What’s new in La Plagne, France, this winter?
Part of the Paradiski range in the Tarentaise Valley of France, and said to be a constellation of 11 sites at altitudes between 650 m and 2,000 m, guests staying in La Plagne will be spoilt for choice throughout the ski season. Although each resort wears the red-woolly hat, they all have their own charm, style and choice of accommodation; holidaymakers can select what’s right for them. When winter arrives, La Plagne (and Paradiski) offers 425 km of pistes across seven magnificent peaks and incredible high-altitude skiing at 3,250 m. Guests can also enjoy more than 180 km of cross-country paths and 40 km of ski touring trails. Explore the different villages, take in the spectacular views from Roche de Mio and La Grande Rochette, dine on delicious Alpine cuisine, and enjoy a well deserved drink at the end of the day.
With preparations well underway for winter 2022/23, there are two key themes at the forefront of all the new activities and developments within the resort: accessibility and sustainability. This year, La Plagne has introduced new accommodation and activities that highlight the green ethos of the resort, whether that be using resident construction companies, sourcing local materials, and/or repurposing existing buildings. In addition, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report will be be published in November 2022 to highlight what La Plagne is doing to help the environment, tourism, and local life, and what the resort needs to do going forward. Plus, another report will be released this winter showing La Plagne’s carbon footprint and subsequent management of a climate action plan. In this vein, La Plagne is on route to being awarded the prestigious Flocon Vert label with the Mountain Riders association.
Claude Schneider is the resident snow and weather expert in La Plagne. Known as the Sherlock Holmes of snow, his unique position (La Plagne is the only resort in France with its own at home snow expert) and unsurpassed knowledge (from more than 30 years’ experience) make him a goldmine of information. He says: “La Plagne, with 70% of its ski area above 2,000 m, remains relatively protected from its [global warming] impact for the time being, although the rain-snow level is climbing from one year to the next. Snowfall is not decreasing, but temperature anomalies are becoming more frequent”.
Finally, La Plagne has long been considered an approachable resort with its huge number of wide, well-groomed pistes combined with a range of more difficult slopes to suit all abilities. And the new snowpark in Montchavin with guided sign posts for first time users, and ESF’s new ski courses for deaf skiers, prove La Plagne to be even more welcoming for the 2022/23 ski season.
New infrastructure
NEW: A new era for high-altitude skiing
This ambitious project, which will be completed in 2025, will move the gondola arrival station off the permafrost to another high-altitude peak (3,060 m) a little further south. The goal is to offer an easier long-term access to top ski areas from the 2023-2024 ski season (staying open – for views – in summer too). To complete this task, 35 pylons and poles will be removed, nine buildings will be taken down, one lift will service the slopes instead of four etc.: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfiCwNAEbew&t=142s
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: Riders Nation Snowpark in Montchavin-Les Coches
This winter, the Belle Plagne Snowpark is moving to the Dos Rond sector in Montchavin-Les Coches. A great spot for developmental green and blue lines with some expert areas for the more daring. The park has a focus on accessibility, with plenty of tutorial signs on hand to accompany and advise first time riders. For those who prefer to just watch the show, the park is designed with spectators in mind so a close up view is possible. The snowpark will open on 17 December 2022 and will be free to access with a lift pass.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
New accommodation
NEW: Residence W2050 in Belle Plagne
Inspired by Cassiopée, the star constellation, as well as the residence’s original name, W2050 is a high-end accommodation and the result of a complete refurbishment, particularly in terms of improving insulation to reduce heat loss. 80% of the work completed was done by local constructions companies using locally sourced materials. Caroline and Franck Arpin, the former owners of the Carlina hotel and creators of W2050, say: “With this new project, we wanted to start a family adventure with our daughter Juliette – our two younger children will doubtless join us later! The idea was also to propose a new residence of choice in Belle Plagne from a building that already existed“. During this incredible work, 114 studios were transformed into 36 high-end apartments for up to 12/14 people. Saunas or Nordic Baths can be found in most residences for that added touch of luxury. A week’s stay costs from €1,500 / £1,311 total per apartment.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: Chalet Hotel Turquoise in Belle Plagne
Chalet Hotel Turquoise, on the Belle Plagne slopes, has been fully renovated and now offers nine bespoke apartment suites each sleeping between two and 10 people. The new rooms combine comfort and modernity in a chic-mountain style. The building has been fully redesigned and renovated, from the insulation and cladding to the heating system and the roof. The works have been undertaken with a focus on sustainability, so all materials have been sourced locally and the works were carried out by local companies. A week’s stay costs from €1,859 / £1,609 for up to eight people sharing a self-catered apartment.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
New activities / courses
NEW: Cani Raquettes – snowshoeing with dogs
This activity takes snowshoeing to the next level with an extra-doggy companion. Ideal for dog lovers, or those wanting to add an extra element to this outdoor pastime, this experience allows participants to meet and spend an afternoon with these well trained sled-dogs. Click on the snowshoes, team up with a friendly four-legged friend, and explore the beautiful snowy paths and woodland of La Plagne. Price to be determined.
La Plagne: https://en.la-plagne.com
NEW: ESF courses for deaf skiers
La Plagne is a highly accessible resort with a number of measures in place to assist those with disabilities. The flag bearer of this ‘handi-friendly’ spirit is Aime 2000, which opened in 1969 and is ideal for those after easy ski-in, ski-out accommodation. This winter, ESF will launch five new week-long ski courses for deaf skiers, culminating in a fun, timed competition on the Belle Plagne slalom field. The seven-day courses run on specific weeks throughout the ski season. Prices to be announced. ESF has a total of five instructors who are fluent in sign language and who will also offer private or group lessons, aiming to make Belle Plagne the holiday location for these skiers.
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-22-23/#page=1
La Plagne’s ski season begins on 10 December 2022 and ends on 29 April 2023.
A six-day lift pass for Paradiski costs €345 / £302 per adult or €295 / £259 per child (age 5-12 inclusive)
Getting to La Plagne could not be easier: it is within a three hour 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. 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 Saturdays, for a non-stop service to Moûtiers and Bourg Saint Maurice. Trains will then return to London on Sundays. 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
