 Poster: A snowHead
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Resort: Peisey-Vallandry
Country: France
Domain: Les Arcs, Paradiski
Author: Bertie Bassett
Date: 15th Dec - 24th Apr 2008/9
Website: www.peisey-vallandry.com www.paradiski.com
Basics
Peisey-Vallandry is in the Savoie Region of France and is located close to Bourg St Maurice and on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. Peisey-Vallandry is the resort name for a number of villages that sit between the mega-resorts of Les Arcs & La Plagne, collectively known as Paradiski offering some 425 km of pisted runs and some great off-piste.
Summary of good / bad points
Good For: -
Easy access to whole Paradiski Skiing - 425kms of runs across 2 resorts, all lift linked.
Families - quieter and decent amount of slopeside accommodation. Good nursery areas and 'beginner/improvers section'. Can ride down lifts back to base if needed. English TO's are child-centric.
Mixed Ability Groups - Something for everyone is usually just a couple of lifts away. More than enough to not get bored in a week or so.
High Milers - Do the montalbert-villaroger challenge (& back) and see if you can set a good time - test of fitness and navigation skills.
Budget - cheaper than the other French Mega-Stations e.g Val D'isere or 3v, for accommodation and drinks/food on the hill, less so for lift pass prices.
Quieter Types - if a beer in a nice bar after dinner is all that you need you'll be all good, but if you want to stomp on tables a la Moosewirt then forget it
X-country - in Nancroix a good x-country circuit away from hubbub of the slopes.
Rail Access - Stop at Aime or Bourg St Maurice and it's just a short taxi/bus ride away
Self-Drive - In '08-'09 season, no charge for car-parking unlike Les Arcs proper, and usually easy to park near your accommodation.
Less good for: -
Nightlife - it's pretty limited to a few bars (see helow) no clubbing without walking to 1800
Shopaholics - not really anything to hold interest for more than about 15 minutes.
Offslope - Cinema and that's about it. Swimming pools in a couple of the hotels/apartments.
Resort Branding
So this is an odd point to put in a TR, but the overall 'branding' of this resort appears a little unusual to a first-time visitor. The whole areas is known and marketed as Peisey-Vallandry but then there are different villages with similar names that initially appear to conflict / confuse. However once you understand the history then it does appear more self-explanatory. As you come up from the N90 the villages in order are Landry, Peisey, Moulin then you can turn right to the village of Nancroix (sometimes called Peisey-Nancroix) or turn left to go up the hill to Vallandry & Plan Peisey. The lower villages of Peisey, Mouline & Nancroix are the older villages in the area, and probably have been around for hundreds of years with farming whereas the higher villages of Plan-Peisey and Vallandry were probably only developed once the rush for 'whitegold' was in earnest. Collectively the whole-area is marketed as 'Peisey-Vallandry' comprising those villages mentioned - clear?
Given that Peisey-Vallandry is in a separate valley from Bourg St. Maurice & Les Arcs and has a separate mayor then whilst PV is an active part of the Les Arcs ski area, with lift and piste links and a single lift pass covering the whole area it markets itself as a separate resort - It's not Les Arcs 1650, it's Pesiey-Vallandry! So there's a separate tourist office, separate resort website and differing activity programmes. Technically there is also a different 'company' operating the lift services although you only notice the difference on the jackets worn by the lifties and there definitely is a different phone number for the piste patrol covering this side of the hill.
Village Overview
Vallandry & Plan-Peisey are both purpose built resort villages, although not as 'concrete monstrosities' as some other purpose built resorts, and IMHO are much prettier than say 2000. With the recent completion of the Club Med building it's pretty hard to spot where Plan-Peisey ends and Vallandry starts, as effectively they are now interlinked by road and foot. Vallandry & Plan-Peisey are directly lift linked into the resort area - the pistes stop at these villages and there are a choice of 3 chair-lifts directly up from here, and taking one run you can access 1800. Peisey village has a 'lobster pot' lift (the lonzanges) which links it to Plan-Peisey, so you can stay in Peisey and get on the lobster pots at the beginning / end of the day. No other village (Moulin, Nancroix, Landry) is lift linked but a shuttle bus runs pretty frequently.
Peisey Village - checkout some of the traditional buildings
   
One of the nice things about Plan-Peisey is the lack of over-development, whilst there are appartment blocks being on the edge of the vanoise national park they are no more than 4 floors high, and are often wooden clad, so are quite pleasing on the eye. In addition these blocks have quite large gaps between them (for a ski resort) with 50 or 60 feet separating them, and therefore you get a feel of an area that has not been over-developed. In addition there are a number of chalet buildings, the more recent of which appear to be very nicely built. There is a restriction on further development in the area, so it is unlikely that there will be a massive in-fill of new apartments between the current blocks. (although see the section on future developments)
Plan-Peisey from the Vanoise Express
Vallandry feels a little more like a 'classic' modern ski resort as its a little more compact and the gaps between buildings are less, that said there been some relatively new developments (Arc et Ciel) which are a little up the hill and have been tastefully designed. In Vallandry the chalets are mainly on skiers right as you head down into the resort, near the bottom of Liason Grizzly & Foret runs.
 
Getting Around
You can get between Plan-Peisey & Vallandry on skis easily, take one lift and then it's a choice of a straight 'easier' red down the face or a windy blue through the trees - just watch that the bottom of the blue into Plan-Peisey can get a little icy and can be a touch intimidating for the nervous skier. On foot then it's about a 20 minute walk from one end of Plan-Peisey to Vallandry and slightly downhill in this direction. The easiest way is to walk down the main road, but there are 'pavements' so you don't need to face the small amount of the traffic that runs along this road (busiest around 16:30 to about 18:00 but still not much to worry about!)
As well as the lobster pots mentioned above, which run in both directions then if you're a confident skier it's possible to ski back to Peisey Village off-piste, but you'll have to stop to cross the road.
There's also a route back to Nancroix, but you should get a guide for that one. There's a couple of courtesy shuttle buses - a 'hoppa' that runs between Plan-Peisey and Vallandry every 15 minutes or so (starts/finishes fromt the Vanoise Hotel in PP / Grizzly lift or far end of Vallandry as required) and every 30 minutes there's a bus that runs from the Plan-Peisey car park down to Vallandry, Nancroix and into the other lower villages. Every morning during the week a shuttle leaves at 9am to link (at landry) to another shuttle bus which links to Bourg St. Maurice, (nearest major town) with the return run being at 12:15 from Bourg - perfect for a morning shop if you dont' need / want to ski.
