We ski in Champagny every year and love it. It's no longer a must to stay at the top of the village as there is now a shuttle bus linking all parts of the village and there are secure ski lockers at the top of the gondola so you can leave skis at the top all week. Even from the bottom of the village, it's only a 10 minute walk (by the side of a stream) to the shops and gondola. The village is lovely: friendly, pretty, good range of restaurants offering a wide range of food (and price points) and there's good local shops if you're self catering. Plus, you may find your neighbour is a French farmer rather than fellow holiday-makers. The skiing in La Plagne is fantastic with brilliant views. The local Champagny slopes tend to be quieter than those over the other side of the mountain (in La Plagne). The range of slopes in the La Plagne ski area is massive. It's an easy ski to get over to La Plagne (for all but the most timid) and the most timid will find enough in the Champagny local slopes to keep them happy.