Skiing in Peisey Vallandry
Access the great skiing in Les Arcs and La Plagne from a resort with a more traditional village feel and lower prices than some of the more lively neighbouring villages.
Jane Bolton, Product Director.
Even though Plan Peisey and Vallandry are officially recognised as two separate villages, they feel well connected. The main difference is their two snow fronts, which mark the only real separation between them. The resort itself sits at an impressive 1600m and offers “pinch-me” views of both the Beaufortain valley and the jaw-dropping Mont Blanc. Plus, with access to an incredible 425km of slopes within the interconnected ski area, Peisey-Vallandry is especially brilliant for intermediate skiers with its great selection of wide, open blue runs and challenging reds – and not failing to mention the epic off-piste and accessible snow parks for those wanting an adventure-filled experience. Peisey-Vallandry is more than worthy of being called a 5-star ski holiday thanks to the perfect blend of rustic Savoyard apartments, hotels and chalets combined with unbeatable holiday-making facilities.
In addition to the rolling slopes, you’ll likely stumble across natural plunging waterfalls, rustic hamlets and unique cultural attractions like the Notre Dame des Vernettes chapel. In short, if you’re after snow surety, a wide range of varied pistes to play on, lively bars, and several “kids will love this” attractions, Peisey-Vallandry offers a truly unforgettable winter getaway!
Peisey-Vallandy Mountain Facts
Peisey-Vallandry is at the heart of the jaw-dropping Paradiski area in the Tarentaise region. Here you’ll find a huge range of pistes at amazing elevations of between 1,200 meters and 3,226 metres, with the highest peak being the awe-inspiring Aiguille Rouge. Skiing from the Varet and Chiaupe glaciers offers the ultimate winter experience, and the state-of-the-art lift system makes getting around the slopes easy and avoids those knee-bashing chairlifts of old! Arguably the sparkly jewel in its crown is the Vanoise Express – a double-decker cable car that crosses the valley between Les Arcs and La Plagne in only 4 minutes, conveniently linking both sides of the Paradiski area.
Snow conditions in Peisey-Vallandry
The ski season in Peisey-Vallandry kicks off around mid-December until late April and sees pretty solid snow conditions throughout. Last season, the ski area experienced about 303 cm of snowfall over 31 days, with the heaviest snowfall hitting 25 cm. On average, the base depth is around 77 cm, reaching up to 115 cm, while the summit depth averages 271 cm and maxes out at an impressive 430 cm. And with over 250 snow cannons at the ready, the resort has enough snow-making capacity to cover 25 slopes if needed, almost guaranteeing snow surety.
Skiing in Peisey-Vallandry
With an incredible selection of slopes to play on and varied terrain throughout the entire ski area, Peisey-Vallandry offers a fun challenge for skiers of all levels and abilities. Here are some our Erna Low’s highlights.
- We have great news for adventurous beginners and intermediates looking for a fun challenge... Many of the runs in the immediate Peisey-Vallandry vicinity are reds and blues! The long Aigle run from the top of L’Ours chair is a particular treat for the slightly more experienced.
- Experienced and advanced skiers will love the challenge of the incredible Aiguille Rouge. With a vertical descent of 2000m and over 7km of terrain to play on, it’s not just one of the resort’s most epic slopes – it’s actually one of the longest black runs in the world! For context: it takes most skiers around 20-30 minutes to ski the entire run. (Let’s hope your muscles are nice and limbered up!)
- There are 19 blacks on the Les Arcs side and the steepest of those is the 2.5km Robert Blanc. In contrast, the steepest gradient on the La Plagne side is the 3.5km Emile Allais. Fancy taking it up a notch? Make a beeline for the mogul field at the top of the Traversée chair lift to really put your skills to the test.
- Freeriders will be in their element with the epic off-piste skiing in Peisey-Vallandry too. La Grive in particular is a firm favourite with the locals who can’t get enough of the challenging terrain. Be sure to move with caution, though: if you’re new to these parts, it’s a good idea to hire a local guide with backcountry experience to show you the best routes.
