1850 metres above sea level, Val d’Isère is a sports resort traditionally favoured by Europe’s elite. Boutiques, luxurious apartments, chalets valued at over 20 million euros; this ski town in Savoie, France caters for the rich and the chic. Now it’s vying to attract new overseas markets and persuade families from the Persian Gulf to bring their entourages from the sand dunes to the snow slopes.
As well as idle lounging in Jacuzzis, the resort is home to vigilant and heroic emergency services. Afternoon disco techs have to be carefully monitored by police and medical crews, who ensure than partygoers don’t ski drunkenly down the mountain to their deaths. The police are on red alert against drugs and alcohol misuse on the slopes, and the medical services save lives and limbs.
