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Where is La Plagne?
La Plagne is a French ski resort located in the Tarentaise valley, in the Savoie region of France.Â
Since 2003, La Plagne has been joined together with the Les Arcs ski resort to make the Paradiski ski area. The two resorts are connected together by The Vanoise Express, the largest cable car in the world, which has 2 cabins that alternate and carry up to 201 people across the valley.
La Plagne Coordinates: 45.5064°N 6.67722°E
The title of the biggest ski resort in the world is often hotly contested, depending on whether you count the number of pistes, skiable km or overall acreage. BUT…
The Paradiski ski area is one of the biggest in Europe and the second-biggest linked ski area in the world. In total, there are 425kms of skiable pistes and 160 lifts.Â
Read this recent article to find out everything you need to know about how to get to La Plagne.
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What Height/Altitude is La Plagne?
La Plagne is considered a high-altitude resort, with only Tignes and Val Thorens offering higher peaks in the French Alps.Â
The whole of the La Plagne resort ranges from 1250m above sea level (asl) in MontChavin Les Coches up to the top of the Bellecôte Glacier at 3250m asl.Â
That La Plagne is a high-altitude resort means it often gets called a ‘snow sure ski resort‘. Basically, this means that the higher resorts generally enjoy better and longer snow seasons than their neighbouring resorts. It often means that they enjoy longer ski seasons, with better quality snow conditions, both on and off-piste.Â
This means you can feel pretty confident booking a ski holiday in La Plagne at any time of year.
If you'd like to know more about what to expect in La Plagne at different times of the year, have a look at my winter guide.
Which Villages are in La Plagne?
La Plagne is made up of several different villages and resort areas, each with its own unique character and offerings. The La Plagne towns are classically grouped into 2 sections: the La Plagne altitude villages and the La Plagne valley villages:Â
La Plagne altitude villages
Plagne Centre: This is considered the heart of La Plagne and is a central hub for the resort. It has a range of accommodations, shops, restaurants, and access to the ski slopes.
Aime 2000: Located at a slightly higher elevation than Plagne Centre, Aime 2000 offers various lodging options and access to the ski slopes.
Plagne Bellecôte: This area is known for its convenience and access to the Bellecôte glacier. It's a popular starting point for various ski adventures.
- Belle Plagne: Just above Plagne Bellecôte, it's often considered the prettiest of the La Plagne altitude villages.
Plagne Villages: Plagne Villages is a quieter and more residential area within the resort, offering a range of accommodations.
Plagne Soleil: Plagne Soleil is like the second half of Plagne Villages and is known for its sunny slopes and beautiful views.
Plagne 1800: This area is named for its altitude of 1800 meters and provides a mix of accommodations and amenities. Plagne 1800 is a real hub for UK tour operators.
Then, there are the valley villages:
Plagne Montalbert: Montalbert is a charming village with traditional Alpine architecture and access to the ski area.
- Montchavin & Les Coches: are actually 2 separate villages, but they are so close to one another to run together with shared amenities and facilities.
Champagny en Vanoise: Champagny is connected to La Plagne via the ski network, but the road access is actually closer to the 3 Valleys ski road access.
La Plagne is part of the larger Paradiski ski area, which includes Les Arcs as well. The two are connected by the Vanoise Express cable car, making for a vast skiing area with diverse terrain.
You can learn more about the individual La Plagne villages in my village break-down here.
La Plagne Ski-In/Ski-Out ski resort
Firstly, what does ski-in/ski-out mean? Simply, you can ski to and from your front door.Â
“Ski-in/ski-out” is a term commonly used in the context of ski resorts and accommodations. It refers to the convenience of being able to access the ski slopes directly from your ski chalet or accommodations without the need for additional transportation – or walking!
Ski-In means that you can ski directly to your front door from the slopes. You can finish your day of skiing and ski all the way back to your doorstep or a designated access point, making it very convenient. Essentially, you don't need to use any other form of transportation (such as a car or shuttle) to get back to your lodging after a day of skiing.
Ski-in/ski-out accommodations are highly desirable for skiers and snowboarders because they offer maximum convenience. It means you can spend more time on the slopes and less time getting to and from the ski areas.Â
Traditionally, being able to book ski-in / ski-out accommodation has brought certain bragging rights! It's seen as a status symbol that you've been able to afford such accommodation because, yes, ski-in/out chalets or apartments are typically more expensive than accommodations located farther from the slopes. Â Due to their prime location and convenience.
