Hitting the slopes is only a small part of what makes a skiing holiday a wonderful and memorable vacation. In addition to the skiing, you will also want to experience great accommodation, a lively atmosphere, fun off-piste activities and, of course, luxury food.
After a challenging day carving up the snow, there is nothing more satisfying than indulging in fine food with a glass of wine or two. This is why Val d’Isère is such a popular skiing resort for foodies, as here you will find varied and delicious cuisine at both the mountain and resort restaurants.
For those seeking good food in between their skiing, be sure to check out these highly regarded eateries.
Mountain Restaurants
Le Signal
Located at the top of the Le Fornet cable car, Le Signal (or “Chez Brigette”) serves traditional French cuisine utilising the freshest ingredients. This is all in a beautiful setting, with paintings by local artists (including Zoë Kronberger) adorning the walls. There is both self-service and a dining room, with Brigitte working tirelessly to ensure that you are well looked after and well fed during your stay. Mains at Le Signal cost around €24.
La Fruitière
Next door to, and part of, the self-service restaurant and party venue the Folcie Douce, La Fruitière is found at the top of Le Fornet cable car. There is nowhere better to head after a long day on the slopes, as here you are treated to wholesome and hearty meals that include many tasty meat dishes and pasta. Cheese and wine enthusiasts will also feel at home here, with an air-conditioned cellar beneath the stairs where you can sample rare French cheese and wine at a long communal table. Main courses here cost roughly €28.
La Peau de Vache
A favourite with many seasoned Val d’Isère skiers, La Peau de Vache can be reached by the Bellevarde Express chair and is located about halfway down La Face. This restaurant is cosy, welcoming and serves up traditional mountain dishes in hearty portions. It is a great place to refuel, with meat dishes, burgers, omelettes, pasta, cheese boards and a wide range of desserts all available. It also features spectacular views of the valley and a beautiful interior and exterior. This is the type of eatery that you would expect to find in a major region like Le Trois Vallees, but can now be experienced here too. Main courses cost roughly €26.
Restaurants in the Resort
La Table de l’Ours
This Michelin-star establishment is a must visit for any serious foodie. It is the best of the three restaurants found in the five-star Les Barmes de l’Ours hotel, so expect a formal atmosphere and high prices. The food and the ambience cannot be found elsewhere, with mouth-watering dishes like ginger and lime roasted scampi, and rack of lamb with sweet potato mash. The wonderful setting, complete with a roaring fire, makes this a luxury experience. Set menus at La Table de l’Ours will set you back between €130 and €165.
L’Atelier Edmond
Located at le Fornet by the cable car station, L’Atelier Edmond has recently earned its second Michelin star and boasts a gourmet restaurant and bistro. It features a warm and rustic interior with views of the surrounding mountains, but it is the food that will leave the lasting impression. There is a unique and inventive cuisine which blends French cooking with Mediterranean flavours, seeing citrus and herbs used to create a distinctive and intriguing taste. Although it is an expensive place to eat, you can also get good value at the bistro where three courses are offered for €24. In the main restaurant, you can expect to pay between €80 and €145 for a set menu.
La Grande Ourse
No trip to Val d’Isère is complete without visiting this classic restaurant, which has been open since 1936 when there was just one lift on the mountain. Overlooking the nursery slope, La Grande Ourse is the favourite of many old hands for both lunch and dinner due to the expansive and impressive menu and the exceptional setting. Foodies can enjoy fish and meat dishes, pasta, starters and salads all made from fresh and local ingredients, plus amazing pastries and puddings made each day. Inside, you will find a roaring fire, wood carvings and paintings, whilst the exterior boasts a sunny terrace with a heated marquee for when the snow falls.
How to Get to Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère can be reached either by air or by train, with many finding the most convenient journey to fly into Geneva (GVA) from the UK. There are many flights available and a transfer time of between 2.5 and 3 hours from the airport. The resort can also be reached from Chambéry (CMF), which is slightly closer at 144km, and will take roughly 2 hours. Other options include flying into Grenoble (GNB) or Lyon (LYS), but these are further afield and will both take over 3 hours to reach the resort.
As an alternative, you could take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which is just 32km from the resort and a transfer will take less than an hour. Lyon Saint-Exupéry is another option, but is much further away and will take around 2 hours and 45 minutes from the station.
The onwards journey to the resort can be stressful, particularly when you have a lot of ski equipment, which is why it is best to arrange a private transfer to the resort. When you book a Shuttle Direct transfer in advance, you can benefit from our free service to transport your equipment. This will allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride.
The Most Exclusive Luxury Stays
Hotel Les Barmes De l’Ours – This 5-star hotel boasts luxury facilities and spacious rooms, but its dining credentials are the thing that attract many visitors. Here you are spoilt for choice with three fantastic restaurants, with one serving regional dishes, another a steakhouse and the other a Michelin star eatery (see above). Breakfast is included, with the choice of a buffet or an in-room continental breakfast.
Chalet Himalaya & Toit de Monde – An impressive hotel which is a converted seventeenth-century French monastery, this property can be rented as two separate chalets or one large chalet for 16. It features a private pool, wine cellar, home cinema, cigar room, spa and plenty more. The chalet also has an on-site chef who can prepare all of your meals each day.
Hotel Avenue Lodge – Located in the heart of Val d’Isère, Hotel Avenue Lodge has a luxury spa complete with an indoor pool and sauna, as well as spacious rooms with a traditional décor style. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet each day and traditional French cuisine later on, plus there is a relaxing lounge bar with a fire. A continental breakfast can also be served to your room.
About Shuttle Direct:
Shuttle Direct is a leading transfer company in Europe who are experts in winter transfers throughout the French, Italian and Austrian Alps.
Their shared or private options from Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon and Grenoble to resorts throughout the Alps can cater to all budgets and group sizes. By booking in advance, you and your family can have all of your equipment and luggage included in the transfer for free.
Book today and ensure for a smooth, reliable and stress-free onwards journey.
