Isola 2000 is a ski resort in the Alpes-Maritimes, about 90 km and roughly 1 hour 30 minutes from Nice, with 120 km of runs between 1,840 m and 2,610 m. For the 2026–27 season the lifts are due to open on Saturday 5 December 2026. You can get there by car, by the Lignes d’Azur ski bus from Nice, or with a private transfer from Nice Airport straight to your door.
Flying into Nice for Isola 2000? Our ski transfer from Nice takes you from the airport or your villa straight to the resort, at a fixed price agreed in advance.
This guide covers everything you need before a day or a week on the slopes: the ski area, lift pass prices, when the season runs, how to get there from Nice and the airport, winter driving rules, and how it compares with Auron next door.
Where is Isola 2000?
Isola 2000 sits at the head of the Tinée valley in the Alpes-Maritimes, next to the Mercantour National Park and close to the Italian border. It is about 90 km from Nice, according to Wikipedia, and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis puts it around 1 hour 30 minutes from the coast and the airport.
That makes it one of the very few big Alpine resorts you can reach from a Mediterranean beach in the same morning. The resort was purpose-built, opening in December 1971, and the area only became French in 1947.
How big is the Isola 2000 ski area?
The ski area has 120 km of runs on 43 pistes, from a base at 1,840 m to a top station at 2,610 m. Wikipedia lists 4 black, 11 red, 21 blue and 7 green runs, served by 2 gondolas, 9 chairlifts, 10 button lifts and a funicular.
| Isola 2000 at a glance | Figure |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1,840 m to 2,610 m |
| Ski area | 120 km, 43 runs |
| Runs by level | 7 green, 21 blue, 11 red, 4 black |
| Lifts | 2 gondolas, 9 chairlifts, 10 button lifts, 1 funicular |
| Distance from Nice | About 90 km, around 1 h 30 |
| 2026–27 opening | Saturday 5 December 2026 |
Sources: Wikipedia for the ski area and Petites Affiches (27 August 2026) for the opening date.
With two-thirds of the runs graded green or blue, ski guides describe the resort as well suited to families, beginners and intermediate skiers. Its altitude, among the highest in the southern Alps, also helps keep snow on the lower slopes.
When is the Isola 2000 ski season?
The ski season usually runs from early December to mid-April. For 2026–27, the first skiers are expected from Saturday 5 December 2026, according to Petites Affiches.
The busiest weeks are the Christmas holidays and the French February school holidays, when weekend roads and lift queues fill up. January and March are often the best value, with good snow and quieter slopes. Always check the snow report and the resort’s own website before you set off, because opening dates depend on conditions.
How much is a lift pass at Isola 2000?
An adult day pass cost €44 and a child pass (ages 5–11) €33 in the 2025–26 price list, according to Skiinfo. A 2-day adult pass cost €86 and a week €244.
Those figures give a good idea of the budget, but 2026–27 prices are published by the resort itself, so check the ski pass page on the official Isola 2000 website before buying. Buying online in advance often saves queueing at the ticket office on a Saturday morning.
How do I get from Nice to Isola 2000 by car?
By car, the resort is about 90 km from Nice: follow the Var valley north, turn into the Tinée valley and climb the final mountain road to the resort. Allow around 1 hour 30 minutes in normal conditions, more on snowy days or at weekends.
The last section climbs steadily with hairpins, so check the road conditions on Inforoutes 06 before leaving. In summer the road continues over the Col de la Lombarde into Italy; in winter that pass is closed.
Do I need snow chains to drive to Isola 2000?
Yes, you must be equipped. Under France’s mountain law, cars driving in listed mountain areas of the Alpes-Maritimes from 1 November to 31 March must carry snow chains or socks, or be fitted with winter tyres, according to the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture.
Many rental cars collected at Nice Airport come with summer tyres, so ask for winter equipment when you book. Practise fitting chains before you need them on a cold roadside.
Is there a bus from Nice to Isola 2000?
