Snowboarding in La Plagne and Les Arcs
The snowboarding way of life came about as a natural response to the skiing culture from which it emerged; moreover, it became a crossover between the urban and suburban styles on snow with various stereotypes like “lazy”, “grungy”, “punk”, “stoners”, “troublemakers”, and numerous others. Skiers and snowboarders are becoming used to each other, showing more respect to each other on the mountain. Since the two resorts are in the French Savoy, just take note that Karine Ruby was the first French snowboarder and Olympic champion (gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano).
La Plagne and Montchavin
La Plagne is in the 10 most popular and largest ski areas in France when considering it is connected to Les Arcs under the name Paradiski. However, the resort is an area made of 11 different resorts with different characters and features. Although more modern and comfy than ancient villages in the Alps, lower and older resorts can give you a real feeling of the Savoy. If you are interested in the story of La Plagne, check this website for more infos.
Montchavin is a traditional resort of rustic architecture all built using locally sourced materials with small, family run businesses offering chalets and apartments with their own personal touch. Locals are generally friendly and happy to have a beer with you.
Les Arcs
The resort comprises five areas—Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, and Arc 2000. The highest peak in the resort is the Aiguille Rouge (Red Needle) from where is a 7 km long piste with 2026 metres in vertical drop down to the Village Villaroger.
Bourg Saint Maurice
Bourg Saint Maurice is a small town of 8000 souls known mainly for its connection to Les Arcs and La Plagne with airports and trains from London and Amsterdam. The city was located on the Roman road leading from Turin to Lyon, through the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass, close to the Bergintra river, hence its ancient name.
Aime
Aime was the capital of the Ceutrons then Forum Claudii Centronum with the Roman occupation; the Basilica of Saint Martin of Aime its a remain witnessing the existence of a primitve religious monument. Indeed, archaeological excavations under the basilica directed by the architect Tarin Étienne-Louis Borrel (1822-1906) discovered an old Roman civil basilica (estimated from the 2nd century ) and a primitive church from7th century. The current building seems to have been made during the first Romanesque age, known as Lombard Romanesque art.
Friburge and Champagny en Vanoise
In the hamlet of Friburge would have born the Pope Innocent V (late 13th century ), sometimes called Pierre de Champagny or Pierre de Tarentaise. With or without this noble ancestor, Friburge is surely the coldest town in all the Tarentaise; indeed, in a sunny day there are more than 15 degrees of difference from the close town Champagny en Vanoise. It is a real fridge with averages ranging -6 to -24.
Champagny is also famous for the ice tower, a unique structure in Europe, 22 m high located at the entrance to the Vanoise National Park.
