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The skiing region Les Arcs together with the skiing region La Plagne form the mega-sized Paradiski in France. The two skiing areas are directly connected to the Vanoise Express. With the Paradiski ski pass you can indulge yourself on more than 400 kilometres of slopes. This makes Paradiski one of the largest ski areas in the world! Les Arcs is a paradise for experienced skiers. And La Plagne is ideal for beginners and very child friendly. The Paradiski ski area thus combines the best of both ski areas.
Punchy green and blue runs, challenging red and black pistes. Freeriding, winter hiking, cross-country skiing. Beautiful children's countries, beautiful views, delicious food and cosy après-ski. You'll find it all in the Paradiski ski area. The characteristics of the Paradiski ski area and the individual ski areas of Les Arcs and La Plagne are listed in the tables below. In the table you will also find a link to the map of the skiing region Paradiski with both the skiing region La Plagne and Les Arcs on it.
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Special features of the Paradiski ski area |
|
| Highest point | 3200 metres |
| Lowest point | 1200 metres |
| Total kilometres of pistes | 425 |
| Green slopes | 23 kilometers |
| Blue slopes | 220 kilometres |
| Red slopes | 129 kilometres |
| Black slopes | 53 kilometres |
| Snow security | High - Very high |
| Après-ski possibilities | Moderate |
| Child-Friendliness | Very good |
| Oportunities for beginners | Very good |
| advanced options | Very good |
| Ski pass Paradiski (6 days) in 2018 . | € 305 |
| Ski lesson costs (4 days x 4 hours) | € 150 - € 200 |
| Cost lunch on the slopes | € 5 - € 25 |
| Best travel period | December to March |
| Pistecards | Pistecard Paradiski |
|
Special features of the Les Arcs ski area |
|
| Highest point | 3200 metres |
| Lowest point | 1200 metres |
| Total kilometres of pistes | 200 |
| Green slopes | 4 kilometres |
| Blue slopes | 100 kilometers |
| Red slopes | 70 kilometers |
| Black slopes | 26 kilometers |
| Villages | Peisey-Vallandry, Arc 2000,
Arc 1800,Arc 1950,Arc 1600, Bourg Saint Maurice |
| Snow security | High |
| Après-ski possibilities | Moderate |
| Child-Friendliness | Moderate |
| Oportunities for beginners | Barely |
| advanced options | Very good |
| Post ski pass Les Arcs (6 days) in 2018 | € 265 |
| Best travel period | December to March |
| Travel time from Chambéry airport | 2 hours |
| Distance to Utrecht | Only 1120 kilometres |
| Pistecard | Pistecard Les Arcs |
|
Special features of the La Plagne ski area |
|
| Highest point | 3167 metres |
| Lowest point | 1250 metres |
| Total kilometres of pistes | 225 |
| Green slopes | 19 kilometres |
| Blue slopes | 120 kilometres |
| Red slopes | 59 kilometers |
| Black slopes | 27 kilometers |
| Villages | Plagne Centre, Montchavin-Les Coches,
Champagny and Vanoise, Plagne Montalbert, Belle Plagne, Plagne Village-Soleil, Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne 1800, Plagne Aime 2000 |
| Snow security | Very high |
| Après-ski possibilities | Moderate |
| Child-Friendliness | Very good |
| Oportunities for beginners | Very good |
| advanced options | Moderate |
| Post ski pass La Plagne (6 days) in 2017 | € 265,- |
| Best travel period | December to March |
| Travel time from Chambéry airport | 2 hours and 20 minutes |
| Distance to Utrecht | Only 1100 kilometers |
| Pistecard | Pistecard La Plagne |
The ski resorts of Les Arcs and La Plagne are directly linked to each other by the Vanoise Express. This gondola takes you from Peisey-Vallandry to the slopes above Montchavin-Les Coches and vice versa.
The Vanoise Express connects the ski resorts of Les Arcs and La Plagne
You can buy a separate ski pass for the ski areas Les Arcs and La Plagne. Take your experience into account when choosing the ski pass. La Plagne is ideal for beginners and children and Les Arcs is more suitable for advanced skiers. If you have little winter sports experience, a separate ski pass is fine. You do not need a large ski area. Do you have more experience and would you like to cover a lot of kilometres? Or do you find a lot of variation in downhill runs important? Then the Paradiski ski pass is a must. You can ski in La Plagne one day and discover new pistes the next in Les Arcs.