You can 'ski' to Bourg as well, take the lift out of PP or Vallandry, and then head across under the derby on the blue 'Maitaz' run down into 1800. Take the vagere chair, and then follow signs to 1600. This will probably take no more than about 30 minutes for a intermediate skier, with no lift lines. In 1600 you then need to take the funicular down into Bourg (head skiers right as you head to the bottom) although if the snow is good then you could take one of the runs down to the Funicular Mid-Station, and if very good then there is an off-piste route all the way down. Take some trainers as although the Funicular station is probably no more than 5 minutes walk from the town-centre then it's a bit of a stride in ski-boots.
Looking down on Bourg from above - in the second photo you can see the Funicular link to/from 1600
 
There is no direct road link between Peisey-Vallandary and Les Arcs 1800 in the winter - the only way to do it would be down to Bourg St M and up the other side, probably about 45 minutes in a car, and certainly over 50 euros in a cab, so don't get left by the lifts in Vallandry when they've closed and you're staying in 1800!. It's possible to walk to 1800 but it's uphill and not that easy in ski-kit, and takes about 30 minutes from Vallandry if that kebab is calling. In summer then the 'route des espagnols' is open which links between Charmettoger apartments and the Mont Blanc bar, but in the winter this is the 'liason grizzly' run.
Getting Here
Like all the Haute-Tarentaise resorts, then access can be done via car, rail or air.
By Car - There are a choice of routes through France although Reims, Dijon, Lyon seems quite popular, then head to Chambery, Albertville, Moutiers and then in direction of Bourg St. Maurice. On the N90 heading out of Moutiers you will see signs to Aime and access La Plagne, about 5km past Aime you will see a right turn signposted Peisey-Vallandry and Montchavin les Coches. Take this turn and head up the hill, crossing over the level crossing in Landry. Keep going up the hill, following signs and watch out for the raised pedestrian crossing (2 each in Landry, Peisey & Moulin). Whilst the resorts are straightforward its probably worth printing off the resort map from the Peisey-Valandry website if you need to find your accommodation in the dark. As you finally get to resort level on the right hand-side there is a smallish car-park adjacent to the tourist office, and on peak Saturdays you'll find a tourist information person sitting at a desk in the car park to provide resort information to visitors.
By Rail - Either take the day/night Eurostar ski service to Aime, or take the std. Eurostar to Paris and change. On arrival in Aime it's probably worth having pre-booked a transfer taxi to take you up the hill, although speak to your accommodation as some can pick you up. The nearest station is actually Landry so you could choose to get a local service and you may then be able to thumb a lift up the hill, although with bags that could be trickier!
By Air - The 4 nearest airports are Chambery, Grenoble, Lyon & Geneva. Take your pick as there's not a massive amount to choose between them although if you're hiring a car then GVA (swiss side) will provide you with winter tyres which is a bonus! To get to resort then pre-book a transfer (altibus or Coolbus are popular). Personally I like both Lyon (LYS) & Geneva (GVA) as they're both about 2 hours drive (car, no queues) and flight schedules are better for long weekends via LGW / LHR then Chambery or Grenoble. In addition both LYS & GVA are very directly accessed off the motorway, and are well singposted, by contrast the route to Grenoble is quite complicated and it's not very well signed from the North at all - TomTom took me right thru the city centre when I last went there - not that convenient when a footie match was taking place in the city.
Accommodation
Tour Operators - In Plan-Peisey then the only English Tour Operators are Ski Beat & Esprit which both provide the classic 'chalet service'. Vallandry has Ski Olympic Chalet-Hotel and Grande Alpes which seem to cater a little more to our European Cousins. In addition there is a large range of self-catering accommodation available throughout both villages - contact the tourist office @ www.peisey-vallandry.com for more information. If you're looking for hotel accommodation then there are less choices, the Vanoise Hotel in Plan-Peisey, is in a great location just up from the lifts (ski in/out in good snow) and comes with a swimming pool and sauna. In Vallandry there is the hotel Emeraude located just below the Grizzly lift and pretty close to ski-in/out, and probably a few others I've missed, so again check with the Tourist Office
There's also a range of 'hostel' type accommodation which may be more suitable for those on a budget, Freeride Republic in Peisey is lift linked by the lobster pots, does long-stay as well as week to week packages. Hucksters Lodge is bang on the pistes in Vallandry, below the Grizzly lift and next door to the Bar Mont Blanc. Chaletarc run by the inimitable Carole & Martin, and is a very cost-conscious option benefitting from being down the hill a little in Nancroix.
Drinking / Nightlife
In Peisey-Vallandry then the following are the main drinking spots
The Flying Squirrel - Between Sport 2000 and Intersport in Plan-Peisey, this is a british run bar that is a great spot for holiday makers and seasonaires. SKy Sports - show most live matches. They do a number of theme nights during the week, this season being Sunday - Chilled Funk, Monday - Pub Quizz, Tuesday - live band and 3 euro beers, Wed - DJ. Thr - 'alternative night', sometimes curry night, sometimes comedy nights. Paninis, Burgers, Chips all available from lunchtime upto 9pm, and their wedges are ace. Free WiFi
Jimmys - Dutch run bar in Vallandry, situated just opposite the main vallandry lift next to the newsagent / tobacconist. This is a popular spot for a bit of apres, especially during dutch holiday weeks and you get the closest to austrian apres you will find in this part of the alps. No Food or Wifi
Bar Mont-Blanc - Situated right next to the Grizzly lift (vallandry), large bar with pool table, very popular on sunny days as the terrace is a big sun-trap and has deckchairs, as well as picnic tables and table tennis, as pictured below. Provides the most comprehensive food menu of all the bars, including breakfast (upto 10:30). Run a number of theme nights which can include some good live bands - if Doctor Bruce are on then you MUST go, as they are wicked. Free WiFi.
La Vache - A restaurant/bar located below the 'retour combe' piste, and directly uphill from the ski-club Peisey-Vallandry. Readily recognisable in the evenings due to a green neon strip running around the perimeter of the building. La Vache has a huge sunny terrace and is another great 'apres' spot on sunny days, or for a chilled later evening drink. From time to time they run 'open mike' nights which can be entertaining, and this season they built their own mini-park and ran an 'expression session'. Free Wifi
Other Spots
- Bar L'ourson - Vallandry, Popular with French, good for 'local live sport' - e.g. French Champs League Game, Ski World Cup etc
- Greg's Bar seems to be the spot in Peisey
Eating Out
Listed below are a number of the eating spots in Peisey-Vallandry, but there are a number of other places that I didn't have the funds to frequent. Eating out is a bit of a luxury for a seasonaire.
