Together with Tignes, Espace Killy offers 300km of pistes and 107km of blues. The altitude keeps snow reliable from November through May.
If you're looking for the best blue runs in Val d'Isère, you're in the right place — but know this upfront: Val d'Isère grades its runs harder than almost any other resort in the Alps. A blue here would be a red in many other resorts. That said, there are genuinely accessible intermediate runs across all three sectors — Solaise, Bellevarde, and Le Fornet — and the Le Fornet glacier is one of the best-kept secrets for easy skiing at altitude in the entire Espace Killy.
This guide covers the blue runs that are actually manageable for confident intermediates, with honest notes on what each one is really like. One honest community consensus worth stating: Val d'Isère is not a great resort for nervous intermediates or mixed-ability families. A resort instructor told a Reddit user directly: 'try and avoid Val altogether as it's not really so good for gentle slopes.' Multiple experienced posters agreed: 'Next time I'd suggest the Three Valleys or Paradiski for a better mix of runs.' If your group includes very nervous skiers, Méribel or Les Menuires will make everyone happier.
That said, for confident intermediates the blues here — especially the Madeleine area and the upper Solaise plateau — are genuinely excellent and often quiet.
Blue runs (19) tap any run to zoom in on map
Easy Blue Blue Blue+ (tough)
Funival (Val d'Isère)
The Funival is a funicular railway that departs from inside the village of Val d'Isère — you board it right in the centre of town. Taillay starts at the Funival's top station and runs gently back down through the forest toward the village.
Gentle, tree-lined, and the perfect first blue for entering Espace Killy. Calm, quiet, consistently groomed.
Solaise Express
The Solaise Express chair starts right at the edge of Val d'Isère village, on the south side of the valley. Face de Solaise runs down the open, sunny south-facing slope with the entire valley visible below you — you can see the village from the whole run.
Sweeping, consistently pitched blue with panoramic views down into the valley. An excellent morning warm-up.
Borsat Chair
On the quieter north side of the Solaise sector, away from the main village runs. The Borsat chair is reached from the top of the Solaise sector — a good place to escape the crowds on a busy day.
Wide and well-groomed with good morning sun. Quieter than the main village runs — a locals' favourite.
Glacier Chair (Solaise)
Plan Milet is in the high Solaise sector. Take the Solaise Express gondola from the village centre, then the Glacier chair up to around 2,700m. The run crosses a high-alpine plateau with the full Espace Killy spread below you. One of the easiest runs in the resort — and one of the most scenically extraordinary.
A long, easy glacier blue at altitude — wide, consistently groomed, rarely busy. Best in the morning when the snow is firm. The views over the Espace Killy from up here are extraordinary.
Leissieres Express chairlift
The Leissieres Express is known locally as the 'Up and Over' — it takes you from the Solaise sector, crosses the ridge at 2,226m and deposits you on the other side into the Le Fornet valley. This is Val d'Isère's quieter, most intermediate-friendly sector. The blue run here is wide, rolling and consistently gentle — a welcome contrast to the busier Solaise and Bellevarde sectors.
One of the few runs in Val d'Isère that intermediates can ski without second-guessing the grading. Quiet, wide and genuinely easy — the Le Fornet valley sees a fraction of the traffic of the main sectors. Excellent snow quality thanks to the altitude and north-facing aspect.
Cascade Express chairlift (Le Fornet sector)
Le Fornet is the furthest sector from Val d'Isère village — take the free shuttle bus to Le Fornet hamlet (10 min), then the cable car and Vallon bubble to reach the Pissaillas glacier at over 3,100m. This is one of the most snow-sure areas in the entire Espace Killy — the glacier blues here are wide, gentle and often have excellent snow when the lower runs are icy or slushy. A resort instructor explicitly recommended this area to a nervous intermediate: 'stay high and don't take the reds or blacks into the village as they're horrible and won't do her confidence any good.' The Pissaillas glacier is exactly what stay-high means: 3,000m+, reliable snow, gentle terrain, and no pressure to descend toward the village.
