The Paradiski piste map brings together the full linked ski area of La Plagne and Les Arcs. Until the opening of the mighty Vanoise Express cable car in winter 2003/04, the two resorts were completely separate. With this lift in place they joined to form the world-renowned Paradiski domain. Use the map to see how the two mountains connect, where the main villages sit and how the lifts link everything together. You can open a high-resolution version below and save it to your phone so you always have it handy on the mountain.

Download: Paradiski piste map – high resolution

Together, La Plagne and Les Arcs offer around 425km of pistes spread over a massive 35,559 acres of terrain. There is something for everyone across the Paradiski area – from La Plagne’s wide intermediate runs to testing off-piste routes and Les Arcs’ more demanding slopes, which in general tend to be a little steeper and more technical.

If you like clocking up miles on snow and exploring new sectors each day, Paradiski is very hard to beat.

Getting to Les Arcs from La Plagne is quick and straightforward thanks to the Vanoise Express. This spectacular double-deck cable car runs above Montchavin and links the two sides of Paradiski in just a few minutes.

Unless you are staying in Montchavin itself, the easiest way to reach the lift from most La Plagne villages is via Plagne Bellecôte and the Arpette chair. From the top you can follow the Mont Blanc piste down (there are alternative routes covered in our detailed guide and video). The crossing on the Vanoise Express usually takes between five and ten minutes.

To get a clearer idea of how La Plagne and Les Arcs sit in relation to one another – and to see key peaks and valleys – have a look at the Paradiski / La Plagne / Les Arcs 3D map video. It gives a simple fly-around of the whole linked area.

You can also watch our dedicated Paradiski flythrough video, which shows the full domain from above and really highlights just how big the linked ski area is and the range of terrain on offer.

The differences between La Plagne and Les Arcs are quite marked. La Plagne tends to be more family-focussed with a relaxed feel and lots of intermediate pistes, while Les Arcs usually has a livelier après-ski and nightlife scene, with venues such as the Folie Douce bar and restaurant.

On the snow, Les Arcs generally feels a little steeper and more challenging, whereas La Plagne offers a big spread of accessible terrain that progressing beginners and intermediates will really enjoy. With a Paradiski lift pass you can easily sample both styles in a single week.

When are the best conditions in La Plagne? Have a look at our La Plagne month-by-month videos and guides to find the best times to visit the La Plagne / Les Arcs Paradiski area and give yourself the best chance of great snow:

• La Plagne in December
• La Plagne in January
• La Plagne in February
• La Plagne in March
• La Plagne in April

What skill level is La Plagne best suited to? If you are wondering whether La Plagne matches your level, these simple ability guides are a good starting point:

• La Plagne for beginners
• La Plagne for intermediates
• La Plagne for experts

To see more of La Plagne, Les Arcs and the wider Paradiski area before you travel, head over to the iRide YouTube channel. You’ll find piste rides, village tours, flythroughs and travel guides filmed across both resorts and other ski areas.