A meticulously designed resort, La Plagne consists of ten unique villages, each boasting its own distinct charm and allure. The resort is interconnected with Les Arcs through the remarkable Vanoise Express, forming part of the expansive Paradiski area, which offers a vast skiing and snowboarding playground of 425 km.
As one of the top ski resorts in France, La Plagne has much to offer. We've created this guide to make planning your La Plagne ski holiday a breeze. You'll discover everything you need to know, from its location to its ski areas, snow history, and even the best places to grab a bite or unwind after skiing. At the end, we've also included downloadable maps of the resort and pistes, along with handy contact numbers and links.
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La Plagne is located in the Tarentaise Valley, in the Savoie region of France.
Nearest airport
Transfer time
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Expansive territories available for exploration | Limited availability of challenging slopes |
| Access to excellent, easily reachable powder snow | A scarcity of extremely steep runs |
| More tranquil compared to Les Arcs | While some areas boast lovely architecture, others lack aesthetic appeal |
| Highly suitable for beginners | Can be extremely busy |
Beginners will find numerous ski schools with English speaking instructors, as well as six specialized beginner areas, and free lifts to practice on.
For intermediate skiers, La Plagne is a veritable paradise, offering a multitude of blue and red runs in the Plagne Centre and Plagne Bellecôte sectors.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders are equally well catered for, with La Plagne earning a reputation for its challenging black runs, and moguls. Noteworthy runs include the steep Emile Allais run and the formidable 'La Sache' descent in the Tignes sector.
The resort also offers expansive opportunities for off-piste adventures. The best off-piste areas include Bellecôte, Inversens, and the Chiaupe glacier, offering various exciting trails with diverse, challenging terrain.
La Plagne offers unique glacier skiing experiences at the Chiaupe and Bellecôte glaciers. At 3,250m, the Chiaupe Glacier presents a mix of lengthy tree-lined red and blue runs along with abundant off-piste opportunities. The higher Bellecôte glacier, standing at 3,417m, with its untouched, ungroomed slope serves as a playground for experienced skiers.
La Plagne is an excellent destination for snowboarders, boasting extensive facilities that include the vast 7 Cube Snowpark. Located above Plagne Centre, this park stretches for 1 km and features jumps graded from green to black. Additionally, Plagne Bellecôte is home to a half-pipe, accessible via the Blanchets chairlift. Last but not least, the Fun Slope, which starts at the top of the Arpette chairlift, offers Europe's longest blend of a boardercross and slopestyle course. It includes jumps, rails, banked turns, rollers, and an impressive spiral tunnel.
The ski season in the La Plagne for 2024/25 is expected to start on December 7th and run until April 27th. Obviously, opening and closing dates may vary slightly depending on snow conditions. If you're planning a ski holiday to the La Plagne this season, be sure to explore our La Plagne ski deals for the best ski offers available.
La Plagne boasts excellent snow conditions from December to April, offering skiers distinct advantages each month. In December and January, the resort receives around 35 cm and 33 cm of snowfall, respectively, spread over approximately 3 days weekly, guaranteeing consistently fresh powder. Although February sees a slight reduction in snow depth to 26 cm, it compensates with more frequent snow days, averaging 3.2 per week. December marks the peak of the season with the second week being the most prolific, delivering a substantial 50 cm of snow across 3.3 days, ideal for those who revel in Bluebird Powder Days, characterized by sunny skies and light breezes following fresh snowfalls. The season continues into April, maintaining pleasant skiing conditions with 19 cm of snow falling over 3.2 days, creating perfect conditions for enjoying softer snow in sunnier weather.
| Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 35 cm | 3.1 days |
| January | 33 cm | 3.0 days |
| February | 26 cm | 3.2 days |
| March | 28 cm | 3.5 days |
| April | 19 cm | 3.2 days |
(Ref: snow-forecast.com)
Famous for its stunning mountain views and diverse range of delightful dishes, Le Forperet is a preferred spot for lunch while skiing.
Perched high in Belle Plagne, Le Matafan is a family-operated restaurant offering panoramic views and a varied menu.
Part of the popular après-ski venue Le 360, this restaurant serves gourmet dishes influenced by regional recipes and locally sourced ingredients.
Le Chalet des Verdons Sud, located in Champagny-en-Vanoise, is a celebrated restaurant known for its gourmet dining experience.
Le Grizzli restaurant offers a distinctive fusion of traditional Savoyard cuisine and modern gastronomy.
La Mine Bar is a renowned après-ski destination in La Plagne, characterized by its unique mining decor, and live music events.
Scotty's Bar is another notable spot located in Plagne Centre famous for its live DJ sets, and fantastic selection of cocktails.
In Belle Plagne, you'll find Le Saloon, a popular meeting point that regularly hosts live music and DJs.
For those seeking a more relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, the Spitting Feathers is a British-owned pub known for its friendly ambiance.
Download La Plagne town map PDF here
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