With a total skiable area of 425km, 264 well-groomed pistes and slopes available up to a vertiginous 3250m, Paradiski lives up to its promotional tagline as ‘a playground with no boundaries’.
Located in France’s Tarentaise Valley snowsports heartland, Paradiski comprises the stellar resorts of Peisey-Vallandry, La Plagne and Les Arcs, and the skiing here is seamless thanks to the Vanoise Express which has linked up all the sublime slopes here since 2003.
Apart from world-class skiing and snowboarding and car-free, family-friendly resorts, you’ll also find comfy accommodation here, exclectic apres-ski and naturally, awe-inspiring scenery.
Take a look at these three tips for a perfect Paradiski holiday and you’ll be tempted to head off here for your next holiday!
- Skiing & snowboarding
With 39 red runs and 137 blues, Paradiski is a haven for intermediate skiers, but there are also 12 wide, sweeping green runs for novices to build their confidence and 36 black runs plus plenty of off-piste opportunities for experts.
Les Arcs is also important in snowboarding culture as the filming location for pioneering 1983 documentary Apocalypse Snow and there’s a great snowpark between Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 with gnarly boxes, rails and jumps. Book a skiing holiday in Arc 1800 with Erna Low and you’ll be right in the middle of the action.
- Apres-ski
When the sun sinks slowly over the mountains, the nightlife in Paradiski kicks into gear and it’s as diverse and delightful as anything you’ll find in a regular city. La Tete Inn in Belle Plagne has a cosy pine-panelled interior but it’s open until 5am with free-flowing drinks and bouncing tunes, so don’t let the homely décor confuse you!
Alternatively, in Arc 1800, Red Hot Saloon is a cracking venue with DJs and dancing and you can enjoy fancy-dress theme nights at kitsch Club 73. Meanwhile, foodies can find tasty and affordable pizza at Le Solan in Peisey-Vallandry and L’Absinthe at Aime La Plagne serves traditional Savoyard fare like salads and crepes on the sun terrace.
- Accommodation
With several distinct main resorts and many satellite villages, it’s easy to find ski accommodation in Paradiski that satisfies the needs of every member of your party. Lots of the accommodation options here offer convenient doorstep skiing, are close to shops and amenities and also have in-house spa, pool and gym facilities.
It’s hard to single out one particular residence, but Hotel Edenarc pretty much has it all, with a prime location overlooking Arc 1800 that’s also close to the Chantel chairlift, a sauna and steam room and beautifully furnished rooms with well-appointed kitchenettes where you can prepare snacks and hot chocolate on those cosy nights in. This is regarded as one of the best hotels in Les Arcs and is highly rated by guests and travel publications.
Follow these three tips and you’ll have the time of your life in Paradiski ̶ enjoy!