In 1929, Parisian Jacques Mouflier discovered Val d'Isère, he was convinced that this was the perfect spot to create a ski resort in the style of the Austrian ski villages.

In 1932 the first ski school was opened by Charles Diebold and the first ski lift in 1936 and then in 1938 the Val d'Isère Ski Lift Company was created and started by installing the Solaise cable car.

Shops and Hotels soon followed and then from the 1940's Val became a resort of international repute, thanks to the achievements of it's native champions.

Jean-Claude Killy, who grew up in Val, called his village "the world's best winter playground".

He consequently gave his name to the skiing area (Espace Killy) boasting the 100 lifts that service Val d'Isère and Tignes: 300 kilometers of pistes that make up the most diverse ski range in the world, as varied in scenery as in levels of difficulty.

"I carved out my very first turns in Val d'Isère. There I discovered the joys of skiing and the splendor of the mountains, which fired my passion", remembers the triple Olympic champion.

Discover Val d'Isère

The final few bends through the narrow La Daille gorge, at last, you're there.
The mountains part revealing a spectacular valley in which Val d’Isère and its hamlets nestle.

La Daille with its sturdy stone houses in the heart of the hamlet surrounded by larger more modern buildings.
To your right, La Daille ski slopes (these are the very slopes on which the World Cup Skiing events take place) as well as the ski lifts, of which the Funiculaire railway whisks you to the summit of Bellevarde.

Continue on and cross the La Daille plains. A cross-country skiing track on your left, ice driving circuit on the right, breathtaking snow covered-mountains all around with Solaise and its slopes in front.

You then pass the Cret hamlet on your left. This residential quarter of Val d’Isère is a real architectural treasure, home to a number of chalets each more beautiful than its neighbour.
Finally you cross the threshold of Val d’Isère village along the main road. Bus station, shops, restaurants, bars. Small village squares and fountains are dotted along the way.

Once in Val d’Isère, turning right will take you, to the foot of the slopes and Solaise and Bellevarde ski lifts.

Towards the old town and the pedestrianised Val Village, where old houses, chalets and more recent buildings encircle the church . A sprinkling of traditional balconies decorate the narrow streets and epitomize the character of a carefully preserved genuine alpine village.

Towards the “Rond Point des Pistes” and the Joseray, Legattaz and Chatelard hamlets situated at the gateway to the Manchet valley. This valley may be reached on foot or by car. The view is exceptional over the entire valley.

Or towards the residential Balme quarter at the foot of Bellevarde.

Keep straight on and you will go through Val d’Isère and out of the other side.

Plains stretch out before you on which the Laisinant hamlet nestles (to the right). The picturesque chalets and the ski slopes descending from the Fornet and Solaise ski areas beyond.

Further on is the final hamlet in Val d’Isère, La Fornet. The buildings are all built of old stone, which have been carefully restored. A haven of peace and quiet, it’s not only an ideal place to recharge your batteries but also houses the lower station of the main lift to the Pissaillas glacier