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Skiing from La Plagne to Les Arcs: Navigating the Paradiski Playground
You might be heading on a ski holiday in La Plagne this winter. But did you know that La Plagne makes up ½ of one of the largest ski areas in the world: The Paradiski Region? So, if you’re skiing La Plagne, you might fancy popping over to the neighbouring ski resort, Les Arcs. But how to go about it? What routes should you take, and how long do you need to get between the 2 resorts?
In this guide, I'll delve into the details of how to navigate this epic ski experience, ensuring a seamless transition from one resort to the other.
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Paradiski Ski Area
First, before we jump into the top tips on skiing from La Plagne to Les Arcs, let’s get the rundown on the Paradiski.
Paradiski is one of the largest ski areas in the world, located in the French Alps. It is a vast, interconnected ski domain that links three resorts: Les Arcs, La Plagne, and Peisey-Vallandry. The creation of Paradiski was a result of the Vanoise Express cable car, which was built to connect Les Arcs and La Plagne, forming a continuous and expansive ski area. And did you know the Paradiski is celebrating 20 years this winter? You can read all about the Paradiski birthday celebrations here.
The Paradiski ski area is massive, with over 425 kilometres (264 miles) of ski slopes, making it an attractive destination for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The terrain is varied, catering to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers. So, whether you're a seasoned skier or a first-timer, Paradiski offers a diverse and memorable winter sports experience.
How to ski from La Plagne to Les Arcs
OK, now let's jump into how to ski from La Plagne to Les Arcs!
1. Check Ski Conditions
Before setting out on your ski day, it's crucial to assess the ski conditions. If you’re here for a week, check out the snow forecasts and pick a good weather day. Monitoring weather forecasts and resort updates will help you make informed decisions about the feasibility of your journey. Adverse weather conditions or trail closures may impact your ability to ski between La Plagne and Les Arcs.
Check out the daily La Plagne weather forecast here and the La Plagne Webcams here.
2. Check your lift pass
Make sure you have the right lift pass to get to Les Arcs! There are 2 basic types of lift passes available:
- La Plagne lift passes – the whole La Plagne ski area
- Paradiski lift passes – the whole Paradiski area
If you have a Paradiski pass, you’re all set! If you have a La Plagne pass, then you need to go to the lift pass office in the village you’re staying in and get an upgrade for the day. This can only be done in one of the pass offices and not online and will cost you: 25€ for adults and 20€ for kids (under 12).
If you need more help figuring out lift passes, this article is the go-to resource for everything you need to know about La Plagne and Paradiski lift passes.
3. Plan Your Route
A successful skiing expedition begins with meticulous planning. To traverse the valley from La Plagne to Les Arcs, the Vanoise Express cable car serves as the gateway between these two winter wonderlands. So this is the first main point you’re aiming for.
Then, the route you plan will depend on where you are setting off. It sounds obvious, but it will affect how long it takes to get there and back. These are the main differences, however:
Montchavin or Les Coches
If you are staying in either Montchavin or Les Coches, then you’re in one of the villages closest to the Vanoise Express. Making your route to Les Arcs much quicker and easier to access.
From Les Coches, you only need to hop onto the Plan Bois chairlift and then ski down, cruisy blue pistes to the Vanoise Express. Taking less than 5 minutes – as long as there are no lift lines!
From Montchavin, jump on the Montchavin lift, and then you’ll be minutes away from the Vanoise. Simple!
La Plagne altitude villages, Champagny and Montalbert
For the rest of the La Plagne ski area, you need to head towards Belle Plagne or Bellecote and hop on the Arpette Chairlift. From the peak of the Arpette, you are skiing down towards the Vanoise Express, with no more lifts needed. Follow the signposts for Les Arcs and the Vanoise to keep you on the right slopes!
My pistes of choice from the Arpette peak would be all the blue pistes!
- Replat blue piste
- Take the rope tow across the flat section here to bring you to the top of the Riders Nation snow park. Don’t worry. You don’t have to head through the park unless you want to!
- Mont Blanc blue piste, joining into
- Pierres Blanches blue piste all the way to the Vanoise.
It's also important to know the skill level of your group. If you're worried about beginner skiers being able to confidently ski between the two then this blog post might help:
4. Enjoy the Vanoise Express Cable Car
The Vanoise Express stands as a remarkable feat of engineering in the French Alps. This expansive cable car, with its distinctive double-decker design, spans the Ponturin Gorge, providing an efficient and scenic connection between the two major ski areas. Its capacity to accommodate up to 200 passengers in each of its two cabins ensures a swift and convenient transfer for skiers and pedestrians alike.
Opened in December 2003, the Vanoise Express has since become a defining feature of the Paradiski ski area. Its rapid four-minute journey offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Alpine landscape, treating passengers to vistas of snow-capped peaks and pristine valleys. The cable car's contribution is not merely functional; it symbolises the integration of Les Arcs and La Plagne into a unified winter sports destination, boasting over 425 kilometres of interconnected slopes.
5. Enjoy the Skiing
Once you disembark from the Vanoise Express, you'll find yourself in the Les Arcs ski area, ready to explore its diverse slopes and trails. Les Arcs offers a variety of skiing experiences, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging runs for seasoned skiers. Enjoy!
