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10 reasons why Paradiski is one of the best ski areas
Discover the 2nd largest ski area in France, Paradiski.
Quiet alpine charm with direct access to Paradiski skiing
Les Coches is a small village with a traffic-free centre on the La Plagne side of the Paradiski ski area. It’s within easy reach of the Vanoise Express cable car to Les Arcs and Peisey, offering direct access to the vast Paradiski ski area.
Designed to feel like a traditional Alpine resort, it combines a relaxed atmosphere with excellent skiing right on your doorstep. It’s a great choice for families and skiers who want easy access to a huge ski area, while enjoying a quieter, more manageable base.
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Les Coches Quick Facts
- Ski area: Paradiski
- Resort height: 1200m
- Resort top height: 3250m
- Km piste: 425
- Distance from Calais: 605 miles (8hrs 59)
- Lift pass: ££££
- No. of slopes: 258
- Green slopes: 19
- Blue slopes: 128
- Red slopes: 77
- Black slopes: 34
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Beginners:
★ ★ ★
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Intermediate:
★ ★ ★ ★
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Expert:
★ ★ ★ ★
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Boarders:
★ ★ ★ ★
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Freeride:
★ ★ ★
Highlights
In the La Plagne ski area and with easy access to the wider Paradiski area
Quiet traffic-free village ideal for families and relaxed stays
Traditional Alpine feel despite being a purpose-built resort
Easy link to Les Arcs via the Vanoise Express cable car
Excellent tree-lined slopes close to village for confidence building skiing
Smaller selection of shops and nightlife than larger resorts
Resort
Everything you need to know about Les Coches
Learn about Les Coches beyond the basics; from the best slopes to activities to try in the resort.
Small, friendly resort with a relaxed and family-focused atmosphere
Purpose-built but designed to reflect a traditional Alpine village feel
Limited nightlife and facilities compared to some of the larger La Plagne resorts
A quieter alternative in La Plagne
Les Coches offers a more intimate experience compared to some of the larger resorts in La Plagne. It has been designed to feel like a traditional Alpine village, with chalet-style buildings and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
The village is compact and easy to get around, creating a relaxed environment that works particularly well for families or anyone looking to avoid the crowds.
Easy, family-friendly layout
The traffic-free centre makes it feel safe and easy to navigate, especially for families with younger children. Facilities are all close by, and childcare options are available locally, making day-to-day logistics straightforward.
Neighbouring Montchavin adds a little more variety, just a short distance away, with additional restaurants and amenities.
Atmosphere and overall feel
Les Coches is calm rather than lively. Evenings are low-key, with a small selection of restaurants and bars rather than a big après-ski scene.
It’s a resort where the focus is on the skiing, time together in your apartment and the mountain experience, rather than nightlife.
Immediate access to the vast La Plagne and Paradiski ski areas
Particularly strong for beginners and intermediates
Reliable snow conditions thanks to altitude and snowmaking
Les Coches is a great location for those looking to make full use of the Paradiski area and head over to Peisey-Vallandry and Les Arcs to ski there too. The double decker Vanoise Express leaves from above Montchavin (which is just below Les Coches) and crosses the valley to Peisey.
Beginners
Les Coches is a great place to learn. The local slopes above the village are gentle, with a good choice of blues, and they are tree-lined, offering a sheltered and reassuring environment for beginners.
Across La Plagne, there are well-developed beginner zones, including one just above Les Coches, designed to help build beginners’ confidence. It’s also easy to explore much of the wider area using easier pistes once you progress.
Intermediates
Intermediates are particularly well catered for in La Plagne, with a huge number of blue and red runs across La Plagne and the wider Paradiski area.
The Montchavin-Les Coches sector of the ski area offers accessible cruising runs, as well as fun blues like the Pierres Blanches run and a short ungroomed red for those who want to experience the challenge of a more natural piste. Further afield you can explore long, scenic descents and cover plenty of ground thanks to the fast lift system.
Advanced
Advanced skiers will find more challenging terrain higher up in La Plagne, especially around the Bellecôte Glacier and areas such as Roche de Mio and runs from the sector around Aime La Plagne. In the immediate area of Les Coches and Montchavin there are a couple of ungroomed black ‘Natur’ runs.
There are steep black runs, off-piste routes and mogul fields to explore, and the link to Les Arcs opens up even more variety for experienced skiers.
Mountain Fun Zones
The wider La Plagne area offers a good range of fun zones, including snow parks, boardercross areas and freestyle features. There’s a freestyle zone above Les Coches accessed via the Bijolin lift.
Nordic skiing
There are extensive cross-country trails across La Plagne and Paradiski, offering scenic routes through forests and valleys for a quieter mountain experience. There are three blue trails (16km in total) of trails accessible from Montchavin / Les Coches. They pass through the Saint Jacques forest and also benefit from striking views of Mont Blanc.
