Skiing and snowboarding in la Plagne and Paradiski, France

Skiing in La Plagne

	The ski resort of La Plagne has now become a part of one of the largest ski areas in the world with the opening of the Vanoise Express cable car connecting it to Les Arcs. This lift connects the two resorts via les Coches in la Plagne and Plan Peisey in Les Arcs creating a combined ski area that is known as Paradiski. The resort is well known as a beginners’ and intermediates’ paradise with an abundance of easily accessible nursery slopes and miles of motorway pistes. The whole area is served by a massive inter-linking lift system with a network of snowmaking machines covering most of the lower slopes as well as many of the higher altitude pistes. The ski area is enormous in both vertical range and extent. The first stop on the breathtaking ride to the glacier is Roche de Mio (2700m), from where even inexperienced skiers can enjoy genuinely long runs home. Adventurous intermediates can ski the beautiful itinerary route to Les Bauches, and on to Les Arcs. For a bigger version of the la Plagne piste map click on the image below. To check out the snow in Plagne Centre try the webcam. Weather forecasts and snow conditions can be found via the ski holiday offers screen.

Fact file: Ski range 1250m to 3250m Marked pistes: 225km (Paradiski 425km) Ski lifts: 89 (Paradiski 143) Snow parks: Plagne Centre; Belle Plagne; Champagny and Montchavin – Les Coches Half-pipe: Plagne Bellecote Ski pass prices for la Plagne: Adult 6 days: €197.50 (child 6-13 years €148.50) Adult 7 days: €223 (child 6-13 years €167.50) Adult 8 days: €250 (child 6-13 years €187.50) Ski pass prices for Paradiski (la Plagne & les Arcs): Adult 6 days: €237 (child 6-13 years €178) Adult 7 days: €265 (child 6-13 years €199) Adult 8 days: €294 (child 6-13 years €220.50) Ski passes for children 5 years and under are free of charge, and there are reduced rates for Seniors (aged +65yrs). Ski passes can be bought on line via the tourist office and other sites. These websites are often so confusing that skiers give up. It is probably best to buy your la Plagne or Paradiski ski pass via your tour operator, some bigger operators seem to use very generous exchange rates (to them) when buying in advance so beware. Smaller tour operators tend to sell lift passes locally and at the normal public rate - these would normally be delivered to your accommodation in la Plagne. There are many different ski passes available and even deals for beginners - ask your tour operator which is best for you. Some have very helpful tables which pretty much explain all the ski passes that you might normally want, try Ski Beat's website for booking ski passes in la Plagne: they can only sell to skiers and snowboarders staying in their own ski chalets but you can still use the information on their site.

Beginners: Belle Plagne, Plagne Centre, Aime la Plagne and Plagne 1800 are probably the best for beginners. You will quickly progress on runs such as “Golf” near Aime la Plagne (from here there is a chairlift to take you back down to Plagne 1800). A favourite for beginners is the Vega chairlift out of Plagne Centre giving access to “Ramy” or to Plagne Bellecote using “Trieuse”. Towards the end of the first week it is likely that you would get on to “Carella” and “Les Inversens” coming down from the Roche de Mio at 2700m. There are special deals for lift passes and ski school available in Plagne Centre and Plagne 1800. Oxygene in Plagne Centre and ESF in Plagne 1800 are probably the best taking all things into consideration. Intermediates: there really is a huge selection of blue and red runs available in la Plagne. One of the great things about skiing in la Plagne is that it is very difficult to get on to a black run by mistake. There are huge wide-open pistes above the tree line or some beautiful blue runs lower down. If you are not taking lessons then it may be best to stay with a tour operator offering ski hosting, try Ski Beat chalet holidays or Snow Hounds. Advanced on-piste: there is limited on-piste skiing for the genuine advanced skier, there are only half a dozen black runs and only few of the reds are steep. With the Vanoise Express it is well worth getting a Paradiski pass: at this level the skiing in Les Arcs is more interesting. Off piste: la Plagne does not get the recognition it deserves for its off piste skiing, this is great for those who do ski it. La Plagne does not attract the ski bums and other powder fans; this means that while better known off piste ski areas nearby are tracked out, powder can still be found days later (with no climbing!). Favourite off piste areas would include the Face Nord be Bellecote departing from 3200m and arriving at 1500m at the entrance to the Vanoise National Park, returning via the Vanoise Express. A guide is always recommended. One of the best sites for descriibing the off piste skiing and snowboarding of la Plagne and Paradiski would be www.pistehors.com..

A sector by sector guide to the ski runs of la Plagne: Plagne Centre – Aime la Plagne – Plagne 1800 Plagne Centre – Plagne 1800 – Plagne Soleil – Plagne Villages Plagne Bellecote - Belle Plagne Bellecote Glacier Montalbert – Aime la Plagne Montchavin – les Coches Champagny

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