The Telegraph calls Val d’Isère, France their “favorite ski resort.” In many ways, its the ideal Alpine town, matched with absolutely spectacular slopes that leap into the sky. Forbes calls the experience “seamless,” and after our trip here two years ago, we knew we needed to return as soon as possible. It’s an absolutely fantastic resort!

The area is massive. Adjoining the neighboring resort of Tignes, the combined area offers 94 lifts, stretching across more than 100,000 hectares of skiable terrain. It’s impossible to ski or ride it all in just a week. March is the perfect time to go. Fresh snowfall is common, where the top altitude rises to 3,456 meters (11,338 feet), providing incredible conditions well into spring. 

We’re especially happy to invite you to discover Val d’Isère & Tignes during the annual European Snow Pride, one of the biggest gay ski weeks in Europe. Our itinerary will include our own fun, along with the chance to enjoy their events, too.

Space on this trip is limited. Sign up today and save $100!

Sign up now to visit Val d’Isère and Tignes >
Saturday March 16 to Saturday March 23, 2021
Six -- Sunday through Friday
Village of Val d’Isère, France
Recommended for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels
$2999 per personsave $100 if you pay in full | Sign up >
We reserve the right to cancel, reschedule, or make changes in the trip itinerary as a result of weather or safety considerations or as otherwise deemed necessary or advisable. If your trip is cancelled or rescheduled due to weather, snow, or mountain conditions, or circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a partial credit toward a future trip. All trip credits may be applied to any trip in the SKI BUMS future. There is no expiration date.

SKI BUMS is not responsible for the cost of any additional expenses that you may incur as a result of trip rescheduling or cancellation (airline ticketing fees, etc.).

To use a credit for a future deposit or payment, please
contact us directly.
Through August 30, you may cancel your spot at any time and receive a full refund. After September 1, the following cancellation fees apply:

For cancellations received from September 1 - October 31, $1000 fee. After November 1st, 2018: no refund.

In order to obtain our bulk group discounts, we must agree to a very strict cancellation policy. It's the nature of group travel. Think of your SKI BUMS booking as you would an airline reservation; even we find someone to take your place,
the cancellation fees still apply.

If you buy travel insurance, you can still receive a refund for a cancelled SKI BUMS trip.

To cancel your SKI BUMS trip, click here >
Buy travel insurance. We cannot stress this enough.

A travel insurer can provide a refund even when SKI BUMS cannot. In the circumstance that you need to cancel your trip because of work or health reasons, you should purchase travel insurance within 30 days of your initial trip deposit.

Even if you purchase travel insurance after this date, some coverage is much better than no coverage at all. Our cancellation policy is strict, and after cancellation fees kick in, a travel insurer may be your only chance for a full refund.

There are many travel insurers, and policies are very affordable. We especially recommend
travelinsured.com, and suggest you add the sports package to cover skiing & snowboarding activity.
$2899 USD per person if you pay in full | double occupancy
$2999 USD per person if you pay with a deposit

-- additional options --

$1000 USD supplement for single occupancy in a standard room
$800 USD supplement to have your own room within a 2-bedroom suite
$1000 deposit due at sign up, or pay in full and save $100 off the trip price

Balance due December 1; you may always submit partial payments if you’d like to pay early.

To pay your balance online, click here >

These are the dates for those who sign up today. Pricing and payment dates may change for those who sign up at a later date, if space remains. Late payments are subject to a 5% late-payment fee. It is up to you to submit your payments on time. You may always pay early.
You may pay with any major credit card, cash or check.
UPDATE: LIFT PASSES are now included with our trip price

If you have the Vail Resorts Epic Pass, which qualifies you for free (and reduced price) lift passes here -- or if you or your partner do not ski / ride — you may opt not to pay for lift passes at trip signup. We’ll remove $300 from your amount due.
Shortly before we travel, all participants will submit a Travel Portfolio, where we'll collect your flight information, dietary restrictions, roommate requests, emergency contact info, skill level, and other pertinent details. We'll email everyone and post the link here when it's time to submit it.
SKI BUMS designs our season for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, but we make specific recommendations for each trip. On ALL SKI BUMS trips, we begin by dividing into skill level groups so you can identify those who enjoy the same terrain that you do. 

