SeasonMapVal d'Isère (Val d'Isere) weather in December
France
December in Val d'Isère: freezing, rainy, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.
#2 of 12 months in Val d'Isère · #143 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 89/100 (tier A)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Val d'Isère in December
Other months in Val d'Isère
Val d'Isère's forum calls January a safe bet for snow precisely because of its altitude — regulars list it alongside Tignes and Val Thorens as one of the high-altitude resorts where cover holds up even in years when lower resorts are struggling. Mountain passes like the Col de l'Iseran typically close for winter, so the drive in goes via Albertville and Bourg-Saint-Maurice; snow chains for the car are essential regardless.
Add your own note from Val d'Isère's card on the map.
Val d'Isère climate normals — December
| Daytime high | -1°C / 31°F | 🥶 freezing |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -6°C / 21°F | |
| Feels like (high) | -4°C / 25°F | |
| Rainfall | 146 mm / 5.8 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 14 days | |
| Humidity | 73% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | -8°C / 17°F | |
| Sunshine | 6 h/day | |
| Daylight | 8.8 h | |
| Wind | 5 km/h / 3 mph | |
| Snowfall | 121.1 cm / 47.7 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 38 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Val d'Isère in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsSki season, Criterium de la Premiere Neige, Christmas holidays in France(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Val d'Isère's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Best weatherVal d'Isère's weather peaks December–February, best around January.
December includes Criterium de la Premiere Neige.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Val d'Isère in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Ski season
28 Nov – 2 MayCrowdedOne of the longest seasons in the Alps: the lifts turn from the end of November to the start of May, with the height to back it up. Late April here is still skiing rather than slush. Source ↗
- Festival
Criterium de la Premiere Neige
12–13 DecMajor festivalCrowdedBook earlyThe men's World Cup weekend on the Face de Bellevarde in mid-December: the season's first big crowd, the face closed to the public around it, and beds tight for a week that is otherwise quiet. Source ↗
- Season
Snow season
Ski seasonAbout 121 cm of snow falls in the month.
from the climate normals
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Val d'Isère — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Val d'Isère?
Val d'Isère in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Val d'Isère?
- December in Val d'Isère: freezing, rainy, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #2 of 12 months for Val d'Isère on SeasonMap's comfort score (89/100).
- What is the weather like in Val d'Isère in December?
- In December, Val d'Isère averages a daily high of -0.7°C and a low of -6.1°C, with about 146.4 mm of rain over roughly 13.9 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Val d'Isère in December?
- Val d'Isère has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 38 in December.
- Does it snow in Val d'Isère in December?
- Val d'Isère sees roughly 121.1 cm of snowfall in December.
Other months in Val d'Isère
Compare Val d'Isère in December
Warmer or cooler than Val d'Isère in December
Similar destinations in Western Europe — December
Within 300 km: Chamonix's Lifts open for winter around 5–22 Dec, and Turin's White truffle and new wine around 5 Oct – 5 Dec.