The Pissaillas glacier is genuinely one of the best-kept secrets in Val d'Isère for intermediate skiers — it is consistently uncrowded, the snow is reliably excellent, and the blue runs across the glacier plateau are as easy as anything in the resort. Worth the extra 20 minutes of travel to get there.
Madeleine chairlift (Solaise sector)
The Madeleine chairlift sits in the heart of the Solaise sector, accessed from the top of the Solaise Express gondola from the village centre. The Madeleine run is one of the easiest blues in the resort — wide, open, well-groomed, at around 2,300m. Used by ski schools daily and perfect for warming up before heading higher.
The single most-recommended run in Val d'Isère for nervous intermediates and confidence-building skiers. When a Reddit user asked for 'wide, easy blues with lots of stopping points you can lap' for a nervous wife, the answer was immediate: 'Madeleine.' Multiple people confirmed: 'any of the top areas seem to have long blues — Glaciers, Madeleine.' The key insight from a resort instructor (confirmed on Reddit): stay high on the mountain. The lower runs into Val village are a different world — much steeper, icier, and condition-dependent. The Madeleine area sits in the upper ski area and doesn't suffer from the deteriorating conditions that make the valley-floor runs treacherous in the afternoon. Important caveat from a first-hand account: Madeleine has a narrow, abrupt start and an actual cliff on one side. A Reddit poster described it as genuinely terrifying despite being a short, officially easy piste — the instructor had to ski backwards holding her ski tips to guide her down. The exposure to the mountain edge caused full anxiety attacks. This does not contradict the run being technically easy for confident intermediates — but if you or anyone in your group has anxiety about exposure or steep edges, Pim Pam Poum (the drag lifts at the top of Solaise) is a better starting point. Start on Pim Pam Poum to build confidence before attempting Madeleine.
Vallon gondola (Le Fornet sector)
Aiguille Pers is in the Le Fornet glacier sector — accessed via the Le Fornet cable car from the valley, then the Vallon gondola. It runs across the lower glacier terrain, wide and open, at around 2,600m. As noted by multiple expert guides, this run is 'wide, easy and often empty' — an unusual combination in Val d'Isère.
Possibly the best easy blue in the entire resort — wide, genuinely gentle, and almost always uncrowded because most skiers head straight to the more challenging runs in the area. The views of the glacier above and the valley below are extraordinary. Combine with the Pissaillas blues for a full glacier day.
Téléphérique du Solaise (from village)
The Solaise cable car departs directly from Val d'Isère village and is one of the most iconic lifts in French skiing — it has operated since 1942. The blue run from the Solaise plateau winds back down to the village through open terrain with spectacular Isère valley views. The easiest way to ski Val d'Isère's famous terrain.
Take the first Solaise cable car of the day — the piste is freshly groomed and there is nobody on it. The views of the valley below and the Aiguille Percée peak above are extraordinary. This run is why Val d'Isère is worth visiting even for intermediates who find the blacks and steeper runs intimidating. Important warning for any Val d'Isère visitor: La Face (the famous World Cup downhill black run back into the village) runs from this area. It is specifically NOT the blue run we're describing here — but it's easy to accidentally end up on it if you follow crowds toward the village. At the end of the day La Face becomes a genuine ice sheet at the bottom. One Reddit post described: '300 mixed-ability skiers trying to get down, people lying everywhere when they hit the ice.' If you're skiing back to Val village in the afternoon, check which run you're on.
Télésiège du Manchet (Manchet valley)
The Manchet valley is the sheltered lower area of Val d'Isère — accessed by the Manchet chairlift. The Rhône-Alpes run follows the valley floor through pine forest, a completely different character from the open high-altitude blues. In bad weather or flat light, this is the run to do.
The tree cover here provides definition when the upper mountain is a whiteout. If the visibility is poor on the Solaise or Bellevarde, head to the Manchet valley — it skis completely differently and is often quiet because most visitors head straight for the high areas. A hidden gem.
