The perfect escape Plan
Head to the French Alps resort of Plan Peisey and the high altitude fun is all guaranteed, says DARREN WELLS
SUNKISSED and snowsure, the serene resort of Plan Peisey is the gateway to a mountain of adventures high up in the French Alps. A short cable car ride from the vast runs of La Plagne, and a quick ski from the bustle of Les Arcs, this tranquil high altitude haven is ideally placed to enjoy the thrills of the Paradiski, Europe’s third largest ski area.
After busy days carving up the slopes, you can unwind with cosy nights around roaring fires in homely low-rise chalets dotted between forest pines.
There’s the bonus of being able to ski almost right to your door – a treat for those tired legs after a day’s fun on the varied terrain.
Peisey is the launchpad of the Vanoise Express, the huge double-decker cable car to La Plagne.
But it also has its own lift, as well as one in neighbouring Vallandry, less than a kilometre away.
The Grizzly lift takes you to the peak of the Peisey-Vallandry pistes, which has an abundance of powdery off-the-beaten-track routes for hardened skiers. The red run from top to bottom is a real thigh-burner.
The TransArc bubble over in
Arc 1800 then opens up the rest of the Paradiski area to explore at your leisure. For the most enchanting views, look no further than the magical La Plagne – a mountain paradise where the snow glistens in the sunshine.
Whisk down the Arpette blue run for breathtaking scenery, or skip round to Europe’s longest fun slope, stretching 1.6km, with little jumps, banks, and even a tunnel, to bring out your inner child.
Finish off with the Pierres Blanches to Esselet route, surrounded by snow-dusted trees and sweeping valley views.
For mouth-watering mountain fare, L’Adress in Vallandry has traditional French cuisine, from cheese fondue to snails. The burgers are great too!
Back in Plan Peisey, Le Solan d’Aniathazze, a 25-year-old favourite, is ideal for a quick snack or for sipping hot chocolate with fresh Chantilly out on the heated terraces.
Chez Felix, meanwhile, is perfect for watching the sunset over the valley while enjoying a homemade crepe or a speciality fondue.
No resort would be complete without a little apres-ski, and La Folie Douce covers any urges to dance on tables in ski boots, with free-flowing beer and mulled wine.
At the famous chain, which has branches all across the French Alps, the party starts at 2pm with live music and cabaret, followed by DJ sets and lots of champagnes praying.
And leaving the merriment just before it gets dark means you can watch the sun dip over the mountains as you ski back to your chalet.
After fun-packed days on the pistes, the warm comforts of fully catered Chalet Fleur de Neige, available through Ski Beat, are just a few feet from the slopes in Plan Peisey.
Relax on the comfy sofas with a pot of tea and a slice of homemade cake, take in the views through the huge valley-facing windows and unwind in the private sauna on the lower level.
The Ski Beat reps will even book you a therapist from Massage Me for treatments in the comfort of your room.
In the mornings, fuel up with cooked or continental breakfast, then be wined and dined on
onion – are followed by delicious desserts, all washed down by seemingly endless bottles of wine. Spend the rest of your evenings kicking back in the lounge next to a roaring fire and swapping ski stories and stats with your ski companions.
Download the Yuge app to keep track of your progress.
The cosy bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, complete with a gift pack of L’Occitane toiletries, are just a few fuzzy steps away.
Fancy a break from your skis? How about checking out the local paragliding companies for a truly uplifting experience.
And for a final flourish, feel the fresh mountain air in your face on the 900m sledge run at Luge 1800, with its banked turns and forest sections.
The music, light show and tunnel finale add a touch of theatre to this memorable mountain experience – guaranteed to leave you on a high.