Val d’Isère in Summer

Where Big Peaks Meet Bigger Adventures

Think Val d’Isère is only about snow and ski slopes? Think again. Perched at 1,850 metres in the French Alps, this legendary resort town transforms into a vast open-air playground each summer—a haven for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, families, and foodies alike. With snowmelt revealing sweeping meadows, crystal-clear lakes, and dramatic peaks, Val d’Isère’s summer season is a fresh-air festival of high-altitude adventure, relaxation, and cultural discovery.

A New Season of Alpine Energy

This summer, Val d’Isère raises the bar yet again. The village has rolled out a host of new offerings, including themed e-bike tours, kid-friendly cycling races, and two new restaurants with a focus on local produce and alfresco dining. The new Petite Vadrouille e-bike experience adds a cultural twist to exploration, taking riders to lesser-known historical spots where they can sample regional delicacies and admire Baroque art. Meanwhile, the Chalet des Aiglons Kids Club now hosts weekly balance bike races, giving little adventurers a chance to build confidence on wheels.

Alpine Dining Elevated

After a morning of activity, fuel up at Le Boui Boui, a new mountain bistro perched at 2,200 metres above Le Fornet. Tucked between pine trees, the eatery offers rustic, homemade fare cooked over an open flame, with live music every Saturday night adding to the atmosphere. At L’Art des Mets, located in Manchet Sports Park, sustainability is the theme of the season: the team has cultivated their own herb and vegetable garden, offering diners ultra-fresh meals alongside cooking workshops and food education events.

Trail Running & Epic Events

Val d’Isère is quickly becoming a global hub for trail running. From 5th to 13th July 2025, it will host the French Trail Championships and High Trail Vanoise, inviting elite athletes to tackle routes that wind through the breathtaking Vanoise National Park. But you don’t need to be a pro to enjoy the trails—runners of all levels can explore hundreds of marked loops. A local favourite is the Picheru-Bailletaz loop, which rewards each challenging climb with panoramic lake views.

Small Adventures, Big Memories

Not everything in Val d’Isère is extreme. Families and leisure travellers will find plenty of gentler ways to engage with the landscape. Spend the night in a mountain refuge in the Vanoise National Park, or take on the treetop challenges at The Lost Village, a whimsical adventure park among the trees. For a taste of local life, ride an e-MTB to the top of Col de l’Iseran—Europe’s highest paved mountain pass—or dine at Arsellaz Farm, where guests are served a rustic, homemade set menu of cured meats and cheeses in a tranquil alpine setting.

For romantic moments, few places rival Lake Ouillette at sunset. The Restaurant de l’Ouillette offers traditional Alpine dishes and hosts barbecues under the stars twice a week, all with a view that captures the very soul of summer in the Alps.

Big Adventures for Brave Souls

For those who like their adrenaline with a side of altitude, Val d’Isère has more than 200 km of biking trails, including the newly redesigned ‘Bellev’hard’ black trail, packed with technical descents, switchbacks, and jumps. You can also soar 700 metres above the valley on a paragliding flight from Solaise, or test your nerve on a Via Ferrata climb, where fixed cables and ladders guide you along sheer rock faces with heart-pounding views.

Wellbeing at the Summit

Val d’Isère’s sense of adventure is matched by a commitment to wellbeing and reflection. Nature walks led by Frank Bortolotti, a passionate mountain guide, invite visitors to reconnect with themselves while learning about the local ecosystem. His mindful walks encourage inner balance through movement, stillness, and connection to nature.

Wellness seekers will also find solace at the serene Le Refuge de Solaise, a luxury hotel at 2,551 metres. This summer, the hotel debuts its “Reconnexion” ritual, a five-step wellness journey that includes a polar bath, massage, solar reflexology, energising elixirs, and a private tea ceremony inside a panoramic bubble. With views stretching across the peaks, it’s a soul-soothing escape like no other.

A Summer of Celebration

Val d’Isère pulses with community spirit throughout the season, thanks to an exciting calendar of events:

13 June – Col de L’Iseran Opening: Celebrate the seasonal reopening of Europe’s highest road pass.

22 June – Iserane: A legendary cycle along closed roads from Val d’Isère to Bonneval.

5–13 July – High Trail Vanoise & French Mountain Running Championships.

16 July – Environment Day: A community clean-up event in the mountains.

26–27 July – Fête du Vieux Val: Fireworks, themed parades, and live music in the village.

29 & 31 July – Musixa-Ricerata Festival: An open-air music celebration for all ages.

2–3 August – 20th Foire Savoyarde ‘L’Avaline’: A traditional fair with artisanal crafts and activities.

15 August – Festival of Music & Fireworks: A lively celebration with drinks and dancing.

24 August – Fête de L’Ouillette: A fisherman’s fair and lakeside lunch at Lake Ouillette.

Val d’Isère in summer is a celebration of the senses—where wild landscapes meet refined experiences, and every visitor, from seasoned athletes to curious families, finds their perfect rhythm. Whether you’re coming for the altitude, the adventure, or just the view, this high-mountain paradise proves that life’s best moments don’t always happen on the slopes.

For more information, visit: www.valdisere.com

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