On a ski holiday to Isola 2000 with your teenage children you might just become convinced that the entire resort was created with them in mind. From the friendly welcome by the ‘Isolien’ locals, to the great weather and easy access to the slopes, Isola does everything it can to reduce the stress which can be part of some family ski holidays.
As a parent, probably the first thing you’ll notice is the short drive from the airport (just 90km from Nice). Before the kids have even had time to grumble about the length of the journey, you’ll be arriving at the resort.
The next thing to note is the compact layout of the resort, all centred around one self-contained shopping centre with cafes and bars which look out over the pistes. This is an ideal space to allow teens to explore on their own, giving them a great sense of independence, while knowing they can’t stray too far.
The shopping centre has its own bowling arcade, cinema, ice rink and games room – while you’re slumped, exhausted after a full day’s skiing, the kids can keep going and have some fun of their own. Who knows, they might even make some new friends.
And if all that isn’t enough to tempt you and your brood then the skiing just might be. Isola has 120km of runs, a whopping 49 per cent of which are intermediate blues, and a snowpark which is the envy of many, much larger, resorts.
Teen Ski Dream
The great attraction of Isola 2000 is its extensive intermediate skiing. If the kids are still finding their ski legs or wanting to learn or improve their boarding skills, this is an ideal resort. In fact, the very first French snowboard club was based here and is still going strong today.
Isola is divided into two ski areas, the south-facing Lombarde and the more shaded Méné. Both are served by a good network of blue runs with enough reds to keep the more adventurous skiers happy. For those looking to test their mettle, there are also a handful of black runs which they can challenge themselves on.
Intermediates will find the Pélevos area gives the widest range of skiing in the resort but there are plenty of blues to be found elsewhere.
For a truly unique experience, get the family out for a bit of night skiing. The Chapelle blue run is open two nights a week during the peak holiday periods.
The Snowpark
One of Isola’s major draws for teens is the resort’s large snowpark, with a number of fun and technical challenges including slopestyle, big air, a halfpipe and handrails to practice their tricks and jumps.
The boardercross track in the snowpark is a thrilling run of twists and turns which can be enjoyed by skiers of all levels but which is advanced enough to have been used for both French and European Cups.
If your not-so-little ones aren’t quite at competition level, don’t worry – the snowpark also has a fun beginner’s zone where the pace isn’t quite so hectic.
Ski School
The ESF Ski School at Isola runs teen and adult ski classes so that your teens don’t have to suffer the humiliation of being the only ‘young adult’ in a group full of six-year-olds. Whether you opt for group or private lessons, the ESF instructors will take you to the best snow and find the runs best suited to you and your family’s abilities.
Snowboard lessons are also available from ESF for children over eight years old.
Off the Slopes
Of course for teenagers there is much more to a ski holiday than just skiing. Isola has plenty of other attractions to keep them busy and off their hand-held devices! Whether they want to hang out in the games room with other kids of their age or go bowling or ice skating with the family, there are a range of choices at Isola.
For the more adventurous, there are some high octane snow activities which should get their pulses racing:
- Ice driving
- Ice karting
- Snowmobile tours
- Paragliding
How to Get to Isola 2000
The nearest airport to Isola is Nice which, at just 90km from the resort, is an hour and a half drive. British Airways and easyJet fly directly from the UK to Nice, with a flight time of around two hours.
The most convenient and hassle-free way of getting from Nice to Isola is to book an airport transfer with Shuttle Direct before you set off. Remember to include details of any ski equipment you will be carrying when you make the booking and a driver will be waiting for you when you arrive in a vehicle big enough to fit you all in.
Where to Stay
Hôtel Club du Soleil Le Pas du Loup – The kids will love the free WiFi, indoor swimming pool, sauna, games room and satellite TV at the Hôtel Club du Soleil Le Pas du Loup, not to mention that they can ski straight on to the slopes from the hotel door.
Les Terasses d’Isola – Les Terasses d’Isola offers self-catering apartments with a difference. Here you can choose to have breakfast delivered (for an additional cost) and there’s a spa with hot tub and indoor pool downstairs for use by apartment residents. The apartments are close to a range of exciting activities including the ice driving, ice karting and snowmobiling. And, of course, there is that all-important free WiFi too.
Hotel Le Druos – Lying in the centre of the resort, close to the shops and cafés of Isola 2000, the Hotel Le Druos also offers ski-in ski-out access to the slopes. The style is traditional Alpine chalet with lots of pine, including the snug bar with its terrace overlooking the pistes. There is free WiFi in the communal areas, so teens will be forced out of their rooms rather than glued to their screens.
About Shuttle Direct
Established in 2002, Shuttle Direct has become one of the leading companies providing airport transfers across Europe and North Africa. The perfect option for ski holidays, it offers a hassle-free way to get from the airport to your resort accommodation. Just let Shuttle Direct know what ski equipment you will be carrying and it will send a vehicle big enough to accommodate you and your kit to meet you at the airport.
