La Plagne
225km of skiing in the Paradiski mega-area, with a bobsled track and Champagny as your quiet back door.
Our Take
La Plagne is one of France's largest ski areas, with 225km of pistes spread across 10 interconnected villages at different altitudes -- Plagne Centre at mid-mountain for base operations, Belle Plagne and Plagne Bellecôte at upper levels for altitude access, and the charming traditional villages of Champagny-en-Vanoise and Montchavin lower down for character. The area links to Les Arcs via the Vanoise Express cable car to form the Paradiski mega-area: 425km of combined pistes and one of the largest ski areas in the world. The skiing at La Plagne is primarily intermediate and upper-intermediate, with long, sustained runs from the upper mountain and good off-piste in the Glacier de Bellecôte zone. The Bellecôte glacier at 3,250 meters provides altitude certainty and the extended-season skiing that justifies early-December and late-April visits. The bobsled track -- built for the 1992 Albertville Olympics -- is an additional attraction where you can actually ride a commercial bobsled run operated by the French Olympic Committee. La Plagne rewards week-long stays: the 225km scope means you can find different zones every day without repetition.
Nerd Stats
Piste Length
225km
Paradiski Total
425km
Glacier Summit
10,663'
Bobsled Track
Olympic-grade
Fun Facts
- The Paradiski link to Les Arcs combines 425km of pistes -- the Vanoise Express double-deck cable car that connects them can carry 200 people per cabin.
- La Plagne's bobsled track was built for the 1992 Albertville Olympics and still operates commercial rides for non-Olympians.
- 10 interconnected villages form La Plagne -- staying in traditional Champagny-en-Vanoise gives a different experience than the purpose-built Plagne Centre.
- The Bellecôte glacier at 3,250 meters stays open into May and opens in early November -- it's the anchor of La Plagne's extended season.