About Val d’ Isère
For many centuries Val d’Isere was a mountain village with long winters, where life was difficult, the most able men had to leave before the winter to find work in the valleys, leaving the women and the old people to look after the animals.
However, in the 1920 winter sports became fashionable and Val d’Isere was lucky in many ways. It was the perfect site for skiing and in 1937 the construction of a road (leading to the Col de l’Iseran pass, a link between Bourg Saint Maurice and Italy) changed the life of the village forever.
After the Second World War, Val d’Isere became internationally known and produced exceptional champions such as Henri Oreiller, the Goitchel sisters and Jean Claude Killy.
In the 1980s, parts of the village were redesigned for the 1992 Winter Olympics.Val d’Isere has managed to retain its pretty old village buildings around the old Church ( Baroque style, 1664) it is well worth a walk along the narrow streets.
Val d’Isere in facts and numbers
Population: 1,753.
The men are called ‘Avalins’, the women, ‘Avalines’.
Elevation: 1850 m (approx 6070 ft)
Present Mayor: Marc Bauer (elected in 2008)
Val d’Isere and Tignes combined is known as “L’espace Killy”. The ski area is vast with a modern and well thought out lift system. This Espace Killly has a very good snow record and with the added network of snow canons, ski is guaranteed from early December to May. The Val d’Isere/ Tignes area offers endless possibilities to on piste and off piste skiers. The amazing varied terrain on all expositions give the chance to find the best off piste itineraries throughout the skiing season.
Espace Killy in number: 155 pistes for all levels (total of 300km)
The baroque Portal of the church is exceptional. A arch bay between two columns holds the niche where the Saint Bernard is represented. Bernard of the Alps is the patron of mountain dwellers. Many concerts are held in this pretty church of Val d’Isere.
People were cut off during the winter months which could explain why the church is so big compared to the population of the village during the 17th century.
