Great little resorts: Plan Peisey

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Bev Fearis spent a week in a Skibeat chalet at Plan Peisey in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps, nestled between the ski areas of Les Arcs,~Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne, known collectively as Paradiski.

In a nutshell: All the charm of a small ski resort but with direct access to Paradiski, the second largest ski area in the world. It’s right next to the super speedy, double decker Vanoise Express cable-car which crosses the valley between Les Arcs and La Plagne.

Why your clients should go: Plan Peisey has a good snow record but, if the snow doesn’t play ball (excuse the pun) there are also excellent snow-making machines. The skiing here rivals the likes of Meribel and Courchevel in the Trois Vall-©es but, crucially, without such a high price tag.

Who will it suit: Most of the accommodation here is in chalets, so the resort is best suited to families or groups. The apr-¨s ski is low key but there are still some cosy bars, excellent restaurants and a good selection of shops.

What to see and do: Of course, skiing and snowboarding are what most people come for and there’s something here for all abilities. Although beginners might be concerned by the lack of green slopes, there are some nice wide and gentle blues. Even the blacks aren’t too bad if the conditions are right.

For kids: Little ones will love the Foret Pitchouns where they can ring bells in the pine trees as they pass, and the Le Monde Magique de Montalbert, on La Plagne side – a cute trail where the children can take a gentle path through the trees lined with charming wooden statues of fairies, dragons, witches, bears and other fairytale figures, which come to life with noises as you pass. The bears grumble, the fairies twinkle and sing and the dragons roar.

For non-skiers: Take the bucket lift, otherwise known as the ‘lobster pots’, down to the old village of Peisey and take the free bus (10 minutes) to the Centre Nordique de Pont Baudin, which could well be in Lapland with its well-marked trails for cross-country skiing, snow-shoe walking, and hiking. Families can also take a sledge ride with reindeer, dogs or horses.

What to eat and drink:~For live music and a friendly atmosphere, head to Bar Mojo in neighbouring Peisey Vallandry, a friendly, locals bar that’s chilled enough to take the children for an early evening drink. Nextdoor is L’Adress, a modern but cosy restaurant recommended to us by our lovely, in-the-know chalet hosts, Carol and Tony. It didn’t disappoint, with a mean burger, tasty pizzas and tip top service. For a livelier night out with mainly British seasonaires try the Mont Blanc bar, where you can also watch sporting events and play pool. On the other side of the resort, by the ski lifts, is La Vache, a popular bar where Skibeat often holds a fun Quiz Night where its chalet guests compete against each other. The mountains are scattered with chalet-style restaurants but not as many as in other ski areas. Prices are relatively reasonable, for example €8 for an ‘assiete de frites’. The best hot chocolate, by far, is from Le Solliet, a cosy mountain restaurant in Villaroger, Arc 2000, on the other side of the Les Arcs ski area. It’s worth the trek.

Where to sleep: Brighton-based Skibeat has 11 carefully-chosen chalets in the resort and more in the bigger resorts in the Paradiski area. They’re all close to the ski lifts and the Vanoise Express. There’s also a Club Med.

Most instagrammable spot: From the new viewing footbridge at the Aiguille Rouge glacier. You’ll want to take a panoramic shot here too. Or, looking down through the glass floor of the Vanoise Express as it whizzes across the valley.

Do: Pop into the Village Igloo to explore the ice cave, igloo bar, bedrooms, dining areas and a dance floor area. There’s a small charge but you get in once for free with a six-day ski pass.

Don’t: Miss the last cable car back from La Plagne at 4pm. It’s a long and expensive taxi ride back down into the valley and up again.

Top Tip: Get a full Paradiski pass for access to the whole ski area, but also fast track on all of the lifts, which can be very useful for families, especially in the school holidays.