Enjoy wide runs and picturesque slopes in the Paradiski ski area.
La Plagne is made up of several villages and has plenty to offer families and beginners looking to try the slopes for the first time.
It can be found next to the Vanoise National Park in France and has a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skiers. The villages that make up La Plagne are spread across a broad area, providing several slope options that offer different experiences, depending on what you are looking to do.
It also means that there are various options when choosing where to stay, with different hotels and apartments providing different facilities, with some more suitable for couples or groups of adults, while others provide a more family-friendly feel.
La Plagne Resort
When stepping away from the powder in the evenings, there is a variety of entertainment, including restaurants and bars, as well as family-friendly events and play areas.
Shows are put on some evenings for families to enjoy as well as lively nightlife for adults looking to unwind after a day in the snow.
Skiers looking to try a new experience have the option of using the resort’s Olympic bobsleigh run, which spans 1,500m and is the only one in France. It is open to the public and is a great way to experience the thrill of the winter sport. There are several options, depending on how you want to experience the descent – the Bob Raft, Speed Luge or Bob Racing.
Resort Statistics
| Base: | 1250 meters |
| Summit: | 3250 meters |
| No. of Pistes: | 134 |
| Total Piste: | 225 km |
| Cross Country: | 80 km |
| Total Lifts: | 95 |
| Gondolas/ Cable Cars: | 11 |
| Chairlifts: | 63 |
| Drag Lifts: | 21 |
Piste Map
La Plagne Ski Areas & Slopes
Our quick guide will show you around the key ski areas around La Plagne, so you’ll know exactly where to head first once you arrive.
Plagne Bellecote
One of the best spots in La Plagne for new skiers who have finished their ski school training. It provides wide pistes that aren’t too challenging, providing the chance to try a few twists and turns down some of the slopes.
Advanced: The Bellecote glacier is an ideal spot for more experienced skiers, as it provides challenging runs with fresh snow. Ski des Bosses provides bumps and moguls that can give skiers new experiences when traversing through the powder.
Beginners: There are several slopes that have wide spaces, giving new skiers the opportunity to practice without worries of clashing with other people. It is the biggest area in the resort for beginners, while the nearby Plagne Centre is good beginner zone for stepping onto the snow for the first time with your skis on.
Aime La Plagne
There is some very good accommodation in this ski area, while the mountain views provide stunning scenery.
Intermediate-Advanced: Skiers can find several expert pistes at Aime La Plagne, including Les Etroits, which is the longest in the area.
Beginners: There are several easy pistes in this ski area, making it a good spot to build your confidence and prepare to step up to more challenging slopes. There are a couple of drag lifts that make it easier for beginners to return to the top of the slope.
Montchavin / Les Coches
A good spot for families, with the villages built on two levels and linked by a free shuttle bus.
Intermediate-Advanced: There are some shorter runs in this ski area that are steep and provide a fun challenge for experienced skiers.
Beginners: There are some beginner friendly slopes in the area that provide a good opportunity to prepare yourself for some of the more challenging runs.
Ski Holidays in La Plagne
La Plagne Ski Pass Prices
Visitors to La Plagne usually have the option of getting two different types of ski lift passes. Either the Paradiski Pass, which covers the full area, including Les Arcs which is another nearby resort. Alternatively, there is the La Plagne Pass, which covers more of the local area, including the nearby villages and pistes. This may be a better option for beginners.
The adults pass is available for ages 13-64 years and the cost ranges from €61 for one day of the Paradiski Pass, and €54 for six days of the La Plagne Pass.
Child passes are also available for 5-12 year old’s, starting at €49 for one day of the Paradiski Pass and €44 for six days of the La Plagne Pass, while children under five are free.
The Duo Pass is also available for two people, and usually offers a cheaper alternative than buying separately, while the Tribu Pass is the same but for groups of three people.
Family rates are also available, offering a saving of €30 per person if at least four ski passes are bought at the same time, and providing that they are ordered at least two days before your arrival.
Ski Schools
There are plenty of ski schools in La Plagne for beginners to learn new skills and prepare themselves for the slopes.
Many of the schools offer a range of options when choosing how you want to learn, including private lessons and off-piste sessions if you plan to take your snow adventures to the next level.
Most schools offer group lessons for children and for adults, with the chance to learn through fun ski-related activities, making it easy for you to gradually adjust to your equipment.
Some of the ski schools available at La Plagne include Oxygene, New Generation, and ESF.
Equipment Hire
Some of the main stores at La Plagne where you can hire ski equipment include Sport 2000, Intersport, Ski Set and Skimium.
It is often worth booking your ski equipment before your holiday, as many stores offer discounts for pre-ordering online. It also means that you don’t have to worry about trying to find the right equipment for you once you arrive, and instead you can just pick up everything that you need and head to the slopes.
Family Fun in La Plagne
La Plagne is known for being an ideal resort for families, thanks to its mostly car-free surroundings, which makes it a safe space for adults and their children to walk around and explore the area.
There is also a good level of childcare and child-friendly ski schools available to children who are looking to take their first steps onto the snow, and visitors can also get family ski passes at a reduced rate.
Away from the slopes there are many other activities to keep kids entertained, including games arcades, cinemas, husk dog sledding, swimming pools and ice rinks.
When to Go?
Snow Report and weather
It can get quite cold in the area and there is usually a regular amount of snowfall across the mountain range. Skiers will be able to see a good amount on sunlight each day, as the sky often remains clear during the winter months.
The snow at the resort is machine groomed to ensure that skiers can enjoy good powder throughout the season. You can track the snowfall by looking at the La Plagne webcams, that cover many areas across the resort.
Operating times
The season start and end dates can vary slightly each year depending on the snow conditions, but usually La Plagne opens around mid-December and clothes towards the end of April.
Ski lifts are usually open from 9am until 5pm each day, although this can be affected by the weather conditions.