The Funival is an underground funicular railway at La Daille — not a gondola, not a chairlift, but a rapid underground route from the valley floor to the Rocher de Bellevarde summit. It was built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics and has been running since, used by locals and regular visitors who know it as a reliable shortcut when the outdoor gondola queues build.
Why the Funival
On a busy Saturday morning in February, the queue for the Télécabine de La Daille can take 20 to 30 minutes. The Funival, tucked beneath the village and less visible from the main road, typically moves faster. For a private coaching day where making the most of morning snow conditions matters, starting from the Funival can give 40 extra minutes of quality skiing before the crowds arrive at the top.
The route itself is straightforward: a short walk from the La Daille area to the underground entrance, then a direct rise to Bellevarde. The terrain at the top connects to the same Bellevarde ski area as the gondola, but the exact arrival point and the first runs available may differ slightly. If those zones suit the planned session better, the Funival is the right choice.
This access point works best for clients who have already skied Val d’Isère before, know roughly where they are going, and want an efficient start to the day. For first-time visitors, it can also work well if we plan the meeting point carefully in advance.
How We Meet
The Funival entrance is in La Daille village, a short walk from the outdoor gondola station — but it is not immediately visible from the D902 road. When you book, I send you the precise walking directions and a visual landmark so you arrive without any searching. There is parking in the La Daille car park near the gondola, shared between both access points. Allow a few extra minutes on the walk if it is your first time.
