Piste pleasure right through to summer
If you want to describe the skiing region La Plagne in one sentence, it can be compared to an enormous amphitheatre that converges on two great main stages, which are separated by a rocky outcrop. On one side are Plagne Village, Plagne Centre, Plagne 1800 and Aime La Plagne – on the other side Bellecôte and Belle Plagne. No wonder that the range of pistes in La Plagne has numerous opportunities to offer every level of expertise. From the heights of the Bellecôte glacier to the sunny, southern routes towards Champagny. And even in summer, skiers and snowboarders can still left off steam on the glacier from July to August. All 130 pistes in the skiing region of La Plagne in the Tarentaise valley are reached quickly and easily using the over 110 lift systems. Furthermore, a total of 70 snow cannons - in addition to the glacier Dome de Bellecôte – ensure snow and piste fun.
Thanks to the multitude of pistes of all levels of difficulty in the skiing region La Plagne, there is something to suit every skier’s taste and so ski holidaymakers can enjoy absolute variety. Even ski beginners can enjoy a slope from the peak – although the pistes become more difficult with increasing elevation – because, even here, there are numerous blue pistes, like for example on the Roche de Mio at 2,700 metres elevation.
For experienced skiers, the Bellecôte glacier is a real Mecca and, as also the longest slope in the La Plagne skiing region, offers a total of 15 kilometres from Bellecôte to Montchavin. The requirements of real ski professionals are satisfied by the 32 additional red and black pistes, partly in considerably different altitudes, a real highlight being, without doubt, the slope to Champagny la Vanoise on the red piste Mont de la Guerre.
In a skiing region of this size the powder snow fans also naturally get their money’s worth, and should by no means miss the slope over the glacier Cul du Nant to Champagny and the small north wall of Bellecöte down to Nancroix and Peisey. For this, an accompanying ski instructor is advisable. The somewhat easier paths through the forest to Montchavin and Les Coches are suitable for powder snow beginners.
In order to offer variation also to the winter sportsman, who is only out and about on a board, the skiing region La Plagne is also equipped with snow parks and boardercross courses in Bellecôte, Montchavin and Champagny en Vanoise, in addition to its enormous selection of pistes. A natural environment equipped with many handrails and jumps, the snow park in Belle Plagne is recommended in particular, as it snakes its way through pine and larch forests and even has a music system and barbecue area on offer.
Last but not least, the cross-country fans are also well catered for in the skiing area La Plagne. Over 80 kilometres of optimally prepared cross-country ski runs allow the most varied tours - to some extent at over 2000 metres elevation. In addition to the short routes for beginners, there are also for example XXL cross-country pistes available that cross the skiing area in its entire length, from Montalbert to Nancroix. Further cross-country ski runs can be found in Champagny, where you can discover the enchanting region of Champagny le Haut on the five cross-country runs of over 35 kilometres.
Also, thoughts have naturally been given to the smallest winter sports people in the La Plagne skiing region. Therefore, a ski kindergarten can be found in all the resorts of the skiing region and in some locations there is also supervision for little ski speedsters from 6 months.
Après ski adventures on the bobsleigh run
As one of the more comfortable resorts of the La Plagne skiing region, Belle Plagne is characterised by small wood-clad houses with towers, oriel windows and gables, typical of the region. At the same time, the modern shopping galleries invite you to browse, regardless of the weather, and the numerous cafes and pubs invite you in. If you desire a somewhat more active après ski programme, you can chose between a trip to the ice-rink, a snowshoe hike, a visit to the fitness centre or a tour with the snowmobile.
Those who are especially brave can dare a flight with a foil or paraglider, or explore the high wire course of Belle Plagne. Here, 25 metre above the ground - securely attached to a rope - you can admire the Vallon de l‘Ours, the Bärental, from above.
Those who prefer a little less adventure can begin the evening with a cinema visit, a round of bowling or a wellness treatment, and then finish in one of the numerous restaurants and bars.
Extra tip: For all those who are also looking for sporting activities and real adventure off the pistes, La Plagne has a further special highlight to offer. The in the meantime famous Olympic bobsleigh run, which was built in Albertville as part of the Winter Games 1992, offers a unique opportunity to become a bobsleigh racer yourself. With a length of 1,500 metres and a drop of 14.5 %, as well as 19 curves, daredevils and speed fanatics can choose from four different slopes: either on a sledge on 400 meter long ice piste, with a bob raft (a self-developed cushioned vehicle that races down the channel with 80 km / h in complete safety), or with the TaxiBob (with 130 kilometres per hour). Whoever is looking for a real challenge can dare a ride on the SkeletonFahrt, during which you lie on a very flat sledge with your head pointing forwards. However, those who find the actual bobsleigh sport somewhat too adventurous, can also find out about the bobsleigh run and the Olympic Games 1992 in the Centre Média Sport in La Roche.
