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Arrival in Val D´Isere

viharnik10. 07. 2010 15:50:42

The planned four-day trip to Val D´Isere is fully successful behind me, with lots of beautiful impressions and daily performed tours in the beautiful mountain range of the mountain park Vanoise - 147,000 hectares area.
The route there led me via Venice, Milan, Aosta valley, over little Bernardo pass 2188m, where we drive into France. Next is still long descent of countless turns to the outskirts of town Seez at 900m a.s.l.. Here we turn left into Tignes valley and Val D´Isere. Wide mountain road climbs straight evenly through galleries and mesh protective slopes and finally through tunnels. After 28km ascent we overcome almost 1000 alt.m, where we arrive at worldly winter-summer multi-sport center. To Isere river valley we can also arrive from direction Torino-Col du mt.Cenis 2083m and further to village Lanslevillard, over highest pass Col De L´Iseran 2770m, where to Val D´Isere still 17km descent. Latter route is somewhat shorter in km, but more road ascents and serpentines. On both sides these Italians with salted tolls already here strip almost to the bones ;-Lj-Milano 23eur, Milano-Aosta 21eur or Milano-Torino-Col Du Mt.Cenis, similar amount. From Ljubljana via Aosta 792km, via Torino some 50-70km less, however more strenuous, suitable for return. Continuation follows...

Arrival in Val D´Isere Mountains above Aosta valley

Arrival in Val D´Isere First steep 17% ascent to the pass 1970m

Arrival in Val D´Isere Follows the descent to the mountain-enclosed village La Thuile 1490m

Arrival in Val D´Isere Here a local elder gestures with his finger respectfully and proudly, heart held high, pointing to Piccolo Bernardo pass 2188m

Arrival in Val D´Isere Long waterfalls on the mountains

Arrival in Val D´Isere Hut before the summit

Arrival in Val D´Isere And a few houses at the top

Arrival in Val D´Isere High mountains all around

Arrival in Val D´Isere The top of the pass is long

Arrival in Val D´Isere Sport paragliding with some tumbling on the grass

Arrival in Val D´Isere Statue by the road at the top

Arrival in Val D´Isere Settlement a little lower

Arrival in Val D´Isere Here one would really live in old age!

Arrival in Val D´Isere Frequent showers in Val d'Isère valley

Arrival in Val D´Isere Tignes from the road, below huge lake Lac du Chervil 1800m

Arrival in Val D´Isere After numerous tunnels and galleries along the lake I arrive at the goal-Val d'Isère 1800-1880m,1600 permanent residents.

viharnik10. 07. 2010 18:03:15

Town Val D´Isere is named after river Isere which flows through it. In it permanently live 1600 people. It has post office, pharmacy, gas station (only on Visa card!), butcher, bakery, cheese dairies and much more. In summer holidays town with ambiance offers all what sports person can wish. Pools, saunas, trim, mountain bikes, cable cars also in summer, ferratas, guiding with mountain guide to three-thousanders, alpine and alpinistic skiing long into July, canyoning, cycling passes with road bike, horse riding, tennis, volleyball, football, mini golf, gymnastics, pool swimming, tennis, archery etc. During winter holidays can host up to 25.000 people. These come from rich countries; Canada, England, Russia, Parisians, some Swedes, Norwegians and Swiss, Germans and almost no Italians, Austrians and others. According to lady living there 42 years for rent apartment for three persons need to pay 800eur/7days, pass for lifts 45eur/day/person. In winter get here only through expensive Mont Blanc tunnel. Ski resorts connected with Tignes and Col De Iseran and are by size far largest in Europe. Ski area surface measures for covering area of 25.000 Olympic football fields with 300 lift facilities. Winters long and with lots of snow, because fronts come from Mediterranean, as also Atlantic ocean. Town has 1-2m thick snow blanket, which increases with height up to 12m on mighty peaks. In past very few lift facilities, later only in 80s then every year due to boom of valley after winter sports and need, built additional facilities. Food cuisine excellent French and varied (not only Ital. pasta). All provisions which arrive daily to settlement are first-class from surrounding local places and one better than other worth the butter. On Mondays in van outdoors roast chicken which is very tasty, quality for only 2eur/large thigh. Cheeses from valleys where cows eat only flowers, in short mecca in mountains!. Locals friendly, hospitable, dignified to others, less wordy, quite different from Italians. For purchase of real estate in this town I do not recommend to you: studio-110.000eur, apt.65m-450.000eur, house 185m-1.500.000eur. Town has its fund for arranging surroundings and buildings, plowing in winter, so that for 53m apartment each monthly contributes 300eur donations + other communal costs. My stay cost only 7eur/day +1eur shower, because France one of cheapest countries in area of camping. In tomorrow continuation then mountain tours!. Lp