Val-d'Isère is a ski resort and a commune located (45 degrees N,7 degrees E) in the Savoie departement, in france, 5 km (3 miles) from the border with Italy. Population (1999): 1,628. It is on the border of the Vanoise National park created in 1963.
The Face du Bellevarde was the scene of the men's downhill race as part of the 1992 Winter Olympics. Val-d'Isère will host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2009. The Eastern and Central areas of Val-d'Isère are most recognizable by its "chalet" architecture, while at the Western part of the town high-rise architecture dominates the landscape. Along with nearby Tignes the area forms part of the "l'Espace Killy", the self-titled "Most Beautiful Ski Area in the World." Beauty aside, the combined space is one of the largest ski areas in the world.
The glacier de pissaillas (Pissaillas Glacier) offers summer skiing, as well as the usual winter fare. Summer skiing has not operated recently as the glacier has shrunk due to the effects of climate change.Snow cannons are placed on certain slopes to accommodate heavy skiing. The ski slopes themselves are equipped with a high-volume gondola, able to transport standing skiers, the funicular from La Daille via a tunnel to the top of Bellevarde, traditional chair lifts--some with windshields and many detachable, button/disc-pulls and tow-ropes. There are both groomed slopes and backcountry (off piste) skiing. It should be noted that some runs, particularly down to the village are shown as easier than they are - a blue run at this may be closer to the difficulty level of a red. However, as in Tignes there are grand, easy motorway pistes as well to let rip on. It is first class off piste country for powder addicts and there are many good guides available.
Tignes possesses more of the same, with a funicular shuttling skiers up through one of the mountains to the Grande Motte glacier.. The slopes in both areas cover all four of the French slope difficulty designations: from green (very easy) through blue and red to black (difficult). In the village,apres-ski (nightlife) is lively, with a good selection of bars and clubs. A free shuttle bus runs between the villages in the valley every five minutes from 08.00 to 18.00 thereafter every 30 minutes, providing free transport throughout the town of Val d'Isère proper.
Human habitation of the valley dates back to before Roman times. The town received parish rights in 1637 and the parish church which still is a landmark in the town centre today was build in 1664.
Skiing in Val-d'Isère has its roots in the 1930s when a drag lift was built on the slopes of the Solaise. This was followed by an aerial tramway (cable car).
