With its sunny disposition and high-altitude slopes, Isola 2000 is a delightful surprise in the Southern French Alps. This charming resort, celebrated for its excellent snow conditions and family-friendly atmosphere, offers a serene yet vibrant alternative to the busier French ski resorts in the northern Alps.
We've crafted this guide to simplify planning your Isola 2000 ski holiday. You'll discover everything you need to know, from its location to its ski areas, snow history, and the best spots to dine or unwind after a day on the slopes. Additionally, we've included downloadable maps of the resort and pistes, along with essential contact numbers and links.
Ready to explore? Let's dive in!
Isola 2000, France - overview
- Where is Isola 2000?
- Isola 2000 the resort
- Isola 2000 ski area
- Skiing in Isola 2000
- Isola 2000 ski season dates
- Isola 2000 snow history
- Restaurants in Isola 2000
- Things to do in Isola 2000
- Isola 2000 après-ski, and nightlife
- Isola 2000 town map
- Practical information
Where is Isola 2000?
Isola 2000 is located in the Southern French Alps, in the Mercantour massif just 4km from the Franco-Italian boarder and 90 km away from Nice on the French Riviera.
For a detailed view of Isola 2000's location, you can explore it on Google Maps.
Nearest airport
- Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (85 km)
Transfer time
- Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (1hr 30 min)
Isola 2000 the resort
- Resort altitude: 1300 m
- Resort permanent residents: 2067
Isola 2000 is a purpose-built village designed for convenience, featuring interconnected accommodations, shops, and ski slopes centered around a central shopping mall. This hub serves not only as the nucleus for retail and ski services but also as a vibrant social space where you can enjoy terraces, bars, and restaurants offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Alpine scenery. Distinct from the resort’s modern amenities, the lower village of Isola, nestled at 870 meters in the Tinée valley, exudes historical charm with its cobblestone lanes and rustic architecture. This adds an indefinable soul to the resort, making it a welcoming destination for everyone, including families, groups, and solo travelers alike.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Great for families | Limited back country |
| Great snow records | Limited après-ski |
| Easy access from airport | Lack aesthetic appeal |
| Ski-in ski-out accommodation | Few challenges for experts |
Here is how Isola 2000 looks like
Watch Isola 2000 on YouTube .
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Isola 2000 ski area
- Summit elevation: 2610 m
- Kilometres of pistes: 120 km
- Vertical drop: 810 m
- Ski lifts: 20
Isola 2000 offers a picturesque skiing experience with 45 ski slopes, including 3 black, 13 red, 22 blue, and 7 green runs. These slopes are interconnected by 20 lifts and feature special areas such as a snowpark, boardercross, family park, and a mini-boarder, all distributed across three main sectors.
- Pélevos: Offering easy access to the resort's facilities and serving as the main hub of activity, Pélevos is a versatile area suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to more experienced skiers.
- St-Saveur: Perfect for intermediates, this sector is known for its quieter setting and features primarily blue and red runs.
- Levant: Known for its high-altitude thrills, Levant caters mainly to advanced skiers with the most challenging slopes in Isola 2000, including several black runs. It offers exhilarating descents and spectacular views, possibly even towards the Mediterranean on clear days.
Additionally, the snowpark located at 2300 m in the Marmottes area is a highlight, equipped with features like slopestyle and handrails, and hosts both national and European competitions.
Skiing in Isola 2000
Beginners
Isola 2000 is exceptionally well-suited for beginners, with designated beginner areas near the base of the resort for easy access and practice. The resort offers numerous green runs, especially around the lower sectors like Pélevos.
Intermediates
The resort caters well to intermediate skiers with 120 km of pistes that include a variety of well-maintained blue and red runs. These pistes are spread across the three main sectors of the resort, allowing intermediates to enjoy varied terrains and explore extensive parts of the resort without encountering too many mogul fields.
Advanced
While the terrain for advanced skiers is more limited in terms of black runs, Isola 2000 offers some excellent freeride sections, particularly through the trees and little cliffs around Les Melezes. Advanced skiers can also find challenging descents in the Levant and the high-altitude areas of the resort, including routes like St Saveur.
Off-piste
Isola 2000 offers robust off-piste opportunities with diverse terrain that includes alpine bowls and quiet wooded areas ideal for more experienced skiers seeking fresh snow and natural features.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders will find Isola 2000 accommodating, especially with features like a snowpark by the Marmottes chairlift which includes a half-pipe and boardercross.
Isola 2000 ski season dates
The ski season in Isola 2000 for 2024/25 is expected to start on December 2nd and run until April 28th, though dates may vary depending on snow conditions. If you're planning a ski holiday to Isola 2000 this season, be sure to explore our Isola 2000 ski deals for the best ski offers available.
Isola 2000 snow history
Isola 2000 offers optimal snow conditions from December through April, each month presenting unique opportunities for skiers. December and January consistently bring about 19 cm and 16 cm of snow respectively, dispersed across roughly 1.8 days each week, ensuring regular fresh snow. February's snowfall slightly increases to 22 cm and occurs more frequently, averaging 2.5 days per week. The pinnacle of snowfall arrives in the first week of March, traditionally the snowiest week in Isola 2000, with an impressive 36 cm of snow over 3.6 days, making it a paradise for those who cherish Bluebird Powder Days—when sunshine and light winds follow fresh snowfall. The season stretches into April with enjoyable conditions, accumulating 19 cm of snow over 2.7 days, perfect for softer snow under brighter skies.
| Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
|---|
| December | 19 cm | 1.8 days |
| January | 16 cm | 1.9 days |
| February | 22 cm | 2.5 days |
| March | 23 cm | 2.8 days |
| April | 19 cm | 2.7 days |
(Ref: snow-forecast.com)
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Restaurants in Isola 2000
Mountain restaurants
- La Marmotte: a cozy mountain restaurant known for its traditional alpine cuisine.
- Le Refuge: located higher up in the mountains, it offers spectacular panoramic views that complement its menu of hearty mountain fare.
Resort restaurants
- La Guérite: this restaurant offers a diverse menu with both local and international dishes, making it a perfect place for dinner after a day of skiing.
- Le Petit Chamois: This charming restaurant is known for its welcoming atmosphere and provides a range of mountain specialities
- Les Gavouats: offering a rustic setting, this restaurant serves traditional dishes with a modern twist
- Le Cow-Club: Le Cow-Club stands out for its unique decor and lively environment, offering a fusion of local and Italian specialities.
Things to do in Isola 2000
- Sleigh dog riding
- Snow shoeing
- Ski touring
- Snowmobiling
- Back country nordic hiking
- Sledging
- Tobogganing
- Ice skating
- Ice driving
- Spa & wellbeing
- Aquatic center: Indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, jacuzzi, squash room..
Isola 2000 après-ski and nightlife
- Le Bar et vous: with its comfortable seating and wide range of beverages, it's perfect for a laid-back après-ski experience
- Le Txupito: it's the go-to place for a fun night out, known for its energetic parties and friendly staff
- Le Crocodile Pub: known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse selection of drinks, this is a popular spot among both locals and visitors.
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Isola 2000 town map
Download Isola 2000 resort map here
- Tourist office website: Isola 2000
- T.O email: info.isola@nicecotedazurtourisme.com
- Tourist office phone: +33(4) 93231515
- For visa & passport travel advice, visit here
