In the French Alps, Val d’Isere has all the things you could ask for in a skiing resort: it has a terrific ski area adapted to snowboarders and skiers and a great atmosphere as well as fantastic après-ski with a bubbling nightlife. The resort has close to 90 ski lifts with more than 300 km of pistes for every level.

Val d’Isere is a massive ski resort that- some undergoing some renovations a few years ago. It has retained the local charm of a French ski resort when it was established in the 1930s. As lovely and inviting as the resort is, Val d’Isere is expensive. Some vacationers have even concluded that it is more expensive than the neighboring Tignes resort. The high prices span from ski passes, accommodation, and ski hire to food and drink.

The Resort Area Of Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere has a height of 1850 m- large enough that it spans along a high remote valley that becomes a cul de sac in winter. The resort has many district villages with a multi-purpose-built satellite of La Daille at the valley’s lower end and Le Fornet- the bucolic hamlet at the end, both of which have their respective access to the ski area.

Between the major resort of Val d’Isere is an assortment of architectural designs but is a nice place to stay, with a charming old village where visitors can find several farmhouses and a 1600s baroque church.

Val d’Isere has an altitude of 1550-3455m and pistes of 150 km (300 km Espace Killy). The 150 km area has 3 different sections, two of which are Bellevarde and Solaise and can be reached from La Daille- the purpose-built hamlet and offers straight-forward links to Tignes.

Le Fornet- the resort’s third section- is accessible either at the altitude from Solaise or from the valley level at the hamlets of Le Laisinant and Le Fornet. Meanwhile, the Glacier du Pissaillas, atop the Fornet ski area, is also open in the early summer. The three ski areas are inclined to have several of their steepest terrains lower down and easiest skiing at altitude.

Furthermore, you need to know that from Bourg-St-Maurice, La Daille is the first settlement that visitors can reach as they leave the series of tunnels and stalwart galleries at the end of the steep 32 km climb. The resort spans from there for 5 km through Val d’Isere center across the undeveloped avalanche ground to Le Fornet and Le Laisinan afoot the Col de l’Iseran. In the winter, the pass is close, and there is no through traffic.

Here is What You Need to Know About Expenses in Val d’Isere:

Lift Pass Cost 

Lift pass information is provided by the Val d’Isere lift company. There are half-day tickets for vacationers looking to keep short their thrilling experience in the area. For beginners, three lifts are available, and they are free. The pass also features free access to the swimming pool if visitors want to wind down that way. There are also the Espace Killy passes that are valid throughout the area, including Tignes. Passing from 6 to 21 days, Espace Killu lift affords skiers a day in Les Arcs resort at La Plagne; a day at Valmorel, a day into the 3 vallées areas, and the chance at Saint Foy to get a half-price pass.

At Val d’Isere, there is a 20% discount for families of 4, and that includes students that are up to 22 years-old. As for senior citizens, the passes are free for those with a minimum age of 75 years old. However, identification will be required for verification. The maximum and minimum Val d’Isere lift pass price starts from about 285 euros for a week’s access. Ski lift prices are relatively cheaper in other neighboring resorts. For example, day access to the La Rosiere lift system will cost 44 euros in a day 212 euros in 6 days. Les Arcs lift pass day ticket comes at 52 euros and around 265 euros for a 6–day access. While Tignes lift pass single-day ticket is spanning between 32 and 57 euros and 192 -285 euros for a 6-day access.

An Exclusive Tour of Val d’Isere

When you book a tour in one of the best ski resorts in the world, you should expect top service, great views, and an unmatched travel experience. A typical tour guide could start the day with a freshly brewed coffee or tea, jams and fresh baguette, fruits, yogurts, fruits, cereals, and porridge on the table. Every day, the cooked breakfast menu is different, and it includes sausages, bacon, French toast, eggs, grilled tomato, Heinz beans, succulent mushrooms, and HP sauce.

On the slopes, this is supposed every participant up for the day, and when they return to their hotel, they can look forward to an ‘afternoon tea’ that might have jam and ice cream, cupcakes, or chocolate brownies. Following some R&R and perhaps a dip in the hot tub is a 3-course evening meal with limitless wine.

Mountain Restaurants in Val d’Isere

As you might have guessed, dining options in Val d’Isere are pricey and not particularly pocket-friendly to an average budget traveler. But thanks to a considerable number of mountain restaurants, you can still get great food at decently affordable costs.

 In the Solaise area is the Bar de l’Ouillette Restaurant that is situated beneath the Madeleine piste. You can get fantastic views from a fine terrace over delightful sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and drinks. You might want to visit the popular La Folie Douce. There, their Fruitiere restaurant boast of splendid dining, and their Petit Cuisine buffet restaurant is worth the price.

Another nice one is on the Mangard blue run- the petit Edelweiss restaurant that slopes down from Le Fornet cable-car. It is bucolic with a log of fire, and visitors can dine well-made dishes in great surroundings. On the piste is Le Trifollet above La Daille. It is family-friendly with a cozy ambiance. Situated on the piste at La Daille is Les Tufs, beside the Funival funicular station. It is a well-known venue for off-pistes.

Among the newest establishments around is La Cascade, situated at the glacier’s foot above Le Fornet. It is pocket-friendly than many places in Val d’Isere, and their offerings are great. There is Les Marmottes close to the terrain park between La Daille and Bellevarde. The location is attractive, and the offerings are great.

Saving Money on Après Ski

When you visit La Folie Douce in Val d’Isere, you should absorb their nice altitude cabaret a couple of times, and this is if you do not dance on the tables. In Val d’Isere, après partying is expensive. In the case that you have enough energy in you and do not want to sample a few of the popular après atmosphere in the area, you can be on the lookout for ‘happy hours’ for a drink to further save. When in the resort, monitor timings as they can change.

Cost Of Eating Out in Val d’Isere

L’Atelier Edmond is a Michelin star restaurant, and you might want to try it for something special. Check out Flash Pizza is particularly interesting and worth a visit if you are traveling with children. For simple food with great value, visit Le Lodge but ensure that you book in advance because it usually fills out quickly. Paolo’s Café is another well-known choice for a simple evening out.

Where to Party

In Val d’Isere, the après-ski is great, and there are several bars. The popular Folie Douce is where several of the early partying takes place at La Daille gondola’s top. On the piste at the Rond Point is Cocorico- an après-ski bar that has equally gained popularity in the past few years. It offers live music and attracts skiers. What is has over its rival is that visitors can leave the bar and board a bus straight when it is time to leave and bathe just before dinner.

Is Val d’Isere Expensive? – Summary

Val d’Isere is expensive, however, the money spent there is definitely worth it. But the resort cannot be swamped by a tidal wave of bling- something that happens at Courchevel 1850- another resort area and one of the best in France. This is because skiing fits stronger legs and younger and tougher people. Exciting and enormous- you can still enjoy Val d’Isere with a well-thought itinerary while you make some brilliant cost-saving travel decisions.