Peisey-Vallandry - village

Of the two villages, Vallandry is the larger and has a more ‘traditional’ core based around a small pedestrianised area with shops, bars and restaurants, from where the accommodation – mainly chalets – spreads out. Plan Peisey straggles away south from the Vanoise Express and doesn’t have such a well-defined centre. 

Of the two, Vallandry has more of a focal point in the form of the pedestrianised area where you’ll find people strolling about and popping into bars, shops and restaurants during the day and after skiing; Plan Peisey doesn’t have such a well-defined centre so doesn’t have quite the same ‘community’ feel, and Vallandry does feel more lively.

However, the small, relatively tight-knit layout of both villages means that most accommodation options are within easy reach of all facilities and the slopes. There are perhaps more chalets in Vallandry, giving a more ‘traditional’ feel to the village.

That said, Peisey village is just as 'authentic' – older chalets, the old Baroque church and working farms provide much more alpine ambience. And although you do have the inconvenience of not having direct access to the slopes, most chalets there run a chauffeur service to drive you to the slopes in the morning and collect you when you finish.

Accommodation

Peak Retreats have two luxury self-catering apartments in Vallandry along with the cheaper option in Plan Peisey of Résidence L'Arollaie (which has a small pool), about 50m from the Vanoise Express. Erna Low is another UK operator offering a mix of chalet and apartment accommodation in both villages.

There are not many hotels in the resort, but one of the best options is 3-star Hôtel La Vanoise in Plan Peisey, which is a nice mix of traditional and contemporary with a good slope-side location and a spa; they also offer chalet accommodation, and the restaurant is worth checking out even if you’re not staying there.

If you don’t mind having to catch the lift up from Peisey village every morning in order to ski, a really nice accommodation option is the rustic Ormelune, which offers cosy and more traditional interiors than its more modern, purpose-built neighbours up the hill.

The Tourist Office online-booking service is also worth a look for a reasonably wide range of accommodation options.

Chalet in Peisey VillagePhoto: Sophie Planque

Ski/snowboard equipment hire

There’s a good range of equipment hire options in both villages, including Intersport, which has a total of four shops in Peisey-Vallandry and one in Peisey village; you can book online in advance.

The Skimium shop in Vallandry offers discounts for online bookings, and also stocks reasonably priced and discounted clothing and equipment from France’s favourite sports chain Decathlon.

Noz Sports Sport 2000 at the bottom of the pistes in Vallandry is another gear hire option, and they also offer free ski and boot storage, whilst Sport 2000 Vallandry Sports is a well-established family business in the centre of the village.

Non-ski activities

In terms of ambience and scenery, non-skiers will enjoy being in Peisey.  That said, there’s not a great deal on offer in terms of actual non-ski activities in Peisey-Vallandry. However, if you’re prepared to head elsewhere in Les Arcs – which is easy to do given the very efficient lift and shuttle bus system – there’s plenty to do if you decide to take a break from skiing or boarding.

New for 2015/16 in Arc 1800 is Mille8 – this multi-million Euro development includes a beginner’s area, kid’s ski zone with toboggans, igloos and a baby snow park, a freestyle area for both beginners and more advanced riders, an indoor swimming pool/spa (Centre Aqualudique), an exciting toboggan ride and a gourmet restaurant and wine bar.

It’s open until 7.30 pm (8.30 pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) when all the outdoor activities are lit up impressively, whilst the Villards gondola, which accesses the restaurant and wine bar, stays open until 11 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There’s a free shuttle bus to and from Arc 1800 from Peisey-Vallandry, so you can access Mille8 when the lifts have stopped running.

There’s a longer toboggan run at the Rodeo Park above Arc 2000 – this 3km trail runs under the Arcabulle chairlift so you can check it out from above before giving it a go. It is open to anyone over the age of 12 with a valid lift pass and is accessed from the top of the Transarc and Arcabulle lifts.

Over in La Plagne is something that thrillseekers will be happy to make the trek for – the Olympic bobsleigh run. It’s open to the public several days a week when there are different rides you can try; the fastest option, riding with a professional driver, reaches speeds of up to 130kph.

Museum of Mountain AnimalsPhoto: Juliette Rebour

Childcare

The  Garderie Tom Pouce in the centre of Vallandry is open from 8.30 to 17.30 daily and can accommodate 35 children up to six years of age, and five children between one and two years of age. It can be booked online, although the website is in French only.

In Plan Peisey, the Garderie Le Chat Botté will take children from one year old to 11, but is only open on weekdays, from 8.30 am – 12.00 pm (Wednesday 13.30 pm – 17.00 pm).