Pralognan ski resort guide Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Pralognan
Pralognan Review
The stunning alpine village of Pralognan lies in the Vanoise Valley in the Savoie Mont-Blanc region, and is the starting point for many ski touring enthusiasts who want to explore the unspoilt Vanoise National Park.
The resort has a traditional village feel and has been welcoming snow sports enthusiasts for generations who come to soak up the stunning mountain scenery, enjoy the fantastic back country ski tours and wander around the village thats packed with coffee shops, patisseries and boulangeries.
Après-ski
Pralognan does not have a reputation for a wild apres-ski scene but there are several good fun apres-ski bars and some excellent restaurants where you can sample some authentic Savoyard cuisine.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1400m |
| Top lift | 2350m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 26 |
| Longest run | 1 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 25 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 1 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✔ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Relaxed |
Pralognan ski area guide
The on-piste skiing is quite limited with just 26kms of trails that cater for all levels of skier and boarder from the forested slopes at 1400m where you may see chamois and ibex up to 2350m.
Despite the relatively low level of the pistes, the snow cover is generally very good as the glaciers that surround the resort ensure temperatures remain cold. The resort enjoys an annual average of 400 inches of snow with the ski season typically starting mid December and running through to mid April.
For cross-country skiing, Pralognan has 26kms of trails that weave in and out of the forests and is the 4th largest Nordic skiing area in Savoie.
Beginners
Pralognan has some great beginner slopes on Mount Bochor with several more in the village such as Barioz and Poucet.
Intermediate
There are 20kms of pistes graded as blue and red for intermediate skiers which are likely to keep you entertained for a few days and after that, we would recommend hiring a local guide an experience a few days of ski touring.
Advanced
There are just 3 black trails across the ski area plus some pretty hairy couloirs off the Combe des Pariette. However, the best thing about skiing in Pralognan for experts is the off-piste terrain and taking a guided ski tour in to the Vanoise National Park - not to be missed.
Snowboarding
Apart from the terrain park, the best area for good snowboarders is on the off-piste terrain around the Combe des Pariette. Here, you will find many chutes and deep powder for surfing. For beginners, the blue pistes are ideal - wide open trails and never that crowded.
Childcare
Pralognan is a fantastic resort for families and provides exceptional facilities for smaller children. The creche centre next to the slopes looks after children from 6 months to 6 years olds and provide a range of indoor activities such as educational games, puppet shows, face painting and snowman buildig. The ESF ski school teaches children to ski from the age of 3.
Things to see & Do
Pralognan ski resort provides plenty of activities in addition to skiing and snowboarding including...
- Ten pin bowling
- Cinema
- Curling
- Paragliding
- Bobsleigh
- Sledging
- Snowshoeing
- Relaxation centre with sauna, pool
Our view on Pralognan
Outside of France, Pralognan is not that well known which means the immaculate pistes are never crowded and with its state of the art lift system, more time is spent actually skiing as opposed to waiting around. For an authentic French ski holiday in idyllic surroundings, Pralognan offers good facilities on and off the slope, excellent childcare and is a good option if you are looking for something a little different.
