Famous for its stunning natural beauty and vast range of wildlife, Pralognan ski resort is nestled in the picturesque Tarentaise Valley and is within easy reach of the renowned Vanoise Glaciers. The resort is also known for regularly producing world-class skiers, such as Michel Vion and Sebastien ‘Bastoune’ Amiez.
Pralognan is a typical small Savoyard village with a population of just 680 persons; however, what sets it apart from the rest is its magnificent vistas, which encompass the lovely Vanoise National Park. Despite its tiny size, the village has plenty of chalets and cabins and can cater for 10,000 or more visitors.
Après-ski activities abound at Pralognan. During the day you can spend time watching wildlife or discovering the vast range of Alpine flora, while in the evenings the village comes alive thanks to its 15 restaurants and 20 bars. There is also a cinema, a climbing wall, ice-skating rink, curling rink, swimming pool, and a bowling alley, while dog-sledding and dog-mushing are also available.
The ski resort features 20 prepared slopes serviced by 14 lifts which combine to create a lift capacity of 12,300 people per hour. Pralognan is particularly suited to beginners and intermediates, with those levels making up 50 per cent and 30 per cent of the runs, respectively. Advanced skiers with not be disappointed however, as there is a vertical drop of almost 1,000m and plenty of challenging off-piste alternatives to chose from, which also are popular with snowboarders. Twenty-five kilometres of well-marked cross-country trails offer plenty of great scenery and glimpses of rare fauna.
Pralognan ski resort is located in one of France’s most famous ski regions, so it is a simple matter to cross into neighbouring valleys, such as Les Trois Vallees, Val D'Isere/Tignes, La Plagne and Les Arcs. An ‘Olympic 6’ day pass makes skiing in nearby areas cheap as well as convenient. Of course, a stay at Pralognan would not be complete without a trip to the Vanoise Glaciers.
The season at Pralognan runs from December to April, with bargains to be had in mid-January. Geneva is the most convenient aerial gateway, while many visitors opt to take the Eurostar from London Waterloo station.
