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Ski La Plagne in Poor Visibility: A Practical Guide
Welcome to La Plagne! It’s a winter wonderland, but it’s also where unpredictable weather is part of the adventure! I'm your go-to gal, a local family ski expert living the dream with my two little powder hounds. And this week, whilst we’ve had amazing levels of snowfall, it’s also meant cloudy skies, flat light and low visibility on the ski slopes.
But you know what? The kids still went to ski school and ski club, and we still skied as a family on most days. And we had a great time – but it’s often very influenced by the fact that we know where to head and what pistes to explore to find those places with better visibility.
Well, today I'm spilling the beans on how to keep the good times rolling when the weather isn't playing ball. So check out where you’ll find us next time it’s snowing! And perhaps we’ll see you on the slopes (if visibility allows it!).
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Safety First – Navigating Poor Visibility
Before we dive into the snowy goodness, let's chat safety. Skiing in poor visibility is an art, and I've got your back with some quick tips. But if you want the full scoop, check out my in-depth guide on skiing in poor visibility and how to ski safely as a family.
In a nutshell, skiing safely in flat light comes down to being well-prepared before you head out. By 5 top tips would be to:
- Check webcams and weather forecasts
- Dress kids (and yourself) in brighter colours
- Slow down and focus on ski techniques rather than speed
- Use the right equipment: goggles made for low visibility and flat light will help you see better. My kids love Panda ski goggles and my husband and I have Oakleys.
- Stay on the pistes and in known ski areas. Today is not the day to explore off-piste!
La Plagne Pistes to explore in flat light
Now, let's talk about embracing the cloudiness on the slopes and not letting it put you off! Here's a selection of fantastic pistes in the different sections of the La Plagne piste map to keep the stoke alive.
Champagny
Some of my favourite La Plagne pistes are in Champagny! You should definitely check out this ski area as one of your first stops if there is poor visibility in La Plagne. The main reason for this is that Champagny is on the south side of the ski resort and so often experiences quite different ski conditions from the other areas on the piste maps. Check the webcams overlooking the Champagny Pistes to see if the sun is shining over there!
Montalbert
The Montalbert section of the La Plagne piste map is filled with pistes that twist and turn through the trees. It has a good selection of winding blue pistes and steeper red pistes. Typically, pistes that explore through the trees are perfect for improved visibility when the snow is falling.
- Lutins Blue Piste: Kids in tow? This one's a winner with magical wooden statues and charming cut-offs through the trees.
- Montalbert Blue Piste: A delightful run that's bound to put a smile on your face.
- Gentil Blue Piste: Cruise down Edmond Blanchoz with a pitstop at Fornelet restaurant for a little après-ski treat!
La Roche
The La Roche area has some lovely long pistes that also wind through the trees. But this recommendation comes with a couple of warnings:
- La Roche – Blue Piste:
- Enjoy the winding paths, but beware that the mid-section is quite steep.
- The bottom section can be quite icy, as it actually follows the route of a river.
- It can be very busy here, with the snow getting quite chopped up and moguled.
Montchavin and Les Coches
Often used just to access the Vanoise Express over to Les Arcs, there are some great pistes in this section of the La Plagne piste map. And don’t worry, I’m not going to recommend the Rider’s Nation snow park – which is amazing! But if the weather isn’t great and visibility is poor, hitting rails and jumps can wait for another day!
Instead, check out:
- Mont Blanc blue piste: A super long descent on the Mont Blanc, weaving all the way from Arpette lift to the bottom of Montchavin.
- Les Coches Red Piste
- Mouflon Blue Piste to Les Coches.
- Montchavin Red Piste: Thrilling ride for those seeking an extra bit of excitement.
Activities Beyond the Slopes
I hope you’ll explore some of these pistes – in good and bad weather! But if you’re just not feeling it and fancy a day off the ski slopes, then take a break! You’ve got nothing to prove to anyone. And one of my very overused phrases is that there is more to a ski holiday than just skiing!
So here are some of my top recommendations for non-skiing things to do when the weather isn’t great.
- Bowling, cinema & indoor activities: There’s lots to do indoors. Check out the La Plagne non-ski activities directory with all the best places to head.
- Snowshoeing: Strap on those snowshoes and explore the winter landscapes in a whole new light. Check out this review of snowshoeing in La Plagne to see if this is the non-ski activity for you.
- Spa Day: Escape the chill and pamper yourself in a warm spa environment – because you deserve it. Here are the best La Plagne spas ready and waiting for you.
- Après ski, long lunches and early dinner! Check out:
That’s La Plagne & where to explore in poor visibility
So, there you have it – a guide to skiing La Plagne when the weather is being a bit moody. Remember, safety first, then hit those slopes with gusto. Bad weather doesn't mean the end of fun; it's just a chance to explore the winter wonderland in a different way. Embrace the powder days and the cloud-covered adventures, and create memories that'll last a lifetime.
See you on the slopes!
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