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Discover the family-friendly Southern French Alps
If you haven't skied in the Southern French Alps yet, you might be missing out on an incredible family holiday... find out more about 4 Southern Alps resorts we think should be on your radar!
Sunny, snow-sure skiing just 90 minutes from Nice
Set high in the southern Alps, Isola 2000 offers a unique mix of reliable snow, blue skies and easy access from the Mediterranean.
Just 90 minutes from Nice, it’s one of the most accessible resorts in France, with a relaxed, friendly feel and great value for money.
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Isola 2000 Quick Facts
- Ski area: Mercantour
- Resort height: 2000m
- Resort top height: 2610m
- Km piste: 120
- Distance from Calais: 752 miles (approx. 12h45)
- Lift pass: ££££
- No. of slopes: 45
- Green slopes: 7
- Blue slopes: 22
- Red slopes: 13
- Black slopes: 3
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Beginners:
★ ★ ★ ★
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Intermediate:
★ ★ ★ ★
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Expert:
★ ★ ★
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Boarders:
★ ★ ★
Highlights
Just 90 minutes from Nice with easy transfers, train and flight access
Sunny southern Alps location with good snow conditions
Great value resort appealing to budget-conscious ski travellers
Varied terrain with strong intermediate skiing across the mountain
Compact, practical layout with convenient slope-side access
Main building in the resort centre is a hub for all amenities but could be said to lack charm
Resort
Everything you need to know about Isola 2000
Get to know Isola beyond its location close to Nice, from the skiing to places to eat and activities to try.
Best for convenience, accessibility and value-focused ski holidays
Purpose-built resort with practical layout and slope-side accommodation
Friendly, relaxed atmosphere rather than traditional alpine charm
A practical resort with easy access
Isola 2000 is one of the easiest Alpine resorts to reach, just 90 minutes from Nice. It's a long way to drive, but is super accessible by train from Paris or you can fly in, hop on a transfer and be on the slopes the same day, making it an appealing option if you want to keep travel simple.
The resort itself is compact and largely car-free, with accommodation grouped around the main centre. The main purpose-built central hub snakes along the snowfront and houses bars, restaurants and shops, which makes it easy to find everything you need.
Modern and functional rather than traditional
As a purpose-built resort, which opened in 1972, Isola 2000 is not about postcard Alpine charm. The central buildings are practical rather than pretty, but everything is designed to make your stay straightforward.
Newer developments are adding a more contemporary feel, with new hamlets of more traditional looking timber-clad buildings and chalets.
There is a little quaint chapel in the middle of the slopes as you come down into the centre. It was built so that the Italian soldiers stationed there had somewhere to attend mass.
Relaxed and good value
The overall vibe is friendly and low-key, and it’s particularly popular with those looking for a more affordable ski holiday.
Whilst this is the case for many, the resort does attract some glamorous guests as the closest resort to the French Riviera. When we were there, one of our team saw the ex-head coach of the French National football team enjoying a relaxed low-key weekend with family.
It's a resort where it's all about enjoying the skiing, sunshine and easy access.
A microclimate
The resort gets a surprising amount of snow, in spite of its southerly location. The Mediterranean winds drop moisture as they are forced over the Alpes Maritimes, and on the north facing slopes of St Sauveur and Pélevos sectors snow can linger well into spring.
It’s not unusual for Isola to enjoy better snow conditions than its more northerly neighbours and the resort regularly remains open until May. But it has extensive snowmaking too, just in case.
Varied terrain across three sectors forming a horseshoe layout
Strong intermediate offering with plenty of cruising runs
Reliable snow conditions defying perceptions of a location so close to the Côte d’Azur
Beginners
Beginners are well looked after, with a large, sunny nursery area right in the heart of the resort.
The gentle slopes close to accommodation make learning straightforward, and the easy access to lifts helps keep things simple in those early days on skis. There are some good blues in the Pélevos sector for gentle progression.
Intermediates
Intermediates will find the most to enjoy here. The Pélevos and Levant sectors offer a wide range of blue and red runs, ideal for building confidence and cruising at your own pace. In one area you can step onto what is technically Italian territory as the ski area goes right up to the border.
The layout of the mountain makes it easy to explore, with long runs and good flow between sectors. For most skiers, there’s enough variety to keep things interesting throughout the week as half the area’s slopes are suitable for intermediates.
Advanced
More experienced skiers can head to the St-Sauveur sector, where steeper runs and off-piste areas offer more challenge.
There are several black runs, including longer descents like Lou-Mesclun one of the more difficult blacks, as well as opportunities for guided off-piste and even heli-skiing across the Italian border.
With plenty of runs above the treeline, if you’re lucky, on a clear day you might be able to glimpse the Mediterranean.
Mountain fun zones
There is a snowpark and family-friendly zones, including a beginner mini-boardercross and freestyle features. These add variety for different ability levels.
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing is limited, with around 4km of trails, so it’s not a key feature of the resort.
