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Resort Guide: La Plagne

Last Updated: January 2021

At an altitude of 1,800 meters, the ski village La Plagne 1800, is a popular winter holiday destination in the alpine valley of the Tarentaise (Savoie). Back in the 70s, it used to be an old mine, before becoming one of the most popular ski resorts at a high altitude. Since 2003, La Plagne, Les Arcs and Peisey - Vallandry are known as the Paradiski ski area.

The traditional wooden chalets with the typical local roofs built of slate slabs characterize the landscape of Plagne 1800. All buildings in the village are ideally adapted to the local environment giving the impression that this small ski resort is in complete harmony with the surrounding snowy landscape.

About La Plagne

The calm and comfortable atmosphere of the resort combined with its central location in the heart of the ski area makes it highly appreciated by families. For these reasons, it is often referred to as the nest of La Plagne. 

La Plagne 1800 is considered an ideal starting point for visiting the entire La Plagne ski resort or the Paradiski ski area. You can wear your ski boots right at your accommodation's doorstep, and when you call it a day after the last descent, you can return back without having to take them off to take a transfer back to your hotel.

Two modern aerial lifts with seats take guests in the direction of Aime La Plagne or Plagne Soleil and then to any part of the ski resort they wish. In La Plagne, there is a special training area for children and beginners with its own aerial lift. 

On the way back to Plagne 1800, guests can choose from 3 different tracks. A "normal" red descent route passes through the village, and a route in deep snow, which ends at La Roche. Both trails start at the end of the aerial lift.

A Winter Sports Paradise

La Plagne ski resort, Massif La Plagne, in addition to the ski areas of Montalbert, is also home to Champagny, Les Coches and Montchavin. It has in total 225 km of slopes of all levels. These include several attractive deep snow routes, mainly to the Bellecôte Glacier. 

Snowboarders also have at their disposal a snow park with half-pipe and 3 boardercross trails while long-distance skiing enthusiasts have approximately 80 km of long-distance trails. Skiing enthusiasts who want to explore the entire Paradiski ski area can enjoy twice as many ski runs.

Ever since La Plagne and Les Arcs areas were connected to the two-storey Vanoise Express cable car in December 2003, this ski resort provides guests with almost 250 downhill routes, spread over 425 km of slopes. Specifically, the Vanoise Express connects Les Coches stations at La Plagne ski resort and Peisey-Vallandry at Les Arcs ski resort.

Snowboard enthusiasts can enjoy snowboarding at both ski resorts, as there are a total of 3 snow parks, 3 boardercross trails, 4 boardergliss areas and 2 half-pipes. Thanks to the two glaciers and many demanding slopes and the various downhill routes in deep snow, even professional skiers will be satisfied. The Paradiski ski resort has 2 professional downhill slopes and over 150 km of long-distance ski slopes.

The ski passes for 2020 - 2021 cost:

• € 55 per adult for a day pass in the La Plagne ski area 

• € 276 per adult for a six-day ski pass in the La Plagne ski area 

• € 27 per adult for a cool ski beginner's day pass 

• € 62 per adult for a Paradiski pass or € 315 for six days

Accommodation in La Plagne

The geographical location and affordable prices make the ski village Plagne 1800 an ideal destination for winter visitors who look for a lively ski resort, combined with a relatively quiet winter sports area suitable for a relaxing holiday.

In addition to many ski shops and a small supermarket, there is an indoor squash court and many hotels that provide guests with a relaxing massage.

Our top choice for a family and group-friendly accommodation is Will-i-ski. With many years of experience at managing resorts and chalets, Will-i-ski in La Plagne offers three uniquely beautiful chalets with a host of amenities and services. 

• Chalet Zibeline can accommodate up to 8 people. It is situated in an idyllic location amongst the pine trees with great views of the village and the valley, only 5 minutes away from the slopes. 

• Next to Zibeline, there is the 7-bedroom Chalet Genepy, which can host up to 14 people. It is ideal for a big group of friends or families. The highlight of the property is the sauna room, perfect after a day spent on the slopes.

