Val d’Isere Highlights Summer Of Sport
With over 200 kilometres of beautiful trails and striking mountainscapes to explore, Val d’Isère provides the perfect summer break for keen cyclists and sports enthusiasts looking to release their inner adventurer. Proving itself as a year-round destination, the traditional alpine village sits within the Vanoise National Park and offers endless activities sure to delight. From gourmet-themed cycling trails to eco hikes, padel tennis, and even horseback riding, Val d’Isère is the ideal spot for an action-packed holiday.
Val d'Isère is offering a 10% discount on the purchase of the Val Pass on bookings through Val d’Isère Reservation from now until the 25th August, providing unlimited access to 25 amazing activities and a selection of others.
Get Pedalling
Every summer, keen cyclists flock to Val d’Isère to ride the beautiful trails, most notably the Col de L’Iseran, the highest paved pass in Europe, which provides a unique opportunity to take in the views of the charming villages and striking glaciers from an altitude of 2,770 metres. Val d’Isère is also home to a very impressive Bike Park which boasts 200 km of trails: enduro, downhill, e-bike, and even a level 2 FTT trail. There are trails for all levels of ability - experts can try out the Bellev’hard black trail which offers a dizzying descent into the village, whilst families and beginners can practise on the Popeye, a long green trail dotted with a variety of fun features.
As well as this, the 18 km Boucle Gourmand ‘Val Pesto’ gourmet trail has been enhanced for the summer season to include informative panels about the local history and wildlife around the route. Looping around the village via a marked trail, riders can stop off at different artisans to sample local products and enjoy a refreshing drink, making this the perfect trail for food fanatics, and those looking to discover more about the area. Another new addition for this summer is the Val Velo Village, where visitors can learn all about the mountain biking in the national park, the different types of MTB and the history behind the trails.
After a long day out on the bike, riders can head to Val d’Isère’s cycle-friendly accommodation, including Le Blizzard, The Avancher and Victoria Lodge, which provide secure bicycle storage, bike washing facilities, as well as hotel organised eMTB rides.
Happy Hikers
Travellers are also encouraged to explore Val d'Isère’s stunning landscapes by foot. From family walks around Ouillette lake to all-day hikes to the summits with a mountain guide, there are plenty of options on offer for every type of traveller. Those looking to learn more about their surroundings can join enthusiastic mountain walker Frank Bortolotti on his themed nature walks where visitors can discover pristine waterfalls, and learn about the unique alpine flora and fauna. Frank also hosts an eco hike every Sunday; this educational walk shows visitors around the village and national park, teaching them about how to preserve the landscape, whilst collecting any waste found along the way.
More advanced hiking routes are also available, which take walkers into the Vanoise National Park and the spectacular Grand Paradis National Park which straddles the border between France and Italy. Not for the faint-hearted, these spectacular hikes can take up to 5 or 6 days, where guests will be accompanied by striking scenery, panoramic views from the summits, and well-earned rests in traditional mountain refuges.
More to explore
Val d’Isère is also home to the Central Sports Park which features everything you could want, with an impressive mini-golf course, as well as a dedicated acrobatics school, padel court and an electric driving circuit for kids! Meanwhile the Manchet Sports Park which sits in a protected valley, offers archery, yoga, horse-riding, tennis and more. New for this summer, sporty visitors can take a moment to relax at L’ Art des Mets, which is located in the Manchet sports park. Featuring a large south-facing terrace, and open all day, this bar and restaurant serves homemade dishes, using fresh, local produce.
In addition to these endless sporting activities, guests visiting this August will not want to miss La Foire Avaline (3rd-5th August). This is Val d’Isère’s traditional folk festival, celebrating its 19th year with concerts, free family-friendly entertainment and traditional games as well as the chance to try out a wide range of authentic cuisine and handiwork from local providers.
