Coming to any ski resort for the first time can be both exciting and, in some cases, a little daunting – particularly if you’re a beginner skier or snowboarder. If you or your group are beginners new to La Plagne, we’ve compiled a short list of links on this site that will help you pick the right village for your trip, find the best pistes and make the best of your time away.

When to take your La Plagne holiday

Just like all other ski resorts around the world (with the exception of Turkey’s Palandöken ski area), La Plagne can get extremely busy over the main holiday periods of Christmas, New Year, Easter and, in particular, the dreaded February mid-terms.

If you want to enjoy La Plagne at its best with often-empty pistes and short lift queues, please take a look at our when is La Plagne quietest article which will help you decide the best time to book. Alternatively, also check out these guides
La Plagne in December
La Plagne in January
La Plagne in February
La Plagne in March
La Plagne in April

The best villages as a beginner

As a rule, if you’re just starting out or are an advancing beginner / early intermediate rider, you’ll likely be looking for hassle-free accommodation with everything on your doorstep. If that’s the case, Plagne Centre, Plagne Bellecôte and Belle Plagne win hands down for convenience and these stations also have the best facilities and nightlife. They also have (mostly) ski-in / ski-out accommodation which can be a bonus with tired legs. Click this link for detailed information on the best La Plagne ski in / ski out villages.

Check our La Plagne village guide for more information on each of the La Plagne stations. You can also see options for La Plagne accommodation booking or La Plagne all-inclusive ski holidays across this website to make finding accommodation even easier.

Packing for your La Plagne holiday

If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, it’s quite common to find it difficult to know what to pack for your trip. In fact, even the most seasoned skiers and snowboarders can have difficulty remembering what they need to bring. If either of these applies, check out our La Plagne ski holiday packing list complete with downloadable checklists to ensure you don’t forget anything.

La Plagne flights

If you’re looking for flights for your La Plagne holiday, you can use the booking forms on these pages or click this link for the best deals on La Plagne flights to Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon or Grenoble (or any other airport).

La Plagne transfers

Book your La Plagne transfer in advance online. You can also see average La Plagne transfer times as well as La Plagne transfer previews like the one above. There are also options for getting to La Plagne by train (which is often much cheaper, quicker and easier) as well as La Plagne valley bus transfer times.

Finding lessons as a beginner

The main villages noted above have snowboard instructors working for various schools – you’re literally spoiled for choice with firms like El Pro, Oxygène, the ESF, etc. You can also book a La Plagne ski / snowboard instructor online.

Best areas for beginners

Unless you’re a *total* beginner, you’ll easily handle most of La Plagne’s blue runs. If you do happen to find steeper sections, you can just sideslip them – they don’t last long. The Arpette blue piste above is a good example with the run getting slightly steeper at around 55 seconds.

We’ve produced a full guide answering the question – is La Plagne good for beginners – which covers the best areas, pistes and lifts for total beginners to those with advancing skills.

Just a cursory glance at the La Plagne piste map will let you see the vast majority of blue runs (technically intermediate but they are mostly very mellow) tend to be around the villages noted above. Take a look at our list of La Plagne’s best blue runs where you can see full details of each piste along with 360 and preview videos so you can see the runs before riding. Note – Belle Plagne and Bellecôte pistes are grouped under the title ‘Bellecôte’ while Plagne Centre runs fall under the title ‘Grande Rochette’.

Plagne Bellecôte best blue pistes

Grande Rochette (Plagne Centre, Plagne Soleil, Plagne Villages) best blue pistes

Biolley Aime 2000 best blue pistes (including La Roche)

Alternatively, all the noted villages also have green beginner runs if you are completely new to riding. Click to see all La Plagne green pistes.

La Plagne ski and snowboard hire

Should you need to hire ski or snowboard equipment for your trip, you’ll find full details on the La Plagne ski / snowboard rental page where you’ll also benefit from an exclusive online booking discount.

La Plagne ski / snowboard holiday insurance

You shouldn’t travel without insurance (especially as a beginner). If you’re looking for the most comprehensive La Plagne ski / snowboard insurance, we personally vouch for True Traveller as a no-nonsense, no-quibbles insurer that covers a huge amount of activities as standard. Most importantly, unlike so many insurance firms, they step up as and when you need them. Scroll about halfway down the page to get an idea of what they offer. True Traveller is not a typical insurer offering wintersports as an afterthought. Rather, this is specialised ski/snowboard insurance at a great price. There’s a reason they have a 4.85/5 Trustpilot rating.

 

La Plagne accommodation deals

Booking.com

 

 

Full area piste map