What's New In Val d'Isere This Season?
Val d'Isère is never one to stand still. Each winter season, this legendary ski resort adds a new layer of excitement, comfort, and innovation to its Alpine offering.
As it prepares to welcome guests from 29th November 2025, here’s a look at everything fresh and unmissable this year - from new chalets and restaurants to improved ski experiences and family fun.
A Season of Anniversaries
- This winter marks two milestones: The 70th Critérium de la Première Neige, which will once again see the world’s best skiers take on the Face de Bellevarde and Oreiller-Killy slopes (13th - 21st December 2025).
- The 90th anniversary of Val d’Isère Club des Sports, the most decorated ski club in the world, with 24 Olympic and World Championship medals to its name.
The season kicks off in true style with the First Tracks Opening Weekend (29th - 30th November 2025), complete with ski and snowboard equipment testing, après-ski festivities, and special weekend deals.
Where to Stay: New and Upgraded Accommodation
Val d'Isère continues to expand its luxury and family-friendly accommodation: the Experimental Chalet unveils three stunning penthouses on its top floor, with mountain views, and forest-inspired interiors.
SkiWeekends have taken on 4 ski-in, ski-out catered chalets, located in La Legettetaz area of Val d'Isere. These provide guests with the ultimate flexibility, as you can arrive on a Monday, Wednesday or a Thursday.
Foodie News: New Dining Experiences
Dining in Val d’Isère gets even more exciting with fresh arrivals:
IMA: A bold restaurant inspired by Near Eastern flavours, created by chef Elie Fishmann (ex-Bocuse, Ducasse). Expect sharing plates, fine wines, and a celebratory atmosphere that turns into a dance floor as the evening unfolds.
La Folie Douce – Gare Centrale: The iconic après-ski venue reinvents itself with a 650 m² hub combining food, bar, shop, performances, and workshops in a Guggenheim-inspired industrial design.
Bottleneck (K2 Chogori): A new gourmet address celebrating mountaineering legends, serving braised meats, cheese-based dishes by MOF cheesemaker Bernard Mure-Ravaud, and refined desserts by Sébastien Vauxion.
On the Slopes: Ski Area Enhancements
This season brings thoughtful touches to make skiing smoother and more enjoyable: The Vallon gondola’s new top station features cosy Alpine design and an immersive optical display of a legendary 17th-century ascent.
The Fornet cable car now has a new relaxation area with sweeping valley views.
Ski Tranquille signage has been expanded to Bellevarde, helping beginners navigate green and blue slopes with ease.
The iconic pink Olympique gondola cabin has been redesigned with a whimsical, dreamlike look.
Pedestrian QR-code access is now available at Solaise and Fornet lifts, simplifying entry.
Two new scenic terraces at Fornet and Solaise offer orientation tables, binoculars, and breathtaking viewpoints.
Sustainability & Safety Commitments
Val d'Isère is deepening its eco and safety pledges: The Preserve Val d'Isère campaign targets zero waste by 2030 and encourages all residents and visitors to take part.
The Valbus fleet grows with five new electric buses, moving toward a fully electric system by next season.
Speaking of buses, the new Val d'Isere bus station opened in La Daille last season, with the aim of improving safety for travellers and reduce traffic in the resort centre. New bus traffic rules have been implemented for this coming season, and the restrictions apply to passenger transport vehicles with 10 seats or more, including the driver. These vehicles are prohibited from driving in the resort between 8am and 8pm. That means if you're on a coach transfer, you'll need separate transport to get you from La Daille to your accommodation in Val d'Isere.
Staying with us? Then good news - all our shared transfer vehicles are 8-seater minibuses, so you'll be able to enjoy a door to door service from Geneva Airport to our chalets.
A new slope safety campaign ensures better awareness through fun but impactful messaging, supported by ski instructors who receive dedicated training.
Family Fun
Families will find even more to enjoy: Free ski passes for under-8s across the entire Tignes–Val d’Isère area.
There is a new €22 beginner pass covering the Solaise carpets and nursery slopes.
La Folie Douce’s Folie Académie introduces creative workshops for 6–14 year-olds, from chocolate-making and DJ sets to fashion design.
ValKids Workshops let children learn about mountain professions like avalanche dog training and snow grooming.
Family-friendly highlights also include the Lost Village in La Daille, adventure slopes, an aqua leisure complex, ice rink, and kids’ clubs.
Spring Skiing
Val d'Isère offers some of the best spring skiing in the Alps, with 60% of slopes above 2,200m ensuring snow until early May.
Highlights include: Ski & Chill Festival (April–May), featuring film screenings, the Val’athlon, and international DJ sets.
Key Events 2025–2026
First Tracks Opening Weekend: 29th - 30th November 2025
Critérium de la Première Neige: 13th - 21st December 2025
Classicaval Music Festival: 12th - 15th January & 9th - 12th March 2026
Adventure & Discovery Film Festival: 13th - 16th April 2026
Final Word
From new catered chalets and innovative restaurants to beginner-friendly signage and sustainability milestones, Val d'Isère is setting the bar high for 2025–2026. Whether you’re coming for world-class ski racing, family adventures, or long spring days on the slopes, this season promises to be one for the books.