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First Tracks La Plagne Review

A person wearing a vibrant, rainbow-colored ski suit holds a child dressed in winter gear on a freshly groomed ski slope in La Plagne. The snowy mountains stretch behind them under a stunning sunrise, casting warm hues across the sky. Taken during the First Tracks activity, this moment captures the beauty of early morning skiing in the French Alps.

What is La Plagne’s First Tracks experience?

First Tracks La Plagne refers to an exclusive experience offered here is our beautiful ski resort. It allows skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes before the official opening hours, providing them with the opportunity to enjoy freshly groomed runs and untouched powder snow. It’s something that I often do a couple of times during the ski season, with friends and family when they are on holiday.

During “First Tracks,” a limited number of participants are given access to specific ski slopes ahead of the regular crowd. This experience is organised as a guided session led by experienced instructors and mountain guides. Participants get to experience the tranquil beauty of the mountain in the early morning hours and relish the feeling of having the mountain all to themselves.

“First Tracks” is a premium offering and can vary in terms of availability throughout the ski season. It's a fantastic way to start the day with a sense of adventure and a unique connection to the slopes.

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Why This Experience Is a Must-Do on Your Holiday

Imagine this: you wake up before the sun graces the sky, don your ski gear, and head to the mountain while the world still sleeps. First Tracks La Plagne offers skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to be the first people on the slopes, savouring the untouched snow and the enchanting solitude of the mountains before the day begins.

  • A freshly groomed ski slope with perfectly carved corduroy lines stretching into the distance under a blue sky with scattered clouds. A red and white signpost stands on the right, with snow-covered mountain peaks in the background.
  • The sun breaking through dramatic clouds, casting a golden glow over the snowy mountain peaks in La Plagne. A faint rainbow-like halo forms around the sun, creating a breathtaking winter scene.
  • A woman in a pink ski jacket and two children in navy blue ski gear pose in front of a heart-shaped metal frame with "La Plagne Paradiski" signs. Behind them, snow-covered peaks and a sea of clouds stretch across the horizon.
  • A panoramic view of the La Plagne ski resort with a heart-shaped metal sculpture on the left and a ski station with "Reservation" and other signage in the distance. The untouched snow reflects the bright daylight under a partly cloudy sky.
  • A group of skiers standing on a snow-covered mountain ridge, gazing at the breathtaking view of La Plagne’s peaks under a bright sky with scattered clouds. One skier in a neon green outfit stands prominently, while another gestures toward the slopes.

My Experience of First Tracks La Plagne

There are 3 options for the La Plagne first tracks, either departing from Bellecôte, Montalbert or Plagne Centre. We have always done the Plagne Centre route for ease of access, but I’m keen to do the Bellecôte route soon! 

Each year, I do First Tracks with my boys. It's become a bit of a tradition to do it when family come to visit. And then for me to take the kids alone when they are good enough to ski the steeper blue slopes. This March, 2025, was the first time I could do it with both boys together and it was a great moment with both of them on the slopes.

We joined the First Tracks experience, meeting at 7:45 am at the Grande Rochette lift, in Plagne Centre: the starting point of our adventure. We’ve done this a couple of times with large groups of friends. But this time, it was just me and the kids, knowing they'd relish the thrill.

You need to have booked in advance, and the instructors will confirm your name and tickets before you get onto the Grande Rochette lift. Then you can hop on and head on up! As the lift carried us to the peak, the sense of adventure intensified. When you arrive, you have a good 5 minutes or so to soak in the views and get some absolutely stunning photos.

Then, the group is called together by a knowledgeable guide who regaled us with fascinating tales about the local mountains, their names, and the unique features that make La Plagne so special. I really loved this part as I don’t know a lot of the mountain peaks by name, so it was great to learn. My little skier, however, was not interested! He just wanted to get his skis on and go!

  • Skiers carve down a sunlit slope in La Plagne, with towering snow-capped peaks and a misty cloud layer in the background. The bright sun shines through the clouds, casting long shadows on the snow.
  • A snowboard with a vibrant pink and purple design rests on the edge of a freshly groomed slope, leading toward a snowy village nestled among rolling hills. A blue slope marker stands to the left, with pine trees dotting the landscape.
  • Skiers gliding down a misty slope in La Plagne as the sun breaks through thick clouds, casting a dramatic glow over the snow-covered peaks. One skier in a high-visibility vest leads the way down the freshly groomed run.
  • Two young skiers in helmets and ski gear glide down a pristine, groomed slope under a cloudy sky. The vast snowy landscape stretches ahead, with mountain peaks and forested hills in the distance.

