subject: Exploring The Highs And Lows Of Val D [print this page] If you are looking for a fantastic winter holiday destination, then making the ski transfer trip from Geneva to Val d"Isere is worth the short drive. Located in the south eastern part of France, tucked in the Savoie department of the Rhone-Alpes Region (and only a mere five kilometres away from the Italian border), this village is one of the best places to hit the slopes.
Situated in a high valley (1850 metres), and with over 300 kilometres of slopes and some of the best expert skiing in the world, Val d"Isere is a destination that will tempt even the best skiers aboard the transfer from Geneva to Val d"Isere.
There are three main ski areas near the village: Bellevarde, Solaise and the Col de l"Iseran Valley. You can reach the Bellevarde and the Solaise via the access directly from the village via the lifts and the Olympique gondola. But while you are staying in this charming part of the French Alps, take time to explore the village itself before heading up to the heights of the glacial slopes.
The beautiful village
As you enter the village on your ski transfer from Geneva to Val d"Isere, you can see the improvements that have been implemented over the last 20 years, in the form of newly-clad houses and tasteful period-style complexes. The resort itself lies along the side of a river valley beneath a series of ridges, some of which have wooded areas. It has a variety of ski schools and facilities, including a children's only ski village.
The history of the village dates back to the 11th century and the hardy locals lived here in harmony with the seasons until skiing became a fashionable pastime in the early 1900s. With its convenient location, excellent natural slopes, and a new road put in nearby, it was destined to become one of the best ski resorts in the area. Since the resort area was founded, it has been home to a variety of Winter Olympics and World Championships.
Expert Skiing
With a location deemed good enough to base the Olympic and World Championships in, you can be sure that for some of the best off-piste skiing in the Alps awaits those who step off their ski transfer from Geneva to Val d"Isere. Not only does the area have some of the best-kept off-piste slopes in the world, it also has the Pissaillas glacier, also known as the Val d"Isere glacier. The glacier is one of the few places in the French Alps that offers summer skiing. Though the season is short, it is one of only a handful of locations in Europe where the experts can get some off-season practice in.
