With unspoilt scenery, excellent local cuisine and a range of beautiful hamlets within its boundaries, the commune of Pralognan-la-Vanoise is a truly unique skiing destination, in part thanks to its prominence as the capital of the National Park of the Vanoise. A winter destination for over 150 years, Pralognan-la-Vanoise is well-established as the perfect place to experience the French mountains.
With all the modern amenities you’d expect from a resort, and the classic style and old-world feel of such a historic destination, this resort area offers the best of both worlds. It's perfect for history-lovers, skiers and holidaymakers alike.
Since the introduction of its first hotel in the 1870s, Pralognan-la-Vanoise has continued to be a top destination for those looking to enjoy the on and off-piste activities available in and around the region, in addition to the stunning views and authentic lifestyle available for anyone who chooses to visit.
Living in Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Things To Do
The commune of Pralognan-la-Vanoise is home to over 700 residents, in addition to the full range of holidaymakers who travel to the well-known destination throughout the year. While winters are the busiest period for a reason, visitors take advantage of the area’s beautiful landscapes and excellent walking routes year-round.
A typical winter season in Pralognan-la-Vanoise runs from late December to mid-April, making those months particularly busy and bustling for those who choose to live in the villages and hamlets surrounding the modern resorts. Outside of the winter season, countless activities are still available on and around the mountain, from rock climbing to mountain biking, offering stunning views over the region and beyond.
Thanks to its altitude of 3,855m, Pralognan-la-Vanoise offers consistent snow cover during the season, with very few breaks. 20-30cm of snowfall per day is common during this period, and this is spread over half of the month. For the remainder of the time, the weather remains fair and bright - offering ideal skiing conditions with high visibility throughout the day.
Pralognan-la-Vanoise’s many pistes feature areas for all levels, from true beginners and children’s areas to more advanced or even off-piste skiing options for those looking to challenge themselves. The district includes 12 ski lifts and 26km of slopes, allowing for plenty of room for everyone looking to enjoy the snow.
Alongside its winter sports and slopes, Pralognan-la-Vanoise also features all you need to enjoy the classic charm of the area, including excellent cuisine and entertainment available from cafes, bars and restaurants.
Pralognan-la-Vanoise Leisure and Culture
If you prefer to stay off the slopes, or you would prefer to enjoy a range of leisure activities, then you won’t be disappointed by the variety of things to do in Pralognan-la-Vanoise. In addition to the modern amenities of the resorts, there is also a historical element to the region that’s enjoyable to explore, from the creation of its first roads in the 19th century to the development of modern tourism in the early 1900s.
As the capital of the beautiful national park of the Vanoise, the area is also a well-known natural beauty spot, making it ideal for those who enjoy nature treks, getting up close to some of France’s most unique alpine wildlife or even photographing the panoramic and beautiful views accessed via the many trails and walking areas around the hamlets and villages.
There’s more to the region than meets the eye for food-lovers, as it's known for having excellent cheese and wine that can be enjoyed in the many bars and restaurants in the area. Traditional and warm in style, Pralognan-la-Vanoise still retains a lot of its old-world charm despite the boost in tourism from its slopes.
Investment Potential in Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Thanks to its top location and fantastic slopes, Pralognan-la-Vanoise features a mix of traditional and modern properties, with many of the more modern chalets or apartments available within the resorts themselves. For those considering buying a property in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, these current builds might be the best choice.
Within the hamlets and villages, a more traditional type of property is also available, and is slightly less central than the resort-based properties; ideal for those who want to get away from the more tourist-centric areas of the region.
Investment continues to produce excellent additions to the Pralognan-la-Vanoise resort area. The modern leisure and sports centre, with 8000m² of space for countless activities and relaxation facilities, is the latest project completed in the area, with work finalised in 2018.
Transport to Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Reaching Pralognan-la-Vanoise is relatively painless, with travel directly from the motorway to the resort available via the A43 to Moûtiers Salins, followed by a 27km local road into the mountains beyond the larger town. Flights are also available via Lyon and Geneva, each of which is around two hours away. Taxis, private transfers and car hire are available too.
Pralognan-la-Vanoise is the ideal mixture of classic alpine charm and all the modern amenities you need to make the most of the panoramic slopes around the town. With this combination, it’s no secret that it's a popular area for holidaymakers – and the perfect opportunity for investors.
Jan 02, 2024
