Ever since the alpine competitions of Olympic games in 1992, Val d'Isère, along with its neighbour Tignes, belongs to the top French winter sport resorts. The village features a historic centre dating back to the 16th century, and has kept its Savoyard charm right up until today. The newer buildings have also been built using natural materials such as wood and stone. The village has been a skiing village since 1934, when a few ski pioneers started a ski school and built a ski lift. Since then the resort has developed further. For 50 years now, the charming and welcoming winter sports resort introduces the annual winter season with first-class alpine racers speeding down the hills. The village centre has very little car traffic and a great infrastructure with many cafés, restaurants, shops and hotels, which offer the ideal atmosphere for a winter holiday.