Good range of activities across La Plagne and nearby villages
Options for both families and more adventurous visitors
Easy access to unique experiences within the wider area
Unique mountain experiences
One of the most unique experiences on offer in La Plagne is the chance to ride the Olympic bobsleigh track, where you can descend at speed either with a professional driver or in a self-steering craft. It’s a rare opportunity and a real highlight for thrill-seekers. The bobsleigh track is found just below Plagne 1800.
There are also newer experiences such as Aerolive, where you glide up to over 3000m in an open-sided gondola, offering a completely different (and thrilling) way to enjoy the mountain views.
Relaxing and family-friendly options
For something more relaxed but still physical, snowshoeing is a popular choice, offering a different way to explore the mountains.
Snakegliss, where sledges are linked together in a train, is available from Les Coches, and you can also try snowbiking.
Les Coches also has an outdoor covered ice rink for post-skiing fun.
Small selection in Les Coches, with more variety nearby
Wide choice of mountain restaurants across the ski area
Relaxed après-ski rather than a lively nightlife scene
Local restaurants and village dining
Les Coches has a handful of restaurants and shops, offering everything you need for a comfortable stay. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, with a focus on relaxed dining rather than large, busy venues.
For more choice, nearby Montchavin provides additional restaurants and cafés.
Mountain restaurants across Paradiski
Once on the slopes, you’re spoiled for choice. Across the wider Paradiski area there are dozens of mountain restaurants, making long lunches and scenic stops part of the experience.
Whether you’re after a quick bite or a longer meal, there’s plenty to choose from across the ski area.
Après-ski and nightlife
Après-ski in Les Coches is low-key, with a few bars offering a relaxed end to the day.
Overall, evenings here are about switching off and enjoying a quieter pace.
Provides fantastic ski holidays to the French Alps. From a smooth booking process to exceptional service... Peak Retreats was rated highly by customers.
Les Coches offers tree-lined skiing away from the upper slopes of La Plagne, which are more open, which makes it a good place to head when the weather isn't as good.
A sleepy quiet resort perfect for families or couples and also close to the lifts
Location
The nearest train station to Les Coches is Aime la Plagne, approx. 17.5km away or 22 minutes by taxi.
Lyon airport is around 201km or 2h15 away.
Accommodation
Les Coches ski accommodation options
All Les Coches accommodation
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Les Coches
Is Les Coches a good resort for beginners?
Yes, Les Coches is a great choice for beginners. The local slopes are gentle and tree-lined, offering a reassuring place to learn. Across La Plagne, you’ll also find dedicated beginner areas, that help progression feel natural and manageable.
Is Les Coches suitable for intermediate skiers?
Les Coches works very well for intermediates. You’ll have access to a huge network of blue and red runs across La Plagne and Paradiski, making it easy to explore and build confidence while enjoying a wide variety of terrain.
How large is the Les Coches ski area?
Les Coches sits within the La Plagne ski area and links directly into the full Paradiski domain. This gives access to one of the largest ski areas in the world, with 425 kilometres of pistes connecting multiple resorts.
Is Les Coches snow-sure?
Yes, the area offers reliable conditions. Many slopes are north-facing, and a large proportion of the terrain sits above 2000m. Combined with an extensive snowmaking system, this helps maintain consistent snow cover throughout the season.
Is Les Coches good for families?
Les Coches is very family-friendly. It has a traffic-free centre, and offers a safe, relaxed environment. The layout and skiing are well suited to families, making it easy to enjoy a stress-free holiday together.
How do you access Les Arcs from Les Coches?
You can access Les Arcs using the Vanoise Express cable car, which links La Plagne and Les Arcs in just a few minutes. It’s a quick and scenic connection that opens up a huge amount of additional skiing. From Les Coches, you head up the Plan Bois lift then starting with the Mont Blanc blue piste, you take a series of blue runs to the departure point for the Vanoise Express. Once on the other side of the valley, the lift system takes you from Peisey quickly into the heart of the Les Arcs sector.
What lift passes are available in Les Coches?
Lift passes can be pre-booked with us covering La Plagne or the full Paradiski area depending on your choice. If you book the full Paradiski area, you get an additional 4 hours of skiing on the afternoon of the day before your lift pass would normally start. Pre-booking helps make your arrival smoother and gives you speedier access to the slopes.
Can I pre-book ski hire in Les Coches?
Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us for Les Coches. This is a convenient option, ensuring your equipment is available when you arrive and saving time once you’re in resort.
What childcare options are available in Les Coches?
Les Coches offers childcare for children from 5 months to 11 years through local daycare centres. These provide flexible arrangements, including hourly care. However, childcare must be arranged directly with the provider, as we are unable to pre-book it. We recommend booking early, especially during peak weeks.
Is there much to do in Les Coches apart from skiing?
Yes, while the village itself is quieter, you can enjoy snowshoeing, snake glisse and ice skating, plus you have access to a wide range of activities across La Plagne, including the Olympic bobsleigh.
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