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*EDIT* Tuesday 4th February 2025 8pm
I've just heard that it is possible that the RN90 may be opened this Friday night, ready for the weekend transfers. This is the most optimistic opinion and is reliant on the final security measures being put into place to prevent further slides. It looks like a final timeline/decision will be made by the end of Wednesday, 5th Feb. I'll be sharing regular updates in the La Plagne Fans 24/25 Facebook Group – come join it and stay informed.
A Major Rockfall Has Disrupted Travel – What Now?
This weekend, a huge rockfall on the RN90, the main road through the Tarentaise Valley, caused severe disruption for thousands of travellers heading to the Alps. If you’re planning a ski trip to La Plagne in February, you’re probably wondering what this means for your journey.
As someone who lives in La Plagne year-round, I know how crucial this road is – and how quickly things can change when nature takes over. In this post, I’ll break down exactly what happened and, more importantly, what you need to know before setting off.
What Happened?
On Saturday, 1st February 2025, a rockfall near Aigueblanche, just before Moûtiers, sent three massive boulders – each weighing over 150 tonnes – crashing onto the RN90. There was 1 car hit by a boulder which resulted in a 62-year-old woman sustaining injuries. Fortunately, she is ok. As you can imagine, traffic on this key route came to a complete standstill.
Some drivers were stranded for several hours, and around 1,500 people had to spend the night in emergency shelters set up in Albertville, Moûtiers, and other nearby locations. By Saturday evening, authorities managed to partially reopen the RN90. On Sunday, traffic was flowing in both directions. But what is usually a dual-carriageway in both directions, became a road with one lane in each direction. Which of course caused delays for Sunday’s arrivals – although to my knowledge people were arriving with only 1.5 to 2 hours added to their journey time.
As we look into February, some of the busiest weeks of the ski season, we can only anticipate that these delays and traffic jams are going to increase as safety checks and clean-up operations continue.
What This Means for Your February Ski Travel
The RN90 is the only direct road to La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Méribel, and Courchevel. While authorities have managed to reopen part of the road, safety checks and clean-up operations are ongoing. If you're heading to La Plagne this month, here’s what you need to be prepared for.
1. Expect Delays and Possible Closures
The RN90 is partially open, but delays are unavoidable. Even on a good day, this road can be slow during peak ski transfer times, and now, with traffic restrictions in place, the congestion is even worse.
What we know:
- Further short-term closures could happen if geologists detect additional risks.
- The busiest times for travel are Saturdays during changeover weekends.
- Road crews are working on securing the cliffside, but this will take time.
Jen’s Tip: If possible, avoid travelling at peak times (Saturday midday) and check real-time updates before setting off.
2. DO NOT Use Sat Navs or Google Maps for Alternative Routes
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, you might be tempted to let Google Maps or your sat nav find a quicker way around the delays. Do not do this. Mapping apps do not understand Alpine terrain and may direct you onto dangerous and completely unsuitable routes.
Drivers have been sent onto ski pistes, impassable farm tracks, and remote mountain service roads that lead to dead ends – or worse, leave them stranded in deep snow. This has happened to me twice: Once on the way up to Courchevel I ended up in a dead-end farm track and the second time in a taxi on the way up to La Plagne when the driver wouldn’t believe me and ended up on a piste in Montalbert.
During this weekend of chaotic road conditions, a driver following Google Maps shortcuts ended up in the middle of the Oxygène snow garden in Plagne Centre! Not what the kids expected to see in their Sunday morning ski lessons.
Not only was this incredibly dangerous, but recovering a car from the snow in a ski resort is difficult, time-consuming, and very expensive. This is not an isolated incident – every winter, drivers who trust their sat navs over local advice find themselves stuck in the snow, blocking ski runs or getting stranded miles from a proper road.
What Should You Do Instead?
- Stick to official roads – even if they’re slow, they are the only safe option.
- Check live road updates from local authorities before you set off.
