Peisey-Vallandry guide & reviews Apres-Ski, ski area, things to see & do in Peisey Vallandry
Review
The ski resort of Peisey-Vallandry is a collection of small villages in the vast network of high altitude hamlets and purpose-built ski resorts that make up the Paradiski carousel in the Tarentaise Valley.
Together these and several other neighbouring resorts such as Les Coches, make up one of the largest skiing carousels in the world and is known as Paradiski, which is pretty much as close to paradise as you can get for skiers and snowboarders.
Unlike their larger neighbours sitting either side, the villages of Peisey - Vallandry are quaint, traditional and charming with an authentic local atmosphere and as yet, unspoilt by mass tourism.
Peisey-Vallandry Ski Area Guide
Skiing and snowboarding around Peisey and Vallandry 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 forest runs above Peisey - Vallandry.
If you do venture out and explore the vast Paradiski area with 425km of trails of which, over 70% are above 2000m, you'll be hard pushed to find a draglift in amongst all the high-speed chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars that take you quickly, safely and comfortably to every corner of this amazing carousel.
| 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 |
Beginners
whilst much of the on piste skiing is geared towards intermediate skiers, there are some excellent beginner trails above the villages such as The Cabri and Flocon. Over in Les Arcs, there are nursery slopes and easy blues at altitude offering snow-sure skiing for beginners too.
Intermediate
If you want to give your legs a real work out, 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 fairly easily accessible off piste, with lots of it in and around the forest areas, as well as the Grand Col sector. For a challenge, try the Robert Blanc piste, renowned as one of the toughest in the French Alps! or the North face of Bellecôte
Lift Passes
Unless you have a burning desire to ski around the whole Paradiski carousel, the local Les Arcs/Peisey 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
- Ice skating
- Winter walking and snowshoeing trails
- Dog sleighs
- Tobogganing
- Cross-country and biathlon
- Parapenting
Après-ski
Après-ski in the villages of Peisey - Vallandry 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.
Our view on Peisey - Vallandry
The skiing offered around Peisey - Vallandry 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!
