La Plagne in February
Is La Plagne good in February. Ahhhh February. What can we say about this, the busiest of all months in La Plagne? If truth be told, February is a month to try and avoid in La Plagne if you can possibly can. There, we said it. There’s no denying La Plagne gets exceptionally busy through Feb resulting in very crowded pistes and long queues. Here’s our guide to the skiing and snowboarding in La Plagne in February. Be warned though please – some of this doesn’t make for particularly reading.
At any point through February, you will find at least one of the European countries on holiday (check the European holiday times) and this (coupled with the enduring popularity of the resort) leads to extremely busy pistes and lifts. However, we’re aware not everyone has the luxury of picking and choosing their vacation dates so, if you are planning a February trip, read on for insider tips that will help you get the most out of the area
Below is our take on the typical conditions you can expect to find in La Plagne in February, including video reports from previous seasons to give you a better idea of how things are. However, as with all other ski and snowboard holidays, you should check the updated La Plagne piste and conditions updates for the most recent data from the resort. If you’re booking a last-minute trip, you’ll also find weather forecast links in the guide below.
Note – La Plagne 360 guides are human-written, not generated by ChatGPT or similar AI software.
La Plagne weather – a basic guide
The Jet Stream is hugely influential in La Plagne’s weather and, in a typical year with a typical Jet Stream, this meteorological phenomenon brings the majority of the resort’s snow. Read more about the Jet Stream effect on La Plagne’s weather. Sure, snow can come from other directions and sources (for example, from a Retour d’Est) but a strong, healthy Jet Stream will always result in a good winter. The maths of this is very simple – moisture-laden winds barrel into the continent off the Atlantic. As this moisture hits the mountains, it is forced upwards, condensing into clouds and resulting in precipitation (a process that’s also known as orographic lift). This explains why the windward sides of mountains usually get the most snow. In an average season, La Plagne receives 508cm of snow spread over 45 snowfall days culminating in an average snow depth of 215cm.
What is the snow like in February in La Plagne?
Is La Plagne snow-sure in February? By the time February arrives, the base layer in La Plagne is already well consolidated and snow depths should be assured across most (if not all) of the area. Looking at snow data collected over the last ten years, February has been the third-snowiest month in La Plagne with an average of 102cm of snow typically falling over 10 days culminating in an average base of 127cm (note this figure is the total average inc the low resorts and glacial areas).
What is the effect of La Plagne snow cannon and resort height on snow in February? With a reported 600 snow cannon spread over the area from the lowest runs to the higher stations, La Plagne has the potential to pump out snow day and night during the season to ensure good cover. Nonetheless, as a general rule, you will always find better conditions the higher you go. Consequently for complete peace of mind in terms of reliable snow cover, you should consider staying in the stations around the 2000m mark. Read this guide for people new to La Plagne for more information and where to stay in La Plagne. Ideally, you should aim for the high alpine stations like Plagne Villages, Plagne Soleil, Plagne 1800, Plagne Centre, Aime 2000, Plagne Bellecôte and Belle Plagne for the most convenience and ski in / ski out accommodation. It’s also worth remembering 70% of La Plagne’s pistes lie above 2000m so, in terms of being snow-sure, this is where you want to be staying, no matter the time of year.
What are the typical snow conditions in La Plagne in February – useful links
OnTheSnow historical snowfall for La Plagne
Snow Forecast historical snowfall for La Plagne
Ski Weather EU historical snowfall for La Plagne
The weather forecast for La Plagne
La Plagne live piste and lift conditions
La Plagne February weather
How is the weather in La Plagne in February? February can be a mixed bag in terms of weather however, in the main, you should expect mostly settled, sunny days interspersed with the occasional dump – with snowfall more common at the start of the month. Fresh snow tends to decrease the further February progresses. The good news is, if you do get new snow, it’ll open options to escape the busiest pistes by exploring La Plagne’s off-piste routes or by hiring a guide to find the hidden corners of the resort.
What is the typical weather in La Plagne in February – useful links
The weather forecast for La Plagne
La Plagne live piste and lift conditions
How busy is February in La Plagne?
Is La Plagne busy in February? Pretty much all ski resorts are at their busiest during the February mid-terms – which is just an unavoidable consequence of the whole of Europe being on holiday at the same time unfortunately. However, except for Bulgaria’s Bansko (check this Bansko ski / snowboard video), I have never seen a resort that suffers more from February queues and overcrowding than La Plagne. This is made all the worse by the fact La Plagne tends to attract beginners and early intermediates – riders that often have ideas well beyond their skill level (you should definitely book La Plagne ski insurance as accidents are common). If you have ever questioned La Plagne’s claims of being the world’s most visited, most popular ski area, February will soon dispel your doubts. Indeed, the queues can get so bad and the pistes so rammed that, as seasonnaires, we often wrote off days riding in February. However, not everyone has the same luxury of choice.
If you have to take your ski holiday in February, there are some tried and tested tips you should follow in the guides below to beat the worst of the queues – the most important of which is to ride where and when others don’t and to avoid the key bottleneck lifts across the area.
How busy is La Plagne in February – useful links
Guide to avoiding school holidays in La Plagne
Making the most of a busy La Plagne
Where are the quietest areas in La Plagne
Where are the busiest areas in La Plagne
La Plagne live roads and conditions
Is it cold in February in La Plagne?
How cold is La Plagne in February? The weather can change a lot during February. According to data gathered over the last 15 years, the average temps at the higher resort stations vary between minimum av -8.2′ and maximum av -3.3′ – although fluctuations can happen above and below these temperatures and spikes are common (up to almost +10′ and potentially as low as -25′). These temperature variations mean you’ll want to pack adequate outerwear and night-time clothing to make the most of your La Plagne aprés ski. See our ski / snowboard holiday packing guide for more information and a downloadable checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything.
What are the typical temperatures in La Plagne in February – useful links
The weather forecast for La Plagne
La Plagne live piste and lift conditions
Is La Plagne expensive in February – holiday prices
Is a La Plagne ski holiday expensive in February? This all comes down to basic economics – when demand is high, prices inevitably rise. As so many people want (sometimes need) to holiday around this period, February usually sees the highest prices in La Plagne. Unfortunately, holiday companies are more than aware that most people’s vacation dates are dictated by kids’ school holiday times so February is considered high season. This will mean you’ll likely pay substantially more for flights and accommodation – and even potentially for extra services like insurance, lift passes, lessons and hire packages. Note – these high season rules don’t just apply to prices – they also dictate availability so you should plan well in advance if you’re looking to hire gear, book instruction or arrange resort transfers. You may also want to consider booking restaurants in advance – and the same applies to flights. For example, EasyJet usually releases February Geneva flight bookings well in advance and you may well bag a bargain if you book early. Yes, February really is that busy to the point it can affect all aspects of your trip.
What are typical La Plagne ski holiday prices in February – useful links
La Plagne ski holiday accommodation
La Plagne all-inclusive holidays
La Plagne ski holiday transfers
What are the transfers and roads like in February?
Are La Plagne roads busy in February? In case you didn’t realise yet, February is by far the busiest time in La Plagne – and this usually lasts for the entire month. Given the quality of the skiing and snowboarding available in the Tarentaise Isère valley resorts – plus the fact the same arterial transfer routes serve all these resorts – you should expect queues through February. On any given transfer day, an estimated 85,000 vehicles attempt the journey from Albertville to the Isère resorts. If you want to avoid the worst of the traffic, one tried and tested solution is to take the train (see guide below for instructions from Geneva and Chambéry). Click here for La Plagne by train schedules and online booking. The railway track follows much the same route from Albertville to Bourg-St-Maurice – meaning you could be whizzing past disgruntled transfer passengers as they sit in cars and buses on the frequently busy roads. Traffic is made all the worse if transfer days happen to coincide with fresh snowfall. The train can be a good option but you should remember you’ll still need to make the final hill road climb to the resorts by bus, taxi or La Plagne valley bus service – still, you will likely save time on the early part of the journey.
What are typical La Plagne February roads and transfers conditions – useful links
La Plagne live roads and conditions
La Plagne typical transfer times
La Plagne fresh snow in February
Season 2019/2020
As mentioned above, February really can see a mix of conditions and weather ranging from bluebird sunny days through to blizzards and pow turns. This video was filmed around Bellecôte, Plagne Centre / Grande Rochette, Montchavin, Champagny and Montalbert and shows the wide range of snow and weather you might encounter.
La Plagne mixed conditions and weather in February
Season 2019/2020
Get an idea of the typical snow conditions you can expect from a La Plagne ski holiday in February. This video was filmed in and around Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne Centre and Champagny. Conditions through Feb were extremely variable this year with, at times, very hard snow guised by pockets of powder that made judging the underlying snow difficult.
See how snow conditions change at different altitudes
Season 2019/2020
This video starts on the Champagny side of the mountain showing the difference between riding the front areas and the less-travelled areas on the extremities of the La Plagne piste map. Conditions this season varied massively top to bottom and this edit takes a trip from Grande Rochette down to Champagny showing how much snow quality can change with the effects of altitude. It also shows the view from the summit of Les Verdons – one of La Plagne’s best viewpoints.
Is good snow guaranteed in February?
Season 2018/2019
Blizzards and sunny days – the typical heady mix of conditions you can expect from a La Plagne February snow trip. This video was filmed during one of the best weeks of the season and amply demonstrates how varied things can get through the month. Conditions across Montchavin, Roche de Mio, Champagny and Bellecôte all feature plus recommended La Plagne on-hill restaurants to visit on your trip.
Does La Plagne suffer from avalanche danger in February?
Season 2018/2019
Information showing how weak layers can lead to a high avalanche risk – a situation that often happens when big dumps happen in February after a long break from fresh snow. With no cohesion between the layers, the avalanche danger will always rise. Filmed across Montalbert, Belle Plagne, Aime 2000, Plagne Bellecôte and Montchavin to get an idea of typical conditions across the entire area. Also includes information about the busy transfer day traffic and potential delays through February.
Tips to make the most of the February mid-term holidays
Season 2018/2019
Tips to make the the best of la Plagne when it’s busy during the February midterm holidays as well as footage from around the resort including Plagne Bellecôte, Montchavin and Plagne Centre.
Does La Plagne get good snow in February?
Season 2018/2019
Fresh powder and groomed corduroy followed by sunny clear conditions – February can bring massive changes in weather coupled with ideal conditions when the clouds clear. This video shows the days after the early February storms with perfect snow and great off-piste riding.
Is February snow guaranteed in La Plagne?
Season 2018/2019
With a blocking high pressure sitting over the Alps, La Plagne enjoyed two weeks of unbroken sunshine. Nonetheless, conditions remained great across the area. Filmed across the entire area including Plagne 1800, Champagny, Belle Plagne, Montalbert, Montchavin, Plagne Centre, Plagne Villages, Plagne Villages, Roche de Mio, Bellecôte glacier and Aime 2000. This is how snow reports should be made.
Is February a good time to book a La Plagne ski holiday?
Season 2018/2019
La Plagne enjoys early spring snow conditions despite being only the middle of February. After some huge dumps at the start of the month, February soon turned into a record-breaking month with the highest temperatures in 20 years across the area. Indeed, many lower ski resorts suffered badly in this unseasonably warm weather. Filmed all across the resort from village level up to highest peaks like Roche de Mio, Les Verdons and Grande Rochette.
Video footage in February from La Plagne
Season 2018/2019
The unbroken sunny weather continues across La Plagne but, nonetheless, conditions remained superb across all but the lowest valley runs. February often sees settled weather in La Plagne but, due to the resort’s height, it makes little difference to the riding on offer. This video also shows the Mont de la Guerre red piste – a run rated by many as La Plagne’s best.
Is La Plagne sunny in February?
Season 2017/2018
The famed 2018 season saw relentless storms batter La Plagne through February. This video was filmed on one of the very rare clear days showing conditions across the entire area. Also shows a Mer du Nuages across La Plagne.
How deep is the February snow in La Plagne?
Season 2017/2018
Very mixed conditions across La Plagne. This video includes tips about the European ski holidays as well information for taking the train from Paris to Aime or Bourg-St-Maurice.
Is February a