Montchavin Les Coches resort guide Apres-ski, Ski area, things to see & do in Montchavin Les Coches
Resort review
The pretty villages of Montchavin (1250m) and Les Coches (1450m) link into the vast network of high altitude hamlets and purpose-built ski resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs which combine to form the Paradiski carousel in the Tarentaise Valley - one of the largest skiing areas in the world with 425kms of linked pistes.
Unlike their larger neighbours, Montchavin and Les Coches are quaint, traditional and charming with an authentic local atmosphere and as yet, unspoilt by mass tourism.
Après-ski
Après-ski in the villages of Montchavin and Les Coches is as you would expect - much quieter and relaxed than the main purpose built resorts at Les Arcs or La Plagne. What you do get are friendly bars, great restaurants serving magical local dishes and a chance to relax after a day on the slopes.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1250m |
| Top lift | 3250m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 425 |
| Longest run | 7 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 153 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 5 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✔ |
| Babysitting | ✔ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Lively |
Montchavin - Les Coches ski area
Skiing and snowboarding around Montchavin and Les Coches is a revelation. Whilst many skiers based in either La Plagne or Les Arcs are intent on clocking up motorway mileage by crossing the huge ravine on the Vanois Express and touring to the furthest outpost of the Paradiski area, what they are missing out on is the beautiful uncrowded forest runs above Montchavin and Les Coches. If you do venture out and explore the vast Paradiski area, you'll be impressed by the mountain infrastructure with high-speed chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars that take you quickly, safely and comfortably to every corner of this amazing carousel.
Beginners
Whilst much of the on piste skiing is geared towards intermediate skiers, there are some excellent beginner trails above the villages and over towards La Plagne where the slopes are kind, gentle and rarely crowded.
Intermediate
Some of the best intermediate runs around Paradiski are the long winding forest runs in the Montchavin / Les Coches sector - great fun. For more challenging terrain, head to Aiguille Rouge, the very summit of the Arc 2000 sector and ski all the way to Villaroger village giving over 1000m of vertical - an almighty leg-burner of a run!
Advanced
Expert skiers and boarders will love the infinite amounts of freeriding terrain especially on the north face of Bellecôte. The glacial area around Col de Nant also attracts experienced skiers as does the Robert Blanc piste in Les Arcs - renowned as one of the toughest in the French Alps!
Lift Passes
Unless you have a burning desire to ski around the whole Paradiski carousel, the local lift pass will be more than adequate. The Paradiski lift pass is expensive but the general consensus is that while it costs a lot, the modern lift system, well-groomed pistes and general lack of queues at all times of the season go some way to justifying the expense.
Snowboard
Freestylers will be in heaven if they head to Les Arcs with the large and well-kept snowpark and boardercross. Just like the pistes, all modules are graded, so you can start on a few green jumps and end up getting some serious big air on the blacks. There’s even a huge airbag, so you can practice those top tricks with a soft landing guaranteed.
Things to see & do in Les Coches
- Espace Paradisco Aquatic Complex
- Ice skating
- Winter walking and snowshoeing trails
- Dog sleighs
- Tobogganing
- Cross-country and biathlon
- Parapenting
Our view on Montchavin - Les Coches
The skiing offered around Montchavin - Les Coches is simply amazing linking in to both the Les Arcs and La Plagne sectors - a great advantage of sitting in the middle of one of the world's best and largest ski carousels.
If you like going on holiday to experince a local atmosphere and away from the crowds, Val Cenis Vanoise is another ski resort on the other side of the Tarentaise National Park that ticks all the boxes and like Peisey Vallandry, still not on the mass tourism radar - thankfully!
