La Plagne’s Grande Rochette has some of the best runs in the resort and forms a central hub above Plagne Centre. Having taken the Funiplagne to the summit, you have multiple options towards pretty much all La Plagne’s high altitude resorts with the exception of Aime 2000.

La Plagne longest runs – Grande Rochette to Champagny

However, while the runs on the front of the mountain towards Plagne Centre are normally the most popular, there’s a far more interesting route you could take over the back in the direction of Champagny that, taken in its entirety, could see you dropping over 1200m via the Petite Rochette blue, Geisha blue, Ravine (supposedly blue but you’ll end walking or skating) then the Les Bois red down to the foot of the valley at Champagny-en-Vanoise.

This route is just one of many that makes the most of La Plagne’s huge vertical drop – plus has some great off-piste opportunities if you’re up to the challenge. Remember to subscribe to the iRide / LaPlagne360 YouTube channel for more tips like this – or check the snow reports videos on this site.

 

Take the Petite Rochette off Grande Rochette

When you exit the Funiplagne, head skier’s left and drop onto the top section of Mira. However, rather than sticking to the wider piste to the left (the continuation of Mira), when the run starts to steepen, take a right where the piste splits in two. This puts you on the Petite Rochette piste – a long, snaking blue motorway piste that takes you the opposite, less-travelled side of Gd Rochette.

The run traverses the side of the mountain before eventually terminating at the top of the Col de Forcle drag lift. While it might seem tempting to continue straight on onto the Leitchoums blue, you need to take a right here, almost doubling back on yourself so you can join the . . .

 

Geisha blue piste towards Champagny

The Geisha piste in the Champagny sector is an intermediates dream and has the added benefit of feeling like you’re way out of bounds (when actually, you’re never that far from lifts). There is one slightly flat section on this piste that might catch you out (particularly on a snowboard – check the Geisha run guide for more details) but, other than that, this run flows down naturally towards the base of the Verdons Sud chair and is well within the scope of early intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Next you’ll need to get over the . . .

 

Ravine pathway towards the Borseliers chair

Unfortunately, the Geisha piste ends at a super-flat section that you’ll have little chance of getting over so a short walk or ski-skate will be required to get over the Ravine ‘piste’ (this is not a piste – it’s a path). But anyway, regardless, it’s worth it to access the next piste, the red . . .

 

Les Bois run to Champagny

Speak to anyone that knows La Plagne and they’ll likely have mixed opinions of the Les Bois red run. For me personally, this piste is a lot of fun with hits and multiple drop-off points on the way down should you get tired of sticking to the main route. I would think most snowboarders would agree. However, some people might complain about the narrow nature of the pathway – particularly the lower section – and it is true this run can get super icy in places with the freeze-thaw conditions that are typical in both late and early season down this low. In particular, there’s one section that almost always stays in shade as you near the long flat path towards Champagny that can get very icy until later in the day.

All that said, get this run with fresh snow and it’s immense. Plus following this last ride down will give you that immense vertical drop and the chance to see Champagny-en-Vanoise village, nestled below the towering peaks that surround it. Once you’re done, simply jump on the Champagny gondola to gain access back to Champagny runs and lifts.

 

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Full area piste map