La Plagne Ski Resort Guide
Situated in the Tarentaise Valley, La Plagne forms part of the Paradiski area with the neighbouring resort Les Arcs. Combined these two popular French ski resorts offer 425km of pistes with La Plagne boasting the majority of this terrain. La Plagne offers skiers and snowboarders snow-sure pistes with 70% of the Paradiski terrain above 2000m. Add to this modern lift infrastructure and a varied selection of pistes and you can see why La Plagne is a popular destination among visitors to the French Alps.
Photo Credit cj580 - Chris Johnson
La Plagne is a purpose-built ski resort that opened in the 1960s, originally with a handful of slopes and two surface lifts. Over the last 60+ years, La Plagne has developed into a full-blown mega-resort with 74 ski lifts accessing over 130 runs within the local La Plagne ski area. In 2003 the Vanoise Express gondola was installed to link La Plagne to a further 200kms of ski runs in Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry forming the Paradiski.
LA PLAGNE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I visited La Plagne whilst staying in neighbouring Les Arcs via the Vanoise Express gondola. The Vanoise Express gondola is an incredible piece of engineering that moves the largest cable car in the world between the two resorts. The Vanoise Express can accommodate 200 people per journey and was an experience in itself. Once in La Plagne I was impressed by the amount of wide intermediate pistes around the resort. I can see why La Plagne is popular amongst skiers and snowboarders who wanted to explore a large area.
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LA PLAGNE SKI AREA
Forming part of the world’s third largest combined ski area Paradiski, La Plagne is a massive ski resort. Located in the Savoie, La Plagne is a combination of villages that provided high altitude access to an extensive ski resort. Across La Plagne and the further Paradiski area, skiers and snowboarders will be able to explore over 140 ski lifts and 260 trails across its 425km expanse.
La Plagne and the Paradiski is well suited to intermediates with a combined 212 blue and red pistes across the Paradiski. La Plagne is however suited to the entire family/ability range as beginners will enjoy La Plagne for its wide blue slopes and advanced skiers will enjoy the variety of terrain and off-piste bowls.
Locally in La Plagne skiers and snowboarders will find 132 pistes with 104 marked blue or red. The limited black runs on offer (under 10) should not deter advanced skiers and snowboarders who will be able to find challenges off-piste and in the terrain parks.
What may deter more able skiers and snowboarders from visiting La Plagne are the crowds! La Plagne is popular for a reason but this may frustrate those in search of runs without crowds that you can just bomb.
Similar to Les Arcs nearby La Plagne has a 2000m of vertical drop between the highest point Chiaupe (3250m) and the lower village of Montchavin (1250m). From Chiapue there are a number of interesting black and red trails in addition to some great off-piste after good snowfall.
LA PLAGNE FOR BEGINNERS
La Plagne is well suited for beginners with low-gradient blue trails across the whole resort. A few green trails can be found on the map with Plagne Centre and Plagne 1800 hosting most of these. This makes La Plagne a fantastic ski resort to visit as a beginner as you can pretty much go anywhere and find a number of suitable trails.
La Plagne has made an effort to improve the learning experience for its skiers and snowboarders with new Magic Carpet lifts replacing former surface lifts in Plagne Centre. In Plagne Centre, you will also find the Buffalo Kids Park with lots of small features to spice up the run for your little ones.
The best area for beginners in La Plagne is focused around Plagne Bellecôte where those new to skiing and snowboarding will find blue trails occupying the majority of the area here. The blue graded terrain in Plagne Bellecôte is mellow and a few in reality are more likely green runs.
LA PLAGNE FOR INTERMEDIATES
La Plagne is well suited for intermediates with the majority of runs in the local area and Paradiski being mellow blue graded trails. The area in Plagne Bellecôte is perfect for those looking for easier intermediate terrain with good snow conditions.
Intermediates looking for more challenge or adventure should looks to the area atop Roche De Mio. From the top of the Roche De Mio gondola and Inversens chair there are a number of interesting options. The tunnel run is exactly what it sounds like, a run that cuts underground and makes for an interesting trail. Sources and Inversens will appeal to intermediates looking to get out onto red trails with the later more challenging as it remains unpisted. Plagne Montalbert also makes an interesting option for intermediates with a number of reds and blues interlinking through this area.