Télécabine de Bellevarde (main gondola from village)
Criterium descends from the Bellevarde plateau — the main ski area above Val d'Isère village — toward the mid-mountain area. It's a long, consistent intermediate blue with some of the best views of the Espace Killy ski area. Part of the same plateau that hosts the famous Criterium de la Première Neige World Cup race.
The name comes from the famous early-season World Cup downhill race held on Val d'Isère's race piste. This blue is the gentler alternative on the same mountain. The Bellevarde gondola from the village is fast — 7 minutes to the top. Ski Criterium to understand the layout of the Bellevarde area before venturing further.
Télécabine du Pisaillas (upper glacier)
The Pisaillas glacier area is Val d'Isère's high-altitude terrain — reached by the Pisaillas gondola from the Col de l'Iseran road area. Plan de l'Hospice is a glacier blue at over 3,000m altitude with outstanding views of the Espace Killy and the Italian border peaks. Snow-reliable even in thin-snow years.
Go here when lower snow conditions are poor — the glacier holds snow all season. On a clear day the views from 3,000m+ are jaw-dropping: you can see across to Tignes's Grande Motte glacier and deep into Italy. One of the few genuine glacier blues in the Alps accessible to intermediate skiers without a guide.
Funival (funicular) or Olympique gondola → Borsat Express chair
Grand Pré sits on the Bellevarde plateau — the area reached by the Funival funicular from the centre of Val d'Isère or the Olympique gondola from La Daille. It is part of what locals call the 'green triangle': a loop of greens and blues (Grand Pré, Borsat, Mont Blanc, Genepy) that can be skied continuously without committing to a long descent. The Olympique gondola can take you back down at any point.
The most-recommended terrain in Val d'Isère for absolute beginners and nervous intermediates. Multiple experienced visitors independently confirmed: if you want wide, easy, confidence-building runs, the green triangle is the answer. One Reddit commenter who learned to snowboard here called it exactly right: 'you can just keep going round.' Start here on day one without exception. The gondola down means no pressure to ski the intimidating lower runs.
Borsat Express chairlift (Bellevarde plateau)
Borsat is one of the quartet of easy runs on the Bellevarde plateau — alongside Grand Pré, Mont Blanc, and Genepy. All accessed from the Funival or Olympique gondola. The Borsat Express chair is the lift that keeps the loop going. The plateau sits at around 2,800m with panoramic views of the Espace Killy.
Part of the green triangle that local instructors and experienced visitors consistently name as the best beginner and early intermediate terrain in Val d'Isère. Wide, uncrowded compared to the lower runs, and reliable snow quality at altitude. The area is explicitly different from the deceptive 'green' runs lower down — this terrain genuinely deserves its easy grading.
Borsat Express or Olympique gondola area (Bellevarde plateau)
Genepy completes the green triangle with Grand Pré and Borsat. Named after the local alpine herb used in the famous Savoyard liqueur. The run has a slightly more rolling character than the others in the loop but remains comfortably easy. Quieter than Mont Blanc and Borsat.
On your second lap of the green triangle, include Genepy for a change of scenery. The views from this part of the Bellevarde plateau open toward the Manchet valley and the peaks above La Fornet. A genuinely enjoyable easy run, not just a learning track.
Aiguille Percée chairlift (Tignes side of Espace Killy)
The Sache run is one of the best-kept secrets in the Espace Killy for intermediate skiers — a 1.2km vertical descent from the Aiguille Percée (a famous natural rock arch with a hole through the peak, worth seeing in itself) down to the small village of Les Brevieres. A Reddit visitor described it as 'usually quiet' with 'a bail-out traverse before you get to the challenging bottom section.'
One of the most rewarding runs in the Espace Killy for intermediates willing to explore the Tignes side. The Aiguille Percée at the top is a genuinely spectacular natural landmark — a mountain peak with a literal hole through it. Ski through the arch for the classic photo. La Bouida restaurant at Les Brevieres at the bottom does excellent pizza — plan this as a lunch run. The bottom section can get icy later in the day; use the bail-out traverse if conditions look rough.
