Isola was a sleepy mountain village up until the 1960s, surrounded by pastures. Then in 1964, the Interministerial Commission for the Tourism Development of Mountain Regions (CIAM) selected the village as an ideal site of “international standing” to build a winter sports resort at an altitude of 2,000m (6,560ft). Visionary town planner Gérald Hanning, a close friend of Le Corbusier who was involved in the design of Sophia Antipolis, and architect Henri Béri were tasked with conducting the studies for this new town. The idea was to create an “integrated resort” designed like a cruise liner with accommodation, services and shops all in one place and connected by galleries and covered streets. Isola 2000 would have 330 homes (150 studios, 80 T2, 20 T3 and 80 bedrooms), three hotels, numerous shops, bars and restaurants, a shopping mall, a nightclub, a cinema, administrative services, an altiport and two swimming pools, all on the snow front. In the 80s, Isola 2000 capitalised on the French’s enthusiasm for skiing and winter sports to expand and open more luxurious accommodation. The resort was all the rage, its micro climate offering both sunshine and high snowfall (Isola 2000 is one of the snowiest resorts in Europe) making it popular among numerous celebrities including the (future) King Charles III.
Isola 2000 became a pioneer of snowboarding in the 90s, as well as other board sports notably thanks to the creation of its Back to Back club in 1991, a maker of champions who have gone on to win Olympic medals (Doriane Vidal in Salt Lake City, Tony Ramoin in Sotchi, Julia Pereira in Pyeongchang). Nowadays the resort offers a unique set of infrastructure in the Alpes-Maritimes region, including a snowpark and boardercross, as well as a wide range of après-ski and non-skiing activities. Just one and a half hour’s drive from the Côte d’Azur, on the edge of the Mercantour National Park, Isola 2000 has successfully transformed itself into an all-year destination with daily entertainment, concerts and events that run through the summer and paved streets that offer another alternative to the hiking trails.
Key figures for Isola 2000
120km (74.5 miles) of slopes
A ski area at an altitude of 2,000-2,600m (6,560-8,530ft)
3 snowshoeing trails and footpaths
3,500 tourist beds
326,000 skiers each season
73%
French skiers
27%
skiers of other nationalities
3,500 tourist beds
12,000 pedestrian and mountain bike day passes
300 days of sunshine per year
Over 120km (74.5mi) of marked trails
So what about its real estate? On the sale market, 1- to 4-bed apartments dating from the 70s and renovated are listed at between €4,000 and €7,000 per square metre, while the most recent opulent wooden chalets – directly on the slopes – are priced upwards of €2 million. It goes without saying that rental properties also include apartments (with balcony or terrace) and family chalets, both winter and summer alike. Buying or renting a property in Isola 2000, in addition to the mountain experience in French Riviera style, is also an opportunity to discover Italy’s Piedmont, as the resort is located on the border via the Col de la Lombarde, 35 minutes from the charming village of Vinadio.
Looking for the perfect alpine retreat? While Isola 2000 offers incredible ski-in/ski-out chalets and family properties, don’t miss our listings in Megève luxury mountain homes, one of the most refined ski resorts in the Alps. If you're interested in investing in a peaceful resort, discover Auron chalets for sale, known for its quiet charm and sunny slopes. For a full overview of our high-altitude opportunities, visit our mountain real estate page and browse prime ski properties for investment.
