Winter In All Kinds Of Ways In La Plagne

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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What is now reffered to as La Plagne covers the four said communities and incorporates over 200 km of slopes and 100 square kilometers of ski area: cross-country, downhill, and trails for all levels.

Foreigners were scarce on the La Plagne ski the slopes in the '60s. There was no resort and accommodation would have been almost impossible to find. At the end of 1961, La Plagne opened some lifts and basic accommodations for tired out skiers - not even close to the resorts seen today. With ski competitions shown live on TV, La Plagne doubled with each passing year and in 1962-3, the access road had to be asphalted so that people wouldn't get stuck getting there, as they had in previous years. Skiers often help the bashers make the trails when they were not skiing, for all the volunteer work that could be rounded up had to be. Within a few years, the number of pistes, and accordingly of skiers, grew greatly.

Nowadays, there is no need for a car when going to the La Plagne resort. It can be reached by train, of which you get off the Aime station and take a 30-minute bus ride to get to the resort. It can also be reached ...
... by Snow Train, which allows the passengers to admire the breathtaking splendour of the French Alps. The closest airports are in Chambery, Geneva, Lyon, and Grenoble.

Ski-wise, the La Plagne ski area is huge. It represents 10 smaller resorts (6 of high altitude and 4 lower ones) and totals 135 pistes at an altitude ranging between 1,250m and 3,250m above see level. So, with 20 expert black runs, over 70 intermediate blue runs, around 30 advanced red runs and about a dozen beginner green runs, no one will be bored. And snowboarders are not forgotten with their half pipes and fun parks. At a more contemplative pace, the La Plagne ski resorts have numerous cross-country trails that will suit any level of skiing skill.

If you are interested in history, the Mont de la Guerre piste is just for you. Historically, La Plagne was used as an area to store military munitions during the Great Wars. The weapons were stored in old mines and used against the Germans. Today, the Mont de la Guerre is a piste attributed to these battles. The town center even houses a war cenotaph to the British aircrew who helped drop-deliver the ammo from their planes.

In the center of the six high altitude resorts, the Plagne Centre is where you can get your bearings and find any necessity in groceries, boutiques and other stores, and even get medical attention if required, in the medical center. Several nearby villages, such as the Champagny en Vanoise and the Montchavin, can be accessed using the free public transport and you can even ski to your friends resort! For example, you can meet for ski in the morning and take the lift back to your respective resorts even if you're in different towns. Definitely, this is the place to be if you intend to spend lively ski vacations in France.

If ski is not your cup of tea, you can try different winter sports in La Plagne. First, it is the only French holiday destination that has an Olympic bobsleigh track, and you get to try it. On a Bobraft, a Mono-Bob or a Taxi Bob, hold on tight as you fly at nearly 40km/h. Slower but as exciting, traineaux a chiens, or husky sledding, can be tried in the Plagne Montalbert. The team of energetic huskies will bring its passengers through winding forest paths, sharp corners, and downhill slopes, all surrounded by beautiful sceneries. For a traditional sightseeing day, La Plagne has numerous winter walking trails to offer: you can be glacier walking at the Glacier de la Chiaupe, you can visit the "Grotte de Glace" or ice caves, or you can give in to your daring personality and climb a frozen waterfall.

And don't leave before you tried legendary French apres-ski in La Plagne. With more than 80 restaurants, almost 20 different bars and 4 discotheques, there is no point in staying in at night, no matter how exhausting your day was. It is after an exciting day on the slopes and an eventful night out partying that a cosy hotel room or apartment by the slopes is well deserved.

O.B.S. company is currently working on La Plagne skiing project. It represents possible La Plagne accommodation and activities during La Plagne winter vacations in France.