Are you going on winter sports with a company with a lot of difference in experience? Then you can for example choose an accommodation in Peisey-Vallandry or Montchavin-Les Coches. The advanced can leave for Les Arcs and the beginners go to La Plagne. The area is very large. Especially from the villages on the outskirts of the ski resorts you are often a long way to the Vanoise Express. Would you like to ski or snowboard in both ski resorts? Then it's smart not to spend the night in a village on the outskirts, such as Champagny and Vanoise or Plagne Montalbert.
There are several villages in the skiing area Les Arcs. You will find villages with authentic buildings, but also with French concrete construction. The most famous villages are Peisey-Vallandry and Arc 1800. Peisey-Vallandry is a collective name for the villages Peisey, Nancroix, Vallandry and Plan-Peisey. The Vanoise Express comes out in the middle of the village. This makes Peisey-Vallandry the perfect place to sit if you want to ski in both Les Arcs and La Plagne. The ski lifts are right next to the accommodation.
The ski village is not very old, but feels authentic. The atmosphere is good and you will find chalets, small hotels and beautiful apartment complexes. The slopes around the village of Peisey-Vallandry are long and wide. Moreover, it is often quiet on the slopes. It is therefore a popular destination for families with children. Arc 1800 is totally different from Peisey-Vallandry. In the village you will find mainly concrete construction. From your accommodation you are directly on the piste.
There are five lifts that take you higher into the ski area. You can also take a downhill run directly. Arc 1800 is ideal for winter sports enthusiasts who want to ski a lot and quickly and don't attach much importance to an attractive accommodation. The other villages in the Les Arcs ski area are:
Every village has other characteristics. Arc 1950, for example, is relatively new and has a special atmosphere. Arc 1600 and Arc 2000 consist mainly of concrete construction. Bourg Saint Maurice is a bit more atmospheric and nice and cheap.
The most famous villages within the La Plagne ski area are Belle Plagne and Plagne Bellecôte. Belle Plagne is centrally located at an altitude of about 2000 meters in the ski area of La Plagne. So with the snow security it's okay. From any accommodation you can ski or snowboard in all directions. You can directly take a downhill run, but you can also take one of the lifts that take you higher into the ski area. For example the telecabine to the glacier.
Belle Plagne is not an authentic village, because construction only started in 1981. Yet it is very cosy and atmospheric. Think of wooden chalets with natural stone and apartments in traditional style. After skiing you can go après-ski in Belle Plagne in the afternoon in one of the cozy bars or restaurants. Plagne Bellecôte is also located in the middle of the La Plagne ski area at an altitude of almost 2000 metres. The village is often covered with a layer of snow. You can go straight from your accommodation onto the slopes. For a lift you usually still have to walk a bit.
Plagne Bellecôte is a very different village from Belle Plagne. You will mainly find concrete buildings here. Far from authentic, but practical and not too expensive. Other villages in the ski resort La Plagne are:
ski area.
