That's La Plagne
Exploring La Plagne's Summer Bike Lifts: A Local's Perspective
What is Mountain Biking like in La Plagne?
La Plagne boasts an extensive network of mountain biking trails that cater to all skill levels. From gentle forest paths to adrenaline-pumping downhill descents, there's something for everyone. The diverse terrain, including meadows, forests, and rugged slopes, provides a thrilling backdrop for bikers of all ages to explore.
La Plagne is one of the smaller mountain bike resorts in the French Alps. If you are an advanced mountain bike rider, you might be happier heading to:
- Morzine or Portes du Soleil
- Tignes
However, La Plagne is great if you are looking for a quieter mountain bike holiday, with fewer riders on the bike pistes. Or if you are a nervous or beginner mountain bike rider or looking to teach your children how to mountain bike.
As a local parent living in La Plagne, I'm happy to tell you about the wonderful experiences families and mountain biking enthusiasts can have during the summer season. La Plagne is not only known for its winter activities but also offers plenty of exciting things to do during the warmer months, including thrilling mountain biking adventures.
In this article, I'll provide you with useful information about the summer bike lifts in La Plagne so that you can plan a memorable family outing in the beautiful French Alps.
PLUS, save this digital copy of the La Plagne summer bike park map for when you need it!
Get the inside track today with the top family ski tips, insider reviews, and free giveaways.
What Dates Do the Summer Mountain Bike Lifts Open in La Plagne 2024?
The summer mountain bike lifts in La Plagne are open from June 29th 2024 to August 31st 2024. During this period, visitors can make the most of the stunning weather and enjoy the breathtaking vistas as they embark on exciting mountain biking adventures.
What Times Do the Mountain Bike Lifts Open in La Plagne 2023?
There are some different timings for when the La Plagne mountain bike lifts are open, so have a look at the table below. Be aware, some bike lifts close for lunch, and others stay open all day. Generally, however, the mountain bike lifts in La Plagne are open from 9 am to 5 pm every day.
Is Mountain Biking Good for Beginners in La Plagne?
Absolutely! La Plagne offers a variety of trails suitable for beginners. These trails are designed with safety in mind, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for newcomers to the sport. From gentle descents to wide, well-maintained paths, beginners can build their confidence and develop their skills amidst the stunning alpine scenery.
If you’re familiar with the piste colours for skiing, then you’re in luck because the same colour grading system is used for mountain biking. The Enduro trails are marked with specific colours indicating the level of difficulty (blue, red, black), as well as the trail name and number.
However, the level of the bike pistes jumps dramatically from blue to red or black: expect jumps, drop-offs, and narrow planks to ride across on the red or black pistes. You will often see jumps on blue mountain bike pistes, but there is always a ‘chicken run’ to the side of the jumps so that you can opt out (like me!) if you want to.
Can Children Mountain Bike in La Plagne?
La Plagne warmly welcomes children to experience the joys of mountain biking. The resort offers family-friendly trails that are specifically designed for younger riders. These trails provide a mix of fun and adventure while ensuring the safety of your little ones. Children will be captivated by the beauty of their surroundings as they pedal through the breathtaking landscapes of La Plagne.
Children do need to be confident riding their bikes and able to control their speed and use their breaks confidently. Be aware that if you are planning on taking the chairlift with your children:
- They will need a lift pass to ride the chair lift (free for 5 and younger)
- Kids’ bikes to fit onto the carrier on the chairlift – the lift workers will help you put the bikes on the lift.
- Kids will be using their breaks a lot on the ride back down, and it is tiring! So be prepared to stop a lot along the way. For example, when I first started doing the easy green pistes with Odin (6 years old), it would take us about 30 mins in total. Plus plenty of snack breaks and photo stops.
How Many Lifts are Open in La Plagne in Summer for Mountain Biking?
During the summer season, La Plagne opens several lifts to facilitate mountain biking enthusiasts. In total, there are 15 mountain bike lifts open in La Plagne in the summer. However, as you can see from the below timetable, the exact number will vary over the week, but you can expect a selection of chairlifts and gondolas to operate, offering convenient access to the mountain biking trails. These lifts not only provide an effortless ascent to higher altitudes but also grant riders the chance to appreciate the awe-inspiring panoramas that La Plagne has to offer.
- Montchavin Les Coches mountain bike lifts
- Lac Noir gondola
- Bijolin chair lift
- Les Coches Gondola (free)
- Telebuffet (free)
- Vanoise Express
- Champagny en Vanoise
- Champagny gondola
- Verdons Sud chair lift
- Montalbert
- Montalbert gondola
- Plagne Centre mountain bike lifts
- Colorado chair lift
- Bergerie chair lift (Plagne Centre)
- Funiplagne Grande Rochette
- Plagne Bellecôte
- Colosses chair lift (Plagne Bellecôte)
- Interstation
- Télémetro (free)
- Belle Plagne télécabine (free)
- Télébus (free)
Can you take a mountain bike on the La Plagne bus?
Yes, you can take a mountain bike on the La Plagne bus. Plus, the shuttle bus is free. The bus service in La Plagne is bike-friendly and allows passengers to secure their mountain bikes to the rack on the back of the bus. This is quite straightforward to do, but it does take some strength and balance. Just ask the driver for help if you can’t do it yourself. Kids’ bikes can just go onto the bus.
This is a convenient option if you want to transport your bike to different locations within La Plagne or explore the surrounding areas. Especially if you are staying in Plagne 1800, as there are no bike lifts open to connect you to the other La Plagne resorts, and you are reliant on the free shuttle bus. Just make sure to inform the bus driver and secure your mountain bike properly to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers during the journey.
Does La Plagne have summer webcams for mountain biking?
Absolutely! Using La Plagne’s weather webcams to plan your bike holiday is a great idea. La Plagne's live web cams provide real-time visuals of the current weather conditions in various locations around La Plagne, helping you make informed decisions. You can check the webcam footage to see if the weather is favourable for biking, such as clear skies and dry trails. It allows you to gauge the temperature, precipitation, and visibility, ensuring a safe and enjoyable biking experience. By relying on weather webcams, you can plan your bike routes and choose the best times to hit the trails, making the most out of your La Plagne Mountain bike holiday.
Does La Plagne have a bike pump track?
Yes, La Plagne does have a bike pump track! Located in Plagne Bellecôte, just to the side of the Chalet de Colossus restaurant, it offers both a separate easy green track for beginners and a larger, more challenging blue and red track. Whether you're a beginner or more experienced rider, you can enjoy the thrill of riding the pump track and hone your biking skills. It's a fantastic facility for bike enthusiasts in La Plagne to have fun and improve their techniques.
If you want to head further afield, there is a pump track in Aime La Plagne, in the valley. It is just off the main road and alongside the cycle track.
Then, there is a third pump track in Bourg St Maurice, this is the biggest one of all 3. If you head towards the funicular heading up to Les Arcs, you will find it. There is also a new skate park in Bourg St Maurice here that opened in 2023.
Does La Plagne have a mountain bike park?
Yes, there is a bike park in La Plagne called the Colorado Bike Park, and it is open 7 days a week throughout the summer. It is carefully maintained and looked after by five attentive bike patrollers throughout the summer season.
This bike park is highly regarded and cherished by downhill enthusiasts who return time and again for its exciting offerings. One of the great aspects of this park is that it welcomes the entire family. It features a variety of trails with different difficulty levels, ranging from green to black runs. This means that both beginners and experienced riders can have a blast exploring the park and enjoying their biking adventures.
You can get to the La Plagne bike park from Plagne Centre on the Colorado or Bergerie chairlift. And from Plagne Bellecôte, take the Colossus chairlift.
Are There Any Summer Mountain Biking Competitions in La Plagne?
Yes, every summer, La Plagne hosts the Super 8 electric mountain bike race over 3 days from the 12 – 14th of July 2024. The 2 main races are:
- The Grand8 is the star race reserved for e-MTB experts. In the form of a tour of La Plagne, the race covers 100 km over 2 days, starting and finishing in Champagny-en-Vanoise with an overnight bivouac in the valley.
- The Double8 is the perfect race for amateur riders. 4 circuits that all start and finish in Plagne Bellecôte. The circuits are of varying levels of difficulty, and you decide how many you want to ride, either on an MTB or e-MTB, solo or in relay teams of 2:
- 1 = 23km
- 2 = 46km
- 3 = 71 km
- 4 = 82 km.
For summer 2024, there will also be:
- Discovery rides: Sunset ride and a Gourmet ride
- The Super Kids Races: for children aged 2 to 15, on balance bikes, mountain bikes or enduro bikes, there is something for all your little champions!
- La Grimpée [Climb] de la Plagne. A straight climb with 21 hairpin bends from the valley to Plagne Centre.
- The Simple8 is the discovery version of the Double8 in a non-competitive format. Open to the general public on a MTB or e-MTB, the course covers the first two circuits of the real race.
The Super8 competitions attract both amateurs and professionals alike, offering a fantastic opportunity to witness extraordinary displays of skill and passion.
Find out more about the La Plagne Super 8 competitions and all the rides in this full review.
How Much Are Summer Lift Passes in La Plagne?
The cost of summer lift passes in La Plagne varies depending on the duration and type of pass you choose. There are options for day passes, multi-day or week passes, and season passes. Children under 6 get a free pass, and children aged 6 to 12 years old get a reduced-rate bike lift pass. You will need to provide ID to confirm their age when you buy the mountain bike lift pass.
You can buy La Plagne mountain bike lift passes from the pass offices in:
- Les Coches
- Montalbert
- Plagne Centre – next to the Colorado chairlift
- Bellecôte – next to the Bellecôte gondola
Is there any e-biking in La Plagne?
Absolutely! La Plagne offers e-biking opportunities that are perfect for exploring the stunning scenery with a little extra pedal power. With the rise in popularity of e-bikes, La Plagne has embraced this trend and provides various e-biking options for riders of all levels.
You can rent e-bikes from local shops or bike rental services in the area. These electric bikes come equipped with a motor that assists you while pedalling, making it easier to tackle hills and cover longer distances. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty of La Plagne without worrying too much about physical exertion.
La Plagne boasts a network of e-bike-friendly trails and routes, and also e-spot areas with fun terrain specifically designed for e-mountain-biking. The dedicated e-bike trails allow you to explore the mountains, valleys, and forests with ease. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, there are routes suited to your skill level, offering a mix of scenic views and thrilling descents. If you have a look at the La Plagne summer bike map, the E-bike pistes and routes are marked out separately to the classic mountain biking pistes.
E-biking in La Plagne allows you to venture farther and discover hidden gems while enjoying the freedom and exhilaration of riding through nature. It's a fun and environmentally-friendly way to explore the area and make lasting memories.
So, if you're looking to experience the beauty of La Plagne on two wheels with the added boost of an e-bike, you're in for a treat. Rent an e-bike, hit the trails, and embark on an unforgettable e-biking adventure in La Plagne!
Where are the e-bike charging points in La Plagne?
In La Plagne, you can find e-bike charging stations conveniently located at various partner restaurants throughout the resort. These charging stations are designed to ensure that you have access to power to recharge your e-bike batteries when needed. Each restaurant is equipped with the standard Yahaha and Bosch charging. These are the La Plagne summer restaurants with e-bike chargers:
- Le Chalet des Verdons Sud – Champagny en Vanoise
- Restaurant Le 360 – Le Montalbert
- Créperie Le Flocon – Plagne Bellecôte
- Chez Laurette – Chalet de Plan Bois
- Restaurant Le Dou Du Praz – Plagne Soleil
- Restaurant Le Forperet – Plagne Montalbert
- La Face Nord – Belle Plagne
- Restaurant La Bovate – Montchavin Les Coches
- Le Chalet Friolin – Montchavin Les Coches
It's a good idea to plan your routes accordingly and ask for information at the tourist information centers or bike rental shops. Additionally, you may want to carry a charger with you in case you need to charge your e-bike at a standard power outlet if a dedicated charging station is not available.
By utilizing these charging stations, you can ensure that your e-bike is powered up and ready to go, allowing you to enjoy the e-biking experience in La Plagne to the fullest.
That’s La Plagne and the summer mountain biking scene in La Plagne
La Plagne's summer bike lifts offer an incredible opportunity for families and mountain biking enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature's playground. With a vast network of trails suitable for all skill levels, the resort ensures that everyone can enjoy the thrill of mountain biking amidst the breathtaking alpine scenery. From beginners to children, La Plagne caters to a wide range of riders, fostering a welcoming and exhilarating environment. So, gear up, embrace the thrill, and embark on a remarkable adventure on the two wheels of freedom in La Plagne!
PIN THIS POST TO SAVE FOR LATER
2 Responses