Isola 2000, France

Visitor reviews for Isola 2000

• March 26, 2008
  jimmy from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I'm very sorry to say, but whoever rates this resort as good has obviously never been to a good resort. Some people have started to realize this, like jeny braidy, who I agree with in saying this resort is dull and boring. It is only for the limited mind and skier. The slopes and snow are so bad, I'd prefer to ski at the indoor slopes at Milton Keynes or even just dry slopes. Take my advice and don't even book the flight!

• March 12, 2008
  Shaun Wallace from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Sorry editor, I disagree. I looked on your forecast the day I left for the trip and every day for 2 weeks prior to that. Before leaving, your site had not forecasted the 1st dump, or the 2nd dump, which made us feel that the snow would not be that good, this is why it came as a surprise when the hire car people told us to take snow chains as the resort had had 15cm of snow the day before (1st dump). I have also looked on your site every day since coming back as I am off again in 10 days, again your site missed the 15cm that fell over the last 36hrs. As I am not a full member I have no access to a "hindcast" but I still have friends in the resort. That said, I still think you have a great site.

• March 10, 2008
  Shaun Wallace from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Just got back from spending a few days in Isola. Interesting facts: I arrived on Wednesday 5th March, this website said the resort had not seen snow for a week and that there would be no snow for the following 5 days. It actually snowed 15cm on 4th March. It then snowed for a full 24 hrs laying down 30cm on the 7th. The whole resort was turned into 1 massive powder bowl.
  I ski this resort every year for 4 days with friends. The resort is not the prettiest or particularly friendly. However, I have skied a lot of French resorts and find them all the same in terms of there attitude to the English. This resort is good fun for a few days with some great food, however, if you just like eating up the miles (boring) rather than just enjoying your friends company and having some fun, this resort is not for you. I am back again in two weeks with a group of 17 mixed ability skiers and boarders.
  [Editors comments. Our snow reports for Isola come from Skiclub of Great Britain. Reports are only as reliable as whatever source is available and we encourage independent reporters wherever possible. Sorry if we were not reliable in this case. However, our forecasts for Isola over this period were very accurate. Members can verify this using our hindcast service in the historical snow section for Isola. You will see that our forecast predicted 12cm of snow on March 4th (Shaun reports 15cm fell) and 23cm total for 6th/7th (versus 30cm reported). Although we don't archive every single forecast, only the accurate short-range ones, in this case it certainly seems as if these were close to predicting what happened]

• March 06, 2008
  Jeny Braidy from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  What a disappointment! Went on the strength of some good reviews and wish I had gone somewhere bigger. Skied the mountain on day 1...the entire mountain...and still had time for a long lunch. Days 2-7 were frankly boring and dull. If you have never skied before it may keep your interest for 2-3 days at the most, which is probably why even the locals only use it at weekends. Unwelcoming...horrible accommodation...and dull! dull! dull!

• March 06, 2008
  Angus from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Save yourself some money and go to Tignes. As much as I thought Isola represented good value, when I got there it was a different story. Disappointing skiing and poor instructors...mine even fell over!! Even though I speak fluent French it was clear that the English are tolerated for their money...frankly, I would rather give mine where it is more welcome.

• February 24, 2008
  tim from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I've recently been to Isola 2000 and was very disappointed. The snow was some of the worst Ive seen! I went in February and we were skiing in slush early in the morning. It wasn't even freezing at night! The resort is extremely small and doesn't usually have enough snow to open all the runs. It isn't a challenging resort with very poor red and black runs. It is only good if it's your first time on skis.
  Everything is over priced, you're looking at 5 Euros for a can of coke, if you can order in French as English is not spoken.

• February 19, 2008
  jon gilbert from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Hi, I have just been to Isola. Snow was great and I didn't want to leave. I went last year as well and some pistes were closed but this year there were none at all closed, it was brilliant. It was a really friendly resort and great for intermidiate skiers, like me, with a variation of different runs.
  There are not so many British tourists so it helps if you speak a bit of French. It's great and easy to get to with flights from the UK to Nice and you can even get a coach ride up the mountain from the airport which is really easy. So go to Isola.

• February 01, 2008
  Fraser from IRELAND
  

  What can you say about Isola 2000. The skiing is first class for a resort that you've never heard of and won't if you ski through a tour operator - it does look like a throw back to the 70's big concrete square buildings though there is certainly an effort to cover the concrete but its not pretty. Accommodation we had was ok and fine for what we wanted.
  But the main thing was that the skiing is generally first class (that's my opinion) - runs are groomed and has everything you need as an intermediate skier - nice red runs, nice blues and a couple of black runs for when the adrenalin is really pumping and the bravery is at its best.
  The skiing is also divided into 3 sections - there is a section directly above the ski station, accessed by cable car, another behind the main station accessed by slow 2 man chair or fast 6 man chair, then the final and best section is accessed by cable car at the bottom of the beginners area. This has the best skiing and you could spend the day out there as lunch is available.
  Seemed to me if you go outside the main holiday season of Feb, then the slopes are empty aside of weekends, the downside is the nightlife if you are into that - as there is none ............
  Access to the resort is easy - fly to Nice and drive, really nice drive through the mountains and it is spectacular if you dare look - we were lucky as no new snow had fallen for around 10 days but would say if the snow is falling then it would be a very interesting drive even with chains ........... practice your French as English is not widely spoken and go enjoy !!!!
  Overall rating - great skiing, great value - limited eating and drinking ......... therefore loads of sleep and plenty of energy for skiing ...........

