The Winter Alps
What is more magical than The Alps in winter?
Cozy fires, mulled wine and rosy cheeks after spending a day in a white, winter wonderland.
Paradiski: Les Arcs – La Plagne – Peisey & Vallandry
Paradiski is one of France’s biggest resorts, and 4th largest in the world.
Linking the Les Arcs – La Plagne and Peisey&Vallandry resorts, it has over 425 skiable kilometers, 264 pistes, 2 peaks over 3000m and with 70% of the pistes above 2000m the resort is as snow sure as they come and the area offers an unequaled range of courses, for all levels. The lifts in Arc1600, Vallandry and Plan Peisey start at 1600m with the Aiguelle Rouge rising to an impressive 3226m.
All three resorts have their own Office du Tourisme and own websites full of local information, events happening, maps and more.
Winter activities
Skiing & Snowboarding
Fantastic skiing at Paradiski with over 425 skiable kilometers, 264 lifts, excellent après-ski, shopping, eating and drinking. All three resorts are linked, so every day can be an adventure moving between the areas discovering new slopes. In a week not a day should have to be the same. So much to explore.
For more winter activities check out Les Arcs Winter.
A dedicated mountaineering website is the one of Bureau des Guides (winter and summer mountaineering).
Winter activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 both have a small cross – country ski piste, but for serious cross-country skiing visit Pont Baudin in the Peisey&Vallandry area.
A fantastic valley with stunning views. Great for winter walks, a horse or even reindeer sled ride. It has a toboggan area and kilometers of prepared cross country pistes. The visitor’s centre offers entry passes, material rental and maps.
For more winter activities check out Les Arcs Winter.
A dedicated mountaineering website is the one of Bureau des Guides (winter and summer mountaineering).
Winter activities
Snowshoe walks
A fantastic way to enjoy the silence, learn about the environment and get away from the hustle and bustle of the stations. We have several contacts for private guides, just let us know and we’ll arrange it for you. Also most ski schools organise guided snowshoe walks. Both the Les Arcs and the See Les Arcs websites have information on these walks. Materials can usually be rented with the larger ski rental shops, just bring proper walking or hiking boots.
For more winter activities check out Les Arcs Winter.
A dedicated mountaineering website is the one of Bureau des Guides (winter and summer mountaineering).
Winter activities
Dog Sledding
What a fantastic experience. One with a pack of dogs in nature. There are several companies which organise dog sledding. We strongly recommend booking this activity well in advance. Especially over Christmas and New Year, as well as the February school holiday weeks, the dog sledding is an extremely popular activity.
There are several companies and we found “Tanaka Camp” the absolute best. This camp moves around, so you may have to drive to the other side of the valley towards Ste Foy Tarentaise, but it is absolutely worth it.
Closer to home there is “Le Trappeur” in the village of Nancroix (down from Peisey&Vallandry).
In La Plagne there are several. Please consult the La Plagne website.
Winter activities
Horses and reindeer
Close to Nancroix, in the Site Nordique, you will find horse sledding and reindeer sledding.
But an absolute must try is the ‘skijoring‘ from the Norwegian word Skikjøring where the horse pulls you on your skis. Great fun for the whole family and since the horse just pulls you on your skis all level skiers can participate.
Services
Lift passes
As a service we offer the possibility to order your skipasses in advance. We will have them ready when you arrive, this way you avoid the long waiting lines on the first day and you’ll be the first to hit the slopes. Once you have booked you receive your personal log-in for your client environment in our booking system. There you place the order for your ski passes. We can arrange payment for your skipasses during your stay.
If you need help choosing your pass, click here. We recommend the ‘Essential’ pass as it doubles the skiing options at little extra cost. And equally important: this pass enables you to jump the queue at key lifts on busy days.
Services
Ski lessons
Depending on whether you want to join a group or go solo, or get private group lessons there are various options.
We have a few recommendations for private instructors in the area. Good friends of ours who have different teaching methods and who are either self employed or teach through the ESF. Let us know your needs and we’ll find you your instructor.
In Arc1600 you will find the École du Ski Français Les Arcs 1600 ESF and they are the largest ski school in the area. Find your station’s school and book through their website. For snowboard specifically there is the High Five Snowboard School.
In Peisey&Vallandry we recommend Evolution 2 for skiing and snowboarding. All information and booking can be found on their website. Peisey&Vallandry – Evolution2
Services
Material rental
In both Les Arcs and Peisey&Vallandry we work with preferred suppliers with whom we have negotiated a discount for our guests.
For our Courbaton and Les Granges chalets we work with Christina Sport 2000 in Arc1600. Once you’ve booked your property we can put you in touch with them because at the mention of our name a discount is offered (% of discount is dependent on time in season). NOTE that online hire does NOT give you a discount. You will have to send them an email, we provide you with the contacts.
In Peisey&Vallandry we work with EKOSPORT Rent in both Peisey and Vallandry. Add PROMO CODE yourmountain24 for best prices at this shop.
Please check with your chalet host how to get in touch with the ski rental shops. Some rental companies have lockers close to the lifts.
SkiDoc delivers equipment to your chalet and their ski technicians will make sure everything fits during the in-house fitting. We bring plenty of spares with us for you to try. Our technicians are on call throughout the week to make any changes if needed, meeting you at the bottom of the slopes during the day with a pair of new boots or skis or at your accommodation after you’re done riding for the day. Make sure you indicate ‘yourmountainlife’ to enjoy a 10% discount.
Watch how it works here.
Services
Children
Day Care
There are a few day care centers in les Arcs. They are, however, French speaking. All information can be found here.
We propose you use a private nanny service. These nannies come to the chalet and spend time with you(r) child(eren) there.
Below we have listed the companies which service the Paradiski resorts.
Nanny and child care services
There is a wide range of services for the Paradiski area. Amongst them these:
Snow Little
Alpine Child Care
MaiSki
Tarentaise Nanny Services
Jelly and Ice Cream
T4 Nanny
Club Alpine
And our ‘house nanny’ Ester Moons.
WhatsApp: + 33 (0) 7 50 50 10 97
Email: ester.moons@gmail.com
Food services
Our catered properties
In winter Chalet La Grange d’Alice, Chalet Le Chazalet and Chalet Le Rôkh are fully catered chalets offering breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner.
You start your day with a cooked breakfast, a different hot option every day. When you return from the slopes a freshly baked cake awaits you.
At night we provide a healthy, balanced four-course meal. A starter, main course, cheese and dessert. We use locally sourced products (also to support our local shops) from the best butcher, bakery and vegetable shops. Wine and beer are included during diner. Dinner starts at 19.30hrs.
We are happy to cater to any food allergies or dietary restrictions and we have a special children’s menu.
Children’s meals are usually served around 18.30hrs.
Coffee and tea are complementary during the day.
Be advised that staff day off is on Wednesday or Thursday.
On those days we do not serve a hot breakfast (there will be a breakfast buffet) or afternoon tea and there will be no bedroom cleaning that day.
Please ask your chalet host to help you organise an evening reservation for one of the lovely restaurants in the area,
as well as transportation to and from on those nights. We can advise you on how to book a nanny or baby sitter.
In high season weeks it is advised to book a restaurant (and nanny) early on in or even before your stay.