Well, the good news is that La Plagne is a ‘purpose-built' ski resort. And whilst purpose-built ski resorts might not be chocolate-box pretty when compared to other ski resorts, the benefit is that the vast majority of accommodations are on the snow. So, even if you are staying in a residence or apartment block, your front door will be on the pistes – perfect.Â
La Plagne History
As mentioned above, La Plagne is a purpose-built ski resort. This means it was not a village before it was a ski resort.
The ski resort was created in 1961 with the building of a new road to a previously inaccessible ski area. The doors officially opened on the 24th of December 1961 with 2 drag lifts for 4 pistes!Â
Some other fun facts:
- La Plagne 1800 was a small mining village. You can see this around the resort, from the La Mine bar in Plagne 1800 to the mining museum in Plagne Centre – just above the central bus station.Â
- Émile Allais, a famous French ski champion, not only founded the Ecole du Ski Francais – ESF ski school, but he also became the technical director of the resort.
- The bobsleigh track, which departs just below Plagne 1800, opened in 1991 but was built for the 1992 Albertville Olympics. It is one of the few professional bobsleigh tracks in the world that the public can enjoy taking a ride on.Â
What is the La Plagne weather like in winter?
La Plagne experiences a typical Alpine climate with distinct seasons. Winter in La Plagne is characterised by cold temperatures, abundant snowfall, and a snowy landscape, making it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Here's what you can generally expect regarding La Plagne's winter weather:
Cold Temperatures: During the winter months, temperatures in La Plagne can vary widely, but they generally range from -10°C (14°F) to -2°C (28°F) at lower elevations and can drop significantly at higher altitudes. At night and in the early morning, temperatures can be even colder.
Snowfall: La Plagne is known for its reliable snowfall, with the ski season running from December to April. The region receives a significant amount of snow, creating excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions. The snow depth can vary throughout the season, with the deepest snow typically found in January and February.
Skiing Conditions: The abundant snowfall ensures excellent skiing conditions, with well-groomed slopes and opportunities for off-piste skiing and snowboarding. The resort's high-altitude terrain also helps maintain good snow conditions throughout the season.
Sunshine: While La Plagne experiences snowy and overcast days during the winter, there are also periods of sunshine, especially in the higher-altitude villages. Clear days provide breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Wind: Wind can be a factor in the high-altitude areas of La Plagne, especially on exposed slopes and mountain peaks. It's advisable to check weather conditions and forecasts, especially if you plan to ski or snowboard in windy conditions.
Avalanche Awareness: Due to the mountainous terrain and heavy snowfall, avalanche safety is a critical consideration for winter sports enthusiasts in La Plagne. The resort and local authorities take safety seriously, and visitors should always follow safety guidelines and stay informed about avalanche risks.
Layered Clothing: Given the cold temperatures and variable weather conditions, it's essential to dress warmly and in layers. Thermal clothing, waterproof outerwear, gloves, hats, and goggles are essential for staying comfortable on the slopes.
Keep in mind that weather conditions can vary from year to year, so it's a good idea to check the most up-to-date weather forecasts before your trip and to be prepared for changing conditions when visiting La Plagne in the winter. One of the best La Plagne weather forecast 14 days is the Snow Forecast app. However, ski locals never trust the forecast more than 3 to 4 days ahead!Â
Additionally, the high-altitude nature of the resort means that weather conditions can change rapidly, so it's essential to stay informed and take safety precautions while enjoying winter activities.
JENS TOP TIP: If you want to check a reliable La Plagne snow forecast, have a look at my weekly La Plagne snow reports, reported live from the ski slopes. Or check out the La Plagne webcams to see the changing weather conditions in real-time.
How to find out more about La Plagne ski resort
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Hi, I'm Jen.
I'm an ex-seasonnaire turned La Plagne local of 20 years. A ski mum of 3 ski kids – well 2 ski boys and 1 snow-loving baby girl! And I'm also a professional digital marketeting strategist, specilising in the ski industry.
I'm on a mission to demystify family ski holidays for other ski families and to help you explore La Plagne like a local.
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