| Village | Height (m) | Dal
descent |
Lift | Snow | Price | Authentic
village |
Après-ski | Children | Achievable |
|
Les Arcs |
|||||||||
| Peisey-Vallandry | 1600 | + | + | + | +/- | + | - | + | +/- |
| Arc 2000 | 2000 | + | + | + | - | - | - | - | - |
| Arc 1800 | 1800 | + | + | + | +/- | - | + | +/- | +/- |
| Arc 1950 | 1950 | + | + | + | - | + | +/- | + | - |
| Arc 1600 | 1600 | + | + | + | +/- | - | - | +/- | +/- |
| Bourg Saint Maurice | 815 | - | + | +/- | + | +/- | - | - | + |
|
La Plagne |
|||||||||
| Plagne Centre | 1970 | + | + | + | + | - | +/- | +/- | +/- |
| Montchavin-Les Coches | 1250 | + | + | + | + | + | - | +/- | +/- |
| Champagny and Vanoise | 1250 | + | + | + | +/- | + | - | +/- | +/- |
| Plagne Montalbert | 1350 | + | + | + | +/- | + | +/- | +/- | +/- |
| Belle Plagne | 2050 | + | + | + | +/- | + | +/- | ++ | +/- |
| Plagne Village-Soleil | 2050 | + | + | + | +/- | +/- | - | ++ | +/- |
| Plagne Bellecôte | 1930 | + | + | + | + | - | +/- | - | +/- |
| Plagne 1800 | 1800 | + | + | + | + | + | +/- | ++ | +/- |
| Plagne Aime 2000 | 2000 | + | + | + | + | - | - | - | +/- |
La Plagne is a varied ski area around the Roche de Mio and the Bellecôte glacier. In Les Arcs, the Aiguille Rouge is the most important glacier with a peak at more than 3000 metres. In the high mountains you can enjoy wide slopes with beautiful wide views. Descend to one of the villages, then glide down between the trees and alpine meadows. The La Plagne ski area is ideal for beginners. More than half of the slopes are green and blue. Also the red slopes are often quite easy. Les Arcs, on the other hand, is a lot more challenging. Even the blue slopes are quite steep. In short, for real beginners, Les Arcs is usually a little too spicy.
In La Plagne you will find few steep and challenging slopes. Because of this you've often seen it as an advanced skier. However, the pistes on the Bellecôte glacier are quite steep and absolutely recommended for good skiers and snowboarders. The view from above is also very worthwhile. Les Arcs has much more to offer for advanced skiers when it comes to slopes. You will find many steep and challenging descents. The black run from the Aiguille Rouge, for example, is very beautiful. Just like the Ecureuils towards Peisey-Vallandry after heavy snowfall. Here you can enjoy the powder snow safely and wonderfully.
For freeriding you're good in Les Arcs. There are many open fields and nice forest paths for an excellent off-piste experience. La Plagne is also a great off-piste area. La Plagne is even one of the best freeridespots in Europe. Always go out with a guide for your own safety.
Freeriden is excellent in La Plagne
La Plagne has several flat areas where you have to walk with your snowboard or pierce your skis. You can hardly find those flat areas in Les Arcs. The separate ski areas of La Plagne and Les Arcs are already excellent for long trips. And with the arrival of the Vanoise Express and the Paradiski ski pass you can make great tours. To get from one side of the Paradiski ski area to the other and back again? That really is a challenge. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the Paradiski ski area also offers excellent cross-country skiing, tobogganing and winter hiking. Night skiing in Arc 1800 is also fun!
Nnight skiing on the floodlit track at Arc 1800
La Plagne is very child friendly. You will find many easy slopes and lifts where you can easily get in. Almost every village has its own children's land and other facilities for the little ones. Moreover, you can get on the slopes from many accommodations. Older children can explore the ski area on their own. The villages of Belle Plagne, Plagne Village-Soleil and Plagne 1800 are particularly child-friendly. The villages Plagne Bellecôte and Plagne Aime 2000 are the least suitable for children.
Les Arcs is a rather spicy ski area and less child friendly than La Plagne. Peisey-Vallandry, on the other hand, is a real family village with a children's land and several beautiful practice slopes for children. Many accommodations in the village are also aimed at families with children. Arc 1950 is also known as a child-friendly village. Arc 1800 is reasonably suitable for children due to its low location. However, it is often quite busy here. It is better not to go to Arc 2000 or Bourg Saint Maurice with children. Independent adventure in the ski resort Les Arcs is not really a good option for children.
The ski resorts of Les Arcs and La Plagne are both very high. The highest peaks reach over 3000 meters, there are several glaciers and about 70% of the slopes are above 2000 meters. It will not surprise you that Paradiski is very snow sure. In the lower parts of the area, snow cannons are used when necessary. Due to its favorable location, the snow quality in Les Arcs often slightly better than in La Plagne. The villages in Les Arcs and La Plagne are at high altitude and are regularly equipped with a white blanket.