Photo Credit @judithgirardmarczak
LA PLAGNE FOR ADVANCED
There are only a few black trails throughout La Plagne and the Paradiski but that doesn’t mean the area is not of interest to more experienced skiers and snowboarders. A number of ‘Natur’ (unpisted) trails can be found in Plagne Aime which are great fun and of varying difficulty. The mix of blacks and reds here will ensure you keep coming back.
The Bellecôte Glacier is also host to a number of fantastic black trails and a huge mogul field for those interested in skiing bumps.
FREESTYLE LA PLAGNE
La Plagne has a combination of terrain parks, half pipe and boarder cross tracks spread across the resort. The main park was moved to Montchavin in 22/23 and offers a variety of lanes which have small (Green) through to large (Black) features..
The Buffalo Park kids area in Plagne Centre is a nice intro to freestyle for kids with the Western themed fun area.
For those looking for their first foray into freestyle skiing and snowboarding then heading to Belle Plagne and the entry-level park will serve you best.
OFF-PISTE LA PLAGNE
Although La Plagne has a reputation as a bit of a beginner/intermediate paradise there are a number of interesting areas to get off-piste and away from the crowds. Even better is that as La Plagne mainly caters to beginners and intermediates the freshies seem to last longer here. It is the off-piste in La Plagne that particular makes the resort more interesting to experienced snowboarders.
LIFTS LA PLAGNE
There are 74 lifts across the La Plagne ski area with most of them modern and fast. One downside to the ski lifts in La Plagne is the lack of chairs with a weather bubble for those bad weather ski days. There are however a number of gondolas where you can find shelter from the elements.
Photo Credit cj580 - Chris Johnson
The most famous lift in La Plagne is the Vanoise Express gondola which not only links the ski area to the rest of the Paradski but also holds a number of world records. The Vanoise Express has the largest capacity (200 people), fastest speed (45km/hr) and highest distance from the ground (380m) when compared to lifts around the globe.
WHERE TO SKI IN BAD WEATHER LA PLAGNE
La Plagne like all ski resorts will receive its fair share of bad-weather ski days. Whiteout days can kill the fun for many skiers and snowboarders so finding areas of the resort where you have greater context and contrast is key. One good bit of advice is to head to the trees in areas like La Plagne Montalbert where the pistes run through the woodlands which makes visibility a lot easier.
LA PLAGNE PISTE MAP
Click the LA PLAGNE piste map below to visit the interactive piste map.
LA PLAGNE VILLAGES
MONTALBERT
The village of Plagne Montalbert is a more traditional setting lower down in the valley. Founded in 1980, Montalbert offers direct access to the La Plagne ski area from a 1350m elevation. Staying in Montalbert however, bases you at the furthest point from the Vanoise Express and access to Les Arcs.
PLAGNE 1800
Plagne 1800 is lovingly referred to as La Plagne’s nest due to its location with easy access to the whole ski area. The former mining settlement of Plagne 1800 is home to a good range of accommodations from private apartments, catered chalets or the all-inclusive UCPA. Basing yourself in Plagne 1800 ensure that you are well placed to explore the whole of the Paradiski.
Photo Credit @nicolasmichot
PLAGNE BELLECÔTE
Plagne Bellecôte has a modern base area that is well situated to discover the La Plagne and Les Arcs in a pedestrian only resort. At a 1930m elevation Plagne Bellecôte has fantastic access to some of the more advanced terrain on the Bellecôte Glacier. The village of Plagne Bellecôte has a good shopping centre and ice-rink and two escape rooms, to keep everyone occupied.
PLAGNE CENTRE
Plagne Centre is great for ski-in-ski-out accessibility in the true centre of the ski area. Using Plagne Centre as a base it is possible to head in all directions to explore the wider La Plagne ski area. At night, Plagne Centre is also well-linked to the surrounding villages of Plagne 1800 and Plagne Bellecôte by shuttle bus.
