CLUB MED VAL D'ISERE, FRANCE JANUARY 18 to 26, 2020 
Base Price: $2,750 (All Inclusive)
Trip Leader: RITA TOGNI
Resort:
Val d'Isère is located in the Tarentaise area of France. Val d'Isère and the neighboring resort of Tignes are connected by lifts and slopes to form one of the largest ski resorts in France (over three times the size of any North American ski resort). The winter sports resort was previously called Espace Killy. It is located on the upper end of the Isère Valley. The ski resort and its slopes are partially located on glaciers. The Grande Motte Glacier in Tignes also attracts skiers in the summer.
Mountain:
At 1,850m (6,000 feet) Val d’Isère ski resort is among the highest resorts in Europe.
- 1850m is the lowest point and the skiing is all above this altitude, meaning that the average height of the ski area is considerably higher than other resorts where the accommodation is above 1800m. Vertical drop is a whopping 6.330 ft.!
- Many of the slopes are north facing, protecting them from the sun that blights south facing ski areas in March and April. The Grande Motte and Pissaillas glaciers have great skiing right to the end of the season.
- While benefiting from the same Atlantic depressions as other French resorts, Val often receives heavy snowfall from the Mediterranean low pressures which dump their snow on the Italian Alps. Once in a while, a local weather phenomenon known as the Retour d’Est results in heavy snow in Val while nearby resorts can only read the weather reports in disbelief.
Considerable investment over the last few years means that the Espace Killy has one of the best lift systems in the world with over 96 lifts of which the vast majority are high speed. They serve over 25,000 skiable acres (compared to Whistler Blackcomb’s 8,000). The variety is equally huge, with 57% of the terrain Beginner/Intermediate.
Val d'Isere is closely interconnected with the neighboring resorts of Tignes and La Daille. View the interactive trail map for the full scale of pistes and slopes.
Lodging:
The Club Med resort at Val d'Isere is situated in a tranquil location just above Val d'Isere centre and has ski-in and ski-out access making it the ideal location for those that want to spend as much time on the slopes as possible.
The resort has a contemporary alpine interior with stylishly decorated rooms using warm and welcoming fabrics to create a homely feel. Club rooms include TVs, hair dryers, tea and coffee kit, safes, and shower. All the rooms are on the smaller side in comparison to American hotels but this is because Club Med offers so much more in terms of entertainment that rooms are purely designed for sleeping and bathing.
Free WiFi access is available in specific resort areas (reception, bar, pool, rooms, and the business centre). The large indoor pool is situated on the lower ground floor of the resort and includes plenty of soft red padded loungers where you can relax after a swim.
All your meals are included in your package and the creative chefs offer 3 types of menus: discovery, fitness and universal. There are two restaurants, Le Bellevarde which is the main buffet restaurant and has tables for 4 or 8 people. There is also the Le Chalet du Charvet restaurant which specialises in Savoyard dishes (e.g. fondue) in a traditional intimate setting with waiter service. Guests also have the fantastic opportunity to take advantage of their meal exchange where you can enjoy your lunch in their Tignes Val Claret resort so you can easily explore the whole Espace Killy ski domain.
Number of Skiers: 40
Trip Includes:
Base Price: $2,750 (All Inclusive)
Ground Only price is $2,134 (does not include transfers to/from the airport and the resort. Not available until minimum group air reservations are met).
Cancellation Fees:
Through October 15, 2019, a $50 cancellation fee is assessed. After October 15, 2019, $50 plus all unrecoverable expenses if a replacement is not found.
Payment Schedule (per person):
Advance Deposit: $500
Remaining balance: of $2,250 is due on September 15, may be paid by credit card or check.
You may also pay in three monthly installments (by check only, not by credit card):
09/15/2019: $750
10/15/2019: $750
11/14/2019: $750
Please mail payment checks to SCWDC, 5309 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207. Do NOT mail payment checks to the trip leader.
If sign-up is after 9/15/2019, full payment is due immediately.
Participants must be current SCWDC members, or members of a BRSC affiliated ski club. You can sign up as a member online HERE.