La Plagne is a real juggernaut of the world ski scene, pulling in millions of skiers each season to its massive Paradiski domain. The huge number of slopes here suits a wide variety of tastes and abilities.
It's also home to some remarkable environmental activities. For instance, you can take part in a slow immersion experience in the forest with Village Plan Bois.
History
La Plagne isn’t just a ski destination; it has an interesting history as well. Prior to the arrival of winter sports the region was heavily involved in mining, particularly lead and silver at sites such as La Roche and Plagne 1800.
Dr Pierre Borrione can be considered the founder of La Plagne, working to save the villages in the valley from depopulation after the mines closed. He was a charismatic man who was good with people, and helped bring together the diverse communities that are now the resort.
By embracing skiing as a popular pastime, the resort was able to grow and develop into the world’s fourth largest ski area, offering exhilarating adventures on its slopes and a commitment to sustainable development. La Plagne also supports initiatives to protect biodiversity, preserving the flora and fauna that thrive in its mountain environment. The ski area also offers modern infrastructure to cater to all levels of skill, and a variety of other on and off-piste activities.
Slopes
The La Plagne area is now a firm favorite with French skiers, with loyal family groups returning season after season. Its neighboring resorts Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry complete the Paradiski region, providing a huge skiing playground for all abilities.
With a healthy proportion of easy blue pistes, the resort is well suited to beginners and families. Those looking to raise their game can take on steeper blues such as the long plunges to Champagny, or the surprisingly bracing run down Mira.
The village of Belle Plagne is the hub of the resort (it sits at 2050m). Like all of the purpose built villages in this area, it’s very popular and offers the best doorstep ski in/ski out access in the entire area. Its high altitude also means that it can be snow sure even early and late in the season. Its a busy resort though so peak weeks can see lift queues. A good alternative to this is staying over the top in Champagny, which is a lot quieter and has great runs for all levels.
Accommodation
There are a good mix of self-catering apartments and catered chalets in the villages plus high-end hotel options in the resort center. The new-wave hostel HO36 in Plagne Centre has good value dorm rooms as well as bedrooms sleeping from two to 10 people. The hotel is ideal for mixed ability groups and families.
Plagne Center is a good base, a short walk from lifts and ski school meeting points. The accommodation is mainly in new buildings and most face south with balconies. It's also a very lively village with bars, restaurants and shops.
The villages of Montalbert, Les Coches and Champagny en Vanoise are quieter & have more traditional architecture, although they're all lift connected to the rest of the resort. The lower villages have more hotels & chalets, but they don't tend to have great access to the ski domain or nightlife. They're more about skiing & relaxation.
Activities
There is no one way to enjoy a holiday and at La Plagne there are many things to keep the whole family entertained. Whether you want to recharge your batteries, take in the stunning mountain landscape or feel like an Olympic Bobsleigh champion there is something for everyone at this part of the Paradiski network.
Favorite winter activities include husky rides which see you in charge of your own sledge and team of excitable Siberian Husky dogs, after a full briefing you can set off on your journey. Alternatively try an Arbre Adventure treetop adventure with options for children and adults.
Tennis is also a popular summer activity and most resorts have courts for you to enjoy. In winter you can whizz down the pistes on a speedy zip wire on the Cascade de Tyrolienne or zigzag through the trees on the Super Tyro. The resorts have plenty of other fun activities including an open air heated pool, bowling alley, ice climbing, spending the night in a luxury piste basher, parapenting and winter walking.
