Paradiski
The well-established resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs are part of one of the largest ski areas in the world, Paradiski, linked by the Vanoise Express cable car connecting the two areas. The distinctive double-decker cable car connects the two resorts via Les Coches in La Plagne and Plan Peisey in Les Arcs creating a combined ski area with a huge 425kms of marked pistes.
Les Arcs and La Plagne are known for their modern purpose built resorts but both also boast pretty villages such as Champagny, Les Coches, Montchavin and Peisey Vallandry. Bordered by the scenic Vanoise National park, the area includes some typically pretty mountain landscape.
For thrill-seekers, Les Arcs’ famous Flying Kilometre run is where World speed records on skis were set, with more than 150mph to beat. It's now been transformed - an a zipline runs above the former speed skiing run, allowing thrill-seekers to fly down the mountain a different way! The ski area is made up of 4 ski resorts: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 - each a modern, purpose-built resort, developed with superb winter skiing and enjoyment in mind.
La Plagne is divided into several different ‘villages’. Plagne Soleil & Plagne Village sit at 2050m in a sunny bowl above Plagne Centre. Belle Plagne, also at 2050m, is the largest of the three villages at this altitude. All three benefit from a more traditional style of architecture featuring local timber and stone. Plagne Centre is the crossroads of the La Plagne ski area. Directly below Plagne Centre you have Plagne 1800, which is spread across a steep hillside - the Olympic Bobsleigh track starts just below here, you can even try it out if you’re feeling brave! Finally there is Plagne Montalbert situated at 1350m which is a family friendly ski village.
Located by the arrival and departure points of the Vanoise Express cable car, both Peisey Vallandry and Les Coches provide probably the best base for exploring the combined ski area.
Down in the valley, Bourg St Maurice is a great base for exploring the different villages that make up Paradiski, but also other resorts in the Tarentaise valley including La Rosière,