See how our groups work >

We recommend this trip for all levels of skiers and riders. 

The slopes of Val d’Isère and Tignes are well-suited for everyone. There are ample beginner areas, abundant groomed intermediate runs, and exhaustive off-piste areas for those who are looking for a good challenge. It’s the Alps — it’s hard to go wrong. 

SKI BUMS hosts trips to the Alps every season. Historically, a small handful of participants are beginner skiers and riders. About a third are intermediates, and about half are advanced / expert skiers and riders. If you have any questions about whether you'll enjoy the terrain here, please contact us before signing up.
For a more relaxed, well-rested itinerary, you may want to arrive early, particularly if you’re traveling from outside Europe. If you’d like to stay overnight in Geneva, here’s a hotel in Geneva that we recommend.

As for additional nights and accommodations, SKI BUMS trip leaders are happy to offer advice, but we cannot book additional nights for you at our hotel in Val d’Isère, and we will not be on hand to offer travel assistance beyond the official dates of our itinerary.

For more discussion about trip extensions -- and to see if others would like to join you -- join the discussion on our Facebook group >
Air transportation is not included. Read these recommendations closely before buying airfare. We recommend air travel to Geneva, but here are additional airport options.

PLANNING YOUR AIR TRAVEL

HEAD'S UP: You'll want to be smart and cautious about buying your airfare, so you can take advantage of the best train transfer options and optimize your arrival and departure days. 


KEY DETAILS & SUGGESTIONS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRAVEL

Friday March 15
If you are departing from outside Europe, you’ll likely depart on Friday to arrive in Europe on Saturday. 

Saturday, March 16

+ ArrivalAim to land in Geneva by 14:00 local time
+ After landing: transfer to Val d’Isère
+ 15:00 PM: Our rooms will be ready for check-in. If you arrive earlier, the hotel can store luggage
+ Afternoon: Get settled and pick up equipment rentals
+ 20:00 PM: The trip officially begins at our Meet & Greet in the hotel, where you'll meet the trip leaders and your fellow participants, followed by first our group dinner. Don’t miss this!

- - - - - - - - - 

Saturday, March 23

+ Morningcheck-out of our hotel
+ Afternoon: transfer to your destination of choice

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you are flying from Geneva, we do not suggest departing any earlier than 2:00 PM on Saturday. You’ll need to allow travel time from the mountains to the airport, which can be delayed in snowy weather. Some participants will choose to stay Saturday night in Geneva.
BY BUS | Cars won’t be necessary during our trip. We suggest booking a shared ground transfer shuttle from the Geneva Airport. Snowbus is a reliable shuttle with multiple departures each day; you can book transfers with return for £89. We strongly suggest booking your ground transfer at least seven days in advance.

Select Val d’Isère UCPA as your shuttle stop. From here, it’s a short walk to our hotel.

View schedules and book a ground transfer from Geneva to Val d’Isère >


BY TRAIN | For those who opt to travel to the Alps by train, we suggest visiting the Eurostar or Euro Rail site to plan your trip. 

Book your train tickets via Rail Europe >


COORDINATE TRAVEL WITH THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS:

Have you got questions about how the trains or bus transfers work, or would you like to book travel alongside other BUMS?

Post a message on our Val d’Isère & Tignes Facebook Group >
Forbes calls Val d’Isère (and Tignes) one of the world’s best ski resorts:

“It is arguably the
most user friendly major European resort, has a staggering amount of skiing, and gets the most reliable snow, a combo that is hard to beat. The icing on the cake is that Val d’Isere has long been the favorite spot in the Alps for British skiers, so it is totally geared up to the English-speaker, from waiters to ski instructors to rental shops, with no language barrier.”

Here’s what 
Powderhounds says: 

Val d’Isère is a premium French alpine resort that oozes charm and panache. The calibre of the skiing is also world class, and the resort hosts numerous international skiing competitions annually. Along with nearby Tignes ski resort, Val d’Isère forms the self-titled "Most Beautiful Ski Area in the World".

