Off-Piste Skiing in Val d’Isère

In Val d’Isèr, the off-piste is just as renowned as the on-piste

Just several kilometers from the Italian border, on the cusp of the Nanoise National Park, and close to Tignes, sits Val d’Isèr, the self-proclaimed “Most Beautiful Ski Area in the World.” And while backcountry adventurers and resort skiers may disagree on what spot can claim that title, many agree that Val is something truly special: its off-piste objectives — once you get away from the crowds — are on a very short list of the best terrain in the French Alps, if not the world.

There are three main ski areas that are all served by the resorts’ excellent lift-service infrastructure: Le Fornet, Solaise, and Bellevarde. Bellavarde and Solaise are the busier of the two areas, but Le Fornet offers 1500m of vertical from the top of Glacier du Pissaillas back to the village. Regardless of whether you choose chair-accessed objectives or choose to earn your turns, there is plenty of terrain to explore. Couloir, bowl, and tree skiing — tree especially in Les Marmottes — are plentiful, and even if your original destination gets tracked out, the area is so massive that finding fresh powder won’t add too much extra time to your day. Just a handful of other tours to consider are Le Grand Vallon for bowl skiing, the super steep La Pointe Pers, and Le Couloir des Pisteurs. There are objectives for every level of skier, so plan your trip and book your guide to make the most out of Val.

Who should go skiing in Val d'Isère?

While any backcountry outing requires a little more comfort on harder routes, there’s enough terrain at Val d’Isère for skiers who are new to the discipline. For advanced skiers in your group, there are more objectives than you could ski over a dozen visits, if not a lifetime.