La Vache - Plan Peisey - My fave eating out spot bar none, run by the lovely Chloe and her crew off mainly english speaking ladies. They do a great range of steaks, thai curries, home-made burgers, and other delectations including tartiflette, albeit from a fairly small menu. The puddings are amazing including sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownies and more. They've done a great job on the decor / theming too - spot how many times you can see a cow / cow spots around the place. Reservation is definitely needed at peak weeks / during the week, 04 79 08 04 63 (closed on Mondays). Quite a nice spot for lunch on the terasse.
La Refuge - Vallandry - Nice Local dishes, Pizzas and more. Ice cream based puddings (banana splits etc) are excellent. Popular with the lifties and other locals.
Le Solan - Plan Peisey (next to the Vanoise Express) - very nice restaurant with mainly french menu. Perhaps a little more expensive than other places. Do take-away pizzas which are great if you just want to chill at home. Good spot for lunch if you want to meet up with ski-schoolers as it's right at the bottom of the slopes.
Flying Squirrel - Plan Peisey - As mentioned above good for a burger & wedges, paninis etc.
Chez Felix - on the main road between PP & Vallandry - Quite french, lots of local delicacies, great crepes but the rest was a little disappointing.
Skiing & Runs
SKi-Passes
As ever there are a choice of lift passes with all lifts working on the hands-free basis, so stick that pass in a pocket on your left hand side and leave it in there. All prices are for adults based on 6
days for the 08/09 season. Other options are available especially for children (upto 12) and families or for 1/2 day passes. The lift pass office in Vallandry is lcose to the bottom of the 74 lift, just up from Jimmy's Apre Ski bar, and in Plan-Peisey it's round the back of the Peisey lift (looking down) and underneath the archway in the newly-built building - behind the club piou piou (as per photo below)
Village Pass - Covers the runs immediately above the Peisey-Vallandry resort - probably fine for beginners, but check with ski-school before buying or others who don't like to cover much distance - 164 euro.
Peisey Vallandry / Les Arcs - covers the whole Les Arcs / Peisey Vallandry domain - 203 euro
Paradiski Decouverte (discovery) - Covers the whole of Les Arcs / Peisey Valladnry and one free day in La Plagne (or vice versa) 216 euro
Paradiski Illimité (unlimited) - Covers the whole of Les Arcs / Peisey Vallandry & La Plagne - 243 euro
A question often asked is whether someone should choose 'decouverte' or 'illimité' to which there is no 'correct answer', but I believe that skiers on a 1 week holiday will not run out of things to ski in Les Arcs, so I always recommend decouverte to allow the day trip to discover the other resort. Additional extension days can be added for 26.50 euro so if you enjoyed a day in La Plagne and want another there's not much cost difference over the unlimited pass. Watch the closing times on the Vanoise Express - you want to be heading out of PLagne Bellecote no later than 45 minus before the VE closes, to allow time to get to the VE, otherwise it could be an expensive taxi ride.
Ski-Schools
As you might imagine then ESF are out in force, and I've had personal experience of their Plan-Peisey school, and despite an issue with getting me in the right group, I was reasonably pleased with their lessons which was c. 115 euro for 6 x 2.5 hours. My nieces really enjoyed their 2 on 1 private lessons which were 70 euro for the 2 hours. I then had a week with John Thomas of Ski New Gen, and the difference was remarkable - yes it was more expensive but he really did a great job, in a smaller class correcting a number of faults that ESF had let slide and really helping to progress my skiing. I really can't recommend him enough to anyone looking for small group or one and one clinics in this area. The other instructors that New Gen employ are great too, and as it's a small school then it's a really personal feeling to the lessons. Fantastic! Darentasia are the 3rd main ski-school in this area. Other ski-schools exist in 1800 (Arc Adventures) and 1950 (Spirit)
Kit-Hire
Lots of choices - Intersport & Sport 2000 shops scattered throughout Peisey-Vallandry, so just pick the nearest one provided that have the kit/service you like. I like the personal attention you get from the Sport 2000 next too the Flying Squirrel, but appreciate this is not convenient for everyone. SKi Republic also exist in Vallandry.
Snow Conditions
Obviously over the course of the season the snow conditions varies enourmously. With a big dump at the end of November the conditions initially were fantastic and with nobody on the lifts/mountain in Week 1 it was wicked. The pistes were maintained in excellent state right the way through to the end of the season and it was always (just about) possible to ski back to Peisey-Vallandry, although post easter certain pistes were shut for good for example L'ourson photo below take on the 17th April, the parallel L'ours was maintained through to closing day.
Peisey Vallandry Sector
The majority of the runs in Peisey-Vallandry are through the trees, which makes it great for flatter light conditions or windy/other poor conditions. The reds tend to run straight up and down the mountain and the blues tend to wind around the mountain, providing easy routes home for the less confident. At the top of the hill, between the Peisey & Vallandry lifts there is a wide learners area served by the 2300 lift which is perfect for finding the legs on the first run of the week or for improvers to master their first turns.
Club Piou Piou (at base of plan-peisey lift)
Top of the Peisey Lift there's an adults beginner area
Super Flat-Wide Area to dis-embark on at the top of the Peisey Lift
And you can downshift on the lift
This picture shows some of the general layout of the hill. The furthest right run is Combe, then Eceureils with the clump of trees in the middle, above the tree line you can see the big wide-open improvers space with lots of space for lessons or individual learning
Improvers Space
Pistes
I don't intend to cover all the runs in the resort, but will mention a number of my favourites. As ever different snow conditions have an impact on the difficult level of the run, and certain runs in
particular can be a doddle in the morning, and then having mogulled up catch out the unwary in the afternoon e.g. the bottom half of lac in 2000 sector. One thing to watch for in Les Arcs is that there's a lot of runs on a relatively 'compact' mountain, therefore there's a good number of intersections compared to other resorts, and whilst they are well signposted, not everyone slows down for them!