- If you’re a keen cross-country skier based in Vallandry, hop on the free Lonzagne ‘lobster pot’ lift (aptly named because the small cabins look like lobster pots!) down to Peisey then jump on the shuttle bus to the Peisey-Nancroix Nordic area. Here’s where you’ll find what feels like countless cross-country trails.
Snowboarding in Peisey-Vallandry
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Prefer riding one plank instead of two? You’re in luck – snowboarders will be more than satisfied pitting their wits and skills against the varied terrain on offer across Peisey-Vallandry and the entire connected ski area. Here are our top can’t-miss highlights for snowboarders:
- Freestylers looking to master jumps, jibs and j-turns should shoot over to the Apocalypse Snowpark. Situated between Arc 1600 and Arc 1800, it has everything you need to practise every move under the mountain sun, including blue jumps, black rails, a quarter pipe, spine jump, rail slides and a gap jump for the more experienced boarders. There’s also a boardercross if you fancy going up against your mates and an air bag where you can try out moves you’re not quite ready to do on the main kickers.
- The Mille 8 complex is a purpose-built alpine playground in Arc 1800 with a state-of-the-art freestyle snowboard area. The LEDs and sound systems bring out all the vibes at night, and you can also scan your ski pass at the top of the park to film your run. Similarly, the 7 Cube snowpark in La Plagne has a welcoming atmosphere as well as a decent selection of jumps, rails and boxes to suit snowboarders of all levels and abilities. You can easily get to the park from the Colorado chairlift at Plagne Centre.
- Hire a local mountain guide for a day and they’ll show you exactly where the fresh powder is. There are loads of epic freestyle opportunities on the Les Arcs side of the mountain and even more in La Plagne.
- Confident beginners will find the blue runs around Peisey-Vallandry ideal for practising the basics – and maybe even trying out to some of the more challenging manoeuvres.
Ski resort accommodation in Peisey-Vallandry
Peisey-Vallandry offers a wide range of self-catered, chalet-style apartments ideal for family and group stays. Most of its accommodations are ski-in, ski-out, providing seamless access to the slopes right from your doorstep. Apartments in Peisey-Vallandry often come fully equipped with kitchen facilities, allowing guests to prepare meals at their convenience and embrace the comforts of home, alongside breathtaking alpine views.
All Ski Resort Accommodation in Peisey Vallandry
Things to do in Peisey-Vallandry ski resort
Après-ski in Peisey-Vallandry
Since Peisey-Vallandry is made up of two main villages (plus a few smaller nearby areas), après-ski here is a little less table-top dancing and more lower-key bars and pubs where you can watch sports and listen to great live music. Though, there’s still a lively after-hours scene where you can let loose and unwind with a few cheeky après drinks after an exhausting day on the hill. Here are a few can’t-miss après-ski highlights:
- The Flying Squirrel in Peisey-Nancroix is a laidback village boozer that serves up some of the most exciting gourmet burgers and paninis in the region accompanied by a great selection of beers and wines. Stay late into the evening to watch live sports and listen to both up-and-coming and legendary local DJs spinning tunes into the earlier hours.
- Fancy partying into the early hours with the locals? Greg’s Bar is a popular aprés venue in Peisey-Nancroix where you can meet up for a cheeky beer over a slice of pizza and an inevitably-competitive game of pool! Not only do they stay open until 2 am but they also make a pretty mean mojito – which in itself is worth sticking around for.
- If you’re looking for more laidback vibes, Mojo Bar is a chic and unapologetically boujee spot for cocktails and cosy chats. Afterwards, proceed to Bar Monty Blanc for late-night partying! It’s open practically all day (9am – 1.30am to be exact!) and serves up a great selection of tasty pub bites and accompanying refreshments from AM to PM. Head there once the lifts have shut down for the day and enjoy live bands, DJs and comedy shows.
