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Isola 2000 Ski Resort
This is one of the nearest resorts to the Cote d' Azure and the Franco-Italian border, just an hour and a half from Nice airport and close to the stunning Mercantour National Park.
Purpose built in the 1970’s with a focus on doorstep skiing, the resort is less ‘wood and stone Alpine idyll’ and more a mix of modern architecture. This isn’t the most beautiful resort in the Alps – nor does it have après ski to rival Val d’Isere - but it won’t take long to see why people keep coming back here.
Not only are the slopes ridiculously easy to get to from resort, they’re high and tend to remain skiable late into the season. The ski area covers a total of 120km and the Isola Area Ski Pass can be upgraded to cover both Isola and Auron for those who want to ski a little further afield.
The locals are famously friendly and have created a long list of things to do away from the piste (snowmobiling, skating, sleigh rides, bowling and a cinema to name a few). Dig into tasty French and Italian cuisine and explore the shops or wellness facilities. If you do need your fill of Alpine charm the historic and pretty village of Isola is a short drive away, with attractions including old churches and the huge Aquavallée swimming and sport centre. Day trips to the French Riviera and over the border to Italy are also a real possibility while you're in this neck of the woods.
This is a top resort for families with younger children, with good provisions for day care, excellent nursery slopes and various family activities, especially during school holidays.
Thanks to its high positioning, the views are incredible too – there aren’t many ski resorts that you can see the Mediterranean sea from on a clear day...
Stats & FAQ
Location: Alpes-Maritimes, close to the Franco-Italian boarder.
Established: 1971
Open: Early December - Mid April
Downhill: 120km
View our detailed Isola 2000 snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Isola 2000 snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Nice Airport | 1h30 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2610m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1800m |
| Resort Altitude: | 2000m |
| Longest run: | 5km |
| Slope Orientation: | S |
| Vertical Drop: | 810m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 120km |
| Beginner slopes: | 65% |
| Intermediate: | 26% |
| Advanced slopes: | 9% |
| Lift Pass Price: | 150 euros (Adult 6 days) |
| Nearby resorts: La Colmiane, Beuils Les Launes, Auron, Entracque, Valberg | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Isola 2000
The skiing here is great for beginners and intermediates with a number of gentle greens and blues for less confident skiers to find their feet on, before graduating onto one of the many red runs in the area.
Children are really well catered for, not only by the excellent gentle slopes, but also by the special children’s area. Learning to ski with the ESF’s Piou Piou club is a really safe and fun way to get started, and to ensure there’s plenty of variety, they also teach snowboarding and snow shoeing.
Learners and less confident skiers are lucky to have the brilliant ‘Grand Tour’ green run, which is the length of the resort, to start their snow sports career on. Due to the area’s high altitude there is beautiful scenery to be enjoyed, while the parallel turns are being perfected. Once this has been mastered, there are a number of slightly more challenging blues - the ‘Grande Combe’ is lovely on a sunny day.
Intermediates have a number of red runs to conquer in the Isola Area. Don’t miss the viewpoint at the top of the Cimes Sistron peak, on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Once you’ve made the most of the view, take the red run back down for your adrenaline fix of the day. The ‘Merlier’ red is well connected to some blues, for those who like some variety.
Advanced skiers will certainly enjoy the red and blacks close to the Cime de Sistro, some of which are left ungroomed to allow moguls to form. The ‘St Saveur’ is good for those seeking a challenge on a long black run.
Freestylers have a great area in Tony’s Snowland at 2300 m, with stunning views, slopestyle, hand rails and a beginner’s area.
Isola 2000 Apres Ski
Isola 2000 is known for the ease and convenience of doorstop skiing rather than a huge après-ski scene. There are, however, several great restaurants and bars to ensure you enjoy your time off the slopes as much as you do on them.
For lively drinks, head to La Marmotte, a popular late night bar at the Front de Neige, near Pommel Lift 1 and 2. It’s perfect for those who want to carry the night on, as it turns into a nightclub at 11pm. La Cuba Loca is the main nightclub, located in the main complex. Hi Bar, also close to Pommel Lifts 1 and 2, has an outside terrace so you can sip a vin-chaud and watch the sun go down.
Check out Le Refuge for somewhere quieter, on the upper section of the blue Sierra run. They have a live DJ from 3pm and happy hour from 3-4pm. Just make sure you still have your ski legs when you’re ready to leave...
In terms of eating out, La Raclette is not only excellent for traditional Savoyard cuisine, raclette, tartiflette and fondue, but is also a favourite of both vegans and vegetarians. France is somewhat renowned for not catering particularly well to non-meat eaters, so this is a great find! Being so close to the Italian boarder, the variety of culinary culture is worth exploring. The deceptively French sounding Le Petit Chamois is a popular, cosy family run restaurant - previous visitors rave about the truffle infused gnocchi and pasta. Finally, head to The Cow Club for hearty dinners in a welcoming and warming atmosphere. We love their sun terrace for lunch, and the Reblochonnade for dinner.