Renard (blue)
Renard is the blue served off the fast Derby lift, and provides a wide open blue which is perfect for improvers to master their turns. Its gradient varies over the course of the run but is enough to get snowboarders going when they've fallen over. This means its very popular with ski-schools and can often be very busy for the morning and afternoon lesson times. However when they've cleared off and the snow is good, it's a fantastic spot to play around the edges as there's lots of natural ramps for small jumps (particularly down the skiers right on the section in the photo below, and a little further down the run than the photo)
Rhodos (blue)
Also served off the top of the derby, and accessed off the Bellette red, it's a lovely blue run with natural rollers perfect for getting air. You have the option of continuing onto 1800, or taking either a
couple of left turns the 1st one takes you back on a cat-track to the bottom of the Derby and the second onto Barmont back to the Valladry lifts. A great 'variation' run for aspiring intermediates, and a fun route to 1800 although you need to be able to ski the steepest part of Bellette in order to access it.
Ours, Myrtilles, Morey & Aigle (all red but really blue/red)
These red runs run down to Plan-Peisey or Vallandry from various points in the PV sector, and are great 'easy' reds for people to progress too. Coming down the face of the mountain through the treest, they are popular on flat light days, and are nice 'warmer-uppers'. Ours can get busy at the end of the day as it's the main red run back to Plan-Peisey and the Vanoise Express. L'OUrson is the 'competition piste' at the top - and as such is usually fenced off, however if they haven't put the netting across at the top then it's fair game - and usually very well groomed. When you see the timing hut about 1/2 way down that's the end of the competition section, so head skiers right and there's a narrow route out. The bottom half of L'ourson can be accessed from retour plan-peisey and is always less busy than L'ours, and is the steepest red in this sector, so it's a popular route home for the instructors.
Bottom of L'ours and view of Plan-Peisey, showing Vanoise Express on the right
Bellette (Red)
Probably my fave run in Peisey-Vallandry - it's a wide red served off the Derby chair and is great when empty for those that like to put their foot down - it's fantastic for hammering down at full tilt when clear, and snow conditions permit, but take care as I saw the worst crash of the season on it...
 
Bosses (Black but Burgundy really)
Again served off the Derby chair it's a narrow black run whose difficulty really depends on the snow conditions. There's a couple of steeper pitches but other than that it's really no more than a burgundy rather than a true black. Avoid if the snow is icy as it's not that much fun, but with more snow it can be a good run for the more confident skier. In fresh powder can very quickly get 2-3 foot moguls and it's not more than 15 feet wide, but that's ok as it's not the busiest of runs. Can be easily scoped from the Derby chair. The whole area around the Derby chair has lots of 'easy' off-piste potential in particular either side of the Bellette piste, and then options for tree-skiing lower down.
Combe (Red but more blue-red)
A hidden gem, but ONLY go down in decent snow as it seems to lose the snow faster than the rest of the sector. Coming off the Peisey chair turn right and leave the top of the drag lit on your left it's another sweeping red through the trees. Whilst not overly testing due to it's location not a lot of people manage to find it which keeps it nice and empty. At the bottom grab the drag lift backup or turn right and hammer it along 'retour combe' as you need lots and of pace to get back to the Peisey chair - and watch out for walkers/snowshoers/dogwalkers and other tourists when heading along that route. It's a nice alternative route home if you want to stop for an apres in la Vache.
Ecuereils (black - but more burgundy)
This black run is served from the top of the grizzly chair, but can be joined / left about the top of the Peisey lift. The only part which is deserving of the term black is at the bottom where the run splits either side of a clump of trees, taking the route to skiers right is steeper, taking the route to left is manageable by any competent red-run skier. If you're staying in the Ski-Beat 'top 5' chalets (near la vache) then at the bottom of the piste head straight down off-piste and you'll end up and your front door!
Arc 1800 Sector
Main route into 1800 - and that's what it looks like at 3pm on Half-Term Friday!
Whilst there are a large number of runs in this sector, to my mind there aren't a massive number of 'stand-out' runs with the following exceptions.
Petit Renard (red)
This is a red variant on the gd. renard run which comes down from col de frettes. By taking the lift of the same name you can scope out the run and snow condtions - the run is narrow in places and whilst quite short can get somewhat mogully, its never busy and provides a nice variant to the somewhat straightforward gd. renard.
Stade (red)
The stade run is a red run which is often used by skiclub for gates drills and later in the week (usually thr/fri) is used by both ESF & Arc Adventure for their ski tests. Technically it's always marked as 'ferme' at the top but there is a little entrance on the right hand-side at the top of the run, and I've not seen anyone being 'pulled up' for skiing on it provided that it's not being used by organised
drills which you can see from the Vagere chair. It's always really well groomed, often icy and has a couple of interesting corners and big rollers (especially near the bottom) - if you want to scare yourself with speed then it's probably the best run in the whole resort to let it rip, but throttle back before the rollers as otherwise you will go much further than you expected.
Golf (red)
Whilst virtually on the same section of the mountain as the Stade, it's a completely different kettle of fish. Flat initially it steepens up and becomes pretty mogully lower down. Generally it doesn't appear to be pisted overnight which means that it's great for bumps practice and a wonderful spot after a fresh dump of snow. Around the edges of the run there is lots of 'easy' off-piste opportunities and it's a great run for snowboarders after a dump. My fave run in / around 1800, and it's also easy to lap via the Vagere chair.
Arc 1600 Sector
Arolles (red)
This is a windy red run combing down through the trees from the top of the Cachette lift. Initially a bit of a cat-track it widens up and turns into a fabulous but relatively short run winding through trees down back into 1600. As the route to the piste involves doubling back under the lift itself and its not immediately obvious then the run tends to be missed by the majority so it's not that busy although you may find troops walking uphill along it from time to time!
Malgovert (red but really a tough black compared to some of the easy blacks in resort)
Accessable only from the comborciere chair - the longest & slowest one in the whole resort. It's definitely a bit of a 'marmite' piste - i.e you either love it or hate it. Not for the timid or nervous, you need an 'adventurous' mindset and decent technique to get down it and there are no bail-out options. Whilst not that long it's always left 'ungroomed' and develops some quite extensive moguls. Narrow and windy in places it provides a tough challenge for the intermediate skier and a fun run for the more experienced. There are also a number of alternative runs to the main piste itself which can prove to be an enjoyable alternative. It's more of an off-piste than a piste as the marking can leave a little to be desired, so I'd recommend following someone down it who's been down before for your first time. It's not the easiest run to 'lap' either, as you'd have to go back over the ridge down into the 2000 bowl and then the comborciere lift.