Facilities in Peisey-Vallandry
With all the holiday-making facilities and amenities you could wish for, Peisey-Vallandry promises an unforgettable experience for families, couples, solo skiers, friends and pretty much everyone else! There are hotels and accommodation options with spas and swimming pools, supermarkets, sports shops, bars, restaurants, equipment rental shops, ski schools... the list goes on. For the thrill-seekers among you, you’re spoilt for choice with high-adrenaline activities like paragliding, snow scooters, ice climbing, toboggan runs and even laser quest (as long as it’s booked in advance). Peisey-Vallandry also has a free shuttle bus that connects the different villages and ski lifts within the resort, making it incredibly easy to get around.
Facilities for children in Peisey-Vallandry
Peisey-Vallandry is Famille Plus accredited, meaning it has facilities designed specifically for children on and off the slopes. You’ll find a selection of ski schools, including a children's club in Plan Peisey that caters for little ones between the ages of 1 to 4. A variety of family-friendly accommodation gives those home-away-from-home vibes, and there’s no shortage of holiday-making activities to keep the kids entertained once they’ve had their fill of snow time for the day.
Why choose Erna Low for Peisey-Vallandry skiing holidays?
- Experience and service: Benefit from over a decade’s worth of 5-star customer service.
- Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, ensuring you get the absolute best value for money.
- Huge choice of accommodation: From luxury residences to budget apartments, we’ve got something to suit all budgets and tastes.
- Customisable travel: We’re a one-stop-shop for everything you could possibly want or need from your ski holiday.
- Fully protected bookings: As ABTOT and ATOL members, we abide by their Code of Conduct.
Peisey-Vallandry FAQs
Does Peisey-Vallandry offer ski lessons?
Yes. Peisey-Vallandry has several reputable ski schools and independent instructors that offer ski lessons for all skills and abilities. Whether you're a first-timer who wants to master the basics or a confident intermediate wanting to fine-tune the more challenging manoeuvres, you’ll definitely find plenty of options to match. There are group lessons and private lessons for children and adults, and the meeting points are usually centrally located and easy to get to if you’re in Plan Peisey or Vallandry. Both communes have so-called snow gardens, which are learner areas away from the main slopes that are easy to locate and offer the perfect quiet and peaceful playground to learn basic skills.
Is Peisey-Vallandry snow-sure?
While Peisey-Vallandry itself sits as a fairly lower altitude of 1,600 metres where slopes are usually first to turn to slush when it gets warmer at the end of the season, it’s connected to the larger Paradiski ski area, where you’re pretty much guaranteed snow surety throughout the ski season. The ski area is also home to two skiable glaciers with good conditions from December through to April, and there’s a network of snow cannons are the ready to top-up the resort’s snow cover should they be needed.
What is the closest airport to Peisey-Vallandry?
Chambery, Lyon, Geneva and Grenoble are the closest airports to Peisey-Vallandry, with Chambery being nearest with only a 1.5 hours’ drive to resort. That being said, Geneva airport offers more frequent flights and international connections and is only 2.5 hours away, so that’s another good option to consider.
Is the ski resort suitable for families?
Peisey-Vallandry is a solid option for families with children of all ages, which its Famille Plus accreditation proves! Alongside the resort’s many “kids will love this” activities, Peisey-Vallandry plays home to a selection of brilliant childcare options, reputable ski schools and a quieter, less-crowded atmosphere compared to some of its bigger neighbouring resorts.
What dining options are available at the resort?
Peisey-Vallandry has a great selection of restaurants and bars serving up a satisfying selection of food to keep you well-fed and refuelled ready for another exhausting day on the slopes. You can find traditional French Savoyard dishes like fondue and raclette, outdoor BBQs, burger joints and bistros serving pizza and salads, takeaways, cafes offering pastries, hot chocolates and other snacks, and pretty much anything else you’re in the mood for.
"Close to Bourg and central within the Paradiski area this quaint village offers a peaceful retreat in the mountains. There is also an abundance of alternative snow activities on offer!"
Rebeca Dodson
