Celebrating its 60th birthday this year, find out what’s new in the renowned ski resort of La Plagne, France
1961 was an unforgettable year: John F. Kennedy became President of the United States, the Soviet Union launched the first man, Yuri Gagarin, into space, and the ski resort of La Plagne was born…
A lot has changed since 1961. Joe Biden is the current President of the United States, more than 500 people have reached the altitude of space, and La Plagne is now a multifaceted, wide, open, connected ski resort with 225 km of pistes. The 11 unique villages (the highest reaching 2,100 metres and the lowest at 700 metres) have everything guests would need, and want, to have an incredible winter holiday surrounded by snowy peaks.
However, what’s not changed is the precious, shared inheritance, federated by the much loved (and known) Red Hat – which has been proudly passed down from generation to generation. While La Plagne blows out 60 candles this ski season, everyone can reminisce about the past, while looking forward to the future.
Thinking of the next 60 years, La Plagne has been carrying out a vigilant health watch of the Tarentaise forest with the National Forestry Commission (ONF) and is in an ongoing collaboration with the Environmental Observatory. Global warming is still a big threat: La Plagne used to offer summer skiing on its glacier, but this has not been possible since 2004 due to the glacier receding.
Rémy Counil, the General Director at the Tourism Office, says: “For La Plagne, the best gift we can offer, the best commitment we can make, is to adopt a wide-ranging regional policy of sustainable development. We’re looking at using vehicles that give off very little carbon dioxide, we’re working on environmental observatories along with the Société d’Aménagement de La Plagne, and we’re moving towards offering the most environmentally friendly activities. We want to leave these mountains as a legacy for future generations”.
As well as celebrating its 60th anniversary, La Plagne has introduced a selection of brand-new activities, and accommodation, to its ever-growing portfolio. From Moonbikes and mmv Hotel Clubs, to Igloo Building and Aperitif Escape Games, there’s plenty to enjoy. In addition, guests who celebrate their 60th birthday during their stay can enjoy a six-day lift pass for the price of a five-day lift pass when booked through La Plagne Resort.
Read on to find out more. If you would like any more details or are keen to visit the resort on a press trip, please let me know.
Very best wishes,
Rosie
NEW: Electric Moonbikes arrive
This 100% green machine, that looks like a cross between a snow-scooter and a skidoo, is now available in La Plagne. Comprising an accelerator and a brake, plus a track at the back and a ski at the front for steering, they are easy to drive. The best time to use the Moonbikes is when the lifts close as the ski area becomes an endless playground for this eco-friendly adventure. Minimum age 18. Sign up to a guided ride with Oxygène, departing from Plagne Centre or Belle Plagne. Or join Elpro for an outing towards Col de Forcle, with views of Mont-Blanc and the Vanoise glaciers. Price from €90 / £77 pp.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: Build an Igloo from scratch
Igloo comes from the Inuit word for house or shelter. They were designed to protect Inuit from the elements when they went hunting in the wilds. Sign up to a top team-building activity and learn how to build a life-size igloo. Taking instruction from Guillaume, try this dynamic and fun activity, where each person’s contribution is essential. And if constructed properly, the igloo should be strong enough for a grown adult to stand on it without it collapsing. This group activity costs from €30 / £26 pp. Group size six plus. Minimum age five.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: Yogi Ski Touring
Add this new, healthy activity to a ski holiday. Beginning in Belle Plagne, click on touring skis for an invigorating climb to Les Inversens accompanied by Lisa-Pauline Leclercq (from Montagne Mer & Mouvement) and a ski instructor from ESF. At Les Inversens, tuck into a delicious breakfast before joining in with a session of yoga on the spacious terrace, making the most of the incredible mountain views. Afterwards, ski back down the mountain, where Belle Plagne’s Deep Nature spa awaits… Yogi Ski Touring costs from €95 / £82 pp and includes ski touring, yoga, and breakfast. Deep Nature spa and equipment rental extra. Every Thursday at 6.30 am.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: The Aperitif Escape Game