• Chalet Plume for 8 - 10 guests, the newest listing, has a sauna and a hot tub on top of the breathtaking panoramic valley views.

This family-run chalet company, known for their warm hospitality, will be happy to welcome you and introduce you to La Plagne.

Entertainment in La Plagne

Whatever your type, La Plagne will fascinate you! Wander around the traditional settlements of Savoy, taste gourmet, local, and traditional cuisine, and have fun in bars, pubs and nightclubs where the party never ends.

Numerous restaurants and bars at Plagne 1800 invite guests to spend their evenings in a pleasant Après-Ski atmosphere. At the "La Mine" bar, guests can even enjoy live music events. For those visiting La Plagne Bellecôte make sure to spend some time at the popular Spitting Feathers pub and diner with its welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff! If you love an all-nighter, you have more entertainment options as after midnight there is a free shuttle bus to the Plagne Center.

Enjoy a magnificent sunset on the Grand Rochette overlooking Mont Blanc or Courchevel and ski down to La Plagne guided by the moonlight. To get the adrenaline flowing, climb the ice, sledge or live the Icarus dream doing snowmobile and paragliding on the slopes. The less adventurous visitors will enjoy quad biking or ice karting.

Your companions will surely remember you for years if you organize an escape to the igloo village in Le Dou du Praz. You will quickly get there with the shuttle busses to share unforgettable moments, have lunch and stay overnight in an igloo.

How to Get to La Plagne

There are many ways to reach La Plagne, always depending on where your starting point is. The quickest and more convenient way is to take the plane to Geneva Airport. Although La Plagne is in France, it borders Switzerland in the north and transport from the airport to the resort is easy and efficient.

By Plane

Many low-cost airlines with weekly routes fly to Geneva Airport from across Europe. In case you have many travel companions, like families with young children, you can hire an airport transfer to take you to your accommodation in 2 and a half hours.

The other three nearby airports in which you can fly into are Grenoble Airport (2hrs 30min) Lyon Airport (2hrs 30min), and Chambery Airport (1hr 45). These airports are also good alternatives options, but they don't offer as many flights and reasonable prices as Geneva Airport. 

If you are looking for a reliable transfer service from any one of these airports or one of the local train stations near La Plagne, then look no further than Spitting Feathers transfers. The transfer buses are clean and comfortable with drivers who know the area well and will be happy to answer all your questions. Free child seats are available and ski and snowboard equipment is transported free of charge. You can enjoy this service 24/7 and with the same friendly faces that run the popular Spitting Feathers apres-ski pub, you will be in good hands.

By Train 

Eurostar ski trains that run from London during the ski season can take you to Paris. From Paris, you'll need to take a TGV train and stop at Bourg St Maurice, which is one hour from La Plagne. The closest train station to La Plagne is Aime, 28km from the resort. From Aime, you can take one of the local buses, and in 45 minutes you'll be at the resort. The whole journey time from London to La Plagne is around 11 hours.

By Car

If you decide to travel by car, it probably means that you are one of those travellers who enjoy the journey as much as the final destination. The upside of travelling by car is that there is no restriction on the number of luggage and ski equipment you can carry with you. 

Most UK travellers cross the English Channel from Dover to Calais to get to France. Another option is to take the ferry from Dover to Calais. The price per car starts at € 56 (£ 50). The driving time from Calais to La Plagne is approximately 10 hours, and the cost of the tolls is € 80 (£ 71) one way. 

By Coach

Travelling by coach always takes longer than driving, flying or taking the train to La Plagne. Budget-conscious travellers, however, may opt for the more affordable option of booking a coach ticket. Many private international companies, such as Flixbus, operate routes to nearby cities like Grenoble and Geneva. From there you can take a local bus to go to the resort. 

Snow Express coaches run from the UK, from London Victoria Station to Aime. The trip lasts around 20 hours, and the one-way ticket starts at € 84 (£ 75). The coach will travel through the night so that you'll be at your destination the next morning.

Now that you know everything about the enchanting La Plagne, it's time to look for plane tickets for your next winter getaway in this ski resort village. You really don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy your winter vacation, the earlier you start looking, the more likely to find smart family deals!