Getting around guide to Val d'Isere

We’ve put together this handy guide on the best way to get around so you can get to all the key places, and help you find your bearings quickly.

Bus

As with most ski resorts, Val d’sere also runs an excellent free bus service. Running approximately every 5 minutes throughout the day, the red line bus link runs from La Daille to Le Fornet, through the centre of Val (see timetables here). It’s a great way of getting over to the La Fornet ski area should some of the chair lifts be out of action due to high winds. If you want to avoid skiing the extremely tough 'Face' at the end of the day, skiing down to La Daille and catching a bus back to the centre of town is a very easy option.

The yellow line ski bus does loops of the centre of town, going via the main strip of hotels to the front des neige and the rond point. The timetable is displayed at each bus-stop and paper copies can be picked up in the resort. After the ski lifts are closed, the buses are much less frequent.

Ski lifts

The Olympique Gondola goes from the centre of Val d’Isere, at the front des neige, and provides access to the Bellevarde restaurant, as well as some stunning views. Heading up from La Daille, the gondola takes you directly into La Folie Douce, the legendary après ski bar and the amazing restaurant La Fruitiere.

Both the Solaise lift and Solaise Telepherique are available to pedestrians. The Tete de Solaise restaurant at the top has an ever-growing reputation and the panorama from the top on a sunny day could rival almost anywhere else in Espace Killy. A pedestrian pass will cost around €50 for six days or €11 for a single return journey.

Taxi

Taxis are a great way to get to some of the less accessible restaurants in Val, like Les Clochetons or L'Atelier d’Edmond. It is recommended to book in advance from a number of local companies.

On Foot

Val d’Isere is very accessible on foot. The town centre is relatively flat and you can walk to most places within 10 or 15 minutes. It is worth buying some ice-grippers for your boots, as Val d'Isere operates a white road policy. They can be bought online or from most ski hire shops in town.

Walking to La Daille takes approximately 20 minutes along the main road out of town, while a walk to Le Fornet would take much longer. The uphill walk to Le Fornet is long, yet scenic, taking up to an hour from the centre of town. There are no pathways, so you have to walk along the road. The walking routes up the Manchet valley towards the frozen waterfall are particularly spectacular and get you away from the hustle and bustle of Val d’Isere.

On Skis

Val d’Isere itself is one of the more difficult resorts to ski down to. From the Bellevarde side of the mountain, the town is reached by the former Olympic Downhill run La Face. From the Solaise mountain, the red run Piste M is the easiest route from top to bottom.

Skiing down to La Daille is a good option to get down from the Bellevarde side of the mountain. OK is a fantastic run and Diebold is a nice blue run through the trees. The free bus is then available every 10 minutes to get back to the town centre.

Getting to Tignes

The links to Tignes are only available by skiing or by road. To get there on skis, head up the Olympique gondola and ski down to the Tommeuses chairlift. From the top, you can ski down to Val Claret via the blue run Henri or to Tignes le Lac by taking the black run Trolles.

Getting to Tignes 1800 and Les Brevieries is simple enough and a very enjoyable ski. Taking the Chauddanes from 2100 and skiing down the Rhododendron blue run will lead you down towards 1800 and eventually Les Brevieres.

Tignes 1800 is near 13km from Val d’Isere, just over a 20 minute drive. Taxis cost anything from €40.

Helicopter

If you are feeling flash (and flush) you can fly from resort to resort by helicopter with White Tracks.