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The iconic French resort of Val d’Isere can be the perfect destination for a family ski trip.
Before you book your trip, there are a few things you need to know to make the most of your family trip to Val d’Isere.
Getting to know Val d’Isere
La Daille
La Daille is near the entrance to Val d’Isère. It is an excellent area of Val d’Isere for all ages and has plenty of more affordable accommodation than the Val d’Isere Centre.
La Daille also has it’s own beginner area on the snowfront and two ways to get up the mountain. The funicular takes you to the summit of the Rocher de Bellevards. You can access ski runs from here that link back towards Val d’Isère town centre.
The Daille gondola also takes you up to the Toviere bowl where there is a large amount of intermediate ski runs.
Val d’Isere town centre is just under 2 kilometres away from La Daille. On a nice day, this can make for a lovely walk.
A free bus will take you to and from Val d’Isere every 25 minutes from 8am to 8:10pm.
Val d’Isere Town Centre
This is the heart of the resort. In the town centre, you’ll have a large number of accommodation, restaurants and shops. Many of the off-snow activities are near here, too.
If you choose to stay here, you’ll also have easy access to both the Solaise and Bellevarde areas.
Le Fornet
Le Fornet is another part of Val d’isere that you have the option of staying in. Le Fornet is a quieter part of Val d’isere which is ideal for having a more relaxed, slower paced trip to Val d’Isere.
Even though Le Fornet is smaller than other areas of Val d’Isere, there are good family accommodation options.
It is possible to directly access the mountain from Le Fornet via the Fornet gondola. The rest of the Espace Killy ski area can then be accessed from the Vallon lift.
Like in La Daille there is also a free bus that will take you to and from Val d’Isere every 25 minutes from 8am to 8:10pm.
The isn’t a dedicated beginner area in Le Fornet. The superb town centre snowfront beginner area and the Solaise beginner areas are both easily accessible.
Beginner Areas in Val d’Isere for all ages
In Val d’Isere there are four main areas for beginners. If you’re are staying in Val d’Isere centre or in Le Fornet. The Val d’Isere village centre snowfront and the Solaise beginner areas is an excellent place to get started. You can walk here from much of the central village area or get the free bus from Le Fornet.
If you’re staying in La Daille, the handy La Daille Snowfront area next to the Funival is likely your best option for getting started. A good progression would be to then head over on the free bus to the Val d’Isere snowfront, where you can practice easy chairlifts and longer green runs.
Once you’re more confident on your skis. The Bellevarde area is great for longer runs. It’s convenient to access for those staying in La Daille and the Val d’Isere Village Centre.
From La Daille, you can get here directly using the Funival. You can also get here on the Olympic gondola from the Village centre area. If you’re staying in Le Fornet, then you’d best get the free bus to the Olympic lift station in the village centre.
If you’d like a closer look at the best beginner areas in Val d’Isere check out our article on exploring the Val d’Isere ski map for beginners and families.
Off-Snow Activities
Centre Aquasportif
Located near the centre of the village. Centre Aquasportif is a great off-snow activity in Val d’Isere for all ages.
It has a leisure pool, massage jets, a paddling area for little ones, and a spa area for parents. On colder evenings, it’s a brilliant choice. If you want to stay on dry land, there’s also a climbing wall, squash courts, and a gym.
Val’Aventure
Nestled in a peaceful forest near the Solaise gondola. Val’Aventure is a treetop adventure park that offers courses for all ages. The Pitchoun circuit is suitable for kids as young as 4. There are more challenging trails available for teens and parents.
Getting to Val d’Isere
When travelling to Val d’Isere by plane, there are several arrival airports that you can choose from.
Chambery (2 hours) – Chambery airport is the closest option that you’ll have when you’re travelling to Val d’Isere. Chambery is the smallest airport that you’ll have the option of travelling to. You’ll likely have slightly fewer choices of flights from here. They may be more expensive than other options at larger airports.
Grenoble (2 hours 40 minutes) – Grenoble is another alternative airport. Before you book, there are a few things to consider. It is much smaller than both Lyon and Geneva. Grenoble is more likely to suffer from delays or cancellations. This is due to its smaller size and its location within a narrow valley. This being said, if you are able to get a flight to Grenoble for a good price at a time that suits you, it may be a good option.
Lyon (2 hours 40 minutes)—Lyon can be a good option for travellers heading to Val d’Isère. There may be slightly fewer options to choose from when heading from the UK. However, there will be far more flights to Lyon than to both Chambery and Grenoble. Lyon is also much less prone to closing due to bad weather, as the airport is located outside the Alps. This can make it a reliable choice, albeit with fewer flight options than Geneva.
Geneva (2 hours 55 minutes) – Whilst Geneva is nearly a 3 hour drive from Val d’Isere it offers the greatest choice of flights. The greater choice of flights means that you’ll likely have the best chance at getting a good deal on both flights and transfers.
Getting from the airport
The most convenient way to get to the airport is via a transfer. Renting a car is an option; however, as the bus service is reliable, you may not need to use it too much while in Val d’Isere. Parking close to the lifts during peak weeks may also be a challenge. We have a guide on the best ways to get to Val d’Isere, should you need more Val d’Isere travel tips.
Other useful tips for a smooth trip to Val d’Isere
- Book Early: During school holidays, accommodation, flights, rentals, and lessons sell out quicker. Book early and don’t miss out.
- Use Free Lift Passes for Under‑8s: Bring proof of age to the lift pass office and get free lift passes for your children under 8 years old.
- Get the kids into ski lessons: Starting kids off with ski lessons will mean that they can ski more of the mountain sooner and be safer and more responsible doing so.
- Remember to take breaks: Kids quickly tire in the cold, so plan plenty of rest stops with warm drinks and snacks to keep everyone happy.
- Protect from sun: Make sure to use sunscreen, bring good sunglasses or goggles, and keep everyone well hydrated.
Dress in layers: Make sure everyone has warm, waterproof clothes, dry gloves, and thermal layers to stay comfy and dry all day long.