• January 18, 2008
  Melanie Reed from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Fabulous holiday in Isola 2000. EasyJet flights from the UK to Nice and easy drive up the mountain with stunning views. There's even a bus which you catch right outside the airport if you're on an economy holiday. Accommodation, 1st class. Booked through Resort Solutions in the UK at an unbelievable price. Snow is fantastic this year and everything right on your door step. Best beginners slopes I've ever seen and equally challenging black runs.

• January 09, 2008
  Cuba from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Just read the other reviews of Isola2000 and have to say I agree and have been impressed with this resort year in year out. It is susceptible to thawing out pretty quick when there hasn't been much in the way of snow fall (i.e last year) but it's chilled out atmosphere has brought me back 3 years running. The snow looks ace this year and I'm back off there in a few weeks - doing a long weekend and staying in Nice. The run to Isola from Nice (avalanches permitting) is real quick and easy!

• January 03, 2008
  Rich from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Went to Isola 22nd Dec to 29th Dec. Snowed 1st 2 days of the week then sunny for the rest. Perfect conditions really and nearly all the runs open. Bit rocky on one or two lower slopes and the blacks weren't open but other than that a great weeks ski due to the early winter falls. No media types jumping on the "global warming has caused bad ski conditions" bandwagon of last year. When will people learn global warming doesn't exist and it's all cyclical?!? The bar near the big Sherpa with music had great food and booze, service was ok from Lewis Hamilton, obviously spending his off-season working as a waiter in Isola. Nut-case bus driver on the 750 from Nice airport yet again and the bus like a fridge as per, funicular as 'fun' as ever. Pretty good really then, get into the other valley asap for empty slopes!!

  [editor: thanks for the review Rich. We see a lot of climate data here at snow-forecast HQ and we all have phd's in geophysics too. Despite the relatively good ski season, in our opinion, there is growing evidence to support global warming caused by humans. Enjoy the snow while it lasts and see you over on slush-forecast.com in a few years]

• March 16, 2007
  josski from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Isola 2000 is a fantastic ski resort in an ideal location; only 1h30 from Nice Airport. The local taxi service Taxi Thome is much cheaper than other taxi companies (more info at www.isola2000.com/acces.asp.) The newly built (2006) Chalets du Mercantour come highly recommended, with stunning views over the whole Chastillon valley and equipped to a very high standard. If you would like more information have a look at www.chaletisola.com. Great for skiing in winter and mountain walks in the summer!

• March 05, 2007
  jamie from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Isola 2000 is a great ski resort. It's easy to get to from Nice and I recommend you stay in the Font de Neige or Le Pas du Loup becuse they are on the slopes and you can ski right too the step of your hotel.
  It's a fairly quiet resort with runs for all kinds of levels of skiing. It is also boarder friendly with its snow park and halfpipe. The main part of the ski resort buildings is a long building on the front of the slopes. This has plenty of shops, bars, restaraunts and a supermarket. Other than skiing there is plenty on offer such as heli-sking, ski-doing and ice-skating on a natural ice rink, driving on ice and many other activities. There is a fully qualified team of instructors.
  If you self-cater you will find it will work out cheaper but after 10:30 you will have to walk all the way up and for youngsters that could be a problem.
  Overall, Isola is a very good resort. I'm just getting ready to go there again on Sunday.

• February 09, 2007
  TRISTA THOMPSON from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Great purpose built resort, especially if travelling with younger children. Doddle of a drive from Nice, stunning scenery. Although dated, and a little lacking in luxury stay on the Font De Neige as this has immediate access to the slopes, and easy walk to shops and restaurants. A quiet resort, even during French/British school holidays. Precious little night life...a few of good and reasonable priced restaurants, otherwise its self catering at its best!! Plenty of lunchtime eateries..in the sun...and not too expensive. Price wise it is much cheaper than better known french resorts, you'll probably spend a third less than elsewhere. We love it and return year after year...partly because there are sooo few Brits!!!

• February 23, 2006
  JK from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Excellent location, 1.5 hrs from Nice, straight road bar the last 1/2 hr. Recommend stay in Font de Neige as this is on the slopes.
  Excellent beginners/intermediate area, hardly any English.

• April 07, 2004
  Campbell McCaughrain from IRELAND
  

  Isola 2000 is a beautiful resort with more sunshine than we have ever found elsewhere. Very convenient, only 60 miles from Nice and now direct flights from Belfast, so only one lot of airport taxes. It is however a bit short of night life. Don't stay in the Hameau area because they close the Funicular at 8.00pm weeknights and 10.00p.m. week-ends (although we found it closed at 9.30p.m.) and it is a very long and tiring walk from the bars back up the hill to the Hameau. Les Adret apartments are quite good and very central.

• December 30, 2003
  Jane Trowhurst from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Just returned from Isola . It's a great resort, no tour operators here, and hardly any but French voices. Plenty of snow and sun early season. You have to make your own way there, and the mountain roads are hairy. The resort is charming , but definitley for families and couples.

• October 29, 2003
  Nick Russill from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  A fantastic little resort situated just under an hours' drive away from Nice and the sea making connections with UK airports (e.g. Easyjet) very straightforward.

  Isola's position in relation to the Alps means that it is the first range of mountains to get any storms off the Atlantic which dump heavy snow and there is minimal blocking effect from other mountains.

  The resort is a little dated, but this adds to its charm in a strange 1970's kind of way. The runs are all very scenic and the southern extent of the resort has some very nice off piste powder runs through trees.

  There are no toilets on this side of the resort which makes it an excellent place to be after lunch as many people seem to migrate back to the main centre.

  Recommend the Crocodile Bar for a cold beer and good atmosphere.

  Parking in the resort can be difficult so recommend a 4x4 with bullbars!