Latest NewsDave Beecham and Paul have received a quite phenomenal response to the coming season's offering which is wonderful news for the RBS Group Ski Club (South). There are now 65 adults and 5 children in the group taking flights from Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester. We also offered departures from Birmingham and Edinburgh but no one has taken either of these options. All participants who are not taking out the Mark Warner insurance should check that their own travel insurance policies specifically include winter sports. Your insurer should be able to add this option to your policy fairly easily (if not cheaply). The group is a real mix of ages, skiing/boarding abilities from beginner to expert and many occupations too, so everyone is sure to have a superb time. Skiing 11th to 18th January 2004Val d'Isère shares a vast ski area with Tignes that is probably the ultimate in piste and powder pleasure: reliable snow, wide, open space, efficient lifts, infinitely varied terrain. Val is the more attractive of the two resorts, an old village whose rough charm has survived ski development and been enhanced by an architectural face lift and a campaign to curb traffic. International ski youth fills the village, which hums with life at all hours. For an unbiassed view of Val d'Isère see |
Val d'Isère Piste Map
Detailed piste map at official Val d'Isère web site: http://www.valdisere.com/gb/montagne/plan/planpiste.php |
The SkiingFrom the nursery slopes in the middle of the resort, beginners progress to easy runs above the treeline. Stronger performers tackle the infamous Solaise bumps and the Face de Bellevarde, one thousand vertical metres of sustained excitement. Behind Bellevarde there are easy pistes down to the outpost of La Daille, alternatively reached by free bus. La Daille's Funival lift is the best departure point for Tignes and the magnificent slopes of the Grande Motte glacier, or the long tour to Les Brevieres, a great place for lunch. The old hamlet of Le Fornet is the gateway to Val d'Isère's glacier, for flattering pistes and powder adventure under the wing of one of the off-piste schools that are a Val d'Isère speciality, combining guiding and instruction at an affordable price. Ski SchoolIn conjunction with Oxygene ski school Mark Warner operate their own ski classes for children from 4 to 12 years, offering weekly half or full day courses. Adult group and private classes can be arranged in resort. Off The SlopesAs well as swimming and an ice rink, Val d'Isère has a gym, cinema, snowmobiling, quad and ice-driving and parapenting. Specialist food shops offering traditional regional produce abound. Val d'Isère's nightlife starts early and finishes late. Join the young crowd for live music at the Moris Pub or scrum practice at Cafe Face, before moving on to Dick's Tea-Bar, a hardy perennial of the Val d'Isère disco-scene. There is an excellent choice of restaurants: renowned seafood at Perdrix Blanche: Alpine specialities at Le Chalet du Cret or Vieille Maison and fine dining at the Grand Ours. |
The Hotel Accommodation
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The Chalethotel Le Val d'Isère is superbly located in the centre of the village, within walking distance of the main Solaise and Bellevarde lifts, from where you can ski across to Le Fornet on one side (taking the "up and over" chairlift!) or towards La Grande Motte and Tignes on the other. Guests have free use of the heated outdoor swimming pool in the fitness centre which is directly linked to the hotel and, for an extra charge, you can enjoy the sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, gymnasium and sunbeds. The lounge, reception and bar areas are attractively furnished. The spacious dining room is situated on the top floor and has superb views across the village and surrounding mountains, ideal to judge the conditions for the day ahead. The bedrooms, although fairly compact, are well appointed with private bath and WC and there are a few family rooms available. All rooms have direct dial phones, TV, hairdryer and mini-safe. There is a well-equipped creche operating from a large bright sunny room on the first floor. Mark Warner run an all day nursery, creche and childminding service six days a week at the Chalethotel Le Val d'Isère for children aged 4 months to 12 years. Spaces are limited so early booking is recommended. Further information on the resort and ChaletHotel Val d'Isère can be found on the Mark Warner Website: CostsSingle room supplement :- £175 (although some singles have no supplement (earliest booking essential)) Lift PassesAn Espace Killy lift pass: £133 (passport photograph required). There are seven free nursery lifts on the edge of the village, a 30% lift pass reduction for children 12 years and under, and free skiing for children under 5. There is a 5% saving on your lift pass if you bring a Val d'Isère lift pass with you from any of the past three years and up to 20% saving for children. A 6 day Val d'Isère lift pass is valid for all lifts in Val d'Isère and Tignes, plus one day's skiing in La Plagne, 3 Valleys and Les Arcs. Ski FactsResort Altitude: 1850m. Skiing Altitude: 1500m-3550m. Transfer time (from Geneva airport): 3 hours Ski school: 2½ hours daily (9:30am-12:00pm) Approximate additional costs: Lift pass £133; Superior ski hire £66; Boot hire £36; 5 days' ski school £70 (or £108 through Mark Warner) |