There are many activities for you to try in Peisey-Vallandry, Les Arcs and Paradiski, even if you don’t ski or snowboard! Here are just a few of them:
Skiing & Snowboarding
Paradiski has some excellent terrain for skiing and snowboarding. There are a great number of pistes, suitable for all abilities. There is also a great deal of vertical distance between the high runs in Arc 2000 and the lower, tree-lined runs of Peisey Vallandry and Arc 1600, allowing you to follow the best snow conditions at altitude, or stay below the tree line on cloudy days.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, Les Arcs and La Plagne both have great snow parks, with green, blue, red and black jumps, plus boxes, rails and other features.
For the off-piste skier, you are in for a treat. Paradiski is world famous for its back-country terrain. Popular options include the North face of the Bellecote in La Plagne, the Aiguille Grive in Peisey-Vallandry, or off the back of the Aiguille Rouge in Arc 2000 down to Villaroger.
“Pietons” Pass – ski lifts for pedestrians
If you don’t fancy skiing or snowboarding, you can still get great access to the resort with a “pietons” lift pass. For around 16€ you get access to selected chair lifts as a pedestrian. You can get to all the main areas of Les Arcs and Peisey Vallandry, and even get up to the very top of the resort, the summit of the Aiguille Rouge! Why not visit the ice grotto at the Col de la Chal, or take a leisurely lunch over in Arc 1950.
Nordic Skiing
Up at the end of the Rosuel valley, past the tiny village of Nancroix, is the Parc National de la Vanoise. Here you can try your hand at Nordic Skiing, more commonly known as cross country skiing.
There is a large piste laid out, on mostly flat terrain, with a variety of different routes – all of which return you to the main centre.
You can try two different types of Nordic Skiing – one of which you use two grooves in the snow for your skis, the other of which is without grooves and requires you to “skate” up any uphill sections.
All the SnowHQ team have tried their hand at this, and we can tell you it is amazing fun! It makes a real change from Alpine skiing up on the mountain, and on a sunny day in such a beautiful setting you won’t be disappointed!
Snow-shoe trekking
A fantastic way to see the mountains. Snow-shoes can be hired at all the ski rental shops, and the Nordic Centre up in the National Park.
Bobsleigh
Over in La Plagne you’ll find the Olympic Bobsleigh track. If you fancy something very different, you can try your hand at bobsleighing in a self-steering, tourist friendly bobsleigh, reaching speeds of up to 80km/h. Alternatively, if you’ve got a real need for speed you can even try out in a real bobsleigh or even a luge. Not for the faint-hearted!
Sledging for children
A very popular but unofficial activity often done at the bottom of the Lonzagne lift (the lobster pots). You can also use the sledging areas available at the bottom of the main chairlifts in Plan-Peisey and Vallandry
Husky & Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides
Another activity available in the National Park is husky or horse drawn sleigh rides – a perfect alternative when you need a day off from skiing, or to give the kids a treat!