Ski-C’s favourite runs in Val d’Isere

With 300kms of pistes, 1600m of vertical drop (1,850m – 3,450m), a remarkable freeride and snowpark area, and an altitude and exposure that guarantees unadulterated snow and sunshine, Val d’Isere really is a ski resort that has it all. This is one of our favourite ski areas and  it’s proven really difficult to try and narrrow it down to our top five runs, but here goes!

1. Face: Now maybe it’s because we know it’s the Olympic black run, or maybe it’s that feeling of achievement you get when you reach the bottom with your thighs burning, but this is one of our all time favourites! At the top you’re almost lulled into a false sense of security when you’re cruising down thinking ‘this isn’t that bad’… then you reach the edge of the steep mogul field, which for many people is the scariest bit, and from then on, depending on snow conditions, it’s hard on the legs right to the bottom. And once down, just to top it off,  you can reward your achievement with a drink in Banana bar!

2. OK Orange: Yet another all time favourite run of ours! This is the run they use for the World Championships and it’s got that perfect mix that makes it both challenging and totally exhillerating. It’s such a great slope that unfortunately it’s often closed for race training which is always hugely disappointing when you’ve looked forward to steaming down it all year!

3. Grand Pre: If you’re a fan of wide cruising greens then this is the slope for you. This is a great run for beginners or if you’re just warming up for the day! Since it’s away from the main lifts that come up from Val d’Isere it’ll often be quieter over this side too which is an added bonus.

4. Cugnai: Writing this is making us realise just how much we love this resort! Yet again this is another of our favourite runs in the Alps.  It’s fairly steep for a red and if pisted it would probably be more like a black so you need to be pretty competent to attempt it.

5. Borsat and Vert: If you’re a beginner this is a great route that takes you all the way from the top of the Borsat express right down into La Daille. You can practice your turns on the wide Borsat slope before picking up the winding Vert through the trees and into La Daille. The snow can get slushy at the bottom later on in the day but if you like to be able to ski for a long time without the interruption of a chair lift then this is a great option!

There are so many good runs in Val we can’t possibly list them all, but let us know if you’ve got a particular favourite that we haven’t included.