- If unsure, ask your accommodation provider or ski transfer company for advice – they know the roads far better than any mapping app.
When driving in the Alps, patience is key. Trying to shave a few minutes off your journey with a risky detour is never worth the trouble it can cause.
3. Public Transport: Plan Your Journey Carefully
SNCF Sud Est is boosting its rail offer with almost 4,000 extra seats between Friday 7 and Monday 10 February 2025. Additional trains are planned for the rest of the February school holidays to help with the increase in demand.
If you're taking the train to La Plagne, your closest station to the resort is Aime La Plagne. Currently, train services are running as usual, but onward travel could be affected by road delays. One of the biggest mistakes travellers make is assuming that trains automatically align with taxis or ski transfers – they don’t. Connections can be hit-and-miss, and with the current disruption, transfer services are in even higher demand than usual.
To avoid getting stranded at the station, check your connections in advance and book your transfer as early as possible. For help arranging onward travel, you can find local options in my La PlagneTransfer Directory and La Plagne Taxi Directory.
4. Travelling with Children? Be Prepared for Longer Journeys
If you're heading to La Plagne with children, brace yourself for a long journey. With road disruption in the Tarentaise Valley, what should be a three-hour drive from Geneva could easily stretch to five or six hours. As a mum of three (9 months, 6 and 8), I know firsthand that long travel days with kids can be a challenge – even when everything runs smoothly. Add in unexpected delays, tired children, and slow-moving traffic, and things can unravel quickly if you’re not prepared.
The key? Be proactive, pack wisely, and expect the unexpected.
- Bring plenty of snacks and drinks. Nothing escalates travel stress faster than hungry, grumpy kids when you’re crawling through traffic. Avoid messy snacks (no one wants melted chocolate all over the car seat) and opt for easy-to-eat, slow-releasing energy foods like crackers, bananas, and cereal bars. But don’t get too caught up in being healthy. Go for crowd pleasers as well and get the kids the snacks they actually like and are going to eat! Keep a refillable water bottle handy, too.
- Book a meal or plan a meal for your arrival night. Whether it’s a takeaway booked ahead, arranging with your travel provider, or getting a meal delivered from Huski, get something in place so you know you have one less thing to worry about when you arrive.
- Entertainment is essential. Long car or transfer journeys are much easier with a fully charged tablet, audiobooks, colouring books, or travel games. If your kids get motion sickness (mine do!), opt for podcasts or music instead of screen time. A family playlist or a good storybook on Audible can be a lifesaver.
- Plan toilet breaks ahead of time. In the mountains, service stations are few and far between, and you don’t want to be caught out with a desperate child in a traffic jam. Make sure everyone takes a bathroom break before setting off, and if you're driving, stop at services even if no one needs to go yet – trust me, you’ll be grateful later! I just tell my kids it’s the rule of driving in France/mountains/traffic jams that you have to go to the toilet when possible.
Want more survival tips? I’ve written a full guide on how to entertain children on long ski journeys to help make your trip as stress-free as possible.
Family ski trips are all about creating amazing memories, but getting to the mountains with kids takes a bit of extra patience and planning. Pack well, allow extra time, and if the journey starts to feel endless. Just remember, the fresh mountain air and snowy slopes at the end of it will be worth it!
Where to Get Up-to-Date Travel Information
With the situation evolving daily, staying informed is key to making your journey as smooth as possible. Here’s where you can find the latest updates and real-time advice from people on the ground.
La Plagne Fans 24/25 Facebook Group
This Facebook group is an absolute goldmine for real-time experiences from fellow travellers. People are sharing everything from current road conditions and delays to spaces in transfers and alternative travel tips. If you’re heading to La Plagne soon, it’s worth keeping an eye on this group and even posting your own questions – you’ll often get answers quicker than from official sources.
La Plagne Resort Information Page
It might have taken the La Plagne resort a few days to put some information together, but they do now have a page that you can head to to get the latest news from the ski resort. You can also choose to follow the news updates in real time.