Vallon gondola (Le Fornet area, end of valley)
Le Fornet is at the far end of the Val d'Isère valley and gets far less traffic than the Bellevarde and Solaise areas. The Vallon gondola takes you to a high-altitude area with wide, easy blues. Reddit consensus: 'all blue slopes here are easy and wide.' A resort instructor specifically mentioned Fornet as a good option for nervous intermediates. One caveat: the red run back down (Mangar) is 'not difficult, more of a hard blue' — but beginners should take the gondola down.
The quietest easy blues in the entire resort. Fornet gets a different weather pattern from the rest of Val d'Isère — often better snow when other areas are thin. The free bus from Val d'Isère village goes all the way to Fornet (same line as La Daille). Warning for snowboarders: there are significant flat sections that can be a pain. Skiers only recommendation for the easiest experience here.
Village lift or Savonnette (free, no pass required)
The Snow Fronts is Val d'Isère's village-level beginner area — two free lifts (Village and Savonnette) running gentle green slopes right at the base. No lift pass required. A local advisor specifically recommended this as the starting point for nervous beginners: 'You should stick to the Village lift or the Savonnette at the front de neige until you feel confident enough to go higher.' The resort officially designates this as one of three 'tranquillité zones' — areas specifically designed for building confidence away from faster skiers.
The absolute starting point for anyone new to skiing or returning after a long break. The village-level location means no gondola anxiety, no mountain exposure, and no fast skiers bombing past. A completely protected environment. Only when you're comfortable here should you consider taking a gondola to the upper beginner areas. ESF (École du Ski Français) meets here for beginner lessons and is specifically recommended as 'very good instructors, not expensive.'
Pim Pam Poum drag lifts (top of Solaise)
Pim Pam Poum is the drag-lift beginner area at the top of the Solaise cable car — the step between the village Snow Fronts and the open blues like Madeleine. A local advisor named it specifically as easier than Madeleine: 'On the top of Solaise, you can ski along the Pim Pam Poum lifts which are easier slopes than Madeleine to bolster your confidence.' One returning visitor confirmed: 'Pim Pam was quite easier on my last days and did boost my confidence.'
The correct progression: Snow Fronts village level → Pim Pam Poum at Solaise top → Madeleine → broader blues. The Pim Pam Poum area is drag-lift only so no gondola anxiety. It sits on a gentle plateau with less exposure than Madeleine. If you've reached here and feel good, you're ready to explore the wider Solaise blues.
A proper French mountain village that grew into a world-class resort without losing its authenticity. Cosmopolitan, lively, and with excellent food around the old church.
Cosmopolitan village · French Alpine culture · Buzzing après-ski
Stay in the village centre or La Daille for the best value and slope access. Le Fornet is quieter and cheaper — ideal for families wanting calm mornings. Folie closes mid-afternoon so plan to be there by 3pm. Budget: €7-10 per mountain drink, €40-50 for a sit-down evening meal, groceries significantly more expensive than in town — stock up at Super U in Bourg-Saint-Maurice before coming up. La Bouida in Les Brevieres (at the bottom of the Sache run from Tignes side) does excellent pizza. La Daille area: Bananas and Le Petit Danois for cheap good lunch. Buses La Daille → Val d'Isère are free and run every few minutes, stopping around 1-2am. Safety note repeated by multiple visitors: do not fall into the river drunk — someone dies from it every year.
Après-ski: Cocorico is the consistent community favourite — 'just rock up, no need to reserve.' La Folie Douce is spectacular and you don't need to buy anything to be there. La Fruitière inside Folie Douce is worth booking for one big lunch.
Blue Note bar recommended for quieter drinks. Mountain lunch options: self-service restaurants at the bottom of Cascades lift (Pissaillas sector) and Marmottes lift (Bellevarde sector) are cheap — €14 for a lasagne — and have salad bars.
Queue before 1:30pm or after 2pm in February.
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