Client area
Blog
My first ski holiday in La Plagne: a teenager's perspective
Erin headed to La Plagne in April 2025 with friends and family. Read about her favourite slopes, where she stayed and the exciting new experience she tried.
Vast high-altitude skiing with unrivalled variety as part of the Paradiski ski area
La Plagne is one of the Alps’ largest and most versatile ski resorts, offering 225km of pistes and access to the vast Paradiski ski domain, which links the resort to Les Arcs via the double decker Vanoise Express cable car.
Spread across multiple villages, it blends high-altitude, snow-sure skiing with a wide range of atmospheres, from lively central hubs to peaceful, traditional bases.
1/10
La Plagne Quick Facts
- Ski area: Paradiski
- Resort top height: 3250m
- Km piste: 425
- Distance from Calais: 610 miles (approx. 9h)
- Lift pass: ££££
- No. of slopes: 260
- Green slopes: 19
- Blue slopes: 126
- Red slopes: 80
- Black slopes: 35
-
Beginners:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Intermediate:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Expert:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Boarders:
★ ★ ★
Highlights
Access 425km of Paradiski skiing across La Plagne and Les Arcs
Huge variety of villages offering lively, scenic and traditional stays
Outstanding intermediate terrain with wide cruising runs across the mountain
Excellent beginner facilities with dedicated zones and free lifts available
High-altitude skiing with strong snow reliability throughout the winter season
Family-friendly resort with activities and relaxed village options
Travel options
Eurotunnel LeShuttle
All our ski holidays packages include a return standard Eurotunnel LeShuttle crossing.
included
Trains to the French Alps
Train travel to the French Alps is a convenient, low-stress alternative to flying or driving.
bookable
Ferry crossings
Ferry crossings can be arranged on request as an alternative travel option to our standard return Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crossing.
bookable
Private transfers
We can help you get from your arrival airport or train station to your resort.
bookable
Eurotunnel LeShuttle
All our ski holidays packages include a return standard Eurotunnel LeShuttle crossing.
included
Trains to the French Alps
Train travel to the French Alps is a convenient, low-stress alternative to flying or driving.
bookable
Ferry crossings
Ferry crossings can be arranged on request as an alternative travel option to our standard return Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crossing.
bookable
Private transfers
We can help you get from your arrival airport or train station to your resort.
bookable
More Ski Services
More Ski Services
We pride ourselves on going the extra mile.
We pride ourselves on going the extra mile, from helping you navigate ski school options to offering tailored advice on the best resorts and accommodation.
Accommodation
PLAGNE SOLEIL & PLAGNE VILLAGE
White Pearl
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 12
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Great location on the slopes
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
PLAGNE SOLEIL & PLAGNE VILLAGE
Les Granges du Soleil
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 12
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Family friendly
- Doorstep skiing
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
PLAGNE CENTRE
Manaka
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Indoor pool & wellness area
- Ski-in/ski-out
PLAGNE SOLEIL & PLAGNE VILLAGE
Front de Neige Plagne Village
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 6
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- One of the best locations in La Plagne
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Indoor pool & spa facilities
PLAGNE SOLEIL & PLAGNE VILLAGE
Aspen
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 6
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski back to door
- 300m from the ski lifts
- Indoor heated pool
BELLE-PLAGNE
Les Balcons de Belle Plagne
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 14
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski from door
- On-site restaurant and bar
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
BELLE-PLAGNE
Hotel Carlina
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 4
Type: Half Board
Accommodation: Hotel
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
- 5 minutes walk from resort centre
BELLE-PLAGNE
Residence Carlina
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 12
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
- 5 minutes walk from resort centre
BELLE-PLAGNE
Chalets Carlina
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 15
Type: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Chalet
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Partly catered
- Hot tub
PLAGNE MONTALBERT
Snoroc
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Indoor pool with counter-current swimming area
- Sauna, steam room, hot tub
PLAGNE 1800
Le Diamant des Neiges
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 12
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Foot of the slopes
- 300m from shops
PLAGNE 1800
Les Chalets d'Edelweiss
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 12
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Doorstep skiing
- Indoor heated pool
Premium
PLAGNE 1800
Chalets de la Mine 1&2
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Chalets
- Located in the heart of Plagne 1800
- 300m from the slopes
- Great choice for families
CHAMPAGNY EN VANOISE
Les Balcons Etoiles
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Foot of the slopes
- 100m from shops/restaurants
CHAMPAGNY EN VANOISE
Les Nouveaux Alpages
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Indoor pool & spa area
- Splendid views over the Vanoise mountain range
New to programme
Paradiski - CHAMPAGNY EN VANOISE
Etoile de la Vanoise
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Stunning mountain views
- 300m from the village centre
- Small boutique property
LES COCHES
Les Chalets de Wengen
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Indoor heated pool & sauna
- 200m from the lifts & shops
- 300m from ski school
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about La Plagne
What is La Plagne like for beginners?
