Peisey-Vallandry - ski resort overview

Peisey-Vallandry is one of those resorts that should really be better known among UK skiers. It sits at the heart of the vast Paradiski area, shared with the more famous names of Les Arcs and La Plagne. It’s a great place to be based, both for its local slopes and as a convenient starting point for epic days exploring the wider domain.

As hinted by its name, the resort comprises two main villages (plus three surrounding ones). ‘Plain-Peisey’ and ‘Vallandry’ sit less than a kilometre apart, at a shared altitude of 1,600m. On one side of the resort is Les Arcs' local ski area; on the other is La Plagne's, linked (since 2003) by the Vanoise Express cable car. This impressive double-decker lift can carry up to 200 skiers and spans the 1,800m gap between Plain-Peisey and La Plagne at a maximum height of 380m above the valley floor, which it crosses in just four minutes. The panoramic and aerial views from the Vanoise Express are quite something and not to be missed.

Both Plain-Peisey and Vallandry are quite self-contained and can be explored easily, with all the facilities you’re likely to need on a ski holiday including ski hire, ski schools, shops, a small supermarket, bars and restaurants, and access to the rest of the resort. They also both have a ‘traditional’ alpine feel about them (despite being purpose-built like the rest of Les Arcs).

Confusingly, there is also the village of ‘Peisey’ which sits in the valley below Plain-Peisey along with a selection of other small settlements known collectively as Peisey-Nantcroix.  Peisey village is an attractive little alpine settlement complete with a Baroque church, and connects with Plain-Peisey via a brand-new 10-seater gondola. 

The Les Arcs ski area is easy and quick to reach either by ski lift or on free shuttle buses (aka navettes). With a Paradiski pass, La Plagne's piste is also easily accessible, thanks to the Vanoise Express. Both Plain-Peisey and Vallandry have ski lifts that start from the villages, and so there is plenty of accommodation within close access to the slopes. 

Station VallandryPhoto: Elliot Gieu

The resort’s local slopes are west-facing so get plenty of sun, which means the snow cover at lower levels may get a tad thin in warmer, sunnier periods, but this isn’t a major issue since the pistes above extend to almost 2,300m, and Les Arcs’ highest point is the easily accessible and snow- sure Aiguille Rouge at 3,226m. Spectacular views are part of the deal when you’re skiing here, thanks to the resort’s location on the shoulders of 2,733m Aiguille Grive and 2,488m Aiguille Rousse, with panoramas that take in the valleys of the Isère and Ponturin rivers, the peaks of the Beaufortain region to the northwest and, overshadowing all this to the immediate south, the snow-draped north face of 3,417m Bellecôte, which adventurous freeriders can access via La Plagne.

Together, the two villages arguably have some of the most varied skiing of the Les Arcs ski area - there are wide, open slopes to suit all abilities as well as tree skiing for more advanced riders, and some off-piste options too. The trees in particular are a godsend in bad weather when visibility on Les Arcs’ higher, open slopes can be almost non-existent. All of Peisey-Vallandry’s pistes cut through wooded areas, which allows you to enjoy skiing when the higher slopes are socked in.

Highlights

• A good range of skiing for all abilities, and a great place for progressing from beginner to early intermediate.
• Tree skiing options when the weather is bad.
• Easy access to the Vanoise Express cable car and La Plagne.
• Self-catering accommodation for most budgets.
• Short transfers from high-speed rail services into Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
• Paradiski lift pass gives you access to one of the world’s largest linked ski areas.
  
  

Lowlights

• Nightlife is pretty quiet.
• Few black runs on local slopes, but some good tree skiing.