6. Return Journey
If your adventure includes a return to La Plagne, be sure to check the operating hours of the Vanoise Express for the journey back. Planning your return in advance ensures a seamless transition and avoids any unexpected challenges.
If you’re only skiing back to Montchavin or Les Coches, then once you get off the Vanoise, you’re home set.
However, if you’re heading to one of the other La Plagne villages, then you’ve got a longer journey on your hands. It can be deceiving as it is so quick to get there, but it takes much longer to get home.
From the Vanoise, you need to take a combination of 3 or 4 lifts to get you back to the peak of the Arpette, and skiing onwards. Remember that lots of other people will be taking this route home. So it will be busy, and it will take about 40 minutes just to do this section.
From the Vanoise:
- Ski down to the Lac Noir chairlift and head up.
- Head to the Bjolin lift
- Then head to the Salla lift (This lift was closed in winter 22/23). So if it’s not open:
- Head to the Crozats chairlift.
The Crozats chair drops you above the Arpette lift station, so you will ski down the blue Barrieres piste blue Laines piste down into Belle Plagne or into Bellecote. Then, you’re on the way home.
I live in Plagne Centre, and often, when we get to Bellecote, the lift lines on the Colossus are pretty sizeable! So we will often opt to stop for a hot chocolate at Le Bonnet and then take the free shuttle bus home.Â
To give you an example of timing, for me to ski or snowboard comfortably from the Vanoise to Plagne Centre will take me an hour, probably longer.
Family-Friendly Lunch Stops in Les Arcs
If you're heading over to Les Arcs for the day, building in a proper lunch stop can make all the difference, especially with kids in tow. Whether you're after a sit-down meal to refuel or a quicker bite before hitting the slopes again, here are five great spots that are easy to get to and family-approved.
1. La Fruitière – Arc 1800
Part of the lively La Folie Douce complex, La Fruitière combines modern Alpine cuisine with a buzzing, upbeat vibe. It’s a fab choice for families who want something a little different from the usual mountain fare. The quality of the food is excellent, and there’s often live entertainment nearby to keep the kids smiling. It’s best to book ahead if you’re visiting during school holidays or weekends.
Probably not one for tiny kids, but great for those who will be entertained by some dancers and music!
2. Chalet de Luigi – Arc 1950
This cosy spot in Arc 1950 is well-known for its hearty Italian and Savoyard dishes. Perfect comfort food after a morning on skis. Their pasta is a hit with children, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere makes it a reliable option for families. You can eat inside or soak up some sunshine on the terrace if the weather’s kind. We stopped here last year with family and the sunny terrace was perfect for a long lunch!
3. Méli’s Snack – Arc 1950
For a quick, casual lunch that doesn’t break the bank, Méli’s Snack is a go-to. Open from 9 am to 9 pm, it’s ideal if your kids need something fast and familiar. Think burgers, hot dogs, chips and paninis. Plus, there is plenty of seating for a breather before the afternoon push. The seating is all outside, so pick a good weather day – we ended up sat here in the snow last time we went over!
My top tip would be to head over to the English-style pub “The Wool Socks” opposite if you need to warm up after. It was taken on this winter by the old owners of Le Bonnet in Plagne 1800. So it's always nice to pop in and say hi! Plus, there's plenty of space for the kids to relax.
4. Bulle Café – Arc 2000
Right at the base of the slopes in Arc 2000, at the bottom of the Arcabulle lift, Bulle Café is a chilled spot with a varied menu and friendly service. It’s a solid mid-day stop, whether you want to grab a coffee, panini or pizza, or something light for the kids. Think seafood and tapas style. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, so it works whatever the weather's doing. But the deckchairs outside are great for relaxing in the sun.
5. Le 2134 Les Arcs – Arc 2000
Set at – you guessed it – 2,134 metres above sea level, this one comes with unbeatable views. The menu offers something for everyone, including traditional mountain dishes and more familiar options for fussy eaters. There's also a great wine menu here. It’s slightly more of a sit-down affair, but it's worth it if you're ready for a proper break in the day.
Maybe one to leave the kids behind for and enjoy an adult-only menu!
That’s La Plagne & how to ski La Plagne to Les Arcs
Skiing from La Plagne to Les Arcs is not just about the destination, it's also the journey(!) through the heart of the Paradiski ski area. By following these steps, you're sure to create unforgettable memories on the slopes of these renowned resorts.
See you on the slopes!
Great advice on getting back, we didn’t realise how long it would take and got caught when the snow came in as we were skiing back. By the time we went up on the Crozats lift, Salla lift still closed Jan 24, it was so difficult to see sking down to Bellecote that we bailed out a caught the Navette bus back to Plagne Centre. So pleased we knew about it.
Hi Jane,
Glad it all worked out ok! I often get the bus back from Bellecote to Centre – the lift lines at Colossus often defeat me! And it’s so annoying about the Salla lift! It was closed most of last winter as well. It makes that last section just a little easier than having to head back down to Crozats… I hope it opens soon this winter. I’ll have to find out!
Hope you’re enjoying La Plagne skiing!
Jen