For a resort this historic and charming, its lifts are wonderfully modern. The area’s 71 lifts include a brand new gondola with heated seats and wi-fi. Huge trams carry skiers and riders up more than 1,900 meters of vertical. The terrain includes ample slopes for everyone. Beginners have the rare opportunity to enjoy easy terrain at high altitude, with the same spectacular views that the experts enjoy. Intermediates have extensive options among well-groomed pistes. Speed-loving shredders can test their skills on the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics downhill courses. Those who enjoy heading off-piste can find gnarly chutes, fun-filled tree runs, and secret stashes of powder.

Truthfully, this resort is perfect for just about everybody. If you’ve never been skiing or snowboarding in the Alps before, it’s a fantastic way to find out what you’ve been missing. The BUMS who took our 2017 trip here absolutely loved it.
SKI BUMS anticipates what you'll need to know, and when you'll need to know it. We email valuable pre-trip information to all our participants, in numbered Info Packs. You'll need to receive them and read them closely, so it's crucial that you've provided an email address to us that you check regularly. Gmail users: you need to take extra steps to see our emails.

Click here to view instructions >

The vast majority of our important trip info is located right here on this page.
Bookmark it!
Who's coming on the trip? Find out by joining our special SKI BUMS Val d’Isère Facebook Group. Whether you're simply curious about signing up or you're already on board, everyone's welcome to join this Facebook group. Feel free to invite friends, too -- it's a cool way to begin learning names of the skiers and boarders who you'll meet when we're in France! if you decide not to join us, we'll remove you from the group before the trip begins.

In advance of the trip, the BUMS use this group to share travel plans and coordinate meet ups for ground transfers. During and after the trip, they share pics and messages with one another. You'll see posts like "who's on the 1 PM flight into Geneva?” and "who's up for fresh tracks tomorrow?"

Request to join the Val d’Isère Facebook group >
Of course, weather is impossible to predict, but SKI BUMS plans our trips with an eye on weather history. Snowfall in the French Alps is most reliable from late-December through mid April. March is historically this area’s snowiest month. The very high altitudes (and massive glaciers) make the French Alps wonderfully snowy and beautiful through the spring. The mid-point of March is an idealtime to enjoy quality conditions, and there's a good chance of fresh powder snow storms, mixed with days of beautiful warm sun. Historically, this period offers pretty much the best of both worlds. Great snow up on the mountain, and sunny afternoons for après-ski!

Our rooms are guaranteed after 3 PM on Saturday the 16th. When you arrive, you'll simply check in at the hotel as your normally would. Please have your passport handy for identification.

After checking in, you'll want to visit the town, get acquainted and pick up any rental ski / snowboard equipment. There's a rental shop just across the street.
Our trip officially begins with a meet & greet welcome reception in the bar of the Avancher at 8 PM, followed by dinner immediately following. You won't want to miss this; it’s the chance to meet your fellow France BUMS!
This trip has a minimum of 20 participants. If we fail to meet our minimum number of registered participants by 30 days before the trip, the trip may be cancelled. In that event, those who have signed up for the trip will receive a full refund.
+ Seven night stay in Val d’isère
+ Six day lift pass for Val d’Isère / Tignes
+ Daily delicious hot breakfasts
+ Three multi-course dinners
+ Welcome reception

+ A daily itinerary of guided activities, terrain recommendations and and hosted events
+ Recommendations and trip updates, delivered to your mobile phone
+ Trip organization, guidance and assistance from SKI BUMS trip leaders

+ Air transportation
+ Train transportation
+ Ski and snowboard equipment rental
+ Lunches, some dinners

+ Travel insurance (very highly recommended)
+ Saturday, March 16: Check-in day: arrive in Val d’Isère by 5:00 PM

