VAL D'ISÈRE
Gateway City: Geneva
Transfer Time: 3.5 hours
Via: Motorcoach
Beginner/Novice: 14%
Intermediate: 39%
Expert: 46%

 


      For centuries Val d'Isère was a long forgotten hunting hamlet for French royals trapped in a dead-end valley, fringing the tree line and surrounded by steep mountains. For hundreds of years snow-filled forever-winters forced subsistence-level living on the local poor farmers. Then in 1929 came Jacques Mouflier, their first skier, who strongly urged the development of tourism - the rest is skiing history. Much of the rambling town was rebuilt for the '92 Olympics so Val d'Isère's now an appealing, harmonious and better organized resort. The Romanesque tower and its baroque church, long forgotten in the midst of mid-twentieth century modernity, are once more an integral part of the town's heart as silent antidotes to our fast paced twenty-first century lives. For the 2009-10 season the resort opened a new sports center with an Olympic size pool, climbing wall and extensive spa facilities.

      Val d'Isère's natives nurture their babies into champions: Henri Oreiller, the Goitschel sisters, and, of course, Jean-Claude Killy. Their Olympic golds evolved from the incredibly extensive terrain in that dead-end valley. The area, almost six times the size of Vail, covers more than 25,000 acres and averages over 40' of snow a year. Today Val d'Isère has 90 up-to-date lifts linking 135 runs totaling 185 miles of trails. So impressive are the terrain and facilities, the resort hosted the 2009 World Championships. Now you, too can try the much maligned Olympic 'Face de Bellevarde' downhill or test your knees on Donna Weinbrecht's '92 gold-giving moguls. There's enough from the extreme to debutante beginner so no one ever does the same run twice!

 

 

HOTELS
CHALET HOTEL LES SORBIERS
     The Sorbiers is such a pleasant surprise: Located in a sunny position in the old village, steps to the slopes, in châlet style architecture with local wood and stone, and warm welcome. Maybe just what you're looking for? Or want more ~ perhaps a Jacuzzi? Got it! In fact all rooms have them along with flat screen satellite TVs. In 2001 the Sorbiers totally renovated each of the 29 individual rooms with Savoyard alpine paneling and warm colored fabrics. The hotel just serves buffet breakfast (it's delicious) and in evenings you can easily wander the town for dinner before returning for a sauna, to check e-mail or sit by the fire sipping a Remy before hitting that pillow in your name on it...

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HOTEL CHRISTIANIA
     The Christiania has a ski-in, ski-out location, a rare feature in European resorts. It's also in a very central but quiet location. The newly redone, well-appointed balconied rooms and baths have rustic-style furnishings. There's a sunny multi-level lounge with fireplace; a pool with a sauna, steam bath, masseuse, hydro-therapy spa; and fine quality cuisine. Since the 06/07 winter owner Philippe Bertoli has overseen the renovation of the lounges, bedrooms and the expansion of the spa facilities. With their guest-friendly management and staff  no wonder the hotel is top-rated in town by Michelin: a hard-to-beat combination in Val d'Isère – or anywhere!

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For information & reservations: call (800) 248-2807 in New York or e-mail: Chips@LindenmeyrTravel.com