La Plagne Soleil Ski Holidays

Plagne Villages and Plagne Soleil aren’t only a gateway to the incredible slopes on offer within the expansive Paradiski ski area, but they provide easy access to snow-sure slopes and a state-of-the-art lift network that links La Plagne to its world-class neighbouring resort of Les Arcs. Here are Erna Low's top reasons for booking Plagne Villages and Plagne Soleil:

• The majority of La Plagne’s slopes are above tree level, so there’s an excellent selection of expansive motorway pistes to play on throughout the main bowl, with Plagne Soleil, Plagne Villages, Plagne Centre and Plagne 1800 forming the main hub of the resort. Each village is conveniently connected to the lifts and gondolas, making it easy to get around the mountain.
• There are loads of beginner-friendly blues as well as a decent selection of green runs just above Plagne Villages that cruise down to Plagne Bellecôte. Beginners and less confident skiers will be more than happy learning the basics and building confidence here before making the logical next step to some of the resort’s more challenging runs.
• If making tracks in fresh powder sounds like your idea of fun, make a beeline for Les Verdons or Grande Rochette. Or, for a bit of variety, head over to the other side towards Champagny-en-Vanoise to pit your wits and skill against some of the more challenging terrain.
• You’ll find incredible forest runs with jaw-dropping views down to Montalbert, Champagny and Les Coches. Montchavin – Longefoy and Montalbert are located in the woods at an elevation of 1200m and have awesome cross-country trails, a freestyle area, plenty of blue runs and four ski lifts. In blizzards and whiteouts, this is a fantastic spot to find shelter as you continue your descent through the trees. Don’t forget to take a photo!
• The summit of the Bellecôte Glacier is 3417m and, if you’re an experienced or confident skier, you’ll find some of the toughest and most exciting black runs and off-piste descents you can find in La Plagne; especially on the challenging couloirs and traverses of the north face.

Freeriders, park rats and even beginner snowboarders will have more than enough to explore at Plagne Soleil/Villages. Here are some of our top highlights for snowboarders:

• Park rats should make a beeline for the Belle Plagne Terrain Park, where you’ll find several different sections that are especially ideal for beginners or unconfident snowboarders.
• In contrast, experienced freestylers will feel more at home in Le Grand Parc at the top of Belle Plagne. It boasts a 20ft red kicker as well as an airbag and 20 rails and tables. You’ll also find an epic 22ft superpipe that’s perpetually groomed by the park shapers who keep it in great condition.
• The off-piste runs on the north face of the Bellecôte Glacier, which is easy to get to via the Traverse chairlift, offer some of the best freeride snowboarding in the valley. La Grande Face and La Petite Face Nord also offer can’t-miss highlights to pit your wits and skills against on the same side of the glacier. Tackle a nerve-wracking vertical drop of 2,000 that eventually ends up in the village of Nancroix in the valley below.