Superb Skiing in La Plagne and Les Arcs

When you're considering where to go on your winter holiday, it’s better to plan well in advance. Why not consider booking one of the prestigious mountain resorts in the Courcheval region in eastern France? Located right near the border of Switzerland and Italy, in the heart of the Alps, staying in one of the prestigious mountain resorts in the area ensures that you and your group are well catered to. From family groups who want to stay in a small village-like setting like La Tania - where the cars are banned and they can easily stroll around - to couples who want to stay in a quieter area and just soak in the countryside, this part of France is ideal. One of the best places to go is the Paradiski region, which is home to La Plagne and Les Arcs. La Plagne Since around 1961, La Plagne, in the Tarentaise Valley, has been one of the go-to places to for a ski trip. With a variety of prestigious mountain resorts populating the area, it nevertheless manages to retain its natural charm. La Plagne has 39 square miles of ski area spread across four different communes: Champagny-en-Vanoise, Bellentre, Aime, and Mâcot-la-Plagne. With 225 kilometres of slopes, it is one of the best local areas to ski, snowboard, or cross country ski. It has 134 slopes, most of which are for the intermediate level skiers. But though the intermediate skiers are well catered for, so are those who know what they are doing on and off a piste. The four villages that make up La Plagne each have their own vibe and highlights, but all of them afford access to the larger network of skiing in the area and are ideal bases.

Les Arcs Not far from the area of La Plagne, is the exciting region of Les Arcs. With five main ski areas: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, Arc 2000, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, and some exceptionally prestigious mountain resorts in the vicinity of each, Les Arcs is another destination hotspot. Since the opening of the Vanoise Express Cable Car in 2003, Les Arcs has been connected to the large Paradiski ski area. One interesting aspect of the Les Arcs area is that the architecture is what has been called "heritage of the 20th century" and is quite modernist in its leanings. The mix of open and wooded runs, both on and off-piste opportunities are excellent. Les Arcs also boasts a great terrain park for snowboarders and the broad valley areas make for nice, gentle skiing runs for those less sure about their abilities.

Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays in areas with prestigious mountain resorts, with accommodation in catered or self-catered chalets in La Tania and other fantastic destinations. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday and the best catered chalets call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.