Peisey-Vallandry

Terrain & Skiing

The Paradiski area encompasses 425 km of marked piste spread between Les Arcs (covering Arc 1600, 1800, 2000, and the new Arcs-branded villages) and La Plagne (including Plagne Centre, Belle Plagne, and nine other satellite stations). The highest lift-served point is the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m (10,584 ft), dropping all the way to Villaroger at 1,200 m (3,937 ft) for a single-run vertical of over 2,000 m (6,562 ft) — one of the longest continuous descents in Europe.

From Peisey-Vallandry, the Vallandry gondola takes you into the Arc 1800/Vallandry sector, where a network of blue and red runs fans out across wide, well-groomed terrain above the treeline. The skiing directly above Peisey and Vallandry is particularly friendly for intermediates, with sweeping runs like the Derby and Arpette offering confidence-building descents through open bowls. The Vanoise Express cable car from Plan Peisey connects to Montchavin/La Plagne in seven minutes, opening up La Plagne's extensive beginner-friendly plateau and the off-piste terrain on the Bellecote glacier. For advanced skiers, the Aiguille Rouge descent on the Les Arcs side is a must-do: a 7 km run with over 2,000 m of vertical that takes 30-45 minutes non-stop. Snowmaking covers key runs in the Peisey-Vallandry sector, but the resort benefits from its north-facing orientation and good natural snow record.

Getting There

The two primary airports are Geneva (GVA) at approximately 200 km (124 miles) and 3 hours by road, and Chambery (CMF) at 130 km (81 miles) and roughly 2 hours. Lyon Saint-Exupery (LYS) is also viable at 220 km (137 miles) and about 3 hours. Transfer services from Geneva run 75-100 EUR per person with operators like Bens Bus (budget shared transfers) or Mountain Drop-offs (private vehicles).

The Eurostar ski train from London runs directly to Bourg-Saint-Maurice (BSM) station during the winter season, which is the nearest railway station to Peisey-Vallandry at just 10 km (6 miles) and 15 minutes by car or taxi. This is one of the most convenient train-to-resort connections in the Alps. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice, a local shuttle bus runs to Plan Peisey, or you can take the Funicular up to Arc 1600 and ski down to Vallandry. For drivers, the A43 motorway runs from Chambery through the Tarentaise valley to Moutiers, from where you continue on the N90 to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and then a winding mountain road up to Peisey or Vallandry.

Where to Stay

Peisey-Vallandry actually comprises several small villages: Peisey (the original hamlet), Vallandry (a small ski station development), Plan Peisey (where the Vanoise Express departs), and Nancroix (a traditional village further down the valley). Each has a different character. Vallandry is the most convenient for skiing, with ski-in/ski-out apartment residences like CGH Le Village de Lessy and Odalys L'Ours Blanc. Plan Peisey is the hub for the Vanoise Express connection to La Plagne.

Accommodation here is predominantly self-catering apartments and small residence-hotels, which keeps costs lower than the major purpose-built stations. A two-bedroom apartment in Vallandry runs 800-1,400 EUR per week in high season, compared to 1,200-2,000 EUR for equivalent space in Arc 1800. A few catered chalets operated by small British tour operators offer a more full-service experience. The trade-off for lower prices is fewer amenities: there is no swimming pool complex or cinema here, and the dining scene is limited compared to bigger stations. For families who want a quiet base with excellent ski access and do not need nightlife, this trade-off works decisively in Peisey-Vallandry's favor.

Apres-Ski & Dining

Apres-ski in Peisey-Vallandry is low-key. There is no thumping bar scene, and that is precisely the point for the families and couples who choose this base. L'Ancolie bar in Vallandry is the main gathering spot, serving local beers and vin chaud after the lifts close. A handful of other small bars dot the villages but you will not find a DJ set or a foam party. If you want a bigger night out, Arc 1800 is accessible by gondola during the day and a short taxi ride in the evening, with a handful of bars and a nightclub.

Dining options are limited in number but quality is good. Le Vanoise in Plan Peisey serves excellent traditional Savoyard cuisine — tartiflette, fondue, raclette — at prices that feel reasonable for a ski resort (main courses 15-25 EUR). L'Alpage in Vallandry and La Grange in Peisey also deliver authentic mountain food. The beauty of eating in this area is that the restaurants cater primarily to locals and returning guests rather than passing tourists, so standards stay high. For self-caterers, there are small Sherpa supermarkets in both Vallandry and Plan Peisey, though selection is basic and prices carry the mountain markup. A weekly trip to the Intermarche in Bourg-Saint-Maurice is worth the drive for a proper stock-up — buy Beaufort and Reblochon cheese, local charcuterie, and a few bottles of Savoie wine from Apremont or Mondeuse for a fraction of resort prices. On the mountain, the restaurants at Plan de l'Homme and Arpette offer solid lunch options with panoramic views across the Vanoise National Park.

Practical Tips

The Paradiski season runs from mid-December through late April, with Peisey-Vallandry's local lifts sometimes opening a week later and closing a week earlier than the main Les Arcs stations. A six-day Paradiski adult lift pass costs approximately 310-340 EUR, which covers the entire Les Arcs and La Plagne domain. A Les Arcs-only pass is available for about 280 EUR if you do not plan to use the Vanoise Express regularly, but the full Paradiski pass is worth the premium for the variety.

The French ski school ESF has a branch in Peisey-Vallandry with instruction in English and French. Group lessons for children are excellent and include a kids' club facility at Plan Peisey. Equipment rental is available through Skimium and local shops, with a full adult package running about 100-130 EUR for six days. One important cultural note: the French take their mountain lunch seriously. Plan for a sit-down meal between noon and 1:30pm, when the slopes empty out and the mountain restaurants fill up. This is not time wasted — it is one of the genuine pleasures of skiing in France. The slopes between 1:00 and 2:00pm will be notably quieter than in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions