That's La Plagne
Finding La Plagne's Quiet Ski Slopes In Peak Weeks
In the Tarentaise mountains of the French Alps lies my home, La Plagne. One of the largest ski resorts in the French Alps. We live here for a variety of reasons: the huge ski area, the great snow conditions help! But one of the best reasons is that it is less popular than some of the neighbouring resorts like Val d’Isere and Meribel. Even amidst the hustle of peak holiday seasons, you can still find empty slopes and untouched off-piste and backcountry to explore.
Drawing from years of skiing these slopes, I've gathered precious insights to guide you to the quieter ski areas of La Plagne. So even during the busiest of February half-term weeks, you can find quiet slopes to explore.
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Expert Tips for Peaceful Skiing in La Plagne
Before I give away all the goods for the best areas and ski slopes to head to, here are some tried and tested ways to keep flexible with your planning and always hunt out the best places to head to. And if you want to dive into these in more detail, you can check out my recent post, all about how to find the quietest ski slopes in peak weeks.
- Embrace Early Mornings and Late Afternoons: The untouched beauty of the slopes can best be enjoyed first thing in the morning and then the last hour before the lifts close. These times offer quieter pistes and the joy of skiing in peace.
- Explore Remote Sectors: For those seeking peace and quiet, certain areas of La Plagne are less frequented and offer the serene skiing experience you desire. My top picks include:
- Montchavin and Les Coches: Ideal for families, these sectors provide a variety of runs that remain relatively quiet, even during peak times.
- Champagny-en-Vanoise: The best kept La Plagne secret, Champagny offers access to some of La Plagne's most breathtaking and peaceful slopes. The area is known for its beautiful settings and provides a quieter alternative with pistes that cater to various skill levels.
- Plagne Montalbert: With its picturesque tree-lined runs, Plagne Montalbert is often overlooked by the crowds, offering a tranquil skiing experience amidst nature.
- Lunchtime is Prime Time: Take advantage of the quieter slopes while others break for lunch. Skiing during this time allows you to enjoy the pistes with fewer skiers around, followed by a more relaxed dining experience afterwards.
- Seek Local Advice: Engaging with locals or resort staff can provide you with the latest recommendations for quiet skiing spots. Their knowledge is invaluable for finding those peaceful pistes away from the crowds.
- Timing is Everything: Aim to ski at the edges of the peak holiday period. The days just before or after the main rush can see significantly fewer skiers on the slopes.
- Ski During Events: Major events in La Plagne can draw crowds away from the slopes and towards the festivities. Use these times to enjoy quieter skiing conditions.
9 of La Plagne's Quietest Slopes
Firstly, so you know where I'm talking about, here's a link to the La Plagne and Paradiski Piste Map.
Montalbert's Forest Runs
Sheltered and serene, these runs are perfect for families seeking a peaceful day on the slopes. Plus, as most people staying in Montalbert head up and out into the larger La Plagne piste map, if you head over and down, you’ll find quieter, peaceful slopes and few to no lift lines.
Check out the following Montalbert pistes:
- Montalbert
- Gentil
- Lutins – great for younger kids with lots of wooden statues of magical creatures along the sides of the piste.
There’s also a great restaurant here to try, Le Forperet. It’s a small working farm, with a classic Savoyard menu and a super sunny terrace. It’s good for adults but also great for families and kids to meet the farm animals.
Champagny's Vast Quiet Slopes
For a tranquil retreat, the slopes around Champagny-en-Vanoise offer less crowded skiing with stunning views of the Vanoise National Park. It's an excellent spot for those looking to escape the busier parts of La Plagne.
My main warning however, would be to avoid the Verdons Sud chairlift just before lunch or at the end of day (12-1230 and 330 – 4 pm) This is the main feeder lift for skiers heading back to the other La Plagne villages, so it gets super busy! But if you come by only 30 mins later, you’d be amazed to find it almost empty!
Check out these blue pistes:
4. Crepines
5. Rossa
6. Serac
They are all accessible of the Rossa chairlift and take you back to the foot of the chairlift. So you can session them over and over. They are wide, cruisy pistes with great snow coverage.
A top tip for Champagny is to also check out the Roc des Blanchets restaurant for a great sunny lunch spot. Perfect for families and adults.
Montchavin's Hidden Slopes
Skiing to Montchavin is often taken over by those shooting over to Les Arcs on the Vanoise. So you’ll often find a lot of traffic early morning between 9 – 1030 am. However, after this, the slopes heading down from the Arpette chairlift all the way into Montchavin and Les Coches are all pretty quiet.
Imagine gentle slopes, treelined slopes and scenic views. All making Montchavin ideally suited for beginners and families.
Plus, Montchavin is also home to the La Plagne Riders Nation snow park. So if you do fancy venturing into the jumps and rails, this is where you want to be!
Check out these pistes in Montchavin:
7. Mont Blanc
8. Pierres Blanches
9. Myrtilles
A good tip to remember is if you’re heading back up and over to the rest of La Plagne, you can always take the drag lift, Plan Leschaux, which rarely has a line.
That's La Plagne & Quiet Slopes
And there you go! You’re now armed with my insider knowledge! Hopefully, you're well-prepared to uncover the peaceful pistes of La Plagne. And will know how to find a quiet spot on the slopes.
By exploring these recommended areas and following the tips provided, you're set for a ski holiday filled with peaceful moments and beautiful skiing.
And if you need the peak season dates for 2024/25, you can find them here.
See you on the slopes!
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