A good week but shall avoid the three weeks of the French half-terms if visiting again, as the lower slopes became dangerously crowded.

One of the world’s largest ski resorts and one of the handful worldwide that regularly clocks up more than two million winter visits, La Plagne got larger still in 2003-4 when the spectacular Vanoise Express double decker, 200 person tram linked it to Lesa Arcs across the valley. This was the culmination of a dream decades old and created the Paradiski ski area with about 250 miles of trails. The region claims to be the world’s largest by skiable area, if not by trail length/number of lifts.

La Plagne came top in a computer assessment of 3000 ski resorts world-wide. It has 10 different bases, six purpose - built, four traditional, offering the ubiquitous 'something for everyone'. The resort has pioneered the installation of high capacity chairs , especially 'six-pac' six seater high-speed detachable chairs (typical capacity 3000 skiers per hour each).

La Plagne is also famous for offering additional on-slope activities including the popular Olympic bob-sleigh run available for recreational use.