Isola 2000 — On the piste

The skiing ranges from 2000m at village level to 2600m at the summit of Sistron, and the reliable snow record is supported by 210 snow cannons. The nursery slopes are conveniently located in the centre of resort and generally have good snow from December until April. Novices are spoilt with a gentle plateau stretching for 5 km and usually baked in sunshine. The wider ski area is horseshoe shaped and mainly intermediate terrain above the tree line, with some of the best red runs being in the Pelevos sector, accessed via a gondola that can get crowded.
 
Advanced skiers will get frustrated by Isola 2000 but can at least escape the crowds on the underused black runs around St Saveur and Mene. It may also be worth considering a trip to nearby Italy where heli-skiing is still permitted. Isola 2000 is popular with boarders and was the home of France’s first ever snowboard club. Today there is a half-pipe, terrain park and a boardercross course.