Nestling in the heart of the mountains at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, the typically Savoyard village of Champagny-en-Vanoise is perched at an altitude of 1,250 m on the south-facing slope of the La Plagne ski area, so it enjoys optimum sunshine all year round. It backs onto the La Plagne and Paradiski ski areas (Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne), which skiers access via the Champagny cable car (arriving at an altitude of 1,970 m). There's nothing like a piste map to help you locate the village and the Champagny-en-Vanoise sector of the ski area! Because of its geographical configuration, Champagny-en-Vanoise deserves a little topo. Nothing complicated, the site is divided into two parts:
- Champagny-le-Bas (1,250 m), which has a rich mountain heritage and is the subject of guided tours, particularly by guides from the Facim Foundation. The village's most outstanding monument is the church of Saint-Sigismond, which boasts an exceptional Baroque décor with a tabernacle and altarpiece covered in gold and cherubs, dating from 1710. As for skiing, Champagny-le-Bas is the departure point for the cable car that links the village to the La Plagne and Paradiski ski areas. The village has two kindergartens. Champagny-en-Vanoise also boasts a swimming pool (with paddling pool) and spa. In summer, the pool becomes a dream spot for lounging thanks to its removable roof that opens out onto the landscape.
- Champagny-le-Haut (1,500 m) is a listed glacial valley. It is linked to Champagny-le-Bas by a narrow road about 5 km long, which passes through steep gorges. It's a climb you can do on foot too! Once past this gully, the entrance to the valley widens and opens onto a natural sanctuary where traditional hamlets emerge from a backdrop with a Far North atmosphere in winter. In spring and summer, it's an ibex paradise! In this listed natural site, the Nordic area offers a wide range of winter activities: 24 km of cross-country ski trails, sledging, snowshoeing and horse-riding trails, dog sledding...
Sheltered from the sun for most of the winter, Champagny-le-Haut is also home to the Ice Tower, a 22-metre-high structure that is covered in ice from December to March. The only site of its kind in Europe, it hosts international competitions every year. And no, ice climbing isn't just for top athletes! Supervised introductory courses are available from the age of 10, with equipment on loan. One of the highlights of the winter season is the Gorzderette, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. An unusual and unconventional event, it attracts between 200 and 250 mountain enthusiasts every winter. Its success is largely due to its crazy multi-activity tournament, organised around the ice tower, and its mythical slogan ‘Relax, it'll be fine’. Where does the name come from? Les Gorzdérés’ is the dialect name of the inhabitants of Champagny-le-Haut, literally “those who live behind the gorges”!
Champagny-le-Haut is also home to the Espace Glacialis, a glacier interpretation centre designed to raise awareness of the fragility of glaciers: from the scientific approach to the historical and mythological dimensions through a fun and interactive exhibition (films, model, photo gallery, workshops, etc.). Self-guided or guided tours, open summer and winter).
