Related Regions: France, Northern Alps, Paradiski, Savoie, Savoie Haute Savoie

La Plagne Overview

4.0
10 Reviews
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La Plagne

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La Plagne is big, the biggest ski resort in the world both by number of days of ski lift passes bought in a season - 2.5 million - and by the number of beds - 53,509. It also has the biggest ski lift in the world, the Vanoise Express linking it with adjoining Les Arcs. Together they make up the Paradiski area. The resort attracts a lot of skiers, but at the same time it has great facilities. It is not, by any measure, super smart. There are no five-star hotels and no plans for any and no Michelin starred restaurants. There is no night club where you are likely to bump into Beckham or Beyoncé but there are still dozens of good restaurants and bars. There is now a strong move to expand the higher end accommodation and protect the environment. Hard to believe that 50 years ago there was nothing here except cows and a lead mine where most of the miners died by the time they reached their middle fifties.

La Plagne is a beautiful place - a plateau surrounded by the great snow covered alpine peaks. You have to say this first because it has a reputation for ugly buildings. True the earlier buildings are what you might call architecturally challenged, if you are not a fan of Le Corbusier and his disciples. But the scenery is wonderful - on the edge of and even in the glorious Parc régionale de la Vanoise where you may see ibex, chamois, golden eagles bearded vultures. Much of the early part of the resort was built on the principle of the ‘the most people on the least land' to preserve the ski area, with inevitable architectural consequences. Even so it is ironic that the most controversial building, the giant ‘paquebot' at Aime La Plagne, built in 1969, has the highest client fidelity score. Actually certain parts of the village resorts are attractive, particularly the village of Belle Plagne, developed later.

By Robert Harneis

Elevation

Summit

10663 Ft.
Vertical Drop

6562 Ft.
Base

4101 Ft.

Terrain

Beginner Runs

38%

Intermediate Runs

40%

Advanced Runs

10%

Expert Runs

12%

KM of Nordic Open

N/A

KM Pistes

225.00

Terrain Parks

N/A

KM Night Skiing

N/A

Lifts

Eight Person Lifts: 0
Gondolas & Trams: 0
High Speed Sixes: 0
Quad Chairs: 18
Triple Chairs: 1
Double Chairs: 12
Surface Lifts: 61

Common Misspellings

La-Plagne, Laplagne, Laplagnee, Laplague, Laplaigne

Important Dates

Projected Opening Ski Season:

Projected Closing Ski Season:

Years Open: 12

La Plagne Reviews

by pjcraxford Jan 8, 2011
- Overall Rating 4.0
- Family Friendly 4.0
- All Mtn. Terrain 4.0
- Terrain Park 3.0
- Nightlife 2.0
Belle Plagne Good Resort Not Too Large

Pros: Good for Families.
Cons: Not for absolute beginners
by phil J Jan 10, 2010
- Overall Rating 4.0
- Family Friendly 4.0
- All Mtn. Terrain 4.0
- Terrain Park 4.0
- Nightlife 3.0
La Plagne JAN 2010

Pros: Expansive terrain, very few skiers
Cons: Not ideal for beginners
by Pimpo Nov 2, 2009
- Overall Rating 4.0
- Family Friendly 5.0
- All Mtn. Terrain 4.0
- Terrain Park 4.0
- Nightlife 1.0
Great Intermediate Resort

Pros: Expansive Terrain
Cons: Nightlife Not Great