French Alps
Long before chairlifts and ski schools, Val d'Isère was a remote Alpine community tucked deep in the Tarentaise Valley.
Val d'Isère was home to families who lived self‑sufficiently through farming, livestock, and mountain trade. Life here required awareness of the mountains and the ability to adapt to each season. Visitors began to arrive in 1888 when the first hotel opened; at this time, travel to this high valley was slow, and guests came for the mountain air and sense of seclusion.
Quiet beginnings.
In 1929, a young Frenchman, Jacques Mouflier, visited the area and saw its potential as a winter resort. Nicolas Bazile, the mayor of Val d'Isère itself, doubted it could succeed due to the harsh climate and the area's isolation. Yet, when the two met shortly after Mouflier's visit, development plans began to take shape. Over the following years, progress came as essential infrastructure arrived, access to the valley improved, and a post office opened to serve the growing community.
By 1937, Val d'Isère gained unexpected publicity when two French ministers got caught in a snowstorm on the Iseran Pass, which opened that very same year. This event drew media attention and introduced Val d'Isère to a much wider public, and in the following years, interest in Alpine skiing grew rapidly across Europe. The region's combination of vast terrain and distinctive architecture soon made it one of the most admired resorts in the French Alps.
An iconic resort.
In the mid‑1900s, Val d'Isère had evolved far beyond its farming roots. The flow of visitors and the expansion of lifts transformed the valley from a remote community into a lively Alpine hub. Its altitude and demanding slopes attracted both racers and recreational skiers, helping build the reputation it still holds today.
That reputation deepened as competitive skiing came of age. In 1955, Val d'Isère hosted the first Critérium de la Première Neige, celebrating the start of the alpine ski season, and by the late 1960s, the newly formed FIS Alpine Ski World Cup had adopted the event as part of its official calendar, making Val d'Isère the opening stop of the European circuit. Each winter since, the same slopes have welcomed both champions and newcomers, keeping the village at the centre of Alpine sport. The recognition reached new heights in 1992 when Val d'Isère hosted several Alpine skiing events for the Albertville Winter Olympics.
Winter Games Legacy.
Val d'Isère's appeal lies in its continuity. Winter may define its legacy, but the mountains are alive all year. Each season shows a different expression of the same landscape, from snowy slopes to green valleys. Skiers return for the variety of terrain, while summer visitors enjoy cycling, hiking, and the relaxed village pace. High above Val d'Isère, the Col de l'Iseran, one of Europe's highest mountain passes, opens each summer, connecting valleys and displaying views that reach far across the French Alps.
Throughout the year, Val d'Isère maintains a close connection to its surroundings. There's a completeness in every season while local restaurants adapt to the changes, and the life of the village moves easily between winter and summer. Renewable‑energy projects, efficient transport and careful planning ensure the resort grows with respect for its setting. Progress moves in harmony with nature, not against it.
Skiing in Val d'Isère.
Hospitality has always been part of Val d'Isère's identity. What began as families opening small inns has become a resort known for its refined, calm quality. The village has grown, yet its architectural coherence remains. Stone façades, larch wood and slate connect new chalets to their heritage, bringing the village's origins and contemporary design together.
Emerald Stay has now become part of that story, managing a portfolio of two hand‑picked apartments: Apartment Kumo and Apartment Onyx. These properties are chosen for their style and setting, then supported by attentive guest services, resulting in an elevated experience of mountain life that honours Val d'Isère's character and soul.
Facilities at Résidence L’Écrin, available to guests of Apartment Kumo and Apartment Onyx.
Val d'Isère's story lives through its ability to evolve without forgetting its roots. The village has adapted with intention, letting tradition and progress coexist in a way that feels natural rather than designed. Each generation contributes its own perspective while preserving the authenticity. For visitors, Val d'Isère's spirit offers both familiarity and discovery, proving that a destination can grow while remaining true to itself. The legacy here is alive, shaped not by what has changed but by what has remained.
Archives from Val d’Isère.
Property Management
Emerald Stay's true value lies in the combined experience of its leaders in the technology, hospitality and real estate sectors. We bring all our expertise to the task of providing a highly digital, hassle-free solution for the monetization of premium homes in lifestyle destinations. We call it Smart Ownership, a simple idea fulfilled through an avant-garde execution that requires no effort from your side, other than enjoying your home when you want to, and earning yield while you are not there. We take care of everything else. Everything
