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Champagny en Vanoise Ski Holidays
Champagny-en-Vanoise is incredibly wholesome. Unlike many French purpose-built resorts from the 1960s, Champagny-en-Vanoise has been a mountain community for centuries, its history rooted in the old farming village of the valley. The ‘relics’ of its heritage remain visible in its old buildings, cobbled streets and baroque church, enhancing the resort's authenticity. The resort centre offers rustic charm, with wooden and stone hamlets teeming with locals. Plus, its sunny, south-facing position provides the village with ample natural light, keeping the terraces full of skiers enjoying a meal and a few drinks.
The resort also has an impressive snowsports legacy (by default), courtesy of its partnership with the neighbouring Champagny-le-Haut, also located within the Vanoise National Park, and recognised as a centre for Nordic sports and ice climbing. It has hosted international ice climbing competitions, helping put Champagny on the map for mountain sports enthusiasts!
Unpretentious, authentic with sunny slopes and easy access to La Plagne and the Paradiski.
Jane Bolton, Product Director
Mountain facts
Champagny's real trump card is its connection to La Plagne, which grants access to 225km of pistes within the La Plagne area, to start. The Gondola links the Paradiski area via the Vanoise Express cable car and offers a full-course meal, with 425km of pistes connecting La Plagne to Les Arcs. The local Champagny sector sits between approximately 1,250m and 3,000m, with higher links reaching up to the Bellecôte Glacier at around 3,250m. While the village itself is south-facing and sunny, much of the skiing above Champagny faces north or north-west, helping preserve snow quality throughout the season. The layout is straightforward, lift connections are efficient, and the skiing feels spacious compared to busier resorts.
Snow conditions in Champagny en Vanoise
Snow conditions in Champagny-en-Vanoise are generally reliable, thanks to its access to the high-altitude slopes of La Plagne and the wider Paradiski area. While the village itself sits at a relatively low altitude, skiing quickly reaches higher ground, with much of the terrain rising above 2,000 metres and links extending up to the Bellecôte Glacier at around 3,250m.
A key advantage is the mix of north- and north-west-facing slopes above the resort, which helps preserve snow quality throughout the season. These aspects stay colder for longer, particularly useful during sunnier periods later in winter. Snowfall is usually consistent, and the area is well-supported by modern snowmaking, which helps maintain good coverage during drier spells. The resort's glacier-free terrain means skiing depends on natural and artificial snow, but the altitude and snowfall patterns make Champagny a reliable choice throughout winter.
Skiing in Champagny en Vanoise
- Beginners have enough to rave about in Champagny-en-Vanoise. The green runs around Plan Bois and Dos Rond offer wide, confidence-building pistes allowing skiers to practise without feeling rushed or intimidated. Once ready for progression, there's a brilliant selection of easy blues across at the top of the gondola that let you explore further afield while building your skills.
- With over 70% of the resort's pistes rated blue or red, intermediates will absolutely love it here. The reds back down to Champagny village are particularly rewarding, offering proper descents with varied terrain that'll test your technique without being overwhelming. Across the wider La Plagne area, you'll find endless cruising terrain, tree-lined runs, and stunning high-altitude bowls. The Bellecôte glacier area offers wide-open carving, while the runs around Plagne Centre and Plagne Bellecôte provide fantastic variety.
- Advanced skiers have plenty to tackle, including several challenging black runs and some seriously steep terrain. The Emile Allais black run is legendary, and there are demanding mogul fields for those who enjoy technical skiing.
- Going off-piste is a proper attraction in Champagny. The north-facing couloirs and powder fields are primed for carving after fresh snowfall, and there are numerous marked ski touring routes. Popular areas include the slopes above Champagny and the terrain around Roche de Mio. We always (very strongly) recommend you take a guide with you while exploring unmarked areas.
Snowboarding in Champagny en Vanoise
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Snowboarding in Champagny-en-Vanoise combines relaxed resort terrain with access to one of France’s largest and most varied mountain playgrounds. Easy connections to La Plagne offer snowboarders plenty of terrain and access to some impressive snow parks.
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La Plagne has three main snow parks, with the Riders Nation Big Park near Belle Plagne a real standout. A 1km-long facility featuring jumps, rails, boxes, and wall rides, freestylers have a lot to play with here. There's also a smaller beginner park, accessed via the Col de Forcle lift, which is perfect for building confidence with your first jumps and rails. Down in Plagne Bellecôte, you'll find a half-pipe reached from the Blanchets chairlift, open to all levels.
The mountain terrain in Champagny-en-Vanoise is excellent for riding. The gentle, wide blues above the resort are perfect for beginners looking to practise turns and build confidence. These runs are well laid out, with minimal flat sections, which snowboarders will appreciate. Progression here will feel natural and unrushed for beginners. Intermediates and advanced boarders can head further afield across La Plagne and Paradiski for challenging terrain. The easy lift connections make it easily accessible.
Accommodation in Champagny en Vanoise
Champagny offers excellent accommodation choices to suit every budget and preference. Our flexible ski holiday packages feature traditional chalets and comfortable, self-catering apartments ideal for families, couples and groups of friends.
What's available at Champagny en Vanoise ski resort?
Après-ski in Champagny en Vanoise
The overall après-vibe in Champagny-en-Vanoise is relaxed, cultured, and primarily focused on village life. Skiers chasing a raucous nightlife, you can always head up to La Plagne's livelier stations via the gondola. But Champagny's peaceful, authentic atmosphere is precisely why many skiers choose it.
Far from the foam parties and raving terraces found in larger resorts, most of the action here takes place in the bars and restaurants, where locals and visitors cosy up together over drinks and local delights like fondue and raclette. Many restaurants are family-run, so the food is genuinely good without being pretentious or catering to tourist fare.
While Champagny doesn’t offer high-energy clubbing, it does deliver quality evenings on its day. Occasional live music events happen during peak season, and some bars host quiz nights or themed evenings. The resort locals sometimes organise torchlit descents and communal festivities that visitors can also enjoy.
Facilities in Champagny en Vanoise
You'll find everything you need in Champagny without the commercial overload of larger resorts. The resort has a supermarket with all the essentials (and indulgences) needed for self-catering stays. With a significant local population, skiers can expect the cafes, bakeries and delis to be as authentic as they come. If you haven't already booked your ski hire with Erna Low as part of your overall ski holiday booking, there are several ski hire shops offering quality ski equipment for hire or purchase. Beyond skiing essentials, entertainment is understated but pleasant. The village offers a swimming pool and spa facility at the sports centre ( perfect for soothing and soaking after being out on the slopes) as well as an ice rink.
Facilities for children in Champagny en Vanoise
Champagny-en-Vanoise is a welcoming resort for families, offering a range of child-friendly facilities in a calm and safe village setting. The nursery slopes and beginner areas are easily accessible, making drop-offs and pick-ups simple for parents with young children. There are also outdoor play areas and gentle winter walking routes suitable for children.
Away from the slopes and the cold air, the resort offers indoor entertainment to keep the kids busy and well occupied. Families can enjoy the resort's indoor heated swimming pool in the leisure centre. There's also a small cinema which usually has a good selection of kids' films, perfect for relaxed evenings or rest days. Practical essentials are readily available, with supermarkets, bakeries, and casual restaurants all within easy walking distance.
Why choose Erna Low for Champagny en Vanoise skiing holidays?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
Quiet, south-facing, and full of charm, Champagny is a great base for easy, enjoyable skiing
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
