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La Plagne in December: snow, Christmas, New Year and what to expect
December in La Plagne is really good fun. There’s the buzz of opening week, then the magic of Christmas, then one of the liveliest New Years in the Alps.
I’ve lived here for 20 years, so here’s what December is really like: whether there’ll be enough snow, what’s on for Christmas and New Year 2026, and how busy it gets.
December in La Plagne at a glance
| Is it snow sure? | Usually, yes. In 20 years of living here, I can’t remember a bad opening week. December gets around 105cm of fresh snow on average. |
| Temperatures | Cold. Average highs around 0°C and lows around -6°C in the villages. |
| Daylight | About 9 hours, the shortest days of the season |
| How busy? | Quiet in opening week, then busy from 19 December. New Year is usually busier than Christmas. |
| Prices | Opening week is one of the cheapest weeks of the season, with discounted lift passes. Christmas and New Year are peak. |
| Events in 2026 | Opening day (12 December), Christmas events in every village and La Nuit du Pompon Rouge on New Year’s Eve |
| Best for | Early-season fans, families who want a magical Christmas and anyone who loves a big New Year party |
Snow and temperature figures are long-term averages from OnTheSnow and Weather2Travel, so treat them as a guide.
Is La Plagne snow sure in December?
People always worry that there won’t be enough snow for opening week. Having lived here for 20 years, I can’t remember a bad one.
La Plagne gets around 105cm of fresh snow in December on average, and the snow base builds through the month. Most of the villages sit at around 2,000m, and the ski area goes up to the glacier at over 3,000m, which is a big part of why La Plagne is reliable early in the season. Some years the resort even has enough snow to open a few lifts for a pre-opening weekend in late November or early December.
If you’re coming early in December, stay in one of the high-altitude villages: Plagne Centre, Aime 2000, Belle Plagne, Plagne Villages or Plagne Soleil. My La Plagne villages guide compares them all, and my guide to whether La Plagne is snow sure covers the whole season.
What’s La Plagne like in December?
Opening week
Opening week is fantastic. The vibes are really high in resort, and everyone is full of energy and so excited that the lifts are moving again. The slopes are quiet too, so it’s a lovely week to find your ski legs.
Christmas
Then it goes into Christmas, which is magical. The Christmas events change a bit every year, but think ice skating shows on the open-air rink in Plagne Centre, gospel choirs and big Father Christmas photo stages for family pictures. Father Christmas visits every village around the resort, usually pulled by a team of husky dogs rather than reindeer! Find out more about Christmas in La Plagne.
New Year
New Year is wicked, and usually busier than Christmas. It’s very, very lively. We now have La Nuit du Pompon Rouge in Bellecôte, a big party on the snow front with DJs, acrobats and stilt walkers. It’s really good fun. Here’s what to expect at New Year in La Plagne.
December 2026: dates to know
- Pre-opening weekend (to be confirmed): only if there’s enough snow. I’ll share it on Instagram as soon as it’s announced.
- Saturday 12 December: the whole of La Plagne opens for the 2026/27 season. Lift passes are discounted for the first week.
- Friday 18 December: the new night train from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels to Aime-la-Plagne starts.
- Saturday 19 December: the French Christmas holidays start (they run until 4 January 2027).
- UK Christmas holidays: most schools in England and Wales break up for 21 December to 1 January, and in Scotland for 21 December to 5 January.
My peak weeks guide has all the 2026/27 school holiday dates.
December events in La Plagne 2026
- 12 December: opening day. The whole resort opens together, and the excitement is real.
- From around 21 December: Christmas in the villages. Expect ice skating shows, gospel choirs, Father Christmas photo stages and Father Christmas touring the villages with his husky team. Exact dates vary each year.
- 24 and 25 December: two Christmases. Christmas Eve is the big celebration for the French, and Christmas Day is the big dinner for us Brits, so you get two festive evenings.
- 31 December: La Nuit du Pompon Rouge. The big New Year’s Eve party on the snow front in Plagne Bellecôte, with DJs, acrobats and stilt walkers. Montchavin-Les Coches has its own free celebration too.
See every date in my La Plagne events 2026/27 guide.
What’s the weather like in La Plagne in December?
Expect cold, wintry weather. Average highs in the villages are around 0°C and lows around -6°C, and it’s colder at the top and on the chairlifts. December has the shortest days of the season, with around 9 hours of daylight, so the lifts close earlier and evenings come round quickly.
Pack thermals, a warm mid layer, mittens for little ones and hand warmers. My guide to the best ski clothing for all temperatures has more.
Is December good for beginners and families?
Opening week is a lovely time to learn: the beginner areas are quiet and there’s plenty of space. Here are my best beginner slopes in each village.
Christmas and New Year are the opposite. Ski schools book up fast for the holiday weeks, so book lessons as early as you can. Here are the ski schools and instructors I recommend.
How busy and how expensive is La Plagne in December?
December is a month of two halves. Opening week is one of the quietest and cheapest weeks of the season, and lift passes are discounted too. From 19 December, the Christmas and New Year weeks are peak season, with peak prices for accommodation, ski schools and transfers.
Restaurants get very busy over the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, so book well ahead.
For the latest offers and discount codes on accommodation, lessons, ski hire and transfers, check my La Plagne deals page, and see my lift pass guide for this season’s prices.
My top tips for La Plagne in December
- Come for opening week if you can. It’s quiet, cheaper and the atmosphere is brilliant.
- Stay high for the most reliable early-season snow. My free accommodation guide helps you pick your village.
- Book restaurants early for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
- Book ski school early for the holiday weeks.
- Wrap up warm for New Year on the snow front.
La Plagne in December: FAQs
Is La Plagne snow sure in December?
Usually, yes. I’ve lived here for 20 years and can’t remember a bad opening week. La Plagne gets around 105cm of fresh snow in December on average, and most villages are at around 2,000m.
When does La Plagne open in 2026?
Saturday 12 December 2026, with the whole resort opening together.
Can you ski on Christmas Day in La Plagne?
Yes. The lifts run as normal on Christmas Day.
What happens in La Plagne on New Year’s Eve?
La Nuit du Pompon Rouge: a big party on the snow front in Plagne Bellecôte with DJs, acrobats and stilt walkers. Here’s what to expect at New Year.
Is La Plagne busy at Christmas?
Yes. From 19 December to 4 January it’s peak season, and New Year is usually even busier than Christmas.
La Plagne month by month
Thinking about a different month? Here’s what to expect through the whole season, plus my guide to the snow and weather in La Plagne.
Planning a family ski holiday?
Get my free Ski Holiday Planning Pack: the Ski Holiday Reset Planner, the Ski Lessons & Ski Hire Guide, the Accommodation Guide and the Transfer Guide, written by a local mum of three to help you plan your La Plagne trip.
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