Val d’Isere is the perfect group student holiday. It’s famed first for it’s great slopes and fantastic skiing and second for its raucous night-life and fantastic party atmosphere.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Val d’Isere is part of the ski area called Espace Killy, named after the world champion skier Jean Claude Killy. It provides 190 miles of pistes and even more besides with its world famous off-piste opportunities. It’s a great place for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, whether you’re getting your first taste or indulging your obsession.
For those daredevils, this is the home of the DC sponsored Valpark. Here you can ride the rails, challenge others to the boarder cross or sail the jumps, from small blue runs to the huge black ones – give it a go if you think you have what it takes. You can also try your hand at flying down the 1992 Olympic downhill course, if you feel you haven’t got your adrenaline pumping quite enough.
You’ll find that Espace Killy isn’t hard to traverse. It boasts 97 lift systems, as well as two funicular railway high speed trains, which race you to the top of the Belvarde and up the Grand Motte Glacier. With all this in place, you shouldn’t find yourself wasting the day by waiting around for your ride to the top.
Nightlife
When the slopes close for the day, you won’t find the night-life wanting. If you like to party, then you won’t regret choosing Val d’Isere. Starting on the mountain during the day, it continues well on into the wee hours – a perfect outlet for that pent up adrenaline.
Bars like La Folie Douce pump out house music all day and provide drinks and food, all with the awesome mountain view as a backdrop. If live music is your thing, check out Bar Alexandra or The Morris Pub. Those looking for a clubbing atmosphere are best advised to head toward Cafe Face, which provides a live DJ and music all evening.
Resort
Club Med’s resort is a great base for your ski holiday in Val d’Isere. They provide professional instructors who know the ski domain well and will guide the less experienced over the runs that are best suited to their skill level. They only operate in small groups, usually of around 12 people, meaning they are able to focus their attention on everyone in the group.
Full board throughout means you get all lunch and dinners are included, along with free beer, wine and soft drinks with your meals. In addition, you can refill on snacks and drinks at the restaurant at specific times during the day.
The resort offers plenty to do besides skiing (and drinking). It provides a fully equipped weight and cardio room, an indoor pool and a lounge, as well as a terrace for relaxing. It also puts on festive evenings throughout the year, meaning the party need not be too far from your bed.