That's La Plagne
Christmas Ski Holidays in La Plagne
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CHRISTMAS IN LA PLAGNE
If you've ever dreamt of a Christmas that combines the enchantment of the holiday season with the thrill of skiing, then a Christmas family ski holiday in La Plagne is your perfect festive escape.
When the Alpine resorts transform into a winter wonderland, they resemble scenes straight out of a Christmas card. The ski slopes adorned with picturesque Christmas trees, delicately dusted in fresh snow, create a magical ambiance that extends beyond the typical holiday setting.
In this guide, I've pulled together all the La Plagne Christmas information that you need. From a list of the absolute best activities to indulge in while spending Christmas in La Plagne, to the cosiest places to enjoy Christmas dinner and also how to save some money on your Christmas ski holiday budget.
And if you're contemplating a Christmas ski adventure, I'll help you navigate through the crucial questions you need to ask yourself before embarking on this festive journey. Get ready to make your family ski holiday in La Plagne a cherished Christmas memory!
WHAT'S THE LA PLAGNE SNOW LIKE AT CHRISTMAS?
You might already be aware that La Plagne is a ‘snow sure' ski resort. If you don't know what this means, check out my article, all about La Plagne.
But, put simply, La Plagne is one of the highest resorts in the alps, meaning that it gets the best, or more reliable, snow conditions in the region.
Whilst it's impossible to guarantee amazing snow conditions for Christmas in La Plagne, I have lived here for nearly 20 years and always had a satisfyingly white Christmas!
Of course, there will be lower snow seasons and some winters with heavy snowfall for Christmas. However, it does seem to be a trend that we get heavy snowfall over the Christmas and New Year weeks.
When it comes to the weather and temperature, December in La Plagne is not as cold as January skiing. However, it is likely that it will snow whilst you are in La Plagne – which is awesome! But it does mean you need to pack for a variety of weather. Check out my packing guide for more tips on this.
Jens Top Tips: Throughout the winter, I do a weekly snow report video, with a 60-second rundown on the pistes, off-piste and life queues etc. You can find it on the That's La Plagne Instagram page.
LA PLAGNE CHRISTMAS EVENT SCHEDULE
When you're in a ski resort with your family at Christmas, the ski resort managers go all out to make the week as much fun as possible!
In La Plagne, there will be various events happening in each village. Here is the full La Plagne Christmas 2023 event rundown so you don't miss a thing!
Experience the magic of Christmas at La Plagne from 23 to 25 December. Come and enjoy this magical moment with your family in a warm and magical atmosphere. Santa's laughter and musical entertainment will enchant you for unforgettable memories.
Saturday 23 December
1pm at Belle Plagne: Surprise parade of elves through the mountain resorts
- 1.30pm at Plagne Bellecote: Surprise parade of elves through the mountain resorts
- 2.30pm at Plagne Villages: Surprise appearance by the elves in the mountain resorts
- 3.15pm at Plagne Soleil: Surprise visit by the elves to the mountain resorts
- 4pm at Plagne 1800: Surprise visit by the elves to the mountain resorts
- 5.30pm – 7pm at Plagne Aime 2000: Christmas make-up for children
- 4.45pm – 5.15pm at Plagne Centre : Parade of the batucadence elves
- 5.30pm – 7.30pm at Plagne Centre: Father Christmas receives his mail and takes a photo with him in his chalet – free hot drinks
- 5.45pm – 6.15pm at Plagne Bellecote: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 18h45 – 19h15 at Belle Plagne: Parade of elves batucadence
Sunday 24 December
- 10.30am – 12.30pm at Plagne centre: Mail delivery to Father Christmas and photo with him in his chalet.
- 2pm – 3.30pm at Plagne villages: Christmas make-up for children
- 1.15pm – 1.45pm at Plagne 1800: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 2.45pm – 3.15pm at Plagne Aime 2000: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 3.45pm – 4.15pm at Plagne Villages: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 4.30pm – 6.15pm at Belle Plagne: Reindeer ball with Plagnou, snacks and hot drinks provided, followed by the Parade des lutins batucadence.
- 4.45pm – 5.15pm at Plagne Bellecote: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 16h30 – 18h30 at Plagne centre : Family photo with Father Christmas, in his chalet with music by the Xmas girls, accompanied by a fondue tasting session and the Plagne Fire Brigade refreshment bar.
- 6pm at the Salle Omnisports in Plagne Centre: Christmas Mass
Monday 25 December
- 9.45 am at Belle Plagne: Father Christmas and his elves on wheelchair skis visit the high altitude resorts in the ski area and on the snow fronts
- 10.30 am at Plagne Bellecote: Father Christmas and his elves on wheelchair skis around the high altitude resorts on the ski area and snow fronts
- 11.15 am at Plagne Soleil: Father Christmas and his elves on wheelchair skis around the high altitude resorts on the ski area and snow fronts
- 12pm Plagne villages: Father Christmas and his elves on wheelchair skis around the high altitude resorts on the ski area and snow fronts
- 12pm-12.20pm Plagne Centre: Christmas geese brass band parade
- 1.45pm at Plagne 1800 Tour of Father Christmas and his elves on wheelchair skis around the high altitude resorts in the ski area and on the snow fronts
- 1.30pm-1.50pm at Plagne Aime 2000: the Christmas Geese Fanfare takes to the streets
- 1.45pm-2.15pm at Plagne Bellecote: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 2.45pm- 3.15pm at Belle Plagne: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 3pm at Plagne Aime 2000 Tour of Father Christmas and his elves on wheelchair skis around the high altitude resorts in the ski area and on the snow fronts
- 3.45pm – 4.15pm at Plagne Soleil: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 4.15pm-4.35pm at Plagne Bellecote: Parade of the Christmas Geese Fanfare
- 4 p.m. at Plagne centre: Last stop on the tour of Father Christmas and his elves on wheelchair skis, arriving at Place du Chaudron to join the Mother Christmas tea party at Place Perrière, ending at 4.45 p.m. with the parade of batucadence elves who will guide you to the Jean Luc Crétier slalom stadium, where the Christmas torchlight parade will take place at 5.15 p.m., topped off by a grand fireworks display.