Fond Blanc (black)
A mogully black accessable from the top of the arpette & bois de l'ours lift, which is not overly long but provides a work-out in itself.
Clair Blanc (red)
Again accessable from the arpette / bois de l'ours junction, and is left ungroomed thus the entry to the red section of the run is very narrow, steep and bumpy and thus is quite intimidating. Further down it opens out into a bumpy red which is quite challenging but short. Thereafter it becomes a tame blue.
Rouelles (black)
A bumpy black run that goes fairly straight down through the trees to the skiers left of the main run into 1600. The full run is accessed from the top of cachette lift (main lift out of 1600) but the lower section can be accessed straight off the sources run. Another of those runs that is never busy but is a great fun run to do provided you like bumps!
Arc 2000 Sector
The Arc 2000 bowl provides challenges for every level, the blues are some of the easiest on the mountain - actually they're not that great for improver boarders as you'll run out of gas on the flat bits. There are some nice progressor reds and then the blacks below the aiguille rouge provided the hardest test in the resort. General view of the 2000 bowl, looking across to the Aiguille Rouge, Plagnettes lift visible running left to right in the mid ground
Plagnettes / Teppes (red)
Coming off the top of the Transarc bubble, pass between the top of the PLagnettes lift and the Ski-Partol building (pretty obvious) and you're on the top of the blue Plan Des Eaux, as per 1st photo.
Take the first left for Plagnettes (next to the self-named lift) and the second left for teppes. Both runs have steeper sections that can mogul, plagnettes in particular has one longer but wide section that can get smallish lumps developing. There's also a natural half-pipe on the skiers left towards the bottom of the steeper section which is fun (as visible in the second photo under the lift). You can scope both these runs out from the plagnettes or arcabule chairs, if you'd like to look what to ski in advance.
 
Tuffes (red)
Tuffes is a genuine bumps run underneath the arcabule chair - not for the nervous as there's not an easy out option, other than cutting back to plagnettes in places or onto the slalom piste. If you skirt the entrance to tuffes and go straight on you can traverse round the top of the slalom piste and there's a lot of options for easier off-piste runs, the shorter ones ending up back at arcabule lift and the longer ones ending up down at marmottes. Entrance photo below
Grand Col / Refuge (red/black)
This area of the mountain is a somewhat 'undiscovered gem' as people seem to avoid it possibly due to the slower lift. Still if you put up with the clunker then Refuge (black) is a great bumps run, but watch in late season as can be horribly icy 1st thing and is sometimes closed to 13:00. Gd. Col (red) provides an easier alternative, although you need to put the hammer down hard before the last big roller to avoid poling/walking uphill before you get back to the lift. Lots of off-piste potential in this are including the obvious face under the lift, and routes round the back of ag rouge and down to Nancroix although take a guide! The best access route to the gd. col sector is from Ariadelieres and after a hundred yards down the steep bit, turn left and straight line it down the blue Vallee De L'arc and you'll get there wihout stopping - if you access from Transarc direct you'll pretty much have to pole.
Great Views
Ariandelieres (red)
The top half is pretty pointless - I think I only skied it twice in the whole season - but it does provide a red route down from the top of the mountain, although once you get to the split then there's not a massive amount of 'black' left in the black aiguille rouge, but the bottom half is fantastic fun for the the speedsters and one of my 'top 3 reds in resort' - wide, usually flat and a complete hoot to tear down from the bottom station of the cable car. Choose you days/times carefully to make the most of it on busy weeks last season piste patrol installed 'traffic calming measures', and watch out for numpties stopping at the top of the ridges a little lower down.
Comborciere (black)
Accessable from the interminable chair of the same name (and good for scoping out conditions) or via Muguet from the top of the clocheret chair (1600), this is a fun fun fun black run which is steeper, narrow and often bumpy. It also seems to go on for a long long time and is a real thigh burner, especially when the snow is starting to soften. Go skiers right about 100 yds up from the bottom and you can cut round to the Pre St. Esprit chair to head back to 2000 sector, or head straight for the tiresomely dull comborciere chair. Still you get a nice view of La Rosiere from it!
Bois de l'ours (black)
On the same face of the mountain as comborciere shares a lot of similar characteristics. Entry can get stony in poorer snow, and route finding is a touch trickier. Options to traverse across and come down the face under the avalance barriers, although has been known to slide. Easily scoped from the chair of same name
Genepi / Dou De L'homme / Cretes / Lanches / Droset. (black)
All black runs most on the face of the aiguille rouge - look quite bumpy and steep and I didn't ski many of them, as they're probably the hardest blacks in the resort. Did some of them a few times on my board but would have been more fun on skis if my technique had been upto it.
Aiguille Rouge (Black then becomes red lower down)
The 'marquee' run in the resort with a good length and breath-taking scenary. 2000m vertical - you'll be fit if you can do it top to bottom without stopping at all! It's marked as a Black on the piste map, but is less intimidating that some of the runs coming off it, directly above 2000. The grading is probably mainly to keep the numbers down and whilst there are tricky pitches of bumps these can be avoided. A lot of people are keen to 'tick the box' for this run during their holiday so you'll find it gets busier on thursday/fridays and with access only via a cable-car you'll be waiting a while on a sunny friday in 1/2 term week! Timing your approach is important - either head up early or around lunchtime to avoid waiting too long on the cable car. If you get to the Varet and they're queuing out the pens then it's likely they'll be a decent line at the top.
Once out of the cable car you can walk up about 50m to a lookout platform for the best views of the mountains and for the obligatory photocall. Then walk / slide back down and put your skis on. If you're not photocalling then head off straight down the black, as it's easier than the 1st 2 turns on the red, and involves less uphill, then turn left onto the red to avoid the bumps. Given the cable-car dispereses it's load on a 5 minute cycle then time your departure from the top to reduce the number of people around - letting most of the group go first can be a good idea. Once you've got past the 1st bumps or the initial red alternate then the piste really opens up and you can get absolutely fab snow conditions on this sector. After a short burn you'll start seeing fencing and effectively a T-junction where Ariandelieres heads left - if you're going this way then hit it with pace to avoid poling. Turning right and staying on the black the piste narrows a lot and winds round the mountain. Not far beyond the top of 'lanchettes' lift you've got the bail out option of 'reservoir' back down to 2000 or carry on the Rouge for more thigh burn - actually this bit is a schuss so tuck like you're franz klammer. Shortly above the top of Plan Des Violettes the piste widens up again and you get a nice view across to Ste Foy IIRC. Just after the wide section you then can take lys to avoid the bumps section or stick with the red until you get to the Solliet restaurant (euro 4.90 for a chocolate chaud!). I prefer the black below Solliet (not really a black) as the snow on the red can get quite horrible quite quickly. Take Plan Des Violettes back up if you're just skiing but if you are ticking off Villaroger then go past and to the bottom. La Ferme (as per Top Gear!) is about 200 yds on the left from the Replat chair lift as you ski down towards it, and is one road back from the 'front de neige'. This side of the mountain does loose the sun about 3 O'clock in mid season so don't be too late! If you want just to ski the lower section, then take the lanchettes chair out of 2000 and you'll get some of the fun without the cable car queue.
