La Plagne
Resort Overview
La Plagne stands as the world's most visited ski resort, commanding 225 kilometres of varied terrain across eleven distinctive villages ranging from 1,250m to 3,250m altitude. This purpose-built resort in the Tarentaise Valley attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually with its comprehensive skiing experience that spans four communes and encompasses 100 square kilometres of skiable area. The resort forms the heart of the massive Paradiski area, which combines with neighbouring Les Arcs via the revolutionary Vanoise Express double-decker cable car to create 425 kilometres of interconnected pistes across 10,000 hectares. With 70% of the terrain positioned above 2,000m elevation, La Plagne delivers exceptional snow reliability throughout its December to April season, while its diverse village options range from functional ski-in-ski-out accommodation to charming traditional Alpine communities.
Trails & Terrain
Trails
Total Runs
137
Total Area
225km
139.8 miles
La Plagne Lift System
La Plagne operates one of the Alps' most comprehensive lift networks, featuring 74 installations including 2 cable cars, 8 gondolas, 36 chairlifts, and 38 surface lifts that efficiently transport skiers across the resort's extensive terrain. The system's centrepiece is the groundbreaking Vanoise Express, which travels at over 40 km/h making it one of the world's fastest cable cars, seamlessly linking La Plagne to Les Arcs across the dramatic Ponturin Gorge. Modern installations like the Glaciers gondola provide access to the 3,080m summit, while strategic lift placement ensures efficient circulation between the resort's multiple sectors from the tree-lined slopes of Montchavin-Les Coches to the high-altitude bowls above Belle Plagne. The network includes notable infrastructure such as the Télémétro linking Plagne Centre to Aime-La Plagne, plus the resort's Olympic bobsleigh track built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.
Lifts
Total Lifts
74
Lift Types
7
Lift Breakdown
Location & Getting There
Located in the prestigious Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, La Plagne sits in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, approximately 148 kilometres northeast of Geneva Airport and 108 kilometres from Chambéry Airport. The resort occupies a spectacular mountain setting facing Mont Blanc, spread across four communes including Aime, Bellentre, Champagny-en-Vanoise, and Mâcot-la-Plagne, with excellent transport links to major Alpine centres. Its strategic position places it 66 kilometres southeast of Chambéry, 147 kilometres east of Grenoble, and within easy reach of other renowned Tarentaise resorts, making it highly accessible for international visitors. The area's rich heritage includes former mining villages like Plagne 1800, traditional Alpine farming communities such as Montchavin, and purpose-built modern centres, all connected by the resort's comprehensive lift system and free shuttle services between villages.
La Plagne
, france