Many heading out for their ski holidays in La Plagne pay the extra for the full Paradiski area lift pass but do they get the best out of the options it provides? The answer is, probably not. With 3 ski resorts made up of many villages hosting lifts and pistes that make up the Paradiski, there’s so much to do and see that you simply couldn’t cover it all in a month let alone a week. Depending on what piste length measurement method you use, you get different figures for the Paradiski piste lengths, the official figure is 435km and no matter how you measure it, that’s a whole lot of snow to cover. So we’ve come up with some of the best things you can see and do around this massive area
So what can you do with a Paradiski pass?
The trick with getting the most from your Paradiski lit pass in a typical ski holiday is make sure you get to do and see the things that suit you best and that means knowing whats out there.
20 things to do around Paradiski
Ski over into Champagny-en-Vanoise
Some of the best skiing in the La Plagne area is found at the southern tip as you head over the top from either Les Verdons, La Grand Rochette or Roche de Mio and make your way down to Champagny-en-Vanoise a lovely and traditional village of the 11 that make up La Plagne. It’s actually quite close to Courcehvel.
Have dinner in an Igloo
When your chalet hosts have the night off and you think to book somewhere to eat, why not try something unusual and exciting? The BlackSheep Igloo restaurant in La Plagne village is taking reservations through most of the season. Best to visit their site in Chrome and use the translate option, we didn’t find an English version.
Wind amongst the trees down to Plagne Montalbert
A varied tangle of red and blue runs make their way through the tress from Plagne Aime 2000 down to La Plagne Montalbert. There are forest trail characters carved in wood amongst the trees and on snowy days making your way through the woods can be quite magical. There’s a nice bar at the bottom, a favourite refuge on a bad weather day.
The Bellecote Glacier
Get up high at 3250m to see incredible sights and access some of the most challenging pistes and off piste territory in the Paradiski region, visit the Bellecote Glacier. There’s an ice cave for visitors and it’s impressive, beautiful and entertaining all at once. It’s possible the glacier will be eroded in deacdes to come so it’s worth a visit before glaciers get a litter rarer.
Look out from the Aguille Rouge at 3226m
The highest point on the pistes of the ski area a favourite for experts, adventurers and photographers. It offers supreme views on a clear day. From the top you can take a 7 km run down with challenging blacks and reds, one of the longest trails in the Alps. Most easily reached from the Varet Gondola from Arc 2000
Have a go on the Rodeo Luge in Les Arcs
Les Arcs has a luge that’s popular with kids large and small called Rodeo. The starting point is below the peak of Aiguille Grive at 2732m, there’s a restaurant there at the top of the Transarc gondola and the Arcabulle chairlift, a great spot for parents to grab a drink and a snack by the fire in a spot with great views of the valley.
Vanoise Express – Big lift to Les Arcs
The Vanoise Express is important, it acts as the link between La Plagne and Les Arcs and on top of that it’s an engineering marvel. Opened in 2003, this double-deck cable car, stretches 2km across the valley but covers it in just over 4 minutes enabling it to move over 2000 people an hour. The trip affords some great views in clear weather.
Olympic bobsleigh run in La Plagne
In Macot La Plagne the 1.5km olympic bobsleigh track offers a thrill like no other. Built for the 1992 winter olympics and still used for world class training and events, in fact it was part of the Annecy bid for 2018 winter olympics. You can book a range of experiences on the track from the fast bob raft all the way up to the super fast bob racing at 120 kph
Off piste tours in La Plagne
La Plagne and Les Arcs offer enormous opportunities for off piste adventure for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities and tastes. La Plagne is famous for its powder and spacious off piste areas. For the best guidance and a wide range of incredible experiences, we recommend Oxygene ski school based in La Plagne.
Have a party on the piste at Scotty’s
Every major resort has a bar that keeps the party going from the afternoon to the evening. In La Plagne Scottys is the place to be. Based on the pistes at Plagne Centre you get live sports, live music, performances and capers like beer pong tournaments. It opens at 10am till late and is a must for those who love a party atmosphere.
Ice climbing
To mix it up a bit you can practise your skills or try your hand at some ice climbing at the Chapagny Ice Climbing centre. This 22 meter tall artificial tower provides ice climbing challenges for climbers of all ages and ability. The tower is open mid December to end of Feb depending on the temperature and it’s best to book in advance.
Spend a night out in a snow groomer
Over the moon is a specially converted piste basher with a comfortable cabin in the back. It’s a secluded hotel room just for two. In the evening you are driven up to a beautiful location at 2400m where you can spend the night in secluded comfort. If you pick the perfect night you can get incredible views and a very memorable evening.
Take some photos at the Col de la Chal
The best things in the Paradiski are free or at least included in the cost of a lift pass. Taking in the views of Mont Blanc and the Arc Valley on a sunny day down this blue piste in Les Arcs can be priceless. Find the Col de la Chal on a clear day, there are some great places on the piste to stop and take a panorama or a selfie.
Igloo villages at Arc 2000
For a change of pace why not visit the Igloo Village at Arc 2000? You’ll find the Ice bar serves the drinks cold but warm lunch including fondue is also on the menu. It takes 7500 cubic meters of snow and 21 days to construct the village each year and every year it’s a little different, a great place for a quick stop or to look around for a while.
Visit Bar La Mine
A little off the beaten track just down from the lifts in La Plagne 1800 is one of the loveliest pubs in Paradiski. It’s built in a cosy cavern and tavern with a strong mining theme being on the site of the silver mines that first made La Plagne 1800 a town. Sorry about the annoying pop up when you get on their site.
Black runs from top of the Cretes drag lift
The Brecon chairlift and then the Cretes drag lift takes you to the top of a ridge far above Plagne Aime 2000, under the peak of Le Biolley. From there experienced skiers and snowboarders can take on deep powder and Moguls as they head down into a valley and then along it to join the pistes above the woods of Montalbert.
Snow parks
Why not take a tour of the snowparks across the area? You’ve got 2 in Belle Plagne with the Col de Forcle button lift serving the Petit Park and the Bell Plagne serving the Grand Park which offers more advanced rails, tables, kickers and other obstacles. Les Arcs boasts the Apocalypse park with just as much to tackle, well worth a visit.
Try out the Colorado Luge in La Plagne
Take a break from skiing and have a go at the fantastic Luge track in the La Plagne ski area. The Colorado Luge offers a mile of sledge track with great views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding glorious mountains (weather permitting) and a chance for parents to relax whilst the kids take on the twists and turns of the track.
Check out Mile 8 at Arc 1800
A family friendly fun area in Les Arcs. You can stop by to enjoy a range of activities including the Les Cabanes run with activities and huts along a gentle slope, the Pengouins childrens play school and a woodland footpath with great views for pedestrians. At the foot of the Mile 8 area is the Mile8 Indoor Aquatic centre with a full suite of pool and relaxation facilities.
Travel through a tunnel in La Plagne
Take the blue ‘Tunnel’ run from the beautiful Roche de Mio in the La Plagne ski area and find yourself heading into a dark tunnel and then coasting through disco lights before emerging out with a great view across La Plagne and a fine blue run down to Plagne Bellcote. If you’re going to ski Paradiski this unusual feature has got to be on your list.
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