Yes. In winter, Lignes d’Azur runs its “100% Neige” ski buses from Nice Grand Arénas, near the airport, with line 92 serving Isola 2000, according to the Côte d’Azur France tourist board. Line 91 serves Auron and line 90 Valdeblore La Colmiane.
The buses leave early in the morning and return in the late afternoon, which suits a day of skiing. Fares, timetables and booking rules can change each season, so check lignesdazur.com before you travel. The bus is the cheapest option, but you carry your own skis, boots and bags, and you are tied to its single return time.
How do I get from Nice Airport to Isola 2000?
From Nice Airport, the resort is around 1 hour 30 minutes by road. You can rent a car with winter equipment, take the tram or a taxi to Nice Grand Arénas to catch the ski bus, or book a private transfer that collects you in the arrivals hall and drives you straight to your accommodation.
For a family landing on a Saturday with skis, boot bags and suitcases, the direct transfer avoids the bus timetable, the luggage juggling and driving a mountain road after a flight. Our Nice Airport transfer service tracks your flight, so a delay does not cost you the ride, and our Nice Airport guide explains the terminals.
Which is the best way to get to Isola 2000?
The best way up depends on your group, your luggage and how long you stay. This comparison sums up the main options from Nice:
| Option | Time from Nice | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your own or a rental car | About 1 h 30 | Fuel, winter equipment, parking | Flexible trips, several resorts |
| Lignes d’Azur ski bus (line 92) | Early departure, fixed return | Lowest | Day trips on a budget |
| Private transfer | About 1 h 30, door to door | Fixed price agreed in advance | Families, groups, airport arrivals |
Isola 2000 or Auron: which resort should I choose?
Isola 2000 and Auron are the two biggest resorts near Nice, both around 90 km away. Isola 2000 is higher, at up to 2,610 m, and very family friendly; Auron is slightly larger, with 135 km of runs between 1,600 m and 2,450 m, and has a more traditional village feel.
If you want the most reliable snow and ski-in, ski-out apartments, Isola is a strong choice. If you prefer chalets, restaurants and a village atmosphere, look at Auron. Our French guide to ski resorts near Nice compares six resorts, including Valberg and La Colmiane.
Can I ski at Isola 2000 as a day trip from Nice?
Yes. The resort is close enough for a day trip from Nice: leave early, ski from opening time and be back on the coast for dinner. Many Nice residents do exactly this on winter weekends.
Leave Nice before 7:30 am on weekends to beat the traffic in the valley, hire equipment the day before if you can, and plan your return before dusk if you are driving. A chauffeur day trip removes the driving altogether: our hourly chauffeur hire lets you leave the car with the driver and come back down when you are ready.
What can I do at Isola 2000 apart from skiing?
The resort also offers snowshoeing in the Mercantour, sledging, and winter walks, and in summer it becomes a base for mountain biking and hiking. The resort has a bike park in summer, and the Tour de France has finished stages here, most recently in 2024.
Down in the valley, the old village of Isola is worth a stop on the way up or down, with its bell tower and mountain setting.
Isola 2000: frequently asked questions
How far is Isola 2000 from Nice?
About 90 km, or around 1 hour 30 minutes by road in normal conditions, from Nice or Nice Airport.
When does Isola 2000 open for the 2026–27 season?
The ski area is due to open on Saturday 5 December 2026, according to Petites Affiches.
How much is a day pass at Isola 2000?
An adult day pass cost €44 and a child pass €33 in 2025–26, according to Skiinfo. Check the resort website for 2026–27 prices.
Is there a bus from Nice to Isola 2000?
Yes. In winter, Lignes d’Azur line 92 runs from Nice Grand Arénas to Isola 2000 as part of its 100% Neige ski buses.
Do I need snow chains for Isola 2000?
From 1 November to 31 March, cars in listed mountain areas of the Alpes-Maritimes must carry chains or socks, or have winter tyres.
Is Isola 2000 good for beginners?
Yes. Most of its 43 runs are green or blue, and ski guides describe the resort as well suited to families and beginners.
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Written by The Luxotica Team, licensed VTC chauffeurs based in Nice. Updated October 2026.