Ski Apartment in Peisey-Vallandry the heart of the Paradiski.

Where are the ski schools?

ESF have an office in the Les Mélèzes building in Plan Peisey. They are worth a look as they frequently offer other activities during the week, including torchlit descents, "first tracks", etc.

There is also an award winning British Ski School in Vallandry - Ski New Generation - catering for small group sizes, specialised clinics and private lessons. A bit more expensive than the ESF, but worth the extra if you want more individual attention and rapid improvement.

Where are the ski equipment hire shops?

There is a well equipped InterSport ski hire shop in the Les Mélèzes building in Plan Peisey which opens at 8:30am. Numerous other hire shops can be found just a short walk away on the road down to Vallandry, and on the main Vallandry shopping promenade.

Where is the ski pass office?

There is a ski pass office in the Les Mélèzes building in Plan Peisey which opens at 8:40am. A further ski pass office is situated on the main Vallandry shopping promenade.

Buy online and check out all the latest options and prices.

Is there a children's nursery?

The Chat Botté (Puss in boots) children's nursery is located in the Les Mélèzes building in Plan Peisey which offers a number of timeslots and packages at a reasonable price. During schools holidays (which vary from country to country and region to region), it is best to book ahead. Unfortunately you can not book online at present, so you will need to arrange sessions over the phone or via email. If your very little ones are just starting out then "Club Piou Piou" just behind the Les Mélèzes building offers them the chance to take those first steps and turns in a secure, safe and fun environment. For further information, contact the nursery on 0033 479 079 164 or email le-chat-botte@orange.fr.

In Vallandry there is the Tom Pouce nursery, offering similar services to the "Chat Botté" in Plan Peisey. For further information, contact the nursery on 0033 479 079 772 or email tom.pouce.garderie@wanadoo.fr

Safehands provide live in/out nannies to ensure that you can enjoy your holiday without worry, knowing that your child is safe, happy and well entertained. We believe it should be a holiday for them too! You can be sure that your Safehands ski nanny will be security checked, English speaking, experienced and in most cases qualified to UK best practice standards (NVQ2 or higher).

What insurance do I need?

It is part of our terms & conditions that you have adequate travel insurance which covers you for the duration of your vacation. In the winter this should include winter sports (and potentially off-piste) cover. Competitive rates for winter sports insurance can be found at www.ski-insurance.co.uk.

Standard winter sports insurance will cover you for treatment plus the usual expenses. You should also seriously consider purchasing the additional insurance available with you ski pass, which will cover the potentially eye watering costs of being recovered from the mountain and handed over to the medical teams (helicopter rescue could set you back £10,000).

Is there a cashpoint near by?

There is a cashpoint just a short walk away on the road down to Vallandry, located near the pharmacy and medical centre. A further cashpoint can be found on the main Vallandry shopping promenade, near the cinema.

Where are the shops?

There is a Sherpa (equivalent to our co-op) in Plan Peisey just a short walk away up the road from the Les Mélèzes building, a further Sherpa can be found in the main Vallandry promanade. There are various other speciality cuisine & clothes shops dotted around the resort, all within easy reach. For a much greater selection, and larger supermarket style shop you'll need to hit the "Super U" in Bourg St Maurice.

Remember, you're not in the UK, and most French shops will close for a couple of hours over lunch, and take a shopping bag with you, as the French have embraced eco-friendliness and do not hand out plastic carrier bags.

Is there resort radio?

Les Arcs radio station on FM 93.4 gives weather forecasts and ski conditions at 9:15am. Radio La Rosière (FM 99.2) has more middle of the road music in the evening.

I want a night out, where should I go?

Try some of these, and check in the shop/restaurant/bar windows as most places put on evening entertainment like live bands, discos (some themed, so pack your fancy dress), quiz nights, karaoke, pizza eating (no kidding), to name but a few...

I want a big night out in Arc 1800, where should I go?

If it's big noisy bars and bustling clubs you're after then head for Arc 1800. There are numerous lively bars with live music and happy hour including Benjy's, Red Hot Saloon, L'ambiente Café, Jungle Café to name just a few. And for clubs, try Apokalypse, this is one of the best and most popular dance night clubs in Arc 1800, it is frequented by both the younger locals and tourists. If you're looking for a place to party and dance the night away, this is the place to go.

Top tip: plan an Arc 1800 excursion to tie-in with the torchlit descent from the Arpette restaurant above Arc 1800!

So how do I get to Arc 1800?

Two real options, firstly ski there ending your day in Arc 1800, and let the party start at après ski and end at chucking out time. Secondly, walk there down the gentle "Forèt" run which links Peisey & Vallandry to Arc 1800 (you can drive this road between Vallandry and Arc 1800 in the summer). The walk will take about 30 minutes and is through the forest (so take a torch, and keep the ghost stories to yourself) and starts at "Le Grizzly" 68 lift, just above Bar Mont Blanc in Vallandry. You'll arrive in Arc 1800 just behind the Transarc base station.

A further option is to hire a taxi, but please be aware that the taxi will have to go down the mountain and back up the other side to get you to Arc 1800, so could get expensive.

So how do I get back from Arc 1800?

Down the gentle run which links Arc 1800 to Peisey & Vallandry. The run starts just behind the Transarc base station. Great fun at 4:00am if you've still got all of your skiing gear. If you're a snowboarder then you can engage in the little known sport of "bumboarding", sitting between your bindings and leaning to steer, you can also take a passenger for extra ballast. Don't let go!