At night you enter the upper Isere valley (Isere is the river and Val is valley) through tunnels and narrow defiles with frozen waterfalls cascading down to the side of the road . Much of the setting is floodlit in a most dramatic fashion . It is like a set for Lord of the Rings .

The resort is hemmed in tightly by steep mountains . At the top of some of the areas you feel as though you could jump 3000ft(1000mts) right into the narrow village street far below.

The pubs , restaurants and clubs go till dawn and most of that time you can catch a free bus to anywhere in the village .

Two fast underground trains now take you to the top of the mountains ..ten minute queue , 5 minute white knuckle ride and 30 minute at least skii down.

I HAVE SKIIED EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD BUT I COULD STILL WRITE A BOOK ABOUT 'VAL' . MY ADVICE IS GO NOW ...THERE IS STILL PLENTY SNOW TILL WELL AFTER EASTER !