Editing Isola 2000

{{Short description|Ski resort in Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur, France}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox ski area
| name           = Isola 2000
| logo           = 
| picture        = Vue d’ensemble de la station Isola 2000 (février 2022).jpg
| caption        = Isola 2000 in February 2012
| location       = Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France  {{flagicon|France}}
| nearest_city   = [[Nice]], France ({{convert|90|km|mi|abbr=on}})
| coordinates    = {{coord|44|11|12|N|07|09|30|E|type:landmark_scale:50000|display=inline}}
| pushpin_map    = France#France Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur #Alps
| pushpin_relief = y
| vertical       = {{convert|770|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| top_elevation  = {{convert|2610|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| base_elevation = {{convert|1840|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| skiable_area   = {{convert|20|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| number_trails  = {{color box|Black}} Black: 4<br />{{color box|Red}} Red: 11<br />{{color box|Blue}} Blue: 21<br />{{color box|Green}} Green: 7<br />'''43 Total ({{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=on}})'''
| longest_run    =  
| liftsystem     = 2 [[Gondola lift]]s<br />9 [[Chair lift]]s<br />10 [[Button lift]]s<br />1 [[Funicular]]
| lift_capacity  = ~20,000 pph
| terrainparks   = Snowpark, Boardercross
| snowfall       = 
| snowmaking     = 75% ([[Snow cannons]])
| nightskiing    = Twice weekly during French holidays
| external_link  = {{URL|www.isola2000.com}}
}}

'''Isola 2000''' is a [[ski resort]] in the southern French [[Alps]]. It is located on the territory of the [[commune in France|commune]] of [[Isola, Alpes-Maritimes]]. It is one of the ''Stations du Mercantour'', along with [[Auron (ski resort)|Auron]] and St. Dalmas, and is operated by the council of the ''Alpes-Maritimes''. It is located next to the [[Mercantour National Park]], and is about 90&nbsp;km from [[Nice]], France.

==History==
===Origins===
The area used to be part of the [[County of Nice]] in the [[Kingdom of Sardinia (1720–1861)|Kingdom of Piedmont Sardinia]]. In 1861, with Italy's unification, it became part of the [[Province of Cuneo]]. In 1947 following the [[Treaty of Paris (1947)|treaty of Paris]] the area was given to France.

The idea of a ski resort near the small town of [[Isola, Alpes-Maritimes|Isola]] first came from a British Army ex-officer, and Olympic skier, [[Peter Boumphrey]], in the late 1960s, after he discovered a basin in the southern [[French Alps]] on a map. The local village of Isola owned the land he wanted to build the resort on – a small town located at an altitude of 900m, with poor prospects for development as citizens were migrating to the cities. As a result of this, the local mayor was happy to allow Boumphrey, and the London-based contractors he persuaded to help him, to build a ski resort above Isola, as the land required was of little value as farmland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Southern-Alps/Isola-2000#History |title=Isola 2000 |publisher=Pistehors.com |accessdate=2009-07-24}}</ref>

The regional government was concerned not too much about the resort itself, but about the road that was required to access it. Before the resort existed there was a small dirt road up the resort's location, and [[avalanches]] were constantly blocking this in the winter, as well as [[rockslide]]s in the summer. Therefore, the government was interested in building a slightly longer, but safer road to the resort, that could serve Isola 2000, and also another proposed resort, called [[Azur 2000]], that was never built. However, the mayor of Isola was adamant that the road pass through his town, and the British contractors did not want the resort to be any further from [[Côte d'Azur Airport|Nice Côte d'Azur Airport]], a key aspect of the location, so the new route was scrapped, and the old road was upgraded.<ref>[http://www.cg06.fr/culture/pdf/rr164-sportsdhiver.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121104037/http://www.cg06.fr/culture/pdf/rr164-sportsdhiver.pdf|date=21 November 2006}}</ref>

In the summer of 1971 the resort officially finished, and had a capacity to sleep 6,000 people. It opened in December that year.

