Family Holidays: Val d'Isere family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

More Brits visit Val-d'Isère than any other resort. For some that's a reason not to go there but then your family would be missing out on superb skiing and a lovely 'villagey' resort. The ski area is l'Espace Killy, one of the world's largest, incorporating Tignes. Over 300 km.'s of pistes are on offer here to both challenge the best skiers and offer a gentle introduction to beginners. Lifts can take you to over 3,500m., with two glaciers also making the area relatively snow sure through April. Val-d'Isère hosted part of the 1992 Winter Olympics and is the venue of the 2009 World Championships.

Apart from cost during peak periods the only other drawback is relatively long transfer times from Geneva of three hours. Alternatives include flying to Chambery or taking the train. Read Take the Family's review of Val d'Isere, and Esprit holidays.

Top left: Val d'Isere mountain scene
Top middle: Village centre at dusk
Top right: ‘Vieux Village’ après ski

When

Val-d'Isère's height of 1850m. and the altitude of the higher slopes makes it a relatively secure choice for early or late season skiing. Travel during term time if at all possible to avoid crowds and the highest costs.

How

Fly to Geneva from most British airports, it takes an hour and a half from London. From there it's a three hour transfer by coach. Chambery is a closer airport (two hours transfer), though with fewer flight options from the UK you may find it more difficult to find times to suit your family. Check deals with British Airways, and a host of low cost airlines with Ebookers. The train is another option, Eurostar runs weekly direct from St. Pancras day time and overnight services to Bourg St. Maurice.

Stay

You will find chalets and hotels in Val-d'Isère to cater for all budgets. If you are planning to travel with an operator then options to consider include Mark Warner's Cygnaski, the Club Med village and Esprit's Ducs de Savoie.

Do

89 lifts will whisk you up to access 300 km.'s of skiing across l'Espace Killy. 300km of slopes. There are 22 green runs (some very long and wide - perfect for children to enjoy on their first week of skiing), 61 blue runs, 46 reds and 25 challenging black runs.

Aside from skiing there is a pool, an ice rink and a cinema. You can also try cross-country skiing or sliegh rides with huskies. The ski school (ESF) lays on weekly spectacular shows with skiing stunts and fireworks. Parents might want to try tandem paragliding (preferably with an instructor rather than with your own kids).

Eat

Every kind of cuisine is on offer in numerous restaurants - burgers, sushi, pizzas, Chinese, traditional French.

Cost

Like all skiing holidays cost depends on when in the season you travel with the Xmas / New Year and half-term periods being considerably more expensive. Expect to pay in the region of £1,000 per adult (for flights, transers and accommodation) during peak periods and less at other times. You can buy 'local' lift passes covering just Val-d'Isère or you can opt for the more expensive l'Espace Killy pass offering access to Tignes. If you become really tempted to spend then you can find high-end chalets for sale in millionares row.