La Plagne Ski Holidays
"Belle Plagne is the main village in La Plagne. With loads going on, easy acces to Plagne Bellecôte and a great selection of restaurants and bars, this would be the place to stay in La Plagne if you're looking for some entertainment outside of skiing."
Jonny Heywood, Senior Sales Consultant (Team Leader).
Perched at 2050m on the edge of La Plagne, the resort gets the ‘Belle’ part of its name (which means beautiful in English) from its picture-postcard-worthy view of the mountainside. Belle Plagne was designed as a purpose-built ski resort in 1981 by architect Michel Bezancon, who bucked the trend for modern Bauhaus and Brutalist trends and instead opted for the idyllic charm of traditional Savoyard architecture. With cosy chalet-style buildings crafted from wood, stone and lauze tiles, Belle Plagne is rustic, easy to navigate and perfect for snowsport enthusiasts looking for a resort with real character.
The resort itself couldn’t be better set up. It’s fully pedestrian, which means it’s completely free from cars, and the state-of-the-art network of lifts and covered stairways that connect the upper and lower parts means everywhere is easily accessible by foot. Plus, the ski-in, ski-out accommodation makes it easy to get back to your accommodation even on two planks! While it isn't one of La Plagne's epic party hotspots, Belle Plagne does have a great selection of lively bars, restaurants and nightclubs for grabbing a few cheeky après beers, table-top dancing until the early hours or enjoying a relaxed meal on a more low-key night out.
Belle Plagne mountain facts
Belle Plagne is the third-highest village in La Plagne with an impressive elevation of 2050m. Part of the awe-inspiring Domaine La Plagne, which is also connected to the larger Paradiski area, you’ll find plenty of varied terrain that’s suitable for skiers of all levels and abilities – with altitudes ranging from 1,207m up to 3,250m at the top of the Bellecôte glacier. Belle Plagne also has 135 runs spread across 225km, so if you’re looking for an adventure, there really are a lot of pistes to explore! The majority of slopes in the immediate ski area are made up of beginner-friendly blue runs with a decent selection of reds for more experienced skiers. If you're up for a challenge, head over to Roche De Mio for some steeper on- and off-piste. And don’t forget, you’ve still got the whole of Les Arcs and the rest of the Paradiski to explore.
Snow conditions in Belle Plagne
Belle Plagne has an impressive snow record thanks to its high resort altitude, which means you’re almost guaranteed snow surety throughout the entire ski season. The season usually runs from December through to late April averaging 517cm of snow and 46 days of snowfall. One standout season even saw 678 cm of snow, with 48 snow days and a massive 55 cm drop in a single day! The trusty piste-basher teams are in perpetual action to keep all slopes looking fresh and maximising your slope time, and La Plagne's main pistes and lower villages have snow cannons at the ready to provide good snow cover throughout the season.
Skiing in Belle Plagne
As well as snow-sure slopes and a state-of-the-art lift network that connects La Plagne to its neighbouring resort of Les Arcs, Belle Plagne is an incredible gateway to jaw-dropping Paradiski ski area, giving you unlimited access to the extensive slopes on offer across the entire region. Here are Erna Low's top reasons for booking Belle Plagne:
- The slopes around Belle Plagne are easy to navigate and perfect for beginners, first-timers and less-confident intermediate skiers, with wide and spacious blue runs like Le Tunnel, which winds down from Roche de Mio back to the village, offering a quiet and relatively peaceful place to build confidence.
- Around half the runs in La Plagne are either red or black – ideal for experienced intermediates and advanced skiers looking for more of a fun challenge. There are plenty of steep, technical descents to pit your wits and skills against, and La Plagne's extensive network of off-piste routes provides confident skiers the opportunity to explore untouched powder and tucked-away landscapes far away from the main crowds.
- The Bellecôte glacier summit is an absolute playground for advanced skiers, as it offers some of the most thrilling black runs and off-piste routes to play on in the area. In particular, its north face is packed with tight couloirs and challenging traverses that we’re confident will really put your skills to the test.
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Whether you’re a first-timer looking to master the basics or an experienced skier searching for a fun-filled winter adventure, a ski holiday to Belle Plagne really does offer an unforgettable experience.
