Les Coches, like its neighbouring hamlet of Montchavin, is an attractive resort of modern chalets constructed in the traditional wooden style of Alpine Savoie. Opened in 1980 by a visionary local mayor as a contemporary adjunct to the farming settlement at Montchavin, it has everything you need for serious mountain sport and complete relaxation amidst beautiful surroundings.
A long-term family favourite, Les Coches, with a population of 73,210, forms part of the eleven-resort La Plagne ski area in the alpine valley of the Tarentaise in south-west France. The valley contains the biggest concentration of world-class ski resorts. Les Coches has a happy buzz and offers a more relaxed and family-centred experience compared to some of its La Plagne neighbours. If you find yourself here, you're right in the heart of serious French skiing country.
Living in Les Coches and Things To Do
The La Plagne ski area along with Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry forms a part of the snow-sure Paradiski ski area. Linked by the double-decker cable car, Vanoise Express, this incredible area is unmatched anywhere thanks to the number and range of slopes all within easy access of each other. Les Coches is perfectly situated to take advantage of all that Paradiski has to offer while also offering somewhere quieter to retreat to at the end of the day.
There are 225km of marked runs available in La Plagne alone with wide and open slopes suitable for beginners and intermediates alike. It's the largest single resort ski area to be found anywhere and, even if it's less attractive to the most adventurous of skiers, there's still plenty of activities for most ability levels to enjoy. An elevation of between 1,207 and 3,167m is served by 92 ski lifts and the longest run is the intermediate level Le Mont De La Guerre at 6km, with the most challenging being Les étroits. Nearly all of the resort is above 2,000 feet, meaning snow is virtually guaranteed for all of the season. For updated snow and weather reports, take a look at our Les Coches resort guide here.
Les Coches Leisure and Culture
You can test your skills on the half-pipe in the Snow Park or, if you're really feeling adventurous, La Plagne is home to a 1,500m long Olympic bobsleigh run with 19 juddering bends. The Espace Paradisio Aquatic Centre at the heart of Montchavin Les Coches offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities. These include a swimming pool, a wellness spa, saunas, a jacuzzi and kids club facilities for younger family members.
When it comes to eating out, La Table Du Tarin in Les Coches has an unprepossessing exterior but plenty of charm inside. Serving great French and European cuisine it's an unpretentious place of generous portions that are perfect after a day on the slopes. Chez Wam pizzeria is at the heart of the main shopping area and is great for food on the go. La Poya is housed in a wood and stone chalet and offers traditional Savoyard cuisine and views of Mont Blanc, a cosy setting to wind down with family and friends in the evening.
Montchavin Les Coches is located in the historical Savoyard region. Its culture reflects its deep traditions while offering everything you would expect from a contemporary ski resort. Farming is mostly concerned with dairy cattle, which gives the region a rich tradition of cheese making. Beaufort is made in the Tarentaise valley from unpasteurised milk and has a smooth texture and fruity taste, while a local Gruyere often finds its way into fondues. Markets and cheese tasting events give you the opportunity to try new flavours and challenge your palate.
The landscape is nearly entirely Alpine, modern ski-resorts mix with traditional farming communities. If the views inspire the artist within, you can take part in regular art classes held in the village. There are a cinema and library nearby to feed your cultural needs too.
Snow and Weather Report for Les Coches
During the 2017/18 season snow report, Les Coches saw a total of 833cm of snow that fell over 56 days. The biggest single day's fall was 55 cm. The average base depth was 120cm, at the summit it was 361cm. It continued to snow consistently right through March and into early April. The season begins in December and runs through until late April.
Investment Potential in Les Coches
Les Coches is not a resort that's ever likely to be favoured by the party crowd but it offers a traditional French ski resort with modern facilities in the middle of one of the world's best areas for mountain sports. The infrastructure and development plans reflect this and investing in Les Coches offers the chance to take advantage of a well-established family market.
Transport to Les Coches
Montchavin Les Coches is 149km from Geneva Airport and a regular bus service takes two hours to make the journey. The nearest railway station is Landry 7km away and is connected by a regular bus service.