That’s La Plagne Instagram
I’ll be posting regular travel updates in my Instagram Stories throughout the weekend, covering road conditions, transfer news, and what’s happening in resort. I’m also in my DMs answering questions and helping out where I can – so if you’re unsure about anything, feel free to reach out.
Live Road Updates
For official road status updates from the Savoie authorities, this is the best place to look. They provide real-time information on closures, delays, and traffic conditions on the RN90 and other key mountain roads.
Live Traffic Webcams
Want to see the traffic for yourself before you set off? These live webcams show current conditions on key roads leading up to the ski resorts. If you’re debating whether to delay your journey or find an alternative route, this can give you a visual on what’s happening right now.
By keeping an eye on these sources, you’ll be able to make smarter travel decisions and avoid unnecessary headaches on your way to La Plagne. Safe travels, and see you soon in the mountains!
Should You Change Your Travel Plans?
At this stage, there’s no need to cancel your ski holiday – it’s really not that bad! But if you’re heading to La Plagne this February, you need to expect delays and plan ahead. The RN90 is partially open, but ongoing safety work means there could be further disruptions. Whether you're driving or taking public transport, the key to a smooth journey is flexibility, preparation, and staying informed.
Driving? Allow Extra Time & Check Road Conditions
If you’re driving to La Plagne, factor in extra travel time and check road conditions before leaving. A trip that might normally take 2-3 hours from Geneva could take 5-6 hours or more if traffic backs up. Have snow chains or winter tyres fitted (you don’t want to be that car holding up the road because you weren’t prepared). Plus, it’s the law to have snow tyres in the mountains.
Fill up with fuel before you hit the mountains – traffic jams and slow-moving traffic can eat into your fuel reserves more than you’d expect. The advice from the La Plagne REsort team is to have:
- Arriving: 150 km fuel when passing Albertville on the way to La Plagne
- Departing: 150 km fuel when leaving Aime La Plagne
Best advice? Avoid travelling on Saturdays if you can. This is already the busiest transfer day of the week, and with current disruptions, it’s even worse. If possible, can you leave a day earlier? Arriving on Friday and staying an extra night near the resort could make your journey far smoother. Sundays are calmer than Saturdays but still expect some congestion.
Taking Public Transport? Double-Check Connections
Train services to Moûtiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice are still running, but with delays on the roads, it’s vital to make sure your train links up with your transfer or taxi. Not all train arrivals align perfectly with ski transfers, and with the road disruption, last-minute taxis are hard to find.
Speak to Your Holiday Provider for Advice
Your hotel, chalet, or apartment provider knows the area better than anyone, and they want you to arrive as smoothly as possible. If you’re unsure about the best way to travel, ask them for suggestions – they might recommend an alternative route or an extra night's stay to avoid peak travel times. Many accommodations also have direct contact with transfer companies, so they may be able to give you the most up-to-date travel information.
Stay in Touch with Your Transfer and Travel Providers
Whether you’re using a shared shuttle, private transfer, or train service, stay in touch with your provider before you travel. They might not tell you what you want to hear, but they have the best information at hand about delays, alternative routes, and possible disruptions. If you’re waiting for a transfer at Moûtiers or Aime, be prepared for potential delays and check in with your provider before setting off.
Looking Ahead: Will Travel Improve Later in February?
If you're travelling later in the month, the situation will improve as the authorities work to stabilise the cliffside and fully reopen the RN90. However, rockfall clearance and safety checks are unpredictable, so keep checking updates before your departure. If your travel dates are flexible, avoiding peak Saturdays later in February could still make a huge difference to your journey time.
That's La Plagne & February Travel
The RN90 rockfall has thrown a curveball into February travel plans, but with a bit of patience and the right preparation, you’ll still make it to the mountains. Stay informed, stick to official routes, and be ready for a longer journey – but once you arrive, it’ll all be worth it. Fresh snow, mountain slopes, and an unforgettable ski holiday in La Plagne are still waiting for you.
See you on the slopes.