+ Sunday March 17 - Friday March 22: Ski & ride 

+ Saturday March 23: Check-out day: travel home

(Note: for any participants traveling from outside Europe, please closely read the air transportation recommendations below)
Our trip leaders design an itinerary that highlights the best spots in the region, with up-to-the-minute reports that you'll receive on your mobile device (see below). View a sample itinerary >

The on-mountain adventure begins bright and early on Sunday. We divide into skill level groups that help you identify the other skiers and snowboarders who enjoy the same terrain that you do, and then we divide and conquer the mountain! Learn about our skill level groups. >

Because the terrain here is expansive, the trip leaders generally name a broad area where the group will spend each day, particularly for the first three days. That'll allow us to travel together and gather as a group for lunch, enjoying some of the delicious offerings of Alpine cuisine. Later in the week, you'll have more freedom and flexibility to choose your own adventure! In general, you'll spend most of the day in a smallish group of four or five skiers or boarders -- but that's up to you. The BUMS are a social crowd, so it's always easy to find others to join in the fun. 

You and your group will set your own pace, and it's common to mix it up with a few different groups throughout the week. As the week progresses, you can explore more terrain or spend a day at the spa. This is your holiday, so you're always free to break away and do your own thing.

Learn more about how SKI BUMS trips work >
You must have a cell phone that will work while we are in France. It will need to be able to receive domestic SMS text messages, even when you are not on Wi-Fi.

During the trip, SKI BUMS leaders send text message alerts with itinerary information, transportation pickup times, lunch recommendations, weather advisories, and more. Additionally, the other trip participants text one another to coordinate their plans on the mountain. We advise against renting a SIM card for use while in-country; this usually creates more problems than it solves. We recommend that you budget for an international plan that includes voice, data and SMS messaging.

View our communications guide for important information >
On the mountain: you should arrive in-country with all your skiing & snowboarding apparel. SKI BUMS requires our trip participants to wear helmets while skiing & riding. See our helpful guide, How to Dress for the Mountain, for suggestions. Val d’Isère has many, many gear & apparel shops, but prices will be a bit elevated, so pack wisely.

Off the mountain: all our events are casual dress. As you can pretty easily see, the BUMS are a casual, laid-back crowd; we aren't flashy. Be yourself, and be comfortable -- just as you would on any skiing / snowboarding trip.

A few vital packing tips:

+
Pack your skiing and snowboarding apparel in your carry on bag. Delayed luggage can arrive three days late; you won't want to have to buy all new stuff to make it onto the mountain.
+ Be sure to pack
winter wear shoes with a good tread; expect snowy, icy streets.
+ Don't forget
sunscreen for the high-altitude UV exposure, and a swimsuit for the spa!

Read our helpful tips on how to pack your gear for a skiing / snowboarding trip >
We limit the number of participants for all SKI BUMS trips. This trip will sell out.

Signing up is simple. You'll simply provide your information, then proceed to payment.

After we've received your signup & payment, you'll receive an
confirmation via email that you're registered for the trip.

GMAIL users: please be sure to check your Promotions Tab for our emails, and learn how to adjust Gmail's filters >
Our trip includes daily breakfasts and three multi-course dinners at great restaurants in Val d’Isère. (We can easily accommodate vegetarians, those with allergies, or special diets.) For our other evenings, you’ll be free to dine wherever you wish.

For our lunches, we'll have suggested restaurants at on-mountain chalets where we'll connect as a group -- the costs for these lunches is up to you. A typical lunch in a good chalet costs about 25 USD. Thankfully, the cuisine goes far beyond your classic ski lodge burgers and chili dogs. You’ll find a whole host of international cuisine, with a natural focus on French Alpine food. The dishes at some of these chalets are excellent, truly, but chances are good that you’ll remember the views more than whatever you had for lunch.

And when you’re dining at Val d’Isère’s most
famous chalet, La Folie Deuce, that view includes an absolutely over-the-top cabaret show, complete with live musicians and dancers. And, an absolutely fabulous emcee. It must be seen to be believed!

We are happy to arrange roommates for you. Typically, half of our participants ask us to match them up with a roommate. We'll ask a few easy questions and accommodate your preferences.