BELLE PLAGNE
Another car-free village is Belle Plagne at 2050m above Plagne Bellecôtte. The village is therefore pedestrian only with the upper and lower villages connected by a series of covered staircases and lifts. The accommodation in Belle Plagne is dominated by ski-in-ski-out apartments and chalets which make it a really convienient base for your La Plagne ski holiday. Access to the Bellecote Glacier from the Roche de Mio gondola. Belle Plagne is also ideally suited to explore the rest of the Paradiski.
PLAGNE AIME 2000
Plagne Aime 2000 is the highest village in La Plagne sitting at 2100m altitude. The resort of Plagne Aime 2000 was established in the 1960s but more recently has added Club Med as an accommodation option. The village of Plagne Aime 2000 has a ski-in-ski-out location that provides good access to Montalbert as well as Plagne Centre.
LA PLAGNE SEASON DATES
The ski season in La Plagne normally operates between mid-December and late-April although connections to Les Arcs will start later and finish earlier. The ski season in La Plagne and the Paradiski is reliable with 70% of the ski area above 2000m meaning snow cover is maintained across the season. La Plagne has a historical snow record of 4.6m on average during the course of the winter season. In addition to the annual snowfall, La Plagne supplements the natural stuff with snowmaking. The are 600 snow cannons spread around the resort to ensure that all slopes have ample coverage during the winter season.
TRAVEL TO LA PLAGNE
La Plagne situated in the Tarentaise Valley is a very accessible ski resort in the southeast of France. The main routes to La Plagne from the UK would be to fly, drive, or take a train. Below I will discuss the practicalities of each transport method.
GETTING TO LA PLAGNE BY AIR
La Plagne is 200km from the International Airport of Geneva on the border of Switzerland and France. Throughout the winter many budget and mainstream airlines operate flights into Geneva making it the most affordable route by Air. Geneva Airport is also fantastic for connections/transfers to the resorts of the French Alps and getting to La Plagne is no exception. Many transfer companies out of the arrivals area at Geneva and the journey to La Plagne will take around 2 hrs 30 mins.
Flying is and will remain the easiest and quickest way to reach a ski resort however, it also has the largest impact on your Carbon footprint.
GETTING TO LA PLAGNE BY TRAIN
La Plagne is accessible within an hour of the Bourg St Maurice train station which receives daily arrivals via the Eurostar from London’s King Cross Station (via Paris). Transferring to La Plagne from Bourg St Maurice isn’t quite as simple as taking the Funicular into Les Arcs with a longer transfer time. From Bourg St Maurice you can take the bus to La Plagne.
GETTING TO LA PLAGNE BY CAR
Although a longer journey, I have always appreciated the freedom that can come from driving your car to the ski resort. When in La Plagne you shouldn’t need your car to get around as free local shuttle buses run within the resort villages.
Driving to La Plagne will involve taking either a ferry or Le Shuttle to Calais before starting your drive to the southeast of France. The easiest route is to stick to the French toll-roads which are well-maintained and easy to navigate, although this does come at a further cost.
If you intend to drive to La Plagne, remember it is essential to have winter tyres and snow chains.
GETTING TO LA PLAGNE BY COACH
By far my least favourite way to travel to a ski resort is by coach however, it can be the most cost-effective way to reach your destination. From the UK regular coaches run to Bourg St Maurice from London Victoria throughout the winter. Coach trips can be arduous but with travel through the night, coaches can be the best way to maximise your time on the slopes on a budget.
LA PLAGNE LIFT PASSES
When skiing in La Plagne you will have two choices of lift pass; a local area pass which covers the 225km of pistes in La Plagne or the Paradiski pass which covers the 425km of Les Arcs and La Plagne combined area. Your choice of lift pass may depend on a few considerations.
ABILITY
Honestly if you are a beginner or even an intermediate visiting La Plagne for the first time then consider saving money and getting the local area pass. Within La Plagne there will be plenty of runs for you to explore. If you feel the need to explore further you can upgrade your lift pass for one day of skiing in the Paradiski area.
BUDGET
If budget is a consideration then skiing within the La Plagne ski area will still offer you an incredible experience. 225kms of pistes is loads so save some money and stay with a La Plagne local area pass.
