Travel Club Elite’s Senior Travel Consultant, Deana Manser, had the opportunity to visit Club Med’s Peisey-Vallandry ski resort, and was excited to ski for the very first time. Club Med are the only provider of premium all-inclusive ski holidays, and so she certainly wasn’t left disappointed. In this review, Deana recounts her day-to-day activities at the resort, along with how Club Med maximised her experiences.
Day 1 – Club Med Peisey-Vallandry
Having never skied before, I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived at the beautiful French resort, Peisey-Vallandry. I needn’t have worried; from the moment I arrived, I was converted. Clear blue skies, snow-capped mountains, wooden interiors & open brickwork added to its rustic alpine charm. A postcard-perfect scene that left me feeling as if I’d entered a magical winter wonderland.
My bags were whisked away to my room, which left me free to tuck into a delicious buffet lunch where I was overwhelmed with choice. French gourmet quality, fresh produce & French chefs at various cooking stations, the choice of food alone was impressive. With no need to worry about Michelin-star bills, Club Med offers superb, signature dining, all included in your ski package.
Even children are offered a separate area with a huge range of food to suit even the fussiest of eaters, whilst gluten-free options are available upon request. Guided by a friendly member of resort staff, I was shown to my room, complete with balcony & stunning mountain views.
Day 2 – Hitting the Slopes!
Next up, time to conquer my fears and head to the mountain for my first taste of skiing.
The main lift takes everyone up the mountain (& back down if you don’t want to ski down!).
Beginners, intermediates & experts all head up for their lessons provided by the expert Club Med team. The instructors are so friendly and, thankfully, so patient! A couple in our group were complete beginners & by 12.30 were confidently skiing on the nursery slopes.
As a beginner, I felt that our instructor, David, was superb at interacting with all of us & our varying levels of ski proficiency, whilst still managing to make it fun. He managed to truly put everyone at ease, even those as nervous as I was! Club Med also offers personal guides to show experienced skiers the slopes in the region & the opportunity to go off-piste if they wish (again all included in the cost).
Wine & canapes at the bottom of the lift-served by the Club Med staff were a welcome way to end my first alpine adventure! It did seem rather indulgent when a 3-course lunch followed, though I did assuage my post-Christmas calorie guilt with a dip in both the indoor and (heated!) outdoor pools.
So, until tomorrow, au revoir, mes amis!
Day 3 – Club Med Les Arcs
This morning we left Peisey Vallandry and snow-shoe hiked across to Les Arcs Extremes*, with some spectacular views over the mountains.
You can really see a different resort in Les Arcs, it has a much bigger ski area & is busier, with more of a village feel to it. Hot chocolate on tap (and I literally mean on tap as you could just help yourself) was exactly what I needed upon arrival.
If you are considering going here with a group of your friends, or with a partner & want a much livelier adult-only property with many ski options & even a town to visit, Club Med Les Arcs Resort will tick all the boxes. Sadly, my familiarisation visit was over all too quickly, but I’ll be very happy to discuss my experience of Club Med Ski with anyone who might be interested. *
If you are looking for a winter holiday – skiing or non-skiing – I cannot recommend Club Med enough as they are the only company that offers fully all-inclusive Ski packages. Also, some of Club Med’s mountain resorts are open throughout summer, where you can enjoy a whole host of activities including mountain biking, hiking, and swimming without the worry of hefty bills for meals & exchange rates.
*Note: After this blog was published, Club Med removed Les Arcs Extreme from their selection of resorts. You will however be able to visit Club Med’s Les Arcs Panorama resort, which you can snow-shoe to from Peisey-Vallandry.
Club Med Peisey-Vallandry
Peisey-Vallandry is a luxury all-inclusive Club Med resort in Paradiski, with 425km of slopes, ski-in/ski-out access, and great family facilities. It offers kids’ lessons, 130 lifts, and two restaurants, and is accessible from nearby airports like Chambery (1hr 40mins).
Read more about Club Med’s Peisey-Vallandry resort
Club Med Les Arcs Panorama
This Exclusive Collection Club Med resort in the Paradiski area offers 425km of slopes and ski-in/ski-out access at 1750m altitude. Ideal for families, it provides lessons for kids aged 4+ and various children’s facilities. Easily accessible from airports, the resort features 130 lifts, three restaurants, and three bars.
Read more about Club Med’s Les Arcs Panorama resort
New to Club Med Ski? What’s Included in the price?
- Accommodation: A range of luxurious to family-friendly rooms in ski-in/ski-out resorts.
- Ski Passes: Lift passes for the duration of your stay are included, which gives you access to the ski slopes.
- Ski & Snowboarding Lessons: Lessons with professional instructors are included, from beginner to advanced levels.
- Non-ski activities: snow-shoeing, hiking, snowboarding.
- Meals & Drinks: Gourmet dining, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day, as well as drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at open bars.
- Kids’ Clubs: Specialized programs for children from 4 months to teenagers. Activities include ski lessons, snowboarding, and fun après-ski activities.
- Après-Ski Entertainment: After skiing, there’s plenty of entertainment—live shows, themed parties, or relaxing in the spa.
- Transfers: Some packages include transfers to and from the airport.
So, if you’re considering an all-inclusive ski holiday, please call our team on 0800 707 6229 to help choose the right Club Med ski resort for you. Plus, as Club Med specialists, we can offer you the very best prices with extra, exclusive benefits! Take a look at what other customers say about us on TrustPilot!
See you on the slopes!