The Spa de Temps offers treatments and massages for anyone weary after a long days skiing, and the Aquavallée in the lower village has a pool for family fun and a sauna and steam room for the adults.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Isola 2000
Best time to visit & ski Isola 2000
Given the high 2000m altitude of the resort, snow tends to be good, with particularly good snowfall most Januarys. The higher altitude means it’s great for late season skiing, and the south facing slopes mean it’s nice and sunny early in the season, when the weather has the potential to be quite extreme.
Due to it being so close to the sea (you can see it on a clear day from the Cimes Sistron Peak!) and above 1800m, Isola 2000 is lucky to get the snowfall from all the storms circulating into the Western Med area and experiences quite unique weather conditions compared to the rest of the Alps. It’s said to have more reliable snowfall than other high altitude resorts, especially early in the season.
During school holidays there’s a lot for all the family to get involved with, from night skiing, sledging competitions and treasure hunts to daytime events like knitting and crocheting.
It is worth noting that due to it being very easily accessible by bus from Nice, it can get busy at the weekends with the French stealing a couple of days on the slopes. Despite being a popular resort, it is likely to be much quieter in comparison to some of the more well-known places in the Alps, especially during peak dates.
Peak Dates
Christmas in Isola 2000 is perfect for any group or family looking for a quiet, but magical festive break. The high altitudes mean snow is good and extra activities laid on by the tourist office will ensure you leave with great memories. Isola 2000 Christmas ski holidays ‣
New Year in Isola 2000 is exactly what you make of it. The snow rarely fails to impress here and the celebrations mean you can soak up the party atmosphere before heading out for a meal or back to your chalet. Isola 2000 New Year ski holidays ‣
February half-term in Isola 2000 is great, not only are conditions usually amazing at this time of year, but it doesn’t get as busy as some of the other French resorts. With plenty of things to do, it’s definitely one to look at during the school holidays. Isola 2000 Half Term ski holidays ‣
Easter in Isola 2000 usually offers great late-season skiing, as the altitude reaches over 2000m, some stunning views right down the Mediterranean Sea and lots of sun terraces to enjoy. Isola 2000 Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Isola 2000
The skiing in Isola is great for families, due to the excellent options parents have to choose from. The Pitchouns day-care service welcomes children from the age of 15 months + if parents have little ones too young for ski school. The ski school come highly recommended, with the choice of private or group lessons, and for any parents that want to do their own teaching, there is a children’s area, as well as several long green and blue runs for confidence building.
All school holidays are great in Isola, as it tends to be one of the quieter resorts in the Alps. Christmas sees special shows from instructors, the welcoming of Father Christmas and plenty of vin-chaud and hot chocolate to keep everyone warm. Half-term on the south facing slopes sees excellent snowfall and sunny conditions, making it a great time for learners who want quality snow with a good chance of sunshine.
The self-catering Chalet d’Isola is perfect for families as it’s close to the resort itself, whilst offering ski-in ski-out location, so children don’t need to struggle up roads with heavy ski equipment. Self-catering is also a good option for families with younger children, who may get hungry waiting for a catered evening meal.
Being only an hour and a half from Nice airport, grab a package with flights and transfers included for a stress free journey, check out our channel crossings if you’d prefer a self-drive holiday or accommodation only options if you’d rather organise your own travel.
GroupsGroup Holidays Isola 2000
Groups travelling to Isola 2000 will really benefit from the varied skiing and boarding it offers. A great mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs mean that mixed ability groups can split off at the start of the holiday, ski at their own pace, and not feel pressured to do something they’re not confident with, due to the resort being geared more towards intermediate or advanced skiers.
Self-catering chalets are great for groups as they range from sleeping 6-12 in excellent slope-side, central locations. Have a read of the Chalet d’Isola’s and Chalet de la Diva’s vital statistics to start planning your holiday. Although self-catering can be seen as extra effort, the variety of French and Italian restaurants in the resort itself mean a few nights away from the kitchen are more than justifiable. Try the highly recommended Cow Club for big portions and a cosy atmosphere to satisfy the hungriest of group members. Check out one of the many mountain huts for lunch, and if you eat enough tartiflette, you probably won’t need much for dinner anyway!
The Marmotte is well known for its lively après-ski, and for those who like to camp for the evening, it transforms to a nightclub at 11pm. Alternatively, the Snowball bar is popular for its organised karaoke, so well worth a visit on your way back to the chalet.
Organising groups can be tricky, so let us do it for you with a holiday that includes flights and transfers. Alternatively, check out our channel crossing packages if your group fancies an alpine road-trip or accommodation only holidays if you can’t face travel planning just yet.
Which are the best ski holidays in Isola 2000?
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