golf gizmos. I also use Ski Tracks to time my runs, descent, distance covered etc. And the official VDI app is probably a good idea too.
Just remember that data costs money so any maps etc you want to download first rather than on the mountain.
Just checked the webcams and there is snow all through the tiown and in La Daille so most stuff should be open - you will have a great time!
Bedrock barney
reply to 'Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please' posted Dec-2015
Some great advice from Andy.
A few more pointers:
Scare chair - make sure you get yourself onto the Leissieres chair which delivers you over the ridge into Le Fornet area. Great fun as long as you look down as you pass over the ridge.
Le Fornet skiing - can be nice and quiet on this side but watch out on cold days as the sun disappears quickly and it can get very cold...
Grande Motte - if the skies are clear, it's well worth getting yourself up to the top of the resort for the views. The Double M red is a great run down into Val Claret
Mini off piste 'canyon' - not sure if there will have been enough snow but there is a fun off piste mini valley just before you get to the base of the Borsat Express and the restaurant in that area. My children love bombing through there with their old dad lagging behind. Andy - am I in the right place?
Restaurant at top of Chaudannes lift in Tignes - great terrace if it's sunny.You can ski down to this from the top of the Aiguille Percee lift along the Corniche piste
Sache black run - not done this yet but I hear it's a fairly epic run although can be a very very long mogul field with no bail outs.
Madeleine restaurant in the Solaise area - one of our favourite spots for lunch overlooking the frozen lake. Nice deck if the weather is good. Can get busy though with big queues. Probably won't be a problem this weekend.
Getting to Tignes - quickest route from Le Laisinant is probably a bus to La Daille, then the telecabin (called Daille I think). You can then ski a short way down to the Tommeuses chair. This takes you up to Toviere. From here you can ski to Val Claret or Tignes 2100 (Le Lac or Le Lavachet). If the Daille telecahin is not running, take the funi up to Bellevarde and ski down to Tommeuses on either Verte, 3i, Diebold, or OK. It's easy to ski too far right though and then you'll end up going all the way back into La Daille.
Have a great trip.
A few more pointers:
Scare chair - make sure you get yourself onto the Leissieres chair which delivers you over the ridge into Le Fornet area. Great fun as long as you look down as you pass over the ridge.
Le Fornet skiing - can be nice and quiet on this side but watch out on cold days as the sun disappears quickly and it can get very cold...
Grande Motte - if the skies are clear, it's well worth getting yourself up to the top of the resort for the views. The Double M red is a great run down into Val Claret
Mini off piste 'canyon' - not sure if there will have been enough snow but there is a fun off piste mini valley just before you get to the base of the Borsat Express and the restaurant in that area. My children love bombing through there with their old dad lagging behind. Andy - am I in the right place?
Restaurant at top of Chaudannes lift in Tignes - great terrace if it's sunny.You can ski down to this from the top of the Aiguille Percee lift along the Corniche piste
Sache black run - not done this yet but I hear it's a fairly epic run although can be a very very long mogul field with no bail outs.
Madeleine restaurant in the Solaise area - one of our favourite spots for lunch overlooking the frozen lake. Nice deck if the weather is good. Can get busy though with big queues. Probably won't be a problem this weekend.
Getting to Tignes - quickest route from Le Laisinant is probably a bus to La Daille, then the telecabin (called Daille I think). You can then ski a short way down to the Tommeuses chair. This takes you up to Toviere. From here you can ski to Val Claret or Tignes 2100 (Le Lac or Le Lavachet). If the Daille telecahin is not running, take the funi up to Bellevarde and ski down to Tommeuses on either Verte, 3i, Diebold, or OK. It's easy to ski too far right though and then you'll end up going all the way back into La Daille.
Have a great trip.
slippy slidey snow......me likey!
Bedrock barney
reply to 'Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please' posted Dec-2015
One other thing as briefly mentioned by Andy. The Santons blue from Bellevarde can be an absolute shocker. It is a natural half pipe for part of the piste (maybe 800m?). If the conditions are against you it becomes an icy train wreck with skiers crabbing their way down and bodies everywhere, Worth experiencing though! I've skied it in great and awful conditions. There is a flat run out though into Le Chatelard which is a pain. Get your speed up as you come out of the half pipe. Quite a walk for boarders.
Le Face is another piste that will vary wildly depending on conditions, number of skiers and time of day. I've skied it comfortably on corduroy 1st thing but had a real sweat on at the end of the day when carved up with moguls and icy patches. The bail out to the right of the plateau is, if anything, even worse at the end of the day.
Le Face is another piste that will vary wildly depending on conditions, number of skiers and time of day. I've skied it comfortably on corduroy 1st thing but had a real sweat on at the end of the day when carved up with moguls and icy patches. The bail out to the right of the plateau is, if anything, even worse at the end of the day.
slippy slidey snow......me likey!
Edited 1 time. Last update at 02-Dec-2015
Millstreet
reply to 'Val D'Isere - 6 sleeps - Recommendations Please' posted Dec-2015
Bedrock Barney, Andyoneil
My wife and I fly from Dublin in the morning, and should arrive in Val D'Isere around 2pm Friday.
Check in to Accomodation, do Ski rental and chillax.
We are really looking forward to discovering the resort/skiing area and feel we have a good head start with the pointers received from you both.
Many thanks
Ski well, eat well, apres ski well, sleep, repeat!!
My wife and I fly from Dublin in the morning, and should arrive in Val D'Isere around 2pm Friday.
Check in to Accomodation, do Ski rental and chillax.
We are really looking forward to discovering the resort/skiing area and feel we have a good head start with the pointers received from you both.
Many thanks
Ski well, eat well, apres ski well, sleep, repeat!!
Topic last updated on 04-December-2015 at 14:16