🇫🇷Val d'Isère

Val d'Isère is one of the Alps' greatest ski resorts and a brilliant summer escape, with 300 km of pistes, glacier access, and the Vanoise National Park on the doorstep.

Your family guide

Val d'Isère with kids: big mountains, real village, endless adventure

“In winter, 60% of the pistes sit above 2,500 metres: when lower Alps resorts are slushy, Val d'Isère's snow is still solid.”

— San & Jo

Val d'Isère is one of those rare places that genuinely earns its reputation. Sitting at 1,850 metres in the French Alps, this is a world-class ski resort with a soul: a real village of stone-and-wood chalets, a traffic-free centre, and an energy that buzzes from the first snowfall through to the last summer hike. If your family loves the outdoors and wants to be pushed a little, this is your place.

In winter, you get access to the Espace Killy ski domain shared with Tignes: 300 km of pistes, 90 modern lifts, and some of the most reliable snow in the Alps. About 60% of the skiing sits above 2,500 metres, which means good conditions even when lower resorts are struggling. There is terrain for every level, from gentle beginner slopes to legendary off-piste runs, plus a dedicated ValKids area to keep younger skiers happy and progressing.

Come summer, the whole place transforms. The mountains turn green, the Vanoise National Park opens up for hiking and wildlife spotting, and the sports centre keeps active families busy with swimming, climbing, and more. Whether you visit in January or July, Val d'Isère has a way of making you feel like you are exactly where you should be.

1,850 m altitudeHigh Alpine village

Winter + SummerTwo great seasons

Vanoise National ParkOn the doorstep

Best things to do

Best things to do in Val d'Isère

Ski the Espace Killy

With 300 km of pistes shared with Tignes and 90 modern lifts, this is one of the great ski domains in the world. The ValKids area gives younger skiers a safe, fun space to build confidence, while more experienced family members can explore the three interconnected sectors: Vallon de l'Iseran, Solaise, and Rocher de Bellevarde.

Book ski school early: classes fill up fast in peak weeks

Full day

Hike into the Vanoise National Park

Val d'Isère borders the Vanoise National Park directly, and in summer the trails are spectacular. The route through the Gorges de Malpasset to the Refuge du Prariond is a favourite for families who want real mountain scenery and a chance to spot chamois and ibex along the way.

Bring binoculars: ibex sightings are common on the upper trails

Half day to full day

Visit the Pissaillas Glacier

Accessible via the Vallon de l'Iseran gondola in the Fornet area, the Pissaillas Glacier is a genuinely memorable experience. Walking on a glacier at high altitude is something kids will talk about long after the trip. The views from up here stretch across the entire Espace Killy.

Dress in layers: it is significantly colder at glacier level even in summer

2-3 hours

Ski the Olympic Face de Bellevarde

The Face de Bellevarde hosted the men's downhill, super-G, and giant slalom at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. Confident intermediate and advanced skiers will love knowing they are on the same slope as Olympic champions. The views from the top are sensational.

Ski it early morning before the crowds arrive and the snow softens

1-2 hours

Mountain bike in summer

When the snow melts, Val d'Isère becomes a serious mountain biking destination. The terrain around the Vanoise National Park and the high Alpine passes offers routes for all abilities. Families with older kids who love cycling will find this a genuinely exciting alternative to the ski season.

Bike hire is available in the village: no need to bring your own

Half day to full day

Ice karting and fat biking at La Daille

If you want a break from the slopes, La Daille delivers. Ice karting on a snow circuit is brilliant fun for kids and adults, and fat biking through mountain terrain is a genuine workout with spectacular scenery. Ice climbing on the ice wall is available for those who want to try something completely different.

Ice karting sessions book out quickly on bad weather days: reserve ahead

2-3 hours

Hit the sports centre

Val d'Isère's sports centre is a proper facility with a swimming pool, climbing wall, squash courts, and a gym. On a rest day or when the weather turns, this is exactly what families need. There is also a cinema in the village, which is a genuine bonus when tired legs need a break.