Good range of activities for a compact, accessible resort
Easy to mix skiing with slower paced outdoor experiences
More exclusive experiences like ice-driving
Outdoor mountain experiences
Snowshoeing is a great way to experience the landscapes around Isola 2000, with trails leading quickly into quieter, scenic areas just beyond the resort.
We loved it when we were there. Even close to the centre, you can find peaceful, tree-lined route crossing little bridges, that feel surprisingly remote and get the blood pumping.
Action and adventure activities
There’s a good mix of more active options. The resort sets up volleyball nets on the snowfront so if you have any energy left you can play Snow Volley at the end of your ski day. There’s also sledging of course, including Snake Gliss (where an instructor drives a train of sledges).
Isola 2000 also boasts an ice driving circuit. Book a baptism of speed session with an experienced driver, where you’ll be their co-pilot for 3 laps around the circuit or try it out for yourself with a 30-minute initiation session.
For something different, heli-skiing on the Italian side offers access to untouched terrain with a guide, adding a memorable experience to your trip.
Small but varied choice of restaurants and bars
Relaxed après-ski with a couple of livelier options
Essential amenities all conveniently located
Simple and accessible dining
Isola 2000 offers around a dozen restaurants, covering a mix of casual and traditional options with raclette, fondue and tartiflette all on the menu. Many are in the main building that snakes along the snowfront, so it's easy to find different options and compare offerings.
Whilst it’s not particularly known as a destination for high-end dining, when we were there, we had lunch at La Différence. This ‘bistronomique’ restaurant on the slopes close to the snow front, near the chapel, has an impressive, refined menu with daily specials.
Low-key après-ski
Après-ski is fairly relaxed, with a handful of bars, a couple of which stay open later, for those who want something a little livelier.
Most evenings are centred around meals and drinks rather than late nights.
Everything you need nearby
The resort has all the essentials, including mini-supermarkets, sports shops, pharmacy and other services, making it easy to settle in without needing to travel further.
Provides fantastic ski holidays to the French Alps. From a smooth booking process to exceptional service... Peak Retreats was rated highly by customers.
Isola 2000 excels at access, its easy to reach from Nice, which is in turn easy to reach from Paris by train.
It's not for those who want every part of their resort to be picture-perfect but the ski area is beautiful and has a nice variety... there's enough skiing for intermediates.
From the resort centre, we went snowshoeing and were soon in a beautiful setting dotted with trees.
Arriving in Nice it’s hard to imagine that a resort with such good snow is close to the sunny riviera but the conditions really are consistently good. We liked having a day in Nice and Monaco at the end of stay before heading home.
Location
Accommodation
Isola 2000 ski accommodation options
All Isola 2000 accommodation
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Isola 2000
How easy is it to get to Isola 2000?
Despite one of the most southerly Alpine resorts, Isola 2000 is one of the most easily accessible. It is around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes from Nice train station or the airport, with transfer options including superb value public buses and private taxis.
How big is the Isola 2000 ski area?
Isola 2000 offers around 120km of piste, spread across three linked sectors (Pélevos, Levant and St-Sauveur). The terrain forms a horseshoe around the resort, making it easy to navigate. While smaller than some major Alpine areas, it offers enough variety for a week’s skiing, particularly for beginners and intermediates.
Is Isola 2000 good for beginners?
Yes, Isola 2000 is a good choice for beginners. There is a large, sunny nursery area right in the resort centre, with gentle slopes that make learning feel relaxed and accessible. The compact layout means accommodation is close to ski school and lifts, helping keep things simple, especially for families or first-time skiers.
Is Isola 2000 good for intermediate skiers?
Isola 2000 is particularly well suited to intermediates. The Pélevos and Levant sectors offer a wide range of blue and red runs, making it easy to cruise and build confidence. The layout of the ski area allows for simple exploration, with enough variety for most intermediate skiers over a full week.
Is Isola 2000 suitable for advanced skiers?
There is some good terrain for advanced skiers, particularly in the St-Sauveur sector, which offers steeper runs and off-piste opportunities. While it’s not a large expert-focused resort, there’s enough challenge for confident skiers, especially if you enjoy mixing in off-piste with guided options.
Are lift passes in Isola 2000 pre-bookable?
Yes, lift passes can be pre-booked with us. This helps save time on arrival and ensures everything is ready for your first day on the slopes. In resort, you’ll also find pedestrian options if needed, so there’s flexibility depending on who’s going.
Can I pre-book ski hire in Isola 2000?
Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us. Pre-booking is the easiest option, particularly during busy periods, as it ensures availability and allows you to get set up quickly when you arrive.
Is childcare available in Isola 2000?
Yes, childcare is available at Les Pitchouns for children from 3 months to 6 years. This cannot be pre-booked with us, so you will need to contact the provider directly before your trip. We recommend booking early, especially during peak weeks, as places are limited and can fill quickly.
Can I book ski school in Isola 2000?
We're happy to look into ski school bookings for you with the ESF French ski school, who we work closely with across our resorts. We recommend booking in advance, particularly during school holidays, to secure availability.
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