RETURNING VISITOR
If you are a more able skier or snowboarder returning to La Plagne then it is certainly worth investing in the Paradiski lift pass. The upgrade will cost €50 more based on a 6-day pass in the 22/23 season and will open up over double the available terrain.
LA PLAGNE LIFT PASS COST
As with most lift passes, a ski pass in La Plagne will vary in price depending on; the duration of your trip, the skier’s age and whether you are visiting in or out of the peak period. The good news is that in La Plagne there are plenty of opportunities to save on your lift pass with offers throughout the season. There are even free lift passes available to skiers who are under 5 or over 75 years of age.
LA PLAGNE PROS
La Plagne is a large resort with access to 400+Kms of pistes that have a great snow record.
The ski season in La Plagne offers guaranteed snow with most terrain about 2000m.
The vertical drop in La Plagne means that there are plenty of longer runs across the resort.
La Plagne caters well for beginners and intermediates with a majority of blue trails.
The different villages across La Plagne offer a good range of accommodation and budget options.
LA PLAGNE CONS
La Plagne has a lot to offer so is often crowded during peak weeks especially on the pistes and lifts that are close to the villages.
The suitability for beginners relates to mellow runs which can have deadly flat spots which aren’t always fun on a snowboard.
Lack of enough advanced pistes across the Paradiski.
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LA PLAGNE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS LA PLAGNE LIKE AS A SKI RESORT?
La Plagne and the extended Paradiski area is a huge ski area linked to nearby Les Arcs. The ski area of La Plagne is ideal for intermediate skiers and snowboarders who will make the most of the blue and red runs around the resort. The local area of La Plagne has 225km of pistes that cater to all abilities.
WHAT IS THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO LA PLAGNE?
The closest airport to La Plagne is Chambery but this actually isn’t the best access point. Flights into Chambery are infrequent meaning that Geneva and Grenoble are probably better bets. The transfer time from Geneva is longer but its international airport has regular flights from across Europe with operators including budget airlines from the UK.
WHAT MAKES LA PLAGNE SO POPULAR?
La Plagne is one of the most visited ski resorts in the world with visitors drawn from far and wide. La Plagne has many positives that make it a popular place to visit with its high altitude and extensive terrain being a real draw. Over 70%I of the Paradiski sits above 2000m ensuring the La Plagne is snow-sure, this is a big factor in bringing visitors to La Plagne. La Plagne also attracts beginner skiers and snowboarders as many people know La Plagne for its mellow blue runs that spread across the mountain.
IS LA PLAGNE BEGINNER FRIENDLY?
Yes, La Plagne caters well for beginners despite the very few green trails on the piste map. La Plagne’s terrain is dominated by entry level blue pistes from all villages ensuring that beginners can have a nice time in La Plagne regardless of where they book their accommodations.
IS LA PLAGNE A GOOD PLACE TO SKI?
La Plagne can be considered a good place to ski for all-abilities and budgets. The expansive terrain in La Plagne and the Paradiski caters to all-abilities ranging from gentle blue-runs to challenging off-piste terrain. The variety makes it a great choice for families and groups of varying abilities.
DO I NEED SNOW CHAINS WHEN DRIVING TO LA PLAGNE?
When driving to any ski resort in France you should always carry snow chains which are a legal requirement now. Driving without snow-chains could put yourself and other drivers in danger and result in spot fines if searched by the Police.
IS LA PLAGNE SNOW SURE?
La Plagne and Les Arcs in the Paradiski are a good bet for snow-sure conditions throughout the season. The higher elevations and glacier skiing ensure that La Plagne maintains a good snow base. With a good snow record and 600 snow cannons, La Plagne is a safe bet for your ski or snowboard holiday.
LA PLAGNE FINAL THOUGHTS
La Plagne and the Paradiski would make a fantastic choice for your next ski holiday with snow-sure skiing and plenty of on snow accommodation. For me the decision whether to ski or snowboard in La Plagne or Les Arc would come down to access. If travelling via train I would stay in Les Arcs with better access via funicular from Bourg St Maurice. Whether driving or flying there isn’t much in it and I would decide between the two Paradiski resorts based on the best accommodation deal. Both La Plagne and Les Arc are well suited to all abilities and offer access to a large ski area.