Snowboarding in Belle Plagne
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Freeriders and park rats have more than enough to explore at Belle Plagne. Beginner snowboarders will be in their element too, thanks to the beginner-friendly parks and wide, open runs that are perfect for mastering the basics. Here are some of our top highlights for snowboarders:
- The Belle Plagne Terrain Park is accessible for snowboarders of all levels and abilities – including first-timers looking to make their first freestyle moves. The park is divided into separate sections, so novice riders can practise without any pressure from the more experienced park rats.
- Le Petit Parc is best suited for beginners looking to learn the proverbial ropes and is accessed by the Col de Forcle button lift. In contrast, Le Grand Parc, which sits at the top of Belle Plagne, has a 20ft red kicker as well as an airbag and 20 rails and tables. There’s also a 22ft superpipe that sweeps down the hill to Bellecôte that’s almost always in great condition thanks to the park shapers who are in perpetual action keeping the kickers groomed and fresh.
- Experienced riders will be in their element at the Riders Nation snow park in Plagne Bellecôte. It’s geared up for more serious park rats looking to push their freestyle skills to the max with large jumps, an XL kicker line, rails and boxes ideal for mastering jumps, jibbing, j-turns, side slipping and any other manoeuvre you can think of.
- The north face of the Bellecote Glacier, which is easily reached via the Traverse chairlift, offers some of the best off-piste riding in the valley. La Grande Face and La Petite Face Nord are the absolute can’t-miss runs on this side of the glacier. Both have a super long descent with a vertical drop of 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet), taking thrill-seekers down to the village of Nancroix in the valley below.
- The Mont St Jacques is another iconic run that takes you through trees and past ramshackle rural outhouses before joining a mountain bike trail and ending at the main road below the bobsled run.
What accommodation is available when I ski in Belle Plagne?
At Belle Plagne, you've got a good selection of accommodation options to choose from, including self-catering and catered chalets, short-stay apartments, budget-friendly apartments and luxurious five-star properties and hotels, which means finding something that suits your taste and budget is easy. One of Belle Plagne’s highlights is its purpose-built set up, which includes a fully pedestrian resort centre. Plus, seeing as most of the accommodation is ski-in, ski-out, the slopes are always practically on your doorstep
All Ski Resort Accommodation in Belle Plagne
Ski Holidays in Belle Plagne
Apres-ski in Belle Plagne
Belle Plagne is known for being a bit more laidback and family-friendly than some of its rowdier neighbouring resorts, but that doesn’t mean it lacks a lively après-ski scene. Among its boujee cafés and crêperies, you’ll find some lively bars and restaurants perfect for winding down with an après beer in the sun. Or if you’re up for an epic night out for partying into the early hours, you’ll won’t be short on “table-stomping” dancing in your ski boots action in some of the resort’s brilliant nightclubs. Whatever a great night out looks like to you, Belle Plagne has got a real variety of places to keep you entertained long after you’ve packed your skis back in the locker room. Check out our top Belle Plagne après-ski picks:
- Feel like partying late into the night? Then you can be sure to count on Saloon Bar for lively vibes after the last lifts have shut down for the day. It’s open daily from 4pm, but it comes alive in the later hours when the dance floor is packed, legendary live DJs are hyping the crowd and everyone’s busting dodgy dance moves until 5am.
- Le Cheyenne Café is a casual Western-themed bar that feels like a cosy cowboy saloon high above the clouds. It serves up a great selection of burgers, pizzas and other comforting dishes alongside a classic selection of cocktails, beers and wines that hit the spot after an exhausting day skiing in Belle Plagne.
- Mid-afternoon après, anyone? La Bergerie is what can only be described as a renovated farmhouse-turned-party house on the slopes. Located on the Mira blue run just above Plagne Villages, this epic high-altitude venue has a sit-down restaurant and a snack bar for quicker bites. But once the lunch service wraps up at 2pm, the party kicks off with beers and signature shots accompanied by legendary live DJs, table-top dancing, live saxophonists and even sometimes fire artists!
- La Tête Inn is a lively Alpine bar with cosy carved ceiling beams, a great selection of beers, wines and whiskeys, free bar snacks and a wonderfully warm ambience you’ll want to sink into for the entire evening as you listen to live DJs serving up great music.
Facilities in Belle Plagne
There’s more to Belle Plagne than the snow-sure slopes and epic high-altitude skiing that we deliberately keep mentioning! When you’ve had your fill of snow-time for the day, Belle Plagne has all the holiday-making facilities you need for a fun-filled adventure. It has several accommodation options, many of which are ski-in, ski-out and offer pool and spa access where you can rest tired muscles after a long and exhausting day on the hill. Ski rental shops are scattered across the resort, making it easy to hire ski equipment, and there’s a convenient shopping centre with sports shops, cafés and supermarkets for picking up a few essentials.
Facilities for children in Belle Plagne
Belle Plagne is a brilliant destination for families with kids of all ages. The resort offers various childcare services, including crèches and kids' clubs that cater to children as young as 18 months old, with fun, age-appropriate programs to keep them entertained throughout the day. Much of the accommodation in Belle Plagne also provides dedicated on-site children's clubs, babysitting options and additional facilities, like swimming pools, to help keep the little ones entertained off the hill. For those with adventurous little ones, some of the more niche activities include snowshoeing, ice skating, sledging and ziplining.
Why choose Erna Low for Belle Plagne ski holidays?
- Experience and service: We’re champions of integrity and quality with good old-fashioned customer service being at our core.
- Incredible value holidays: Tailor-make your trip according to your budget by adding all the extras; travel options, equipment hire, lessons, lift passes, food options and lots more.
- Huge choice of accommodation: Our carefully curated selection of Accommodation options provides the perfect balance of affordability and quality.
- Customisable travel: Our packages are fully customisable and the best thing is, you can book everything all in one place!
- Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
- 5-star Trustpilot reviews:9 out of 10 ski fanatics would recommend us to their friends and family.
FAQs about skiing in Belle Plagne
Are there beginner-friendly slopes in Belle Plagne?
Yes, there are. Beginners and first-timers will be more than happy practising the basics and building confidence down the wide selection of wipe, open green and blue runs. You’ll also find a designated beginner area just down from the village with easy lift access.
Can I hire ski equipment at the resort?
Yes, you can easily rent ski equipment in Belle Plagne. There are several ski equipment rental shops across the resort where you can hire skis, snowboards, helmets, boots, poles and more. If you need to hire ski equipment at the resort, you can easily include it as part of your Erna Low ski holiday package, which is easily the best way to avoid the busy queues on changeover day as you’ll have your equipment ready and waiting for you on arrival.
Is the resort suitable for families?
Belle Plagne is a fantastic resort for families! The car-free streets and ski-in, ski-out accommodation make the logistics of moving around the resort with children much safer and easier. You’ll find a wide selection of ski schools and activities designed with families of all ages in mind. Plus, there are plenty of childcare options that are ideal for keeping the little ones entertained while you spend a full day on the hill.
What dining options are available at the resort?
Belle Plagne has plenty of restaurants and bars that cater for all tastes and cravings. If you’re after a coffee to kick start your day along with some sweet pastries, you’ll find a number of cafés and crêperies within walking distance of the resort centre. Enjoy traditional Savoyard dishes like fondue and raclette at La Bouchée and L'alpage or head to the Spitting Feathers Pub for authentic gastro-pub food surrounded by live music and a lively après atmosphere. Most restaurants offer a child-friendly menu, and there is a good selection of cosy bistros, like L'Escapade, if you’re after a more relaxed night out.
How do I get to Belle Plagne ski resort?
Belle Plagne has three nearby airports so you’ve a few different routes to the resort. While Chambéry is closest to Belle Plagne, your best bet might be Geneva because of its international connections and high frequency of flights. The transfer from Geneva is approximately 2.5 hours. You can’t get a direct train to Belle Plagne but you can catch a high-speed (TGV) train from Paris or even the Eurostar ski train, which stops at Aime just 20km from the resort with frequent buses to La Plagne. If you’re driving from the UK, it’s about a 10-hour drive from Calais to Belle Plagne.
"Belle Plagne is the highest and prettiest village in La Plagne and has a green run running through it. Perfect for beginners and the perfect base for exploring the Paradiski ski area."
Jane Bolton, Product Director.