Mountain Eats
As ever with eating 'on the hill' then the rule of heading to the bottom to reduce the cost normally works well. The classic (skin-flint) example would be to head down to 1800, walk back a street from the front de neige and then head to le Kebab where you can get some hot food for less than 5 euro. Alternatively the waffle shop in 1950 is popular with youngsters, and the young at heart! The pic 'n' mix shop next door is great for those with a sweet tooth.
Arpette (above 16/1800)
Ther Arpette is one of the most popular restaurants in the resort, largely as the prices are probably one of the lowest on the mountain. It's well located with easy access to/from 1600 and 1800 and has magnificent views of the mountains opposite from it's large and sunny terrace. The vast self-service main hall seats a large number of people but even so get there early (pre 12:30) or late for lunch on a peak week. The food itself covers a wide range e.g. pizza, tartiflette, sausages, lasagne and more, and they are pretty efficient so even if the queue looks long then it moves quite quickly. If you're looking to eat quickly the the top tip is to head to the 'ice cream hut' to the right of the main entrance and order a 'galette complet' which is a type of pancake filled with egg & hamm - yummy and avoids the queues inside. Note that they do free bottles of water just after the cashier's position - so no need to spend 3 euro on a coke or similar. OK toilets but often queues.
Altiport (above 16/1800)
Just above the arpette is the altiport restaurant, noticeable from it's large 'greenhouse' type structure covering a terrace at the rear, and during the warmer months a large 'water-slide' out the front which is popular with spectators. I didn't eat there myself as I seemed to gravitate to the Arpette, but its perhaps more of a beer and watch the action stop then somewhere you'd rush to eat at. Rubbish toilet (only 1 stall)
Blanche Murree (above 1800 / Vallandry)
Accessable from a windy blue to the left of the side of Reches, has a sunny terracce and is a popular spot for lunchtime eats with typical savoyard fair. Big sunny terrasse with table service. Great spot for a 4pm apres before skiing down to 1800 or Vallandry. Decent toilets
Chalet De L'Arc (above 2000)
Possibly the best restaurant in the whole of Paradiski? It's actually the highest bakery in the alps and has a choice of eating options. Inside the main room is the 'formal dining' and doesn't really feel like an on-mountain restaurant. Great range of food and a set menu for 25 euro will fill you up, and slow you down for the afternoon. Popular with ESF La Plagne instructors when entertaing Russian clients, although to don't need to be an oligarch to eat there. Try the 'chausson de boulangerie' which is something between a stuffed bread and a pasty, hot, tasty and very filling. Downstairs theres more of a snack bar setup thought I didn't use it myself. Good outside options. BOOKING RECOMMENDED for peak weeks.
Chez Eux (Arc 2000)
Opposite lanchettes lift, best in decent weather as can sit outside and soak up the sun. Does huge & good pizzas for euro 14
La Ferme (Villaroger)
Re-live your Richard Hammond vs. Les Francais action here. Good for coffee or lunch with self-service and table service options, and a sunny terrace. The self-service is 'collect in the basement' and does the usual spag bol, sausages etc. If you take the stairs up behind the cashier you can get upstairs easily, without fighting against the hordes coming down. Carafe's de L'eau grudgingly available from the bar upstairs, and table service option available in this section. GREAT puddings and nice toilets.
Pre-st. Esprit (below 1950)
2 restaurants here, next door to each other. I only managed to eat at the Au Pre Gourmand, the other is De Belliou au Fumee. Au Pre Gourmand has both table service and self-service, and a loverly open fireplace! The self-service bit has some good options for people on a budget as you can get a filling salad for 5 or 6 euro - felt a bit weird on ski holiday but filled me up ok. The table service food is fantastic with great portion sizes and good quality food. Large sunny terrace & v good toilets. Access is via cascades piste and then head right as you go down the steeper bit and see car park in front off you (as photo below) and then leave car-park on left.
La Podreuse (Vallandry)
Just below Vallandry 74 lift top station - not a bad place to meetup with people post ski-school. Decent terrace and chocolat chaud, although I didn't get the best reports on food (didn't eat there myself). Mens Toilets are 'squats' which is not that handy in ski-kit.
Huts (close Chamettoger lift / Side of Plagnettes Piste / top of Pre St. Esprit Lift)
3 huts around the mountain, good in decent weather, more a snack hut type place with chips / burgers / pizza etc.
Toilets
Knowing where the toilets are is handy if you / kids get caught short. They are marked on the pistemap but in addition to the restaurants above here' goes.
Arc 2000
- Top of Transarc/Arcabule - ski or walk round behind/below the pisteurs hut. Decent but occasionally closed due to lack of water. Ski in/out
- Montagnettes Lift - coming down from 1950 towards montagnettes lift, stop at building on left just next to the lift depart station (but about 50 yds from start of queue). Walk past most bizarely sited picnic table (out of sun, next to lift so noisy & next to toilets so smelly). Decentish, Ski-in/out
- Next to lanchettes lift base. Ski in / pole out
- Note their are no toilets from Varet bubbule upwards (incl cable-car)
Arc 1600
- to the side of the main lift queue for Mont Blanc / Cachette Lifts. OK
- Above the arpette lift - Sk in/out. OK
Arc 1800
- Next to the Transarc lower station (but a walk down some stairs). OK
- Underneath the Transarc mid station lift - try and avoid walking into the motor room though it's a bit shocking. Ski in pole out or drop over ridge and cut left back to piste. OK condition and never any queues as most people don't know they exist.
