La Plagne ski | ski holidays in France

La Plagne in short

Height: 1250 - 2100 metres
Great ski resort for beginners and children
Great ski runs through the forest
Good cross-country ski options

La Plagne lies at the very heart of the Paradiski area, right across from the breathtaking Mont Blanc. Between them, La Plagne and Les Arcs offer a snow sports paradise with a linked ski area of around 425km of ski slopes. Paradiski is huge and amazing in its diversity, offering the possibility to discover a wide range of different atmospheres and ski resorts. You can go from snowparks (a choice of boardercross and boardergliss) to glaciers, forest skiing or off-piste in one day. Close to Chambéry Airport and with its own stop on the Eurostar ski train, La Plagne is one of the easiest ski resorts to reach from Britain.

La Plagne is actually made up of 11 different villages including Champagny en Vanoise, Belle Plagne and Montchavin Les Coches, which each give access to the entire ski area of Paradiski. The largest apartment complexes are located in the centre at Aime, in the heart of the ski area. On the entertainment side, the après-ski atmosphere is assured with a superb choice of nightclubs, bowling alleys, concerts, parties and plenty of happy hours in La Plagne There are around 50 restaurants to choose from too... For those who prefer smaller hotels or apartments, La Plagne 1800 is a more appropriate destination. The steady increase in the number of accommodation options in La Plagne is proof of the fact that this area seems able to accommodate an infinite number of ski and snowboard enthusiasts without ever seeming overcrowded.

Review of La Plagne

Winter hiking
Cross-country skiing
Aprés-ski
Family/children
Price level

8.5

based on 6 visitor reviews

Latest review by Christine

“La Plagne 1800 is a small village with a few bars, restaurants and ski rental shops. We stayed at the Residence Edelweiss and had a lovely time! ”

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One of France's largest ski areas

The whimsically named Paradiski is one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, with more than 400km of slopes distributed between La Plagne and Les Arcs. The ski areas of the two resorts were linked in the 2003-04 ski season with the construction of the Vanoise Express double-decker cable car. Today, Paradiski offers multiple options for any level of skier or snowboarder, from gruelling steeps to easy beginner slopes; high-altitude glacier skiing to skiing through the trees. For the 2019-20 ski season, La Plagne is upgrading the Bellecôte gondola to the eponymous glacier. While La Plagne is best known as an intermediate skier's paradise, the ski area has plenty of challenging terrain to offer in the off-piste department, with fantastic routes off the Bellecôte glacier that are best accessed with a local guide. La Plagne claims to have Europe's longest boardercross funslope, and freestylers can enjoy a 90m halfpipe when snow conditions are good.

Ski holidays with the family

La Plagne carries the Label Famille Plus, which designates it as a good ski resort for family ski holidays. Some of the villages of La Plagne are better-suited than others for a ski holiday with the kids. If you don't fancy a long, rushed trip back to your hotel at lunchtime, then you're best off staying in a centrally located village like Plagne Village, Centre or Aime. Each of the villages in La Plagne are equipped with their own ski school, crèche and dedicated children's skiing area. Kids will enjoy having a splash about in the recently renovated pool in Belle Plagne, while parents relax at the spa.

Lively après-ski by French standards

La Plagne has been more enthusiastic than most other French ski resorts about adopting a lively après-ski scene like you would find in Austria. You'll find several cosy bars and pubs in the Paradiski ski area and the linked villages. Le Saloon in Belle Plagne is a good bet for a party, as are Spitting Feathers and Le Cosy Bar in Bellecôte.

Off the slopes in La Plagne

The various villages that make up La Plagne have plenty to keep you busy off the slopes as well. Go ice climbing in Champagny en Vanoise, ice skating in Montchavin Les Coches or take a ride on the bobsleigh track, a legacy to the 1992 Winter Olympics which were partially hosted at La Plagne. There are several dozen kilometres of prepared cross-country skiing trails in the vicinity of La Plagne, as well as hiking routes from which you can admire the views of Mont Blanc. For a romantic ski holiday with your loved one, La Plagne offers the unique opportunity to spend a night in a piste basher under the stars.