La Plagne is one of the best resorts in the Alps for beginners. There are numerous dedicated learning areas across the resort, many with free lifts, making it accessible and affordable to get started.
Plagne Centre offers one of the strongest beginner hubs, with a snow kindergarten and nursery slopes, a long green run served by its own slow-speed beginner chairlift. For progression, there are cruisy blues from the top of the Colorado lift.
Smaller beginner zones exist throughout the resort, allowing flexibility depending on where you stay. There is easy access to blue runs across the whole ski area once confidence builds.
What is La Plagne like for intermediate skiers?
Intermediate skiing is the standout strength of La Plagne. Around 80% of the slopes on the La Plagne side of Paradiski are blue and red, creating an ideal environment for cruising and exploring.
Wide, open pistes dominate the main bowl, while there are also long pistes that maximise your time on the slopes. The red Mont de La Guerre run offers 1250m of vertical descent from Les Verdons down to Champagny. Tree-lined runs into villages such as Les Coches and Champagny provide variety and shelter in poorer weather.
The scale is exceptional, with enough terrain to ski new routes every day, even without venturing over to the Les Arcs side of Paradiski.
What is La Plagne like for advanced or expert skiers?
Advanced skiers are well catered for, particularly at higher altitude. The Bellecôte Glacier and Roche de Mio areas provide steep black runs, moguls and off-piste terrain for strong skiers.
Naturide and ungroomed sectors offer further challenge, while off-piste opportunities are extensive across the domain. With access to the wider Paradiski area, experienced skiers have a huge playground to explore.
Does La Plagne have a snowpark or any fun slopes?
La Plagne features numerous fun areas including snowparks, boardercross tracks and themed runs. Highlights include tunnels, music zones and family-friendly playful pistes. Across the wider Paradiski area, there are multiple snowparks, a half-pipe and several boardercross courses.
Can I do nordic skiing in La Plagne?
There is extensive cross-country skiing available on the La Plagne side of Paradiski with 85km of trails. The most beautiful of these are the 30km of trails around Champagny-le-Haut. Across La Plagne and Paradiski, there are over 150km of trails, ranging from beginner loops to scenic routes through forests and valleys.
What are the different areas of La Plagne like?
La Plagne is not one single resort but a collection of interconnected villages spread across the mountain. Each has its own personality, from the central hub of Plagne Centre to more chalet-style bases like Plagne 1800 and traditional villages like Plagne Montalbert.
Higher purpose-built villages such as Plagne Soleil and Belle Plagne offer altitude and ski-in ski-out convenience, while lower villages like Champagny-en-Vanoise and Les Coches provide a quieter scenic base. This variety allows guests to tailor their experience without sacrificing access to the same ski area.
Because La Plagne is quite spread out, choosing the right village is key. Livelier villages offer more amenities and après-ski, while smaller ones provide peace and value. Whilst your ski day might take in all the villages, you'll be more likely to go out where you are staying after the slopes close.
