Aside from just being home to some of the world’s best ski resorts, France arguably pioneered the trend for convenient skiing and snowboarding earlier than any other ski nation. While some of these constructions aren’t exactly the most picture-postcard or aesthetically pleasing resorts on earth, they nonetheless offer a level of convenience that is hard to find anywhere else. From Tignes Val Claret’s striking architecture to Avoriaz’s car-free centre and La Plagne Bellecôte’s utterly unique shape, these buildings hark back to a time when function was prioritised over form. Here’s our guide to La Plagne’s best ski in / ski out villages.

Although almost all the La Plagne stations offer convenient, piste-side accommodation, some stations go above and beyond when it comes to ski in / ski out apartments and hotels. As mentioned, a lot of the architecture in these buildings is a stark reminder of 60s and 70s construction trends that almost veer towards brutalism. That said, there is little denying these buildings work when it comes to maximising your time on the hill.

Featured in the video and image above, Belle Plagne is easily the most convenient of all the La Plagne towns – yet manages this with more sympathetic architecture and design. Much of the resort is connected directly to pistes running directly through the village. In fact, aside from the main access points, most of the ‘roads’ here are actually ski runs. Belle Plagne easily has the most accommodation directly on the piste – plus, aside from Plagne Centre, it also has the best facilities, bars and restaurants in La Plagne. It also has the advantage that the setting sun stays out longer here than anywhere else.

While Plagne Bellecôte won’t be winning any design awards anytime soon and frequently features in the top ten of ugliest Alpine ski resorts, this building brings significant advantages in terms of quick and easy access. Apparently, the shape of the main building was inspired by the outline of the mountains behind it as you look up the Plagne Bellecôte valley – although, in truth, it rather looks like a dam. Don’t let that detract from the convenience however. With its hub of lifts, Bellecôte is one of the best-connected villages to base yourself to explore the other areas. Also, this station is set for considerable redevelopment over the coming years.

Plagne Soleil also has many hotels and apartments that grant direct access to the pistes. It really depends where you choose to stay but almost all are within very quick and easy walking distance to the runs that flow either side of the town. As you look at the piste map, these are the Écartée blue piste on the right and the Dou du Praz on the left of the village.

Piste access in Plagne Villages is mostly limited to the right side of the resort as you look at the piste map. While most of the accommodation in this station is almost ski in / ski out, it’s still worth mentioning that the nightlife in this area is extremely limited and, for all the convenience you’ll experience during the day, any no-snow activities become a bit of a hassle. Unless you live right at the base of Plagne Villages near the Télébus lift, most stuff is a hike – everything from shopping to grabbing a night-time beer. It is, however, within stumble-ride distance of La Plagne’s best on-hill aprés at the Bergerie bar.

The convenience of Plagne Centre is very much dependent on which accommodation you choose. Sure, there are many piste-side hotels and apartments (for example, the France hotel that is built directly over the Boulevard piste) but other areas will require a little walking.

Often called the battleship, Plagne Aime 2000 is yet another example of La Plagne’s somewhat unique approach to mountain architecture. However, while this building is undoubtedly ugly, it’s hard not to admire the intentions behind its construction.

If you take a look at the ‘resort’ map for this part of La Plagne, you would be forgiven for thinking it was inspired by the Starship Enterprise with zoned areas dedicated to certain facilities. Of course, this is all topped off with the ‘futuristic’ cable car link down to Plagne Centre. Aime is unlike pretty much any other ski building.

Plagne 1800 is another station where ski in / ski out is definitely based on your choice of accommodation. It really depends on where you choose to stay – although none is far from the lifts and runs.

Plagne Montchavin, Plagne Montalbert and Champagny-en-Vanoise all have limited accommodation with direct access to the pistes. The same applies to La Roche. This should come as little surprise as each was a traditional Savoyard village that happened to connect to the main La Plagne ski area.

Each of La Plagne’s 11 villages has its own unique personality and architectural style. However, it’s worth remembering, a ski or snowboard holiday is very much the sum of its parts – and most of us don’t take a winter trip to marvel at buildings. What the majority of La Plagne’s stations might lack in aesthetics is more than made up for by the quality of the skiing and snowboarding in the world’s third-largest ski area.

Our iRide YouTube channel has more great La Plagne videos. These edits were produced by the people behind La Plagne 360 and show all facets of the area.