VAL D'ISÈRE DISCOVERY
In the year 1920, there was a small village situated high up in a wide valley. Village life was governed by the rhythm of the seasons. Its inhabitants hibernated through the winter months, shrouded in snow for eight months of the year. Only the short summer months allowed them to work in the fields, produce cheeses and lace. This harsh life didn’t hold many prospectives and many of them left the village.
However, the magic touch alone wasn’t enough. When building the resort, people had to face difficulties such as the complicated division of rural land, the fact that there was neither electricity nor water supply and no safe road access. They also had to contend with problems linked to the high altitude, weather conditions and its isolation from the rest of the valley.
Val d’Isère was fully operational after the
Then winter sports became fashionable. The resort of Val d’Isère was born under a lucky star. Extremely lucky as Val d’Isère held three trump cards.
- Firstly was the site, already considered in the thirties as one of the best places for skiing
- Secondly was the construction of the road leading to the Iseran pass, linking Bourg St Maurice to Italy during the summer months.
- Firstly was the site, already considered in the thirties as one of the best places for skiing
- Secondly was the construction of the road leading to the Iseran pass, linking Bourg St Maurice to Italy during the summer months.
second world war. The village had been successfully converted into a ski resort with its traditions and rural site intact. People flocked to Val d’Isère, they helped build its international reputation on merits such as an exceptional skiing area and a welcoming village. World famous skiing champions also helped to build Val d'Isere's international reputation (H Oreiller, Goitschel sisters,JC Killy)
This road was inaugurated in 1937.
- Thirdly was that Val d’Isère had the determination of three people who strongly believed in the resort's potential. Mr Charles Diebold, Mr and Mrs Jacques Mouflier lead by Mr Nicolas Bazile, the local Mayor, invested such as time and energy creating and promoting the resort as an international skiing haven.
- Thirdly was that Val d’Isère had the determination of three people who strongly believed in the resort's potential. Mr Charles Diebold, Mr and Mrs Jacques Mouflier lead by Mr Nicolas Bazile, the local Mayor, invested such as time and energy creating and promoting the resort as an international skiing haven.
On the initiative of Mayor A Degouey, the resort centre was completely redesigned in the Eighties for 1992 Olympics, with the construction of many new buildings. A new generation of athletes still keeps the champion flame burning (P. Bianchi, M Bozzetto, P Paquin, I Jacquemod). Today Val d’Isère changing once more with increased awareness of the protection of its environment and listening to what its clients want.