If you prefer your own room, you may select a single occupancy (for a standard room) or select your own bedroom within a 2 BR Suite. We collect the single occupancy supplement when you sign up (View "Pricing & Payment" below). Please note: there are only a small number of single occupancy slots available. Single occupancies tend to sell out very quickly.
Avancher | Val d’Isère

We’re very happy to be staying at Avancher, the hotel the Telegraph calls Val d’Isère’s “best boutique” lodge, a hotel that just underwent a gorgeous top-to-bottom renovation complete with a new sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and modern touches throughout (including Tesla charging stations in the garage). It’s currently ranked at the top of the town’s Trip Advisor reviews. Avancher sits along Val d’Isère’s main thoroughfare, just a five minute walk from the center of town.

Our lodging is brilliantly located just a short walk from the ski lifts. You’ll love strolling through the nearby streets, where you can step into charming cafes, visit inviting boutiques and sample delicious French bakeries. (There are too many delicious restaurants to visit on one trip!) It’s everything you want in a charming Alpine town. 

After a day on the slopes, relax your muscles in the sauna with its own view of the mountains, or enjoy a relaxing après-ski drink in front of the fireplace at the cozy on-site bar.


When it’s time to rest your head, relax in one of our comfortable, modern rooms. We have two different room types for this trip:

STANDARD ROOM: Either 2 single beds or a King size double bed and an elegant bathroom.
23 square meters, terrace or balcony, flat-screen smart TV, WiFi + network, kettle, mini fridge, laptop safe, and maximum soundproofing. These rooms are for 1 or 2 guests.

2 BEDROOM SUITE: Either 2 single beds in each room, or a King size double bed in one room and 2 single beds in the second bedroom. Two elegant bathrooms. 52 square meters, terrace or balcony, flat-screen smart TV, WiFi + network, kettle, mini fridge, laptop safe, and maximum soundproofing. These rooms are for 3 or 4 guests.

When you sign up, you can choose a standard room or a 2-bedroom suite. You do not need to know the names of your roommates when you sign up.

Val d’Isère is a classic Alpine town; it’s charming. Adorable, even. Loads of fun to explore on foot. The town is significantly more built-up than Tignes, but each town has its charms. 

Because the ski areas of Val d’Isère and Tignes are so massive, the area is served by extensive free (and cheap) buses which transport skiers throughout the various lift areas and ski stations. When you’d like to save time, the BUMS will often opt to share taxi rides.

Learn more about how to get around Val d’Isère >
The Espace Killy comprises the two resorts of Val d’Isère and Tignes. The expanse of terrain is massive; it’s hard to capture the scope and size in maps. View the combined trail maps >

For those who ski or ride at an advanced level, we recommend hiring private guides for a day or two, especially if you’d like to stretch into the deeper recesses of off-piste terrain, where glaciers, cliffs and crevasses pose a significant challenge. We’ll help connect you with others at your skill level who might like to also hire a guide. You should book a few days before our arrival, once the weather forecast comes into sharper focus.

If you'd like to take skiing or snowboarding lessons, we recommend waiting until we arrive in France to visit ski schools and book your instructors, so you can book instructors at the specific resorts that the group will be visiting each day. See the daily plan below.
About half of our participants will rent skis or snowboards. We do NOT recommend reserving equipment in advance; despite the chance to save some Euros, it often locks you into a particular rental shop that may not have the specific gear you'd prefer to use.

Instead, we'll encourage you to arrive at our hotel with enough time to shop around and pick up gear that suits you. There’s a rental shop located just opposite our hotel.
If you're new to the group or haven't joined us in a long time, click here to see how things work >
Want to see the SKI BUMS around the world who love the mountains as much as you do? When you post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, use the hashtag #skibums!
We've got lots of inside advice for those who are taking their first SKI BUMS trip. Click here >
IMPORTANT NOTE: we do not permit skiers and snowboarders to arrange their own lodging and join our events without setting up a Custom Trip and pre-paying for our guided events and group meals. Custom Trip spaces are very limited. Contact us here to set up a Custom Trip >