Day Off 3: The 7 Wonders of Paradiski!

Happy New Year!

The first day of 2014 is Day Off 3 and this particular adventure is something I've been looking at doing since I was first introduced to the Paradiski area last year. 

With 425km of pistes spread over 14390 hectares, Paradiski is the 2nd largest linked skiable domain In the world. It is comprised of 3 resorts; Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne which are linked by The Vanoise Express, the largest and most modern cable car in the world.

Across Paradiski there are 7 points of interest which range from rock formations, scenic views, panoramic views and really high peaks - The 7 Wonders of Paradiski. The aim of this day off is to visit all the 7 Wonders in one day. Challenge accepted!

My tatty 7 Wonders piste map (click to enlarge)

With timing being the main issue I decided that doing the 7 Wonders in reverse would be best, that way I wouldn't to get stuck over in La Plagne once the Vanoise Express had stopped running.

With the timing in mind, I departed Bourg Saint Maurice at 10:00 (well it was New Year's Day), got on the funiculaire up to Les Arc 1600 and boarded all the way to the Vanoise Express for 11:00. From there I made my way over to Plagne Centre (in La Plagne) and eventually over to the 7th wonder.

Fornelet Summit - The 7th Wonder

From the Fornelet Summit I headed down the tree lined pistes to the Rochette lift and headed back to Plagne Centre. From there I caught the Funiplagne cable car up to the 6th Wonder!

Grande Rochette - The 6th Wonder

At this point time was getting on and the 5th Wonder was going to take longer than I thought. With all the New Year's holidaymakers about, everyone wanted to get to the highest point in La Plagne. An hour and a half later I made it to the top of La Plagne - Wonder number 5 at a height of 3417m!

Bellecote Glacier - The 5th Wonder

With time getting really tight (the lift for the 1st Wonder closes at 16:00) I made it down to the Vanoise via the most cut up black run I think I've ever been on (Chlaupe) and down some black Natur' runs which weren't any better (nice views though).

I arrived back in Les Arc via the Vanoise and reached the viewing point for Wonder 4 at 16:30. 

Peisey Summit - The 4th Wonder

From there I made it down to Arc 1800 where a fit ESF snowboard instructor let me jump the queue for the Transarc Express with her so I didn't have to queue with everyone else! Due to this I arrived at the 3rd Wonder earlier than expected at 16:40 - but not early enough.

Col De la Chal - The 3rd Wonder

Now at this point I have to point out that the next wonder I'd planned on visiting was number 1, however due to time restraints I made the decision to miss it out rather than try in vain and also end up missing the last lift for wonder 2.
 
Nevertheless, here is a photo of the 1st Wonder - The top of the Aiguille Rouge at 3226m (it's worth mentioning I have done this before though).

Aiguille Rouge - The 1st Wonder

From the 3rd Wonder I boarded down to Les Arc 1950 and got on the last running lift (Bois de l'Ours) to the final stop. Now and I went past here on the journey through Les Arc to the Vanoise Express but thought I'd leave the photo until last. I'm glad I did. I didn't really rate this as a wonder but after climbing to the viewing table, I've changed my mind - here's the sunset from the the top of Wonder number 2.

The Arpette Summit - The 2nd Wonder

Although I only managed 6 of the wonders, Day Off 3 has been the best one yet. A full day of snowboarding with perfect conditions and great views and runs I would otherwise not have done. With the wonders being spread out across 14390 hectares it was as if I was in 6 different resorts. A great day off...

..and Day Off 4 might just top it!

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