- 5.45pm – 6.15pm at Plagne Soleil: Parade of the batucadence elves
- 17h30-17h50 at Belle Plagne: Fanfare of the Christmas geese
Jens Top Tips: There is a weekly event planner from the La Plagne team. You will find it at your accommodation, but I also try to cover everything on my social media pages for you as well. That's La Plagne Instagram page.
Christmas Magic in Montalbert
HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHEN BOOKING A CHRISTMAS SKI HOLIDAY
There is no way around it, skiing at Christmas means heading to La Plagne during a peak ski week. However, there are some ways to try and reduce or limit your costs. Here are my tops tips:
- Book your trip as early as possible to get early bird discounts. This is a good one for those that need specific accommodations, resorts or travel times.
- Book last minute – if resort or accommodation is less important to you, then last-minute deals can be very attractive.
- Whilst on holiday, contact your holiday provider and tell them you'll book for next Christmas if they honour this year's price. You'd be amazed how often this works!
- Look at self-catered options. Whilst a traditional Christmas dinner might be a must for some. If you're open to doing things differently, book self-catered and head out for Christmas lunch.
- Look at French Immobillier sites, basically French estate agencies. They have a lot of apartments, residencies and chalets that aren't often advertised to the UK market.
- Book as many things in advance as possible: from travel to lessons, lift passes, après activities and restaurants.
If saving money on your family Christmas holiday is one of your top concerns, check out my popular articles around ski holiday hacking and how to find the best ski deals, from accommodation to travel and more.
FAMILY CHRISTMAS SKI HOLIDAY - THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Having kids around at Christmas makes it truly magical. Before I had my 2 children, I used to love the Christmas weeks in my hotel and welcoming all the kids on Christmas morning.
However, if you've usually stayed at home for Christmas, then there are some things you need to put into place before heading on a Christmas ski holiday.
- Family Christmas traditions. Think about what will travel and what won't. Make sure your kids are forewarned about what to expect. If they are expecting the dreaded elf of the shelf to be on the ski holiday and you haven't packed it, you're in for trouble!
- Christmas gifts. With limited packing space, it is likely that most of your gifts won't come with you. So, how will you handle this? Also, if you're looking for alpine and ski holiday Christmas gifts, check out my recent blog post for ideas and gift guides.
- Ski lessons over Christmas. If you and the kids are in ski school, lessons run as usual over Christmas, However, you might choose not to drop them off. Totally fine, but think to let the ski school know otherwise they'll be waiting on you.
- Finding ski lessons in peak weeks can be difficult! Try to be as organised as possible and book in advance. The more popular sessions are in the mornings, with the afternoon sessions quieter – but still in high demand over Christmas – and New Year weeks.
NON-SKIING CHRISTMAS FUN
Christmas ski holidays aren't just about skiing – which seems silly to say! But holidays in the mountains are also about enjoying an alpine lifestyle. There are lots of non-skiing activities to enjoy at Christmas:
- La Plagne bobsleigh – the only place in France where you can ride on a professional bobsleigh track!
- Ski-doo and Moon Bikes. Moon Bikes are basically electric ski doos and are more environmentally friendly and quieter.
- Winter eBikes – available after the pistes are closed.
- Parapenting – There are various take-off points, Grande Rochette above Plagne Centre and Roche de Mio above Belle Plagne are the 2 main ones.
- Husky dog sledging – is an amazing activity to do with young children.
- Ice skating – Plagne Centre and Belle Cote. A lot of fun, and they have carts and baby skates for little ones. I was able to take my 2 children from the age of 2.
- Winter sauna and beauty spas. The Deep Nature spa in Belle Plagne is pretty great and has separate family and adults-only spaces.
- Swimming pools
- Sledding and bum-boarding. Each village in La Plagne has a safe sledding area set up for younger children.
CHRISTMAS & RELIGION
Whilst there is the main church in Plagne Centre, just after the lift pass office. The Christmas mass is held in the Salle Omnisports, which is much larger and can accommodate the crowds for the Christmas service.
The service is usually around 18h on Christmas eve, although check the La Plagne weekly news to confirm this.
The Salle Omnisports is in Plagne Centre, just below the main bus station, opposite the zip line from Aime 2000.
CHRISTMAS APRÈS PARTIES
Christmas is, of course, centred around children. However, you might be looking for some adult-only après events and parties.
As Christmas weeks are peak, more expensive weeks due to the children's holidays. This, in turn, means that most bars après are actually quieter than in off-peak weeks. Which can be great because you'll always find a seat! But it can mean that the atmosphere is calmer than you might expect.
You'll still find the usual live bands for après in places like La Mine in Plagne 1800, La Tete Inn in Belle Côte, and evening parties in Saloon/Bodega in Belle Plagne, and Bowling Bar in Plagne Centre.
Generally speaking, Christmas Eve is a big party for all the seasonal and hospitality workers. But Christmas day is pretty quiet everywhere as most staff will be working hard to provide Christmas dinner. And most guests will relax and enjoy Christmas in their accommodations.
AND THAT'S LA PLAGNE & SKIING HOLIDAYS AT CHRISTMAS!
I'd love to know what you think. Do you usually head to the mountains for a Christmas ski holiday? Or perhaps you're thinking about doing it for the first time?
What are you worried about? Or, what are you most excited about? Drop me a message below and let's see if I can help or put your mind at ease!
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