You can best visit this ski area between mid-December and mid-March. Then the quality of the snow is optimal. However, earlier and later in the season you can still enjoy skiing or snowboarding in Les Arcs and La Plagne.
The Paradiski ski area is not known for its many après-ski possibilities. Especially in La Plagne it is sparse après-ski area. Les Arcs has some more après-ski. The après-ski in Plagne Centre, Plagne Montalbert, Belle Plagne, Plagne Bellecôte and Plagne 1800 consists of a drink at the end of the day. Really loose in La Plagne. In the evenings it is quiet everywhere. The other villages in La Plagne have no après-ski.
In Les Arcs, the best place for après-ski is Arc 1800 and Arc 1950. The other villages in Les Arcs have virtually no après-ski. Arc 1950 is the best place to have a good time. Don't count on a hossing crowd or sing-alongs. Après-ski is all about having a drink in a winter atmosphere. Arc 1800 is by far the cosiest village when it comes to après-ski. Nice and cozy bars and a cheerful and festive atmosphere. It is not super vibrant as in Val Thorens or Austria. Yet in Arc 18000 you can have a great time in the afternoon and evening. For example in the Ambiente Café.
Would you like to learn to ski or snowboard better in La Plagne or Les Arcs? In the Paradiski ski area you will find several ski schools where you can book lessons. This is also possible in the Netherlands. Then you know for sure that there is a place for you. The ski schools offer group lessons and private lessons for children and adults. Prices vary per ski school and per village. For a group lesson, count on an amount between 150 and 200 euros for 4 lessons of 4 hours. This rate applies to both children and adults. Private lessons are a lot more expensive (> 200 euros for 4 lessons).
On the slopes in the Paradiski ski area you can eat and drink well. Most restaurants are cozy and the meals are fine. You will find small eateries in the area, but also large restaurants where you can bunker. Order a simple croque-monsieur or tartiflette, go extensive cheese fondue or choose a sweet crepe or tarte tartin. It's all possible on the French slopes. Prices vary greatly between normal and sometimes far too high. Certainly drinks are not cheap. Count on a lunch on the slopes between 5 and 25 euros per person.
For a chic lunch you can visit Le Savoy in Arc 2000. In La Plagne, the traditional mountain restaurant Le Forperet in Plagne Montalbert, for example, is a must.
Other villages, such as Plagne Centre, Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne Aime 2000, Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 consist mainly of concrete construction. Paradiski is certainly not a budget destination. The individual ski passes and the Paradiski ski pass are quite expensive. However, you do get many good winter sports opportunities in return. And a good snow security. You can often find great package holidays with discount. The prices for food are average to high.
Also for many accommodations you often have to go deeper into your pocket than in other French winter sports areas. Especially in Arc 2000, Belle Plagne and Arc 1950 a chalet, apartment or hotel room is quite expensive. In Bourg Saint-Maurice you will find most accommodations.
The cheapest options are:
The other villages are in between in terms of price. It can be very busy in Paradiski. In the various villages are more than 100,000 beds to book. The lifts are modern and waiting times are generally not too bad. However, it is on some slopes dringen blown. Especially during holiday periods.
To reach the ski resort of La Plagne, take the motorway to Albertville. Then take the Route National to Aime and follow the signs to your destination. Most villages are easy to reach. To some villages, such as Peisey-Vallandry, Arc 2000 and Arc 1950, you have to make a climb via a mountain road. As you can see on the map there is another popular ski area nearby: Tignis Val-d'isere.
In the winter it can snow heavily in France. Winter tyres and snow chains are therefore a must. Also note that on changeover days and during holiday periods it can be busy on the road. Especially after heavy snowfall. You can also take the train or plane on winter sports to Paradiski. With the Thalys and a connecting bus-transfer you will be at your destination within 10 hours. Check out the travel options on the site of NS International. You can fly to Chambéry. You will still be at least 2 hours away by taxi to the ski area.
Winter sports in the Paradiski stands for enjoyment in a large, varied and snow guaranteed ski area. There is plenty to do for children, beginners and advanced skiers alike. If you love winter sports in France, then you should really visit this ski area. Also in summer it is a beautiful area. There are several chairlifts open in the summer to bring you to a mountain top.