The climbing wall is a great option for kids who want to stay active indoors

2-3 hours

Drive the Col de l'Iseran

The Col de l'Iseran is the highest paved mountain pass in Europe, and it starts right on Val d'Isère's doorstep. In summer, driving or cycling up to the pass is a bucket-list Alpine experience. The views are extraordinary, and older kids especially will appreciate the scale of what they are looking at.

The pass is only open in summer: check road conditions before you go

Half day

Our verdict

How Val d'Isère scores for families

Kids

Excellent facilities for children including the ValKids ski area, a sports complex, ice karting, and glacier visits. Activities suit different ages and energy levels.

Adventure

One of the best adventure destinations in the Alps, full stop. World-class skiing, off-piste terrain, glacier access, hiking, biking, and ice climbing all in one valley.

Food

Hearty Savoyard cuisine done well, from casual tartiflette spots to a Michelin-starred restaurant. Plenty of family-friendly options across all budgets.

Nature

Bordering the Vanoise National Park with ibex, chamois, and dramatic Alpine scenery on the doorstep. The natural setting is genuinely world-class.

Budget

Val d'Isère is a premium destination and prices reflect that. Lift passes, accommodation, and dining all sit at the higher end. Plan and book early to manage costs.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Val d'Isère?

3 days

Short break

Enough for a taste of the slopes or a couple of summer hikes, but you will leave wanting more.

sweet spot

7 days

Sweet spot

A full week lets you explore the Espace Killy properly, try off-slope activities, and still have a rest day. This is how most families visit.

14 days

Deep dive

Two weeks gives you time to ski every sector, hike into the national park, visit the glacier, and genuinely feel at home in the village.

Fun facts

Things to know about Val d'Isère

Olympic history on the slopes

The Face de Bellevarde hosted the men's downhill, super-G, and giant slalom at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. Val d'Isère also hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2009. When you ski that run, you are following in Olympic footsteps.

Named after a bearded vulture

The Gypaète fun trail on the mountain is named after the gypaète barbu, the bearded vulture that lives in the surrounding Alpine environment. With a wingspan of up to 2.8 metres, it is one of the largest birds in Europe and you might just spot one soaring above the valley.

The highest road in Europe starts here

The Col de l'Iseran, accessible directly from Val d'Isère, is the highest paved mountain pass in Europe at 2,770 metres. It has featured in the Tour de France multiple times and offers views that stretch across the entire Western Alps on a clear day.

Taste Val d'Isère

What to eat in Val d'Isère with your family

Tartiflette

Kids love it

Multiple mountain restaurants and village bistros

The ultimate Savoyard comfort dish: potatoes baked with Reblochon cheese, lardons, and onions until bubbling and golden. After a long day on the mountain, this is exactly what everyone needs. Kids who are nervous about new food almost always love it.

Fondue Savoyarde

Must try

La Casserole and other village chalets

Melted Savoyard cheese served with chunks of bread for dipping: fondue is a ritual in the Alps and Val d'Isère does it properly. It is interactive, fun, and a genuine shared experience around the table. Just watch out for the rule: drop your bread and you buy the next round.

Alpine tasting menu

Local favourite

La Table de l'Ours, Hôtel les Barmes de l'Ours

La Table de l'Ours at Hôtel les Barmes de l'Ours is Val d'Isère's Michelin-starred restaurant, helmed by chef Antoine Gras. The menu is inspired by the Alpine landscape and changes with the seasons. A special occasion dinner here is genuinely memorable.

Mountain canteen at La Folie Douce

Safe choice

La Petite Cuisine, La Folie Douce

La Petite Cuisine at La Folie Douce is a gourmet-quality canteen-style restaurant serving high-class local cuisine in a relaxed, lively atmosphere at the top of the Daille bubble. The food is far better than you expect from a mountain lunch stop.

Raclette and charcuterie

Daily treat

Available at most traditional restaurants in the village

Melted raclette cheese scraped over potatoes, cornichons, and cured meats is a Savoyard staple that feels made for cold mountain evenings. Pair it with local charcuterie and a basket of bread and you have a meal the whole family will enjoy.

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