Peisey Vallandry
- Opposite the entrance to 66 lift- wooden hut but without running water in the mens room, so can't wash hands (yuck)
- Under the Vanoise Express Station - walk down the steps at the side '1 floor' modern, in good condition, never busy
Shopping
Plan-Peisey
-Sherpa Supermarket provides fresh bread, croissant and a good range of other food stuffs, also practical stuff such as light bulbs, toilet paper etc. Prices a little more than Super U (Bourg St. M) but not extortinate. English cornflakes, baked beans also available. Note fresh milk supplies can be a bit hit and miss as the only seem to re-stock on a weekly basis. 08/09 opening times were 08:30 to 12:30 and 16:00 to 19:00
- Newsagent - Next to Sherpa, provides English language newspapers, funny looking place run by a bloke who smokes in his shop, so can be a bit smelly.
- Sport 2000 - Next to Flying Squirrel - great range of rental skis & boards, really friendly staff. 20 euros for a wax and edge.
- Intersport - Other side of Flying Squirrel - again good range of rental kit, more for sale than Sport 2000.
- Gift Shop - selling tourist mementos
Between Plan Peisey & Vallandry
The shops between PP & Vallandry are all accessed via the road.
- Big Sport 2000. Good range of rental kit, clothing and kit for sale. Great workshop / technicians. The only place out of 8 shops across Arcs 1800 / P-V to have replacement plates in stock to fix Salomon bindings. Fixed for just 10 euro including parts. Would definitely go here for any binding issues. Note: Charge 35 euros for a wax and edge.
- Chalet Savoyarde - Shop selling local delicacies / meats, cheease, honey etc. Popular with the French.
- Vanoise Immoblier - Estate Agent / Copropertie Management
- Intersport (under the new lift pass / ESF office building) - mainly just a rental location
- ParadiKitch - sells an eclectic range of products
- Medical Centre & Chemist Shop which sells all the standard products you might require although their prices are quite dear - e.g. 5 euro for a 16 pack of Nurofen which is £2 in the UK. Other chemist shops are available in Bourg St. Maurice. The medical centre provides a full range of 'doctor' and emergency services e.g. x-rays and is the 1st point of call if skiers are evacuated off the slopes unless heli-lifted directly to hospital. Take plenty of cash / credit card as even with an EHIC card you need to 'pay to play'
- Cash Till next to the medical centre
Vallandry
- Sherpa Supermarket - similar in range to the Plan-Peisey one. Note in 08/09 they closed 30 minutes later in the evening than the one in Plan-Peisey which could be useful
- Laundrette - Provide a service wash basis, 10 euro for a large bag of clothes wash/dry (discount for season pass holders)
- Variety of Sports Shops, Vallandry Sports is popular with another Snowhead, also Interport and Ski-Republic. Ski-Set are in the basement of L'oree & cimes appts.
- Newsagent - good for cigs, wide range of french language magazines, mobile phone top ups etc
- Estate Agents - If you want to splash the cash.
- Cinema
- Cash Till
Off-Slope Activities
Whilst there's not the huge range of off-slope activitives that you might get in another resort then there's enough to occupy someone having the odd day off.
Nordic - In Nancroix there is a whole Ski Nordique centre which provides a range of cross country skiing activities, both classique and skating style as well as biathalon (skiing & shooting) and dog
sledding. Kit Hire and 'lift' passes are available directly from the centre at very reasonable prices and instruction is also available, which is probably a good idea initially as it's harder than it looks.
Snow-Shoeing - This is very popular with a segment of the french market, snow shoes and poles are readily available from the majority of hire shops, and there are some interesting walks to tackle of which the walk upto the ND des Vernettes on the edge of the national park is quite easy, although you have to dodge the odd skier straightlining it along the flat 'retour combe' run
Cinema - There is a cinema in Vallandry (entrance downstairs below Intersport) which provides a weekly menu of films including a number of the latest releases - for example Slumdog Millionaire was on when it was receiving Oscars. Showings are normally at 17:30 or 21:00 with a different film on at each showing. If the weather is bad (e.g. severe snow, fog etc) then they may run a 14:30 showing. Look out for the films that are shown as VOST - 'Version Originale avec Sous-Titres' i.e. the film is shown in English but then has French Subtitles.
Pool / Sauna - There is no 'general' pool / sauna but in the Vanoise Hotel there is pool area for the use of their guests. Non-guests can pay a small fee (20 euro) for use of fitness area, weights, pool, sauna, hot-tub.
Tourist Office Activities - The tourist office runs a regular programme of activities ranging widely in their content from the obvious to the downright strange (IMHO for a ski-resort) . On Slope they provide a couple of weekly short courses in avalanche prevention and theory, off-slope the activities can range from a visit to a local farm, a walking tour round the resort examining the local architecture and history through to a cycling proficiency course for kids and photoshop courses. Kid-centric actitivities are also run during peak (French) holiday times. From time to time special activities are available such as introduction to speed-flying (where you ski with a kite and get airtime) or the chance to ski with a local pro racer. Pickup a copy of 'Les Petits Journal' from any of the bars / restaturants or the sherpas for more information on what is being run that week. Each Sunday the tourist office runs 'pot d'acceuil' from around 18:00 which is information presentation on the resort and the activities available that week.
Internet Access
In addition to the places that provide Wi-Fi as mentioned above, then internet access is also available on a paying basis in the tourist office. They provide a small number of terminals with a decent
internet connection and also printing services are available (on a paying basis)
Development Plans
As with all 'resort whispers' then some of the following may or may not be true, as my French is not good enough to go direct to the horses mouth then I have obtained this information where possible from people with vested interests, e.g bar/restaurant owners or from other information that is directly available.
Apartments
Having said that there is not much development taking place in Plan-Peisey there are a couple of places where new apartments are planned. (1) is at the far end of the dead end road, beyond the upper car park a largish new apartment block is planned to be developed there. However the work was done for the electrical connection in 2007, and as yet no work has started on the block so it might be a slow-burn. Opposite the medical centre and just down from 'chez felix' a sign has gone up indicated that a new apartment block is being built composing of 27 apartments.
Remodel of 'centre commercial'
One of the criticism that could be levied at Plan-Peisey is that it doesn't really have a 'centre' but seems to sprawl a little along an admittedly fairly short road. Some might say that the centre is where the vanoise express & peisey lifts are, but then there isn't any shops immediately next door. On the other hand Vallandry has a more tightly defined centre which adds a little to the ambience of the resort.