Team up with friends and/or family for this brand-new escape game. If the mission is accepted, work together to release the local products, imprisoned within the ice box. If successful, everyone will enjoy a well-deserved aperitif before dinner! The game can be delivered to any accommodation in La Plagne; guests can solve the puzzle wearing slippers if they fancy. The Aperitif Escape Game costs from €23 / £20 pp and includes the Savoyard aperitif, with drinks and appetisers.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: First five-star accommodation
Just in time for its 60th anniversary, La Plagne is welcoming its first five-star residence to the slopes. The luxury White Pearl Lodges & Spas, in Plagne Soleil, comprise seven chalets made of wood and stone, and 91 high-end duplex apartments with one-to-five bedrooms. The ski-in, ski-out accommodation also has a heated indoor/outdoor pool (the only one in La Plagne), a state-of-the-art Ô des Cimes spa with a whirlpool tub, sauna, Turkish bath, salt grotto, cardio training fitness room and a ski shop. A week’s stay costs from €1,064 / £914 total for four people sharing an apartment.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: Two family friendly mmv Hotel Clubs in La Plagne
Ready for the 2021/22 ski season, two new mmv Hotel Clubs are now available, one in Plagne Aime 2000 and the other in Belle Plagne. Hotel Club Plagne Aime 2000 is ski-in, ski-out, with views of Mont Blanc, and has 228 rooms. The hotel also showcases a sunny terrace overlooking the ski slopes, a spa with an aqua-relaxation area, clubs for children (age 18 months to 17 years), a climbing wall, and a special place for teens, complete with pouffes, sofas, games consoles, speakers, and connections for smartphones / tablets. In contrast, Hotel Club Belle Plagne has 79 modern and very spacious rooms, each with a balcony overlooking the mountains. It’s wonderful for younger families, with full day childcare available.
A week’s stay at Hotel Club Plagne Aime 2000, costs from €936 / £806 pp for a family of four staying during the school holidays on a full-board basis.
A week’s stay at Hotel Club Belle Plagne, costs from €882 / £760 pp for a family of four staying during the school holidays on a full-board basis.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: Six-seater high speed chairlift
Guests can now enjoy a direct link between Plagne Centre (1,990 m) and Champagny-en-Vanoise via the top of Les Verdons (2,479 m), thanks to the brand-new La Lovatière chairlift. Found next to the Bécoin chairlift in Plagne Centre, La Lovatière has a travel time of less than six minutes and can carry up to 3,000 people per hour.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
For more information on La Plagne, please visit https://en.la-plagne.com or call 04 79 09 02 01. Alternatively, please find their latest press pack here: https://dp.la-plagne.com/.winter-21-22/#page=1
La Plagne’s ski season begins on 11 December 2021 and ends on 30 April 2022.
A six-day lift pass for Paradiski costs €325 / £280 per adult or €260 / £224 per child (age 5-12 inclusive)
Getting to La Plagne could not be easier: it is within a 90-minute drive from three main airports, Geneva, Grenoble, and Lyon. Either hire a car from the airport, book one of the transfer companies or take the bus. Alternatively, La Plagne is one of the ski resorts you can reach easily on the train. Back by popular demand for the 2021/22 ski season, Eurostar will offer a direct rail service from London St Pancras International to the Tarentaise Valley. Operating under the name ‘Travelski Express’, trains will depart London St Pancras International on Friday nights, for a non-stop service to Moûtiers and Bourg Saint Maurice. Trains will then return to London on Saturdays. From Bourg Saint Maurice, jump on a train to Aime La Plagne and arrive just 15 minutes later. Otherwise, snow enthusiasts can always jump in their car and drive to La Plagne using Eurotunnel Le Shuttle or one of the ferry companies to cross the English Channel. There are plenty of car parks once in resort too.
Book a ski holiday to La Plagne using La Plagne’s travel agency, La Plagne Resort: www.laplagneresort.com/?lang=en_US
