English Weather, News, and Events - March 16, 2025

Weather: 

Today is looking snowy and a little bit grey, which if youre heading down the mountain today is probably good news as its no fun sitting in the car in glorious sunshine. We are expecting just 5cm throughout the course of the day.
The wind will be almost neglibible today, prevailing very gently from the north east then shifting round to the North West at lunch time.
Temperatures are set to reach a chilly maximum of -1 degree in town, and -6 on the peaks so it will feel a little brisker than this spring like weather weve had.
At 0900hrs temperatures were-9 degrees on Bellevarde, -3 degrees in Town, and -10 degrees on the Pisaillas glacier.
The road surfaces are mostly clear, but pavements can be slippery so do take care when moving around on foot.

Ski Report:

A snowy day if you are heading into the mountains today but most things will remain open.


In Le Fornet sector, everything will open today except the piste tunnel which remains closed.


On the Pissaillas Glacier, everything will open today - there is a chance combe de geant may close later but we will confirm that shortly.


Up in Solaise everything is open today including the whole beginners area and the toboganning piste. The only exception is the 3000 drag lift which is still closed due to lack of snow,


As for Bellevarde, everything will open, including both liaisons with Tignes—chairs Tommeuse and Borsat. I can confirm Piste Santons is closed due to avalanche risk and if this does happen and you are a good skier you can return to Val via Epaule du Charvet piste. If not, I recommend you take the Olympique bubble down as La Face is not famous for being beginner  friendly.


All walking, cross country and ski touring trails are also opening, so plenty of options for those looking to explore although its not exactly weather for it today!


The avalanche risk is 3/5 today.
With the appearance of this lovely fresh powder, you may excited to dust off your powder skis and go on a little adventure. I must remind you that the avalanche risk is always to be taken seriously, If you are heading off piste make sure you have got all the kit, dont be an all the gear and no idea kind of person … make sure you know how to use it! This includes a transiever, shovel and probe. Dont forget to pack your experience too...  or even better hire a guide if you are not sure what you are doing!
Also, light may be a little flat today, so dont forget your extra cool orange tinted lenses!

Roads:

This morning, the road surface was cleared, but it is snowing so do take extra care when moving around on wheels... or on foot!

News:

Today we are going on a deep dive into the labels and classifications that val d''isere and other holiday destinations can earn for specific reasons.
As a reminder, a label is a special tag or mark created by a professional union and affixed to a product intended for sale. Its main role is to guarantee that an organization or service complies with defined criteria. Val d’Isère has acquired three labels.
The first is the “Flocon Vert” label, introduced in July 2022 by a steering committee made up of local representatives such as the town hall, Val d’Isère Tourisme, Val d’Isère Téléphérique, Vie Val d’Is, and the ESF. The “Flocon Vert” label, developed by the Mountain Riders association, guarantees the sustainable commitment of mountain destinations. This strategy is based on three main areas: soft mobility, energy and housing, and sustainable initiatives. Destinations involved in this approach are assessed in four areas: governance and resilience of the destination, economy and local life, social and cultural dynamics, and resource management.
In November 2022, the certification committee awarded the “Flocon Vert” label to Val d’Isère for a period of three years. An intermediate audit was carried out last May to assess the implementation of the “Flocon Vert” strategy. The analysis was based on the 2022 specifications, with even stricter requirements in light of future environmental challenges.
The resort is also committed to families through its second label, "Famille Plus," which it has held since 2007. This label evaluates and highlights key aspects of the resort in terms of comfort, adapted services, and safety for family holidays. Val d’Isère Tourisme was audited for this label just last week, as explained by Cécile Ferrando, Marketing and Communication Director of Val d’Isère Tourisme:
"This was a renewal audit. An auditor comes to Val d’Isère to assess what we offer families and determines whether we can keep the label, based on facilities for children, activities offered, and the engagement of the local community—such as the availability of children's menus in restaurants. It’s important to note that businesses can also apply for individual certification. While we manage the labeling for the destination as a whole, hotels and businesses can also apply for certification on their own."
For over 15 years, Val d’Isère has also held the “Villes et Villages Fleuris” label, which recognizes municipalities for their efforts to enhance residents' quality of life and the attractiveness of their territory. The evaluation criteria include landscaping and floral displays, preservation of tangible and intangible heritage, natural resource management, educational initiatives, and the quality of recreational spaces. This label is committed to key issues such as hospitality, environmental respect, and social cohesion.
Val d’Isère received its second flower in the "Villes et Villages Fleuris" classification in 2012, and the label was renewed last year for another five years.

Certifications and Brands
Labels are generally associations supported by multiple organizations, but they should not be confused with brands and certifications, which are granted to specific businesses or municipalities with different objectives.
Among its brands, the Tourist Office obtained the “Qualité Tourisme” certification for the first time in 2017, then again in 2022, valid until 2027, with a 95% success rate. “Qualité Tourisme” is the only state-issued certification awarded to tourism professionals for the quality of their hospitality and services. The Tourist Office must meet several criteria, including customer service (both in-person and remotely), information management, customer satisfaction, and continuous service improvement.
Since last year, the Qualité Tourisme certification has evolved into the “Destination d'Excellence” label, which strengthens its criteria by adding new aspects such as accessibility for customers with disabilities and eco-responsibility, promoting a sustainable approach to managing the Tourist Office and its services.
This new label not only helps Val d'Isère attract more visitors but also offers other benefits. Cécile Ferrando explains:
"This ranking will also allow us to apply for the ‘Category 1 Tourist Office’ classification. That’s a different ranking that we submit to the prefecture. Once approved, Val d’Isère’s town hall can apply for the ‘classified tourist resort’ status. This is crucial because when a municipality is designated as a classified tourist resort, it gains the right to collect transfer duties, meaning a percentage of every sale made in Val d’Isère. So, these labels, rankings, and certifications help fund the municipality."
The Category 1 classification recognizes excellence in customer service based on two key criteria:
1. The relationship between the Tourist Office, the municipality, local businesses, and visitors
2. The administrative structure’s ability to meet customer expectations and legal requirements
Val d’Isère first obtained its Category 1 Tourist Office ranking in 2017, which was renewed in 2023 and remains valid until 2028.

Why These Labels Matter for a Ski Resort
These certifications help Val d’Isère improve and maintain high standards, but they also encourage cooperation among local stakeholders and offer other advantages, as explained by Cécile Ferrando:
"Labels have multiple benefits. First, they reassure customers, as we see with the ‘Famille Plus’ label for families. Second, they help us in broader communication campaigns. Being part of a labeled group means being mentioned in promotional efforts, which can increase visibility. Third, they help us gain market share, as certain travelers specifically seek out destinations with recognized labels. That’s why it’s important to choose the right labels."
The first official classification awarded to Val d’Isère was “Tourist Municipality and Classified Tourist Resort” in 1943, with the next renewal due in 2031. This designation is a public recognition of the town's efforts to structure its tourism offer.
Holding "classified tourist resort" status also provides various advantages, including:
Higher compensation for the mayor and deputies
Demographic reclassification for administrative purposes
The most recent label awarded to Val d’Isère is the ISO 20121 standard, which is a reference for the responsible management of event activities. It applies to all types of events, regardless of size, and encourages organizations to minimize their environmental impact.
The Conference Center committed to this process in 2023 and, after a full audit, obtained certification last year.
In addition to its labels and certifications, the resort also adheres to several charters, including:
"Montagne Zéro Déchet" (Zero Waste Mountain)
"Pour une montagne de confort" (For a Comfortable Mountain Experience)