La Plagne is part of the giant Paradiski area in the Savoie region, France. La Plagne is made up of 11 separate villages, so even though it is the world’s 3rd largest ski area, it has the feel of a small resort. Here’s our view on where to ski, eat and Apres Ski in La Plagne from our recent trip.
Where To Ski?
La Plagne has 225km of pistes with varying terrain to explore. Although a great resort for beginner and intermediate skiers, La Plagne also has a number of hidden gems for off piste adventurers too. Here’s a few of our favourite spots:
Bellcote Glacier – The North Face
La Plagne’s Bellcote glacier sits at 3,100m altitude and offer’s snow-sure conditions all season long. A trip to the glacier offers some challenging red and black runs to the more advanced skiers. For those more comfortable on the blue runs, a trip to the top of the glacier on the Belcotte bubble lift is still worth the trip. You are rewarded with some spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the Courchevel ski resort and altiport for the eagle eyed on a clear day. You can always take the bubble lift back down if you don’t fancy the more challenging runs home.
For the off piste junky, the North Face one of the best accessible off-piste route’s in the Alps. You will definitely need a guide for this one but worth every penny if you you are a true powder hound! The route takes you off the back of the Bellcote Glacier (the North Face) and offers a number of long, untouched, couloir runs into the valley between La Plagne and Les Arcs.
Les Coches – Off Piste Lines
If you like tree runs, this is the spot for you! There’s plenty of secret off-piste runs in the area. Some need careful guiding, others can be tackled just off the side of the piste. The below lines in yellow are brilliant routes on powder days if you enjoy skiing in the trees. These lines are not too steep and you should have one or two tracks to follow, carved out by the locals.
Where To Eat On The Mountain?
Le Souget – Les Coches
This quintessential French Mountain restaurant is a must visit for lunch! The restaurant has been family run since 1941 and serves traditional Savoie cuisine. The French onion soup is a brilliant starter. The menu is in French but the family will translate in English as much as they can for you! There are a few cosy fires to warm you up on the cold days and I can promise you, you can’t have a bad meal in here!
Le Sauget is situated close to the Vanoise Express on the La Plagne side, so easily accessible to skiers from any area of La Plagne or Les Arcs. If you head to the bottom of the Pierre Blanches chairlift or the top of the Monchavin chairlift you can't miss it.
Le 360
This mountain restaurant looks like a Bond villains HQ and a great sun trap on a bluebird day. The food is pretty standard canteen style food, but you come for the views rather than top cuisine on this south facing mountain spot. A top spot for a beer break or to soak up the sun and give the legs a break. This spot is found toward the Montalbert side of the resort, at the top of Adrets chairlift and Montalbert bubble lift.
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