ISOLA 2000 — Attraction in Nice

My husband, who is extremely kind, was physically attacked by the owner and the waiter of "L’Essentiel the Rendez-vous at Isola 2000" after I asked the owner several times to speak to us respectfully about a trivial matter.

This kind of wretched individual never takes the time to imagine what is going on in the lives of those they attack. A year ago I lost the baby I was carrying in this exact restaurant.

With our hearts still broken, after a 2 hour drive to show our puppy the snow, we decided to sit in this restaurant to have a drink and keep focusing on getting over the trauma. While waiting for our drinks, we started to eat a snack we had brought from home (compatible with our diet and treatments). At that moment, a man in a red T-shirt, who seemed to be a customer at a table, disrespectfully approached us and said that we couldn't eat our food there.

Confused about who he was, I replied that I wanted to order drinks, but he kept shouting at me. I then realised he was the owner and asked him several times to change his tone as he was embarrassing me in front of dozens of other customers, but he refused and continued with his aggressive abusive behaviour.

I can understand any rules, but I also have the right to explain my case without being treated like a sack of rubbish. What I cannot understand or accept is unprofessionalism, rudeness and anger towards me and my family.

Finally, with a woman, he carried on with his sarcastic performance for the audience and kicked us out of his restaurant.

My husband, who remained silent throughout the entire discussion, was leaving the restaurant when the owner yelled at him to take back the sauce we had forgotten. He obeyed and returned to take it, muttering something to himself. At that moment, a waiter, who had not seen anything, arrived and insulted him. When my husband looked up to respond, the owner ran like a distraught madman and cowardly attacked him from behind, strangling his neck while the waiter assaulted him. Three other customers came to his aid and took the savages off my husband.

We are martial artists and we know technically how to destroy such a pitiful creature during an attack. But why do this to someone who destroys his own miserable life on a daily basis? Imagine being that person every day. At some point they will do it to someone who does not have the same kindness as my husband and it can get REALLY bad. But hopefully only bad enough to make up for his entire life of missed education.

We have lodged a complaint with the police, we will be contacting the council and we will do everything in our power to ensure that this emotionally unintelligent person never does this to other customers again, especially in front of the countless children and families who were there to have fun or heal from serious problems,...

I didn't get the chance to do much exploring on my day trip from Nice (I caught the Bus 100% Neige to spend the whole day there) because after a couple of hours the snow came in so heavily it discouraged me from going out after lunch, but I wanted to comment on how good this place is for beginners. If you're very "beginner" there is a completely free to use beginners drag lift (Kit) that you can practice your turns on. If you purchase a lift card for €1.50 without topping it up with a specific lift pass it will grant you unlimited access to the Front de Neige I and II drag lifts - both are good for better beginners. Number one stops a little further up the hill from Kit and the other goes a bit further again. If it's your first or second day skiing/boarding this might be enough for you. However, if you want to do a bit more skiing/boarding there are other options. Isola 2000 offers a reduced price "Discovery" lift pass that gives you unlimited access to a Chairlift and a few more Drag Lifts (giving you access to more green runs and some blue runs) and 1 trip up the Mercantour Gondola (giving access to a couple of red runs and more blues). The really helpful lady at the ticket office discussed (in excellent English) our needs and helped us to find a really great value for money option - with the unfilled €1.50 lift cards I could help my wife to practice on Kit I & II, have lunch and then afterwards decide if we wanted to explore further because after 12:30 the "Discovery" pass is reduced even further. I was sure that I would want to at least, but due to the weather this suggestion prevented us from wasting money on full day "Discovery" passes.

I wanted to share this because I'm sure there are many who would like to get up in the mountain for a day of skiing/snowboarding but are unsure whether they want to spend on a lift pass or not. It's possible to practice for free (either completely free or with a €1.50 card that I believe can be used on future day trips once you have bought it) and then expand to a "Discovery" pass to continue developing your skills on longer green or blue runs. I'm a good snowboarder, but given the excellent "Discovery" pass I'm pretty sure I would have been really happy with an afternoon or a day spent in this area. More than a day and I'd probably start feeling restricted and want to buy a full day pass, but I really appreciated this option.

Well done Isola 2000 and thank you so much to your helpful staff.

Oh, and I just forgot, the guy on Kit who helps obvious beginners with a detailed description, again in excellent English, of how to use a drag lift should be commended as well. It was so nice to see and have my wife so...

Isola 2000 is a fantastic ski resort located in the stunning Alpen Maritime region, about two hours away from Nice and nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. While the entrance fee for adults is slightly higher at €32.50, the experience justifies the cost. The resort is bright, sunny, and incredibly scenic, making it a must-visit for those exploring Nice or the French Riviera.

Highlights: Beginner-Friendly: The base area of Isola 2000 is perfect for beginners. The staff and visitors are extremely friendly and helpful, creating a welcoming environment for novices.

Diverse Visitors: Skiers and snowboarders from all over Europe gather here, adding a lively and cosmopolitan vibe.

Getting There:

Public Transport: The ISO Isola public transport requires a reservation (€14 return), which must be made a day in advance online or at the Tourism Office.

Alternatively, you can use bus 92 from Nice, but note that it has a limited schedule with only two buses for the round trip. Be sure to check the timetable carefully.

By Car: If you drive, you’ll likely park at P1, the lower area of the resort. This area is convenient but has fewer ski rental options (primarily ISOGLESSE) and limited accommodation.

Ski Rentals: The resort offers plenty of rental and purchase options for ski equipment, especially in the base area. Packages start at around €20, making it relatively affordable compared to other European ski destinations.

Final Thoughts: Isola 2000 is a delightful destination for both seasoned skiers and beginners. Its accessibility, affordability, and friendly atmosphere make it a top choice for anyone visiting the French Riviera. Just plan your transport carefully and reserve in advance if using public options. Whether you’re skiing for a day or staying longer, Isola 2000 is worth...