Belle-Plagne

• Direct access to the La Plagne area (225km) and Paradiski (425km)

• Well suited to beginners and intermediates

• High-altitude skiing with excellent snow reliability

Beginners

Belle Plagne is very beginner-friendly, with a beginners’ area on the snowfront and easy access to gentle terrain nearby.

The larger beginner area in Plagne Bellecôte is just a short gondola ride (or blue run) away, offering wide, undulating slopes to build confidence. From the top of Arpette, there are three blue runs that head either back down to Plagne Bellecôte or to Belle Plagne.

Intermediates

Intermediates will enjoy the wide open blue runs around Belle Plagne. There is a good selection of wide blue and red runs across the whole of the La Plagne area. In fact, almost 80% of the 225km of slopes in La Plagne are red or blue.

The open pistes around the main bowl make it easy to cruise and explore, with long, flowing runs ideal for progression. It was a favourite area of the intermediates in our team when we skied there.

For more advanced intermediates, the long Mont de la guerre red, reached via the Les Verdons summit, takes you from 2290m all the way down to Champagny-en-Vanoise at 1250m.

Advanced

Advanced skiers should head higher to the Bellecôte Glacier. The black runs and reds that start from Live 3000, the highest point in the ski area, offer more challenging terrain. Belle Plagne has easy access to Live 3000.

Across the other side of La Plagne, in the sector around the top of the Becoin lift, there are challenging black runs like Etroits, Morbleu and Coqs that join up with a blue to take you all the way down to Plagne Montalbert at 1350m.

There’s also access to steeper slopes and varied off-piste terrain, that should always be explored with a guide, across the wider Paradiski area.

Mountain fun zones

La Plagne’s Riders Nation snowpark, which has four freestyle courses with different levels for all abilities, is easily accessed from Belle Plagne by heading down to Plagne Bellecôte and taking the Arpette chair. There’s also a fun slope (one of. Europe’s longest) from the top of Arpette back down to Plagne Bellecôte.

The wider ski area

Belle Plagne sits within La Plagne (225km of pistes) and links directly into Paradiski, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world.

The Vanoise Express connects you to Les Arcs in just a few minutes, massively expanding your skiing options.

• Wide range of activities across La Plagne

• Good for families and non-skiers

• Easy access to unique alpine experiences

Snow activities

La Plagne offers a huge variety of activities, including snowshoeing and sledging. There is a dedicated free tobogganing area in Belle Plagne.

Unique experiences

The Olympic bobsleigh track, just below Plagne 1800, is a standout highlight, offering adrenaline-filled rides at high speeds; either solo, in a Taxi Bob with three and a driver or a driverless Bob Raft for four. This is the actual track used in the 1992 Winter Olympics and offers a truly unique experience.

Easily accessible from Belle Plagne is the Aerolive experience. We tried this out and it’s incredible. You are secured by a harness to an open sided gondola, which then travels from the Roche de Mio to Live 3000.

Family-friendly fun

Belle Plagne is also home to a trio of giant ziplines. Zigzag through the landscape, between the trees, on a series of ziplines between 25m and 40m above the ground.

Belle Plagne has a bowling alley, which is a fun way to spend an evening. 

Access for non-skiers

With a gondola heading from Belle Plagne down to Plagne Bellecôte and another from Belle Plagne up to the Roche de Mio and on from there to Live 3000, it's easy for non-skiers to join skiers during their ski day for lunch or coffee. 

• Good variety for a village of its size

• Vibrant and relaxed après-ski

• Easy access to more options in Plagne Bellecôte

Restaurants and dining

Belle Plagne has a good mix of restaurants offering everything from casual dining to Savoyard specialities. La Face Nord, which is right by the gondola station in Belle Plagne did good waffles and crèpes when we were there.

Across the La Plagne ski area and the wider Paradiski area, you’ll also find a wide range of mountain restaurants for lunch and snacks during the day. We liked the terrace at L’Arpette, which is easily access from Belle Plagne, and the café at Live 3000 for a mid-afternoon energy boost!

Bars and après-ski

Après-ski is lively enough to keep things interesting, with bars offering live music and DJs, making for a sociable atmosphere rather than a full-on party vibe.

It’s not a party resort, but it has more going on than many similar villages.

Shops and essentials

Local shops and services provide everything you need. If you want a wider choice and you are coming by car then it’s an idea to do a big shop in the valley before heading up to resort. Alternatively, other villages such as Plagne Centre, which is accessible by the inter-resort shuttles, have slightly more choice.