The mid-term plan of the Mayor is to try and resolve this issue a little by making the following changes: -
(a) demolish the garages between the Vanoise Hotel and the Belvedere and Aiguille Rousse apparment blocks (some 50m uphill from the peisey lift on skiers left, above the club piou piou)
(b) Remodel the land and then build a new 'commercial centre' there to include the shops from the current commercial centre (sherpa, sport 2000, intersport, flying squirrel, tourist shops)
(c) Demolish the existing commercial centre (probably one of the oldest blocks in the resort), install underground car-parking and build new appartments on that land, and some of the existing car park beyond the existing commercial centre.
I think this is a great idea as then you'd have some shops, the lifts and the liftpass office and some restaurants all relatively close to each other. Some though would have to be given to providing access for pedestrians and for skiers, but this seems to be reasonably under control e.g. when they built the vanoise express. However I would imagine that this project is on-hold given the current economic climate, as other recent developments don't appear to have sold well (Roc Belle Face in 1600, Crete Cote in BSM)
Car Link to 1800?
If there was ever a idea to stir debate amongst the appartment owners & some seasonaires in Peisey-Vallandry then this is it. In addtion to the summer road / winter piste road mentioned above then currently there is a road that runs between 1800 and Vallandry (comes out near the pisten-bully shed) but this has closed / locked gates and is marked as 'emergency vehicles only' however it can be accessed by pedestrians to walk between resorts. If you want to drive to 1800 from Peisey-Vallandry it's 20 minutes down the hill to Bourg and then probably another 20 up the other side to 1800, so an access road would cut this down significantly. However for this season the mayor of Bourg introduced car-parking charges at both the funicular and in 1800 which adds to the cost of a day-trip or a weeks holiday. Peisey-Vallandry has remained 'free-parking' for the season and as a result there has definitely been more locals that have day-tripped to Peisey-Vallandry rather than 16/1800. If PV was to remain 'free parking' then it would be over-run with cars from 1800 if an access road was opened up to all. It has been mentioned to me that the problem is fire service access, due to the number of chalets there are now in Vallandry as whilst there is a full fire service in 1800, the 'access pompiers' building in Vallandry seems to only contain one red landrover so probably not much use in a real conflaguration. Making a permanent access road would then alleviate this problem as fire vehicles could then be on scene in probably less than 5 minutes. Personally I'd like them to have a road but fit it with moving bollards such that access is only available to authorised vehicles,e.g. emergency services, delivery vehicles, inter-resort shuttles, taxis and similar.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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New Ski-lift?
Another one of those are they / aren't they projects. The plan is to install the old 'plan bois' lift (replaced by the derby - and a bit of a slow 4 seater) so that the bottom station is in the section between La Vache and the Ski-Beat chalets. It will then go up the hill 4 or 5 pylons, probably to a top station somewhere around the bottom of Ecureils where people can ski-down to the main Peisey lift. A piste will be created to then run down to the bottom station of this new lift. This will solve a couple of issues (1) retour combe is more like 'walk back from combe' for most skiers. (2) Piste access to the upper chalets will be improved (3) People on the far side of the resort (near vieux plan-peisey) have a long walk to the lift in the mornings. At the moment this project is 85% going ahead, apparently there is still one final thing to be resolved before it definitely happens for next season. Personally I think it's a good idea, but I would have liked it to be a 'real lift' with the top station going in above the current Peisey lift, where I believe there is room. This would remove the single point of failure you have in the system wih the current Peisey lift being the only lift out from the bottom of the hill and would reduce the bottlenecks on this lift at peak times. Earlier this season the electrics failed in Vallandry, taking out both the Vallandry lift and the Grizzly so having additional uplift would be useful (IMHO) If the existing combe teleski was removed then you're not adding much in terms of lift personnel resources other than to support the top station. However I believe the issue with a full lift is planning restrictions as we're right on the edge of the national park.
Looking down on La Vache to the left and the 5 ski-beat chalets (Bou Blanc, Blanchot, Herrison, Dahu & Alpace) on the right. This is a possible line for the new lift if it gets built.
(sorry ran out of space to make one post)
Enjoy Peisey-Vallandry
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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bertie bassett, Great TR 
Just a note on the confusion of the names of the villages. Being France, of course its all down to politics. There are 2 communes - Landry (including Vallandry) & Peisey (including Moulin, Peisey, Nancroix & Plan Peisey). Both communes have their own mayor. So when Peisey got permission for Club Med, Vallandry got permission for Oree des Cimes. The reaason the Plan Peisey lift stops where it does, is that the taxes are paid, according to where the top of the lift is. Any higher, & it would have been on Landry land. There has been discussion as to where to site a restaurant at the top of the Peisey lift, & it seems to involve moving runs over to acomodate it on Peisey land. All very confusing, & I'm told, the cause of a lot of trouble in the past. A reason Old Plan Peisey hasnt been redeveloped yet, is that several high ranking Parisians own those old properties.
On another note, Eurostar stops at Landry on the trip out, but not on the return trip.
Are you going out again next season?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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bertie bassett, we could have used a little more detail I think 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ever thought of writing a book?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It is great information but I couldn't help thinking Peisey-Vallandry is one of the many skiing villeges (probably over 20 if Champagny, BSM, Montalbert etc are included) in Paradiske which has only 425km out of the 1600km+ piste in the same valley. Would the experience be similar to say for the busy La Plagne centre or the quiet Vilaroger?
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It is great information but I couldn't help thinking Peisey-Vallandry is one of the many skiing villeges (probably over 20 if Champagny, BSM, Montalbert etc are included) in Paradiske which has only 425km out of the 1600km+ piste in the same valley. Would the experience be similar or better to say for the busy La Plagne centre or the quiet Vilaroger?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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saikee, I stayed in Plan Peisey in '07 - it's a great base if you want access to both LesArcs and LaPlagne, as it's right on the Vanoise Express link.
I think that was closed for the '08 season - we stayed in Plagne 1800 for our week that year. Personally, I think I'd find staying on one of the peripheral villages like Villaroger a bit limiting. Anyway, it's Arc2000 in Jan!
Thanks to Bertie for a great writeup.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 9-12-09 21:14; edited 1 time in total
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bertie bassett Are you going back this year, or elsewhere?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Liked this post - many thanks for the details & info
You must have really suffered having to ski all these runs, visit the bars and eateries!
cheers
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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This is a great post really helped me out alot cheers 
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FAQ
