Report from February 21, 2026
Yesterday I drove up from the rustic village of Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise to the luxurious town of Val d’Isère, France.
Val d’Isère–Tignes is the 3rd largest ski resort on Earth.
All three of the largest ski resorts on Earth are in this same valley, and we’ve skied them all on this trip, or at least tried to: Les Arcs and Les 3 Vallées included.
Spikey. Image: SnowBrains
I parked in a big underground garage and popped up out of the ground like a rabid squirrel right at the lifts.
This was the first and only day I’ve skied alone the entire trip (I’ve been out here since Feb 3). I had absolutely no idea where to go.
I jumped on the Olympique tram-gondola because I’d never seen a setup like that before.
Val d’Isere Tram/Gondola. Image: SnowBrains
Each cabin was massive, holding maybe 40 people or more, with tons of seating.
Everything is so civilized here.
At the top, it really started to sink in just how huge this place is. I looked around, picked something that looked fun, and went for it.
Arc time. Image: SnowBrains
Avalanche danger was still 4 out of 5, HIGH. We’re still dealing with a nasty persistent weak layer, so I searched out small, low-angle terrain and had a blast.
The sun came and went before disappearing completely in the early afternoon. I drank in every photon of light I could.
I waited forever in those avalanche fences, hoping for a window.
Gondola. Image: SnowBrains
It never came.
I ended my day at the top of a short hike, standing there waiting for light that also never came.
Eventually, I just hiked back down. Ha.
The brief flashes of sun I did get revealed an entirely different world.
Going up. Image: SnowBrains
This place is enormous. There is zero chance I could see it all in three days, even if I tried.
So fired up for the next two days here.
Oh, and I rode a funicular through a mountain to the top peak – a big first for me and very fancy feeling.
Always wanted to ride up in one of those…
Merci, la France.
One gorgeous track. Image: SnowBrains
Magic carpet tube ride. Image: SnowBrains
Tignes. Image: SnowBrains
Misty mountain hop. Image: SnowBrains
The arc. Image: SnowBrains
Very spikey. Image: SnowBrains
4/5 HIGH avy danger. Image: SnowBrains
Archway. Image: SnowBrains
Moody. Image: SnowBrains
Lifts everywhere. Image: SnowBrains
Art. Image: SnowBrains
What is this!? Image: SnowBrains
Horizons. Image: SnowBrains
Just lifts all over the place. Image: SnowBrains
My last line in the video in those avy fences. Image: SnowBrains
Big terrain. Image: SnowBrains
Endless. Image: SnowBrains
Lots of features like this at Tignes. Image: SnowBrains
Gondy. Image: SnowBrains
Textures. Image: SnowBrains
Big here. Image: SnowBrains
Val d’Isere. Image: SnowBrains
Funicular train to top! Image: SnowBrains
Inside the train in a tunnel. Image: SnowBrains
Sunset in Sainte Foy. Image: SnowBrains
Sunset from my room in Sainte Foy. Image: SnowBrains