Celebration time in La Plagne with the 20th anniversary of Paradiski
La Plagne, All resortsPresentation
The French Alps have always been a haven for winter sports enthusiasts and our resort La Plagne stands as one of its crown jewels. La Plagne has been a beloved destination for skiers and snowboarders since 1961. From its stunning landscapes to its exhilarating slopes, La Plagne offers an unforgettable experience.
In December 2003 Paradiski was born with the official opening of the Vanoise Express cable car, which spans through Peisey-Vallandry linking Les Arcs and La Plagne together. The Vanoise Express itself is remarkable and still holds the title of the largest cable car in the world. 2 double-decker cable cars can carry up to 200 people each. It takes around 4 minutes to cross 1.8km (around 1.1 miles) from one side of the valley to the other, making its hourly capacity of 2000 passengers. Simply massive!
To celebrate this occasion we wanted to explore a few of our favourite things about our wonderful resort La Plagne. We look at some great places to stay, fun activities to do, where is good to eat, après-ski spots and a few of our favourite ski slopes. Read on for some insider insight…
Some favourite accommodation options in La Plagne
If you are looking for a ski holiday residence then the W 2050 is one we can recommend. Located in Belle Plagne, this recently fully refurbished high-end residence offers panoramic views of the mountains and easy access to the ski slopes. With beautifully decorated apartments catering for 2 to 12 people, it's a perfect place to book for your next winter holiday.
Maybe a hotel holiday is more your thing! The Hotel Araucaria in Plagne Centre is a superb option. It combines modern comfort with a cosy alpine atmosphere. It boasts a great bar, children’s play area and a wellness centre perfect for a spot of relaxation. It is also ski-in, ski-out, making it incredibly convenient for hitting the slopes!
We know some of you simply love a typical mountain chalet holiday for a more intimate experience. In this case, we can highly suggest the Chalet Fend l’Air in Plagne 1800. Its warm and welcoming ambience makes it a great choice for families or larger groups, with spacious rooms, an outdoor sauna and beautiful views, you will not be let down.
Or possible you prefer a self-catered apartment? In the L’Orée des Pistes, we have 4 great options for those looking for a chic, ski-in, ski-out solution. Located in Plagne Centre, these apartments right on the snowfront are close to restaurants, bars, shops and plenty of other amenities, you will love your ski holiday here! It’s a super practical, adaptable, high-end experience.
Some fun activities we love to do in La Plagne
It goes without saying, but you can not come to the Paradiski area without sampling the slopes and of course, the main attraction in La Plagne is the incredible skiing and snowboarding. With over 225 kilometres of slopes in just La Plagne, then add 200 more with Les Arcs, you'll never run out of new terrain to explore.
Perfect for a change of pace, we also love a good snowshoe hike or ski touring session. These activities allow you to explore the stunning winter landscapes in another way, up close and personal with nature.
For something a little more adrenaline-filled, the Superluge Derby nighttime sledging is a super choice. An hour and a half of evening sledging. Get ready for giggles, adventure and plenty of memories.
Finally, we can not talk about La Plagne and not mention the bobsleigh! This is a unique experience that you definitely should not miss - the only bobsleigh in France and it’s open to the public! Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, it's bobsled time!
Favourite restaurants, bars & après-ski spots in La Plagne
There are soooo many wonderful places to pick and it’s been a really hard choice, but here are some great places to eat and enjoy the après-ski scene in La Plagne. Please note, if you want more options, contact us directly and we will suggest others more adapted to your needs.
For an on-slope day dining experience is Plan Bois Chez Laurette. Located on the slopes as you head down to Montchavin Les Coches, this quaint restaurant offers a unique and intimate dining experience with delicious local homemade dishes. Plus, the outdoor terrace provides a perfect spot for enjoying the views. Spaces are limited therefore we highly recommend reserving your table in advance
For those who love meat, Le Cocoon Grill in Plagne 1800 is the perfect option for you. Here you’ll find two Scandinavian Kota grill huts that can host between 6 and 21 people. It’s a unique concept that serves up a beautiful indoor BBQ meat feast. An excellent choice for a special occasion, BUT must be booked in advance!
For a spot of on-slope après-ski and dancing, La Bergerie in Plagne Villages is the place to be with live music and DJs every day! La Bergerie is also known for its yummy Savoyard dishes and has a large outdoor dining terrace perfect for the end-of-season long sunshine lunches.
For après-ski nighttime dancing, La Mine in Plagne 1800 will give you your money's worth. Live music and bands every week, just make sure you check the agenda for when you’ll be on holiday!
Last but not least, for a more relaxed après-ski or evening drink, Le Brix in Plagne Centre offers a super beer bar concept, and we must say their selection of beers beats every other place in La Plagne.
A few of our favourite ski slopes in La Plagne
A favourite blue run of ours is the Mont Blanc, located in the direction of Montchavin. Spanning a distance of 6.5 km, the Mont Blanc is the longest slope in La Plagne (and the second longest in Paradiski). Enjoy large wide open slopes that eventually meander through the picturesque forest.
Moving onto a wonderful red run, we love to attack La Sources, a 4 km piste that starts at the Roche de Mio. Incredible views with beautiful movement, but don’t get too comfortable, there is a steeper wall section towards the bottom that likes to test a few people's skills out.
We cannot talk about ski runs without heading up to the La Plagne glacier, and this year is super special because La Plagne has a brand new cable car called Des Glaciers, linking the Roche de Mio and Bellecôte Glacier together. Thanks to this new construction, the Glacier is now more accessible to everyone… including sit-skiers, who in the past have never been able to get in the old telecabin that dated back 50 years. For this reason, for those more advanced skiers looking for a good black run, the Bellecôte black is for you! A Piste ‘Natur’, which means it is un-pisted in its rawest condition. Heading down here you’ll feel as if it takes you into the middle of nowhere, which all adds to the experience, of course...
3 of our La Plagne favourite events
The Born to Be Show, an exhilarating spectacle that encapsulates the essence and spirit of the resort. Taking place during the February half-term in Plagne Centre, expect to see the local Club des Sports and La Plagne athletes strut their stuff on the racing slope, showcasing their many skills. It always ends with a captivating fireworks display.
The Super Slalom usually takes place either the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April. It’s a thigh-burning event where anyone can sign up and have a go at the world's longest slalom from Aime 2000 to La Roche.
The Sublicimes is our last favourite in this article, a 6-day free event that takes place at the beginning of April. 5 La Plagne peaks are transformed into mini-universes. Just think, you may be able to go to a roller disco at 2700 metres or head on a space adventure in an ice cave, there may even be ball pools, slides and electric skidoos for the little’uns. It’s lots of fun and a great way to end the ski season.
So there you have it, make this winter one to remember as you celebrate the milestone that is Paradiski and create unforgettable memories in our La Plagne Alpine paradise.