Vallon Gondola In Val d’isère Takes You To High Altitude Slopes Even Faster

There is little doubt that Val d’Isère is one of the best-known resorts when it comes to French ski areas, and its popularity attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world.

Together with neighbouring Tignes, the area has approximately 300km of slopes. They are accessed by more than 70 different types of lifts which start at an altitude of 1,550m and rise up to 3,450m.

With such a large area to choose from it’s difficult to know where to start in terms of recommendations, but there is one part of Val d’Isère you should make sure is included on your itinerary.

These are the pistes in the Vallon de l’Iseran and Pisaillas sectors on the far side of Val d’Isère. One of the ways to get there is to catch the chair over the Crete des Lessieres which is an experience in itself as going up and over the top is like a ride on a gentle roller coaster.

The pistes you’ll find here have been made even more easily accessible by the recent introduction of a new Vallon Gondola which runs from the top of the Fornet cable car up to the Col de l’Iseran.

From here you can take more lifts to the Glacier de Pissaillas before enjoying a series of red and long sweeping blue runs back down to Le Fornet.

Skiers and snowboarders have been benefitting from the experiences this area has to offer since the Col drag lift was installed in 1972. This was replaced in 1982 by the Vallon TCD6 gondola.

In 2024 an improved 10-seater gondola brought in a new era of comfort and speed with the journey now taking less than seven minutes. It follows the path of the original lift, but fewer pylons are now being used which ensures a lower environmental impact on wildlife and plants in the area.

Ski Line has a wide range of apartments, chalets and hotels to choose from in Val d’Isere and one of the most popular options is catered chalets. Ski Line works with several of the top chalet specialists and here are a few examples to give you an idea of what is available.

SKI BEAT: The Chalets Cristal 1 – 5 in Val d’Isère are in an attractive Savoyard-style apartment complex. Bedrooms all have full en-suite facilities and there are attractive open-plan lounges and dining areas. Accessories include TVs with British channels, DVD player, and free Wi-Fi internet access. Chalet Cristal is only 150m from the La Daille telecabine and the Funival high-speed funicular.

LE SKI: If you are looking for a chalet experience with intimacy and privacy, Petit Mire fits the bill. It only sleeps four guests but still gives them an impressive chalet experience which includes a hot tub, shuttle service, private catering, sauna, large lounge and dining area.

Petit Mire is one of nine Le Ski chalets in Val d’Isère and another example is Chalet du Berger which can sleep up to 16 people. Group discounts are available if you want to book the whole chalet.

SKI VERTIGO: There is a transatlantic flavour at Ski Vertigo’s chalets in Val d’Isère as they are named after places in America and Canada – Alberta, Appaloosa, Blackcomb, Brunswick, Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Whistler, Yukon. These different chalets sleep between 6-12.

Ski Vertigo aims to offer a one-stop shop for your ski chalet holiday and its packages include: return BA flights from London Heathrow; shared coach transfers; seven nights accommodation; six nights chalet catering; services of chalet chef and host; cooked and continental breakfasts; afternoon tea on your return from the slopes; pre-dinner apéritif and canapés; three-course dinners with complimentary wine; coffee and tea.

CLUB MED: The advantages of booking a Club Med holiday in Val d’Isère through Ski Line is, firstly you are guaranteed to get the best rates available, and secondly, you know that this rate covers everything.

This includes: flights and transfers; breakfast, lunch and dinner; soft and alcoholic drinks; in-house entertainment; lift pass, and five days of ski and snowboard lessons with the ESF. Club Med’s Val d’Isère ski in – ski out resort also has a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and spa facilities, plus free Wi-Fi.

Vallon Gondola In Val D’isère Takes You To High Altitude Slopes Even Faster: A Summary

Val d’Isère, a renowned French ski resort, attracts global skiers and snowboarders, offering about 300km of slopes shared with Tignes and serviced by over 70 lifts. Key areas include Vallon de l’Iseran and Pisaillas, now more accessible thanks to a new Vallon Gondola, which minimizes environmental impact while enhancing comfort. Since 1972, lift upgrades have improved access to Glacier de Pissaillas and scenic runs to Le Fornet. Accommodation options in Val d’Isère range from luxury catered chalets like Ski Beat’s Chalets Cristal and Le Ski’s Petit Mire, to comprehensive packages from Ski Vertigo and all-inclusive experiences with Club Med.