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.

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.

Apres-ski & entertainment La Plagne
Restaurants 110	Theatre -
Bars & cafes 34	Casino -
Nightclubs & discos 5	Concert hall
Cinema 4

Ski school and ski lessons La Plagne
No. of ski schools 17	Private ski lessons € 40
No. of ski instructors 550	Ski lessonsYes, price on request
Area for beginners	Snowboarding lessonsYes, price on request
Ski lessons in	Cross-country skiingYes, price on request

Facilities La Plagne
No. of hotels 13	Supermarkets 10
Total no. of hotel beds 2048	Banks
Total no. of beds 49500

La Plagne for families and children
Childcare	Magic carpet
Playground	Ski lift for children
Merry-go-round -

Leisure & sports activities La Plagne
Public sauna	Footpaths 85 km
Fitness centre	Torchlight descent -
Public solarium	Indoor ice rink
Massage	Outdoor ice rink
Spa & wellness	Curling -
Indoor swimming pool	Snow rafting -
Hot air ballooning -	Dog sledding
Paragliding	Snowmobile tours
Indoor tennis court -	Toboggan run
Squash court -

Ski blog about La Plagne

The top 15 ski resorts in France

26 May 2020 by Danielle in 'Destinations''

France is known for having a good number of the world’s largest linked ski areas, with some of the ski areas measuring over 600km of pistes at altitudes of more than 3000m above sea level. But that’s not all France has to offer, and skiers and snowboarders are starting to discover the smaller resorts whose pretty scenery, village atmosphere and varied terrain can easily compete with the biggest names in the Alps. In our list of the top 15 French ski resorts, we've selected some up-and-comers alo... More ›

10 ski resorts that are easy to access from Lyon Airport

11 April 2020 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

Lyon is a gateway to the French Alps and, as luck would have it, many airlines offer flights from Britain to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport. Whether you’re looking for a quiet ski resort to spend ski holidays with the family, or a world-class ski resort with endless slopes and challenging terrain, there’s no shortage of ski areas within easy reach of Lyon Airport. It’s also tempting to spend a few days tooling around this attractive city on your way home – why not make a week of it?... More ›

Paradiski: This is what 2 days in a world-class ski area look like

10 January 2019 by Danielle in 'Live from the slopes''

Winter is finally in full swing and many of us are looking forward to our first ski holidays of the season. Ah, to experience that feeling of fresh snow under your boots, to breathe in the wonderful mountain air and carve your first tracks through the virgin snow! We decided to kick off our season in the French Alps, exploring the huge Paradiski linked ski area, and it didn't disappoint!... More ›

12-year-old boy rescued alive after avalanche in French Alps

2 January 2019 by Danielle in 'Latest news''

A young skier in the French Alps is lucky to be alive after a brush with an avalanche on Boxing Day. The 12-year-old boy was skiing at La Plagne in the French Alps when he got caught in an avalanche which carried him dozens of metres down the mountain and separated him from his group. Rescue workers said the chances of survival after being buried in an avalanche for so long were slim to none. The boy can thank the search-and-rescue dog who sniffed him out from under several feet of snow.... More ›

Spend the night in a piste basher at La Plagne

20 November 2018 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

If you were looking for the most romantic date ever, then we’ve found it. Forget splashing out for a five-star hotel in a crowded city – La Plagne will put you up for the night in the world’s most unique hotel, inside a piste basher and surrounded by a thousand stars, more than 2000m above sea level.... More ›