And soon enough, the moment we had been waiting for arrived. After clicking your skis on, the group sets off together, with an instructor always bringing up the rear. We carved our way down the mountain. Depending on the weather the night before, you can find yourself floating down knee-deep powder on the piste or carving through the pristine corduroy of untouched slopes. Either way, it’s an exhilarating experience!

The excitement didn't stop there. Once you reach the Grande Rochette, you head back up the peak, ready to explore one more run of the early morning treasures that La Plagne has to offer.

This time, the run down is slightly shorter, as we stop off for a delicious breakfast at Le Chairlift restaurant in Plagne Villages. It’s probably 9 am now, and you’ll feel more than ready for a hot coffee and a continental breakfast. As you enjoy your well-deserved meal, there’s time to reflect on the morning well spent – and the day has only just begun!

  • Two children in ski gear hugging joyfully on a snowy street in La Plagne, with a bustling ski village and wooden chalet-style buildings in the background. Other skiers are seen preparing their gear and socializing near a restaurant.
  • A beautifully arranged breakfast buffet inside a cozy mountain restaurant, featuring a spread of cheeses, charcuterie, croissants, jams, and fresh bread on a rustic wooden table with fluffy white cushions lining the bench. Warm lighting adds to the inviting atmosphere.
  • A close-up selfie of a smiling woman with blonde curly hair wearing a ski helmet and a pink scarf, alongside two children in black helmets with ski goggles reflecting the snowy landscape. They are bundled up in winter gear, enjoying their time on the slopes.

First Tracks La Plagne : Bellecote and Montalbert

If you do the First Tracks, Bellecote, then you will meet at the foot of the Arpette chairlift for 7.45 am. After skiing, your breakfast will be served at the Arpette Restaurant. 

If you do the First Tracks, MontAlbert, then you will meet at the foot of the Montalbert gondola at 7.45 am. After skiing, your breakfast will be served at the 360 Restaurant. 

First Tracks La Plagne booking and prices

You need to book First Tracks ahead of the date. It is often in high demand and gets booked out quickly over peak holiday ski weeks. You can book First Tracks online before your holiday dates for the Bellecôte and Plagne Centre events. 

First Tracks La Plagne costs 33€ per person and includes both lifts up (you need your own lift pass), the guiding and short talk about the mountains, and the Savoyard breakfast at Le chairlift, Arpette or Le 360. I think the price is about right for the value of the experience, especially if you think that you would easily pay 10 – 15€ for breakfast alone at most La Plagne restaurants.

That’s La Plagne at First Tracks: A Must-Do Adventure

My family and I love the first tracks experience. It feels like a truly magical way to see the mountains, empty of all other skiers. We have done it early in the winter season in January, when you will see the sunrise over the peaks, and then later in the ski season in March, when the sun is already up. Both times have been fantastic, although I would say watching the sunrise from the mountain peaks takes some beating! 

I hope this review has inspired you to explore the First Tracks in La Plagne – see you on the slopes?

FAQs about First Tracks La Plagne

How will I receive my First Tracks La Plagne tickets?

The tickets are digital, via email, and you can just show them on your phone.

How good of a skier do I need to be to do the First Tracks La Plagne? 

You need to be a good intermediate skier and comfortable on steeper blue pistes.

What happens if the weather is bad or snowing? 

You will receive an SMS the day before the First Tracks event to confirm the activity is happening. If bad weather is expected, then you will receive the cancellation information then.

Where does the Plagne Bellecôte First Tracks meet and then stop for breakfast?

The Plagne Bellecôte event meets at the bottom of the Arpette chairlift and then stops at the Arpette restaurant for the Savoyard breakfast.

Where does the Plagne Montalbert First Tracks stop for breakfast? 

The Plagne Montalbert event meets at the foot of the Montalbert bubble lift and then stops at the Le 360 restaurant for the Savoyard breakfast

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First Tracks La Plagne: A full review
First Tracks La Plagne: A full review
First Tracks La Plagne: A full review

Hi, I'm Jen.

I'm an ex-seasonnaire turned La Plagne local of 20 years. A ski mum of 3 ski kids - well 2 ski boys and 1 snow-loving baby girl! And I'm also a professional digital marketeting strategist, specilising in the ski industry.

I'm on a mission to demystify family ski holidays for other ski families and to help you explore La Plagne like a local.

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