Situated to the west of Lyon and Chambery, the huge Paradiski area was created in 2003 when the world’s largest cable car – the Vanoise Express - opened across the 2km wide valley between Plan-Peisey (Les Arcs) and just above Montchavin (La Plagne). This double decker cable car transports 200 people across the wooded valley between the two resorts and connects two major ski areas which already offer superb, high altitude skiing in their own right.

Both Paradiski resorts consist of a number of villages situated along mountain roads on either side of the valley, each with a character of their own.
On the Les Arcs side, Plan-Peisey and Vallandry are low rise modern developments ideally situated for the Vanoise Express. Higher still lie the resort villages of Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000, all with direct access to the slopes.

La Plagne consists of ten villages; Montchavin is just below the cable car and is a restored village with some attractive new additions; modern Les Coches is also built in a traditional style and offers easy access to the Vanoise Express; above this in the main La Plagne ski area are the villages of Belle-Plagne, Plagne Bellcote, Plagne-Villages, Plagne-Soleil, Plagne-Centre, Aime-la-Plagne and Plagne 1800.

The lift pass for the Paradiski area is great for people staying in accommodation close to the cable car, but as skiing is so extensive in both La Plagne and Les Arcs, you may be better off buying a local pass and then getting a Paradiski extension if and when you want to go further afield. Alternatively you can buy a Paradiski Decouverte pass for your resort which includes one day’s access to the other side of the valley.

The nearest airport is Chambery, although many people choose to come here by train as the station is nearby in the town of Bourg St Maurice at the ‘gateway’ to Les Arcs, or Aime for La Plagne.