Summer:
Les Coches is perfectly placed for summer holidays, when the weather is warm and the flowers burst into bloom. It is located on the edge of the Vanoise National Park and provides access to numerous activities, including hiking, mountain-biking, horse riding, swimming, fishing, canoeing and white-water rafting. The options for hiking within 30 mins of Les Coches are endless, with possibilities in every direction. There is an outdoor swimming pool 3km away in the pretty traditional village of Montchavin and an 18-hole golf course in Arc 1800. Further afield, over the Petit St Bernard pass, lies Italy and the Italian Alps.
Winter Activities for Non-skiers:
There is plenty for non-skiers to enjoy in the winter. There are restaurants, bars, as well as a cinema (in Montchavin), an ice-rink and games room. For the more energetic there is snow-shoeing, ski-mountaineering, ice-climbing, an Olympic bobsleigh (at La Plagne) and winter hiking.
Local Area:
Just 3km down the road lies Montchavin, a traditional alpine village, offering a mixture of restaurants and apartments, set amidst local houses and hay barns. It is easy to reach Montchavin, either on skis, in the telecabine (summer and winter) or via the ski bus. Montchavin makes a lovely stop for lunch in the middle of a day's skiing.
Down in the valley, the nearest town is Bourg St Maurice, 17km away, offering a greater selection of shops and supermarkets.
Ski:
Les Coches is right at the centre of the huge Paradiski area (Les Arcs and La Plagne) with 425 km of alpine slopes, 175 ski lifts and skiing up to 3250m on the glacier. The ski area is open from early December to the end of April. In 2004, the major ski areas of Les Arcs and La Plagne were linked by the Vanoise Express, a modern cable car on 2 floors carrying 400 people, creating a new combined area called 'Paradiski', linking the whole network in just 4 minutes. Ski school operates within the village and there is a children's club which caters for babies up to teenagers. Apres ski activities include restaurants, cinema, ice rink and games room, all in the village.
Snowboarders will enjoy the snow-park at Arc 1800, the floodlit half-pipe at Arc 2000, as well as the snow-park at La Plagne.
In addition, Val d'Isere/Tignes is 50 min away, the 3 Valleys are 45 min and St Foy (more off piste) is within 30 mins.
