& How can I get there without spending a fortune?
Over 400km of slopes, this huge area split into 3 key zones.
#1 tip is to check the piste map when planning your trip, make sure you are happy with:
How quickly you can connect to the area, if there are beginner slopes if needed, the return slopes suit your level or will be snow-sure depending on when you go in the season etc.
Paradiski comprises of Les Arcs & Peisey Vallandry on one hand and La Plagne on the other, separated by a valley in which Peisey sits. The 2 areas are connected by the modern wonder of engineering that is the Vanoise Express: 200 people in a double decker gondola that crosses the huge valley in under 4 min
The different areas have very different aesthetics, so do your research if that is important to your trip.
Les Arcs
One of the easiest areas to access by train especially Arcs 1600 resort:
For Les Arcs 1600 / 1800 / 1950/ 2000 you get off at Bourg st. Maurice and get the funicular straight up to Arc 1600.Staying in Arc 1600 means no need for buses or taxis.
Shuttle buses are then available to ship you off to the other areas quickly and efficiently throughout the day and night.
NOTE: Although not clear on the piste maps, there’s a half way stop on the funicular.
Properties calling themselves Arc 1600 may be in Courbaton or Les Granges, which are small areas below Arc 1600. When snow is available you can use the runs down to midway and get the funicular up to 1600 instead of making your way up by foot or car. These often offer very good value vs. staying in the main resorts.
Want access to Les Arcs + The traditional alpine feel (And often more value for money)?
Villaroger has access to Arc 2000 by way of 2 chairlifts up from the small village. Tucked up at 1200m just off the access valley on the way to Tignes and Val d’isere, it’s only 15 min from Bourg st. Maurice so a relatively cheap taxi from the station gets you intimate chocolate box tranquillity with access to a huge domain. If you are driving you can even explore the world famous resorts of Val d’Isère, Tignes, Sainte Foy and La Rosiere ( Ski to Italy) all within 20min.
See one of our charming chalets in the pictures here.
Peisey Vallandry Get the train to Landry and a shuttle bus or quick taxi down the valley to Le Villaret (Peisey).
Nestled in the valley there’s a lot of charming accommodation and all the necessary selection of shops and bars, you access the ski area with a novel open air lift LONZAGNE.
The cable car provides a free link to the resort of Peisey-Vallandry/les Arcs (Plan-Peisey) in 7min. From which you can choose to ski Les Arcs or hop directly on the Vanoise Express to La Plagne side. An excellent base for those who want to hit every corner of the Paradiski area.
If some of your party enjoys Nordic skiing rather than throwing themselves downhill, up the valley by regular shuttle is the Nordic area in Nancroix.
La Plagne
Accessing La Plagne
Get the train to Aime-La-Plagne (closest at the foot of the mountain) or Moutiers and prepare yourself for an additional shuttle bus or taxi from the valley.
La Plagne is split into 11 different “Villages” or areas so it’s very important you check which one you’re going to be staying in. The tourist board and companies in La Plagne work hard to provide a plethora of things to do on and off skis for everyone, so it is an exciting place to visit.
This site has a lot of very useful information on shuttle buses and up to date resort maps to help you figure out where’s best for you. https://en.la-plagne.com/discover/download-our-brochures?village
The majority of catered chalets in La Plagne are in Plagne 1800, the access point to the sprawling bowl in the heart of the La Plagne area: Plagne centre / Plagne Soleil / Plagne Aime 2000 / Plagne Villages.
Champagny en Vanoise
Champagny en Vanoise has access to Paradiski from another valley completely (the one leading to the 3 valleys actually) that can be accessed from Moutiers. Chalets and Chalet apartments built into the side of the mountain, this is a very aesthetically pleasing resort to stay in whilst accessing the huge La Plagne and wider Paradiski area.
Well how do I plan all these Trains and Buses?
We know navigating these is a lot more difficult than just booking a taxi, but throwing money at the problem isn’t possible or preferable for everyone, and trains especially take the pain of being stuck in traffic on peak transfer days.
Train all the way
If you are close to / in London then you can get a train all the way there with Eurostar for maximum convenience: See this guide by Snowcarbon Train + Train
From the train station you will need Altibus, unless taking the funicular at Bourg.
Fly + Train
Easiest to use https://www.thetrainline.com/ rather than navigate the french rail sites.
Chambéry Rail Station is 10 mins by taxi from the airport. Then you can get a direct train to any of the Paradiski stations.
Lyon - Get the Shuttle train from airport to center, it's a tram shuttle service that goes between Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport and Lyon Part-Dieu. The express train runs every 15 minutes and the journey takes precisely 29 minutes each way.
Lyon to Bourg requires a change at Chambery.
Fly + Bus
There’s buses from Lyon and Geneva to the Paradiski area.
https://www.altibus.com/en/ -This route is run by Altibus, as are many of the routes within the area.
Chambery is the closest airport, however at time of publishing we cannot confirm the Bus service.