La Plagne

The well-known and popular La Plagne ski resort is part of Paradiski, one of the larger ski areas in France, with 425 km of pistes and 140 lifts. La Plagne is really ten villages at altitudes from 1,250 m to 2,100 m. They include both quiet Savoyard villages, popular with families with children, and lively modern ski resorts. La Plagne is a vast mountain pasture stretching between the Isère valley and the summit of the Dôme de Bellecôte (3,417 m). The ski area lies on two levels. The upper level consists of the pistes between the Bellecôte glacier and the six upper ski stations: Plagne Bellacôte, Plagne Centre, Belle Plagne, Plagne Soleil and Aime la Plaigne. What they have in common is not only the word "Plagne" in each name but also the fact that they were all built in modern times. The lower level consists of the pistes between the four lowest resorts, which grew up around old mountain villages (Montchavin, Les Coches, Montalbert, Champagny en Vanoise). All the villages, linked by an exceptionally modern lift system, form one ski area, Grande Plagne, with 212 km of pistes. Snow on the downhill slopes above 2,000 m is guaranteed, and that is where most of the pistes are. In July and August you can ski on the Bellecôte and La Chiaupe glaciers. Wide, treeless slopes that are good for learning are found next to practically every one of the six modern resorts on the "upper level" of La Plagne. The lower pistes around the "lower level" villages are terrain for more advanced skiers. It is not just that there are moguls and narrow sections in places. A lack of snow can also make itself felt. The more difficult terrain is above Roche de Mio. The descents from the Bellecôte glacier to les Bauches or to the Col de la Chiaupe require considerable skill. Off-piste skiing is possible in many places; the north faces of Bellecôte, for example, are outstanding (though dangerous, so it is worth hiring a guide). La Plagne has several snow parks: Belle Plagne, Montchavin/Les Coches and Champagny en Vanoise. Cross-country skiers have 90 km of trails. Each resort has its own cross-country loop, linked to other trails in the region. Thanks to the very modern Vanoise Express cable car, which crosses the Panthurin valley, La Plagne is linked to Les Arcs, the other large Paradiski resort. On this exceptionally scenic ride you can admire the panorama of the Mont Blanc massif and the Alps on the Italian side of the border. As befits such a large and renowned resort, La Plagne's offer away from skiing covers practically everything you could dream of on a winter holiday. There are fitness centres and spas, swimming pools, ice rinks, toboggan runs and climbing walls. Active pastimes include paragliding, snowshoe walks, ice climbing, bobsleigh, skeleton, squash, paintball, bowling, sled dog races and helicopter trips. A big attraction in La Plagne is the Olympic bobsleigh track near Plagne Bellacôte, the only facility of its kind in France open to the general public outside training sessions and competitions. New for winter 2006/2007: * The "La Roche" chairlift, a detachable 6-seater, giving day skiers and those arriving by coach access to the high parts of the ski area. * The "Plan de Bois" chairlift, a detachable 6-seater in the Coches area. The third efficient means of transport to la Plagne since the completion of the Vanoise Express. * The **** MGM residence in Champagny en Vanoise. A swimming pool, spa and high-standard apartments in a Savoyard village. A unique view of the Vanoise glaciers and the Pralognon valley. From the events calendar: * 17 to 22 December 2006, "Sports Stars" (5th edition): famous French athletes (including Laurent Blanc, Stéphane Diagana and Fabien Pelous) are patrons of the event, during which they share their experience with young athletes from their federations. The event is supported by the French Ministry of Youth and Sport and by the sports federations. * 27 to 28 January 2007, "La Gorzderette" (4th edition): a competition combining ice climbing, big air and a Nordic sprint. Professionals and amateurs meet in a friendly atmosphere. Open to everyone. * The World Cup in evening dual moguls, on the Jean-Luc Crétier Slalom piste in Plagne Centre. Sandra Laoura, bronze medallist at the last Olympic Games, will show what she can do on home ground. LA GRANDE PLAGNE also means: a contactless ski pass (across the whole Paradiski area), non-personal ski passes, an option to ski for 6 days in the afternoons only, 4-hour cards, top-ups at machines, online top-ups (Par@diskicarte) and a refund of the purchase price if the pass is lost.