All are well connected by lifts (and shuttle buses), so wherever you stay, the full ski area and other villages, particularly those closest to your accommodation, remain accessible.
Which village in La Plagne is best to stay in?
The best village depends on your preferences. Plagne Centre is ideal for convenience and access, Plagne Soleil and larger Belle Plagne for altitude and views, Plagne 1800 for a quieter family base, Les Coches for convenient access to the Vanoise Express across to Les Arcs, and Plagne Montalbert or Champagny for traditional charm. All offer access to the same ski area.
What things are there to do in La Plagne?
La  Plagne offers some standout experiences, most notably the Olympic bobsleigh track built for the 1992 Winter Olympic Games, but which is still used for European and World events today.
This amazing track is 1.5km long and has 19 bends, it’s located just below Plagne 1800. You can see it as you drive up, and you might recognise it from an episode of the BBC’s Top Gear programme. There’s a choice of ways to enjoy the experience; try Bob Raft for 4 people, which is driverless with automatic steering and braking; Mono Bob – just you and the ride of your life; Taxi Bob for 3 people and a professional driver, meaning you can reach speeds of over 100km/h.
Another highlight is Aerolive, an open-air cable car experience that delivers breathtaking views and a real thrill as you ascend the mountain.
You can also spend a night in a snow groomer at 2,385m altitude that has been adapted with a queen-size bed, glass roof and home cinema so you can spend the night under the stars. All these unique activities add a memorable dimension beyond skiing.
For a slower pace, snowshoeing and walking routes provide a chance to explore the mountain away from the pistes. Scenic forest trails and panoramic viewpoints offer a different perspective of the Alps.
Is La Plagne good for families?
Yes, La Plagne is extremely family-friendly. It offers excellent ski schools, beginner areas and a wide range of activities. Villages like Plagne 1800, Plagne Soleil and Plagne Montalbert are particularly popular with families due to their atmosphere and facilities.
What is there to do for families in La Plagne?
Families are particularly well catered for. Sledging areas, fun parks and activity zones are spread across the resort, making it easy to keep children entertained. The Colorado Park toboggan run in Plagne Centre is 1,500m long and there are free sledging zones in various of the villages including Belle Plagne.
Events, snow play and easy-access activities ensure there is always something to do, both on and off the slopes and an activity programme from the tourist office highlights what’s on where. The resort’s layout and village variety also help families find the atmosphere that suits them best.
Where can I go out for a drink or dinner in La Plagne?
La Plagne offers a broad dining scene, from traditional Savoyard restaurants to casual cafés and modern eateries. Mountain restaurants are a highlight, with scenic terraces and varied menus across the ski area and in each resort village.
Food quality is consistently high, with local specialities such as fondue and raclette widely available, alongside international dishes.
Après-ski varies significantly between villages. Plagne Centre is good for family-oriented après, while smaller villages offer a more relaxed atmosphere.
For those seeking more of a party scene, there is a lively slopeside bar, La Bergerie, above Plagne Villages, and La Bodega in Belle Plagne has DJ sets and signature cocktails.
Where can I get groceries in La Plagne?
Plagne Centre acts as the main hub, with the widest selection of shops, supermarkets and essential services. However, each part of the resort has at least a mini-market and bakery providing all necessities for self-catered stays.
Lift links (for example the little yoghurt pot lifts between Plagne Villages and Plagne Centre) and shuttle buses make it easy to access different areas for shopping, dining or entertainment.
How big is the La Plagne ski area?
La Plagne itself offers 225km of pistes. It is part of the Paradiski ski area, which links with Les Arcs to provide 425km of skiing. This makes it one of the largest connected ski areas in the world, with extensive terrain across multiple sectors.
Is La Plagne snow-sure?
Yes, La Plagne is very snow-sure. With most of the ski area above 2,000m and a top altitude over 3,200m, snow conditions are reliable throughout the season. Extensive snowmaking also ensures coverage on lower slopes when needed.
La Plagne on the blog
View more news