===Recent developments===
Over the resort's history, many new [[ski lift|lifts]] have been added and upgraded, such as new 6 seater and 4 seater [[Chairlift|chair lifts]], as well as a new [[Gondola lift|gondola]], added in 2006. More [[lodging|accommodation]] has been built around the original 70s structure, and many bars, restaurants and shops have been established.

The access road to the Mediterranean coast has also been constantly improved by removing corners and adding bridges and tunnels. It is now very possible to make the drive in less than an hour and a half from the nearest city of [[Nice]]. There is also a regular [[bus]] service from many surrounding areas, with ticket prices very low, at around €1.00, making day trips amongst locals attractive and commonplace.

The [[1993 Tour de France]] and [[2024 Tour de France]] used Isola 2000 as a stage finish,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isola 2000 dans le Tour de France |url=http://www.ledicodutour.com/villes-etapes/villes_etapes_i/isola_2000.html |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=www.ledicodutour.com}}</ref> and the [[2008 Tour de France]] also passed through the resort.

On 23 March 2008, Isola hosted various [[Slalom skiing|slalom]] stages for the ''Championnats de France de Ski 2008'' (the 2008 French ski championships).<ref>[http://www.cg06.fr/sports/sports-evenements-ski2008.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130111513/http://www.cg06.fr/sports/sports-evenements-ski2008.html|date=30 January 2009}}</ref>

==Ski facilities==
===Lifts===
Isola 2000 currently has 2 [[gondola lift]]s, 9 [[chairlift]]s, 10 [[button lift]]s and 1 [[funicular]], with a total capacity of about 20,000 pph.<ref>{{cite web |author=Alliance Réseaux |url=http://www.isola2000.com/hiver/fr/domaine-skiable-isola2000.asp |title=Les stations du mercantour |publisher=Isola 2000 |accessdate=2009-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723221804/http://www.isola2000.com/hiver/fr/domaine-skiable-isola2000.asp |archive-date=23 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Piste===
The resort has over 120&nbsp;km of [[piste]], consisting of two main ski areas. There are 7 green runs, 21 blue runs, 11 red runs, and 4 black runs. The resort is considered by ski guides to be well suited for families, beginner and intermediate level skiers.<ref name="j2ski1">{{cite web|url=http://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/France/Isola_2000.html |title=Ski Isola 2000, France – Skiing and Snowboarding in the French Ski Resort |publisher=J2ski.com |accessdate=2009-07-24}}</ref>

At 2000m, the resort is one of the highest in the Alps. This, with a favourable [[micro-climate]], ensures fairly reliable snow cover, and in December 2007, Isola 2000 was the resort with the most snow cover in France. However, when required, there are over 210 [[snow cannons]] to guarantee skiable conditions.<ref name="j2ski1"/>

The resort also has a snow park, including jumps and rails, 3&nbsp;km of cross-country ski piste and downhill racing facilities.

==The resort==
===Architecture===
The buildings in the resort are mainly clustered around the original purpose-built structure from the early seventies. This complex incorporates much concrete in its design, and is considered by most visitors as an ugly building. However, there have been many smaller structures built around it, which are more akin to traditional wooden [[chalet]] style. As the resort is very high compared to other resorts, there are very few trees at the station altitude and above.

===Dining and nightlife===
The resort has a handful of bars and restaurants. It has been noted by some guides that the resort has limited night life.<ref name="j2ski1"/>

==See also==
*[[Auron (ski resort)|Auron]], Isola 2000's neighbour ski resort, part of the ''Stations du Mercantour'' group

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081121081413/http://www.cc-mercantour.fr/ www.cc-mercantour.fr] {{in lang|fr}}

[[Category:Ski stations in France]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Alpes-Maritimes]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Alpes-Maritimes]]
[[Category:Skiing in the Maritime Alps]]