A full day to cross an entire valley
Imagine this: you start in the morning high above Val d’Isère, and eight hours later, your skis touch the snow in Villaroger, after crossing an entire valley, several ski areas and a national park. Everything is done by gravity: you use the lifts for connections and to switch slopes, then ski down off-piste on some of the most beautiful faces in the Northern Alps. No uphill climbing — the day remains accessible if you are normally fit, with no specific physical preparation required.
This is the Tarentaise Tour: a major freeride itinerary linking Val d’Isère to Villaroger through the Vanoise National Park, Champagny, the legendary North Face of La Plagne, and the crossing of Les Arcs. The route can also be adapted to your fitness level and the conditions of the day: your instructor can choose more or less challenging faces throughout the day, shorten the itinerary or extend it depending on how you feel.
It is one of the most beautiful adventures you can experience in the Northern Alps. And it is one of the days our instructors love guiding the most.
The itinerary in a few words
The Tarentaise Tour is built around several linked sections:
- Departure from Val d’Isère — ascent using the ski area lifts, then crossing via mountain passes and first off-piste descents on the north-facing slopes of the Espace Killy.
- Entering the Vanoise National Park — spectacular high-altitude landscapes, untouched faces and absolute silence.
- Descent towards Champagny — a long glide down towards the valley, with snow conditions changing as you lose altitude.
- North Face of Bellecôte (La Plagne) — probably the most spectacular section of the day, a legendary face in French freeride, to be skied or avoided depending on your fitness level and the conditions.
- Vanoise Express option → Les Arcs — depending on your energy level halfway through the day and the weather, your instructor may decide to continue via the Vanoise Express cable car to reach Les Arcs and extend the day.
- Arrival in Villaroger — around 5:00 p.m., after a full day on skis.
The level required
This is not a gentle cruise. The Tarentaise Tour is designed for advanced off-piste skiers who are comfortable across the mountain and have good general fitness. In practical terms, you need to be very comfortable on red slopes and have already skied off-piste in varied conditions: powder, packed snow and spring snow.
You will ski for an average of 6 to 7 hours during the day, with a few technical breaks and a short lunch. If you are unsure about your level, we can discuss it together before booking — the experience is too special to spoil with a day that is either too hard or too easy.
Safety, supervision and equipment
All Tarentaise Tour outings with Neva are supervised by a state-certified instructor specialised in off-piste skiing. This is a Private Lesson — Full-Day Off-Piste format, available for skiing or snowboarding, depending on your choice.
The safety kit is included: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. An off-piste backpack is also provided free of charge. For skis, versatile all-mountain skis are more than enough for this day — there is no need for a more demanding freeride setup. If you do not have suitable equipment, mention it when booking and we will guide you.
Practical logistics
- Departure: Val d’Isère, 9:00 a.m., in front of our shop at 26 Place des Dolomites.
- Arrival: Villaroger, around 5:00 p.m.
- Return: we organise a taxi from Villaroger to bring you back to Val d’Isère. After a day like this, comfort matters. The taxi cost is specified in the quote according to the number of participants.
When is the best time?
The Tarentaise Tour is mainly booked between February and April, depending on snow conditions and snowpack stability. Your instructor confirms whether or not the outing can go ahead on the morning itself, based on the conditions of the day. Safety comes first: if the weather does not allow the crossing, we switch to another exceptional off-piste itinerary within the Espace Killy.
Why with Neva
We know this itinerary. We have done it in all snow conditions, at different times of the season, with groups of very different profiles. We know where to stop, where to slow down and where to find the best line of the moment.
It is a day you remember, a day you talk about when you get back, and a day that makes you want to return.
Ready to cross the Tarentaise?
For snowboarders: we also offer the Tarentaise Tour on snowboard. Book your Tarentaise Tour on snowboard
For any questions about level, dates, conditions or equipment: info@neva.ski · +33 (0)4 79 01 00 12.