What’s new in La Plagne this summer?
Sitting between 650-3,250 metres altitude, from the Isère river to the high Alpine pastures, La Plagne, in the French Alps, has a wealth of landscapes, holiday packages and events on offer. There’s something for everyone, from the dedicated mountain bike rider to the demanding trail runner – plus plenty of chilled options too.
With a focus on environment, and a push to slow down and think differently about travel, La Plagne has launched a series of brand-new activities to promote the wonders of the great outdoors across its 11 villages. So, take a deep breath and dive in…
Please find more information about these new options below.
Discover the wild flora
Enjoy three hours of foraging in the company of naturopath, Yalikha Turmel, who will teach guests about the culinary and medicinal use of the local plants, combined with some great anecdotes and plenty of views. The session culminates in an open-air cookery workshop with the chance to prepare a recipe that uses the flora collected. Tuck into a plantation fritter, a yarrow-flower pancake, or a blueberry salad. Cost from €40 / £35 per adult and from €20 / £18 for children up to the age of 16 (minimum age six).
Learn how to build a camp
Perfect for children, team up with the knowledgeable local, Arnaud Duru, and learn how to build a wooden cabin in the mountains. Kids can become budding experts in lashing wood, a very useful technique using rope, and start creating tables, chairs and ladders too. The idea being, that a trapper village will have been assembled, surrounding the campfire, for people to enjoy, by the end of summer. Taking place from July 2023, it costs from €25 / £22 for half a day, and is specifically for 9-16 year olds.
Set off in a Swincar Safari
Embrace electric in an all-terrain vehicle that looks a little like a mountain spider on wheels. Starting in Montalbert, guests can now enjoy a new, two-day supervised escape covering 40 km. The Swincar is ideal for getting to the high-altitude refuges and hostels, and as it’s quiet, it’s a good opportunity to spot local fauna too. The Swincar experience costs from €190 / £167 pp and includes accommodation on a half-board basis with a guide. All drivers must be a holder of a category B driving licence. Minimum age of passenger is three.
Have fun with your hound
After a successful launch of Cani Raquettes over the winter season, La Plagne now offers Canitrail in summer. Here, teams of dogs and their masters can use Montchavin-Les Coches as their playground for two events on the weekend of 8-9 July 2023. On 8 July, take part in ‘La Dret’, a vertical kilometre dog race straight up the slope; and on 9 July, sign up to ‘La Belentro’, an 11 km endurance course. Take part for €25 / £22 per team (for both races).
Embark on an electric expedition
Belle Plagne Sports now offers guided morning e-bike rides up the renowned 21 hairpin bends to La Plagne. The aim is to follow in the tracks of riders on the Tour de France and make this 18 km climb accessible to more people. Start the morning with a hearty breakfast in Aime, before setting off on the challenging cycle with a leader. For those struggling, level five (on the e-bike) can really help. Cost from €75 / £66 pp for half a day. It will take place every Thursday morning from mid-July until the end of August. Minimum height 1 metre 55 cm.
Settle down and enjoy a slow café
After all these activities, why not have a bite to eat and chance to relax at new La Maison des Curieux in the valley of Aime? Installed in a large loft space with cosy, modern and industrial décor, it offers tourists a quiet escape and business travellers a new place to work. The café has two meeting rooms, a large co-working space, a printer, computers, a programme of events, and a selection of delicious food. Sip a well-earned cooling glass of wine as the sun sets on the day. La Maison des Curieux is open on Mondays (8.30 am to 8 pm), Thursdays and Fridays (08.30 am to 1 am) and Saturdays (2 pm to 1 am).
For more information on La Plagne, please visit https://en.la-plagne.com
