Val D'isere, Beyond Championship Skiing

The FIS or the International Ski Federation, which began the tradition of organizing world ski competitions in 1931, is one of the most awaited ski experiences for all serious skiers. These global ski events are synonymous to the famous icy slopes of Val d'Isere. The ski resort of Val d'Isere, however, is not just for championship skiing. This new ski resort is also for all other types of holiday fun.

Holiday History

If it is the skier's first time to visit the new ski resort of Val d'Isere, they will immediately observe that the town has a duality. One part of it clings to its vivid past and the other part embraces the future. The past is found in the central and eastern areas of the town where the architecture is predominated by chalets. The charming chalets are actually just the more recent evidences of the past. The Val d'Isere was established during the Roman Empire and the church that was built in 1664 is still a major landmark today. Then skiing came.

Skiing, when it was introduced in Val d'Isere, was not considered a winter sport. Skiing was the favored transportation of churchgoers every Sunday. The children also ski when going to and coming from the school. It wasn't until in 1934 when Val d'Isere officially became a ski resort. A ski school was established in 1936 and a cable car was finally built in 1942 to replace an older draglift. The name of the new ski resort of Val d'Isere became famous and the town attracted the attention of many skiing enthusiasts. The western area of the Val d'Isere is now lined with modern high-rise buildings.

Family Fun

The new ski resort of Val d'Isere is not just famous for the championship medals won after conquering its slopes; rather it is also a great place to have family fun. The town is right on the border of the Vanoise National Park and the new ski resort has its own Snow Park, the Val Park. At the Val Park, the whole family can enjoy easy runs as well as the visual proof of why the Val d'Isere is considered as one of the most beautiful ski resorts. The Snow Park has a recreational area for music and barbecue, and there are draglifts and chairlifts for anyone who is interested in putting those skis to good use.

Important Skiing Information

When planning to visit and ski at the Val d'Isere new ski resort, it would be best to first check out the new traffic and parking plan. The skier zones were expanded and more snow cannons are used to augment the snow. There also several off-pistes and ski runs located at more than 2,500 meters above sea level. The 50 ski lifts are capable of uplifting more than 64,000 skiers and snowboarders in an hour. Downhill runs have a total of 150 kilometers and composed of 22 green runs, 28 blue runs, 18 red runs, and 7 black runs.