The Vanoise Express
The Paradiski ski area was born in the winter of 2003-4, with the completion of the Vanoise Express cable car. This cable car is a true feat of engineering - 2 double decker cars, which can carry up to 200 people each, span the gorge between Peisey, at 1612m, and Montchavin les Coches (1548m). The crossing takes just 4 minutes each way and gives you breathtaking views of little Tarentaise villages below, and of Mont Blanc further afield.
It is the world's biggest cable car they say, and it certainly provides a fast and efficient link between the two ski areas of La Plagne and Les Arcs. With the Vanoise Express these two areas became Paradiski, which in total offers 425km of piste ranging from 1200m to 3250m.
The Skiing
On a quick trip to Les Arcs it's impossible to do much more than scratch the surface of this vast domain, there's so much available for all levels of skier and snowboarder - high and wide motorway runs above the tree line, steep drop offs from the top of the Aiguille Rouge at 3226m, interesting runs through the woods to take you down to Villaroger, and a multitude of blues and reds criss-cross the sunny side of the mountain and lead to Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and the Peisey-Vallandry area.
In one day it is feasible to get to the top of Les Arcs, (the Aiguille Rouge), and to the top of La Plagne (towards the Bellecote glacier at 3417m) - but there's not much time to draw breath in between. On the way you'll see a wonderful 360 ° panorama of the Alps - Mont Blanc on one side, the Three Valleys on another with a clear view of the altiport at Courchevel as you head up to the top of La Plagne.
This ski area definitely deserves a thorough investigation - so even a week might not be enough to discover all its nooks and crannies, or to get a real feel for what it has to offer.
Where to Stay
Luckily there's lots of choice of where to stay if you want to discover Paradiski, from purpose-built ski in ski out, to the more charming and traditional. Choose from catered luxury chalets, budget self catered and everything in between. Browse through our Les Arcs and La Plagne sections to get an idea, or simply search for Paradiski in our accommodation search.
We stayed at the luxury Intrawest village at Arc 1950. This is a self-contained hamlet of upmarket apartment blocks with great facilities. The apartments are spacious and well equipped, with undergound parking, saunas, hammams, and swimming pools. You can ski to and from the ski room door, and there is a good choice of places to eat and drink close by. Just up the local funicular is Arc 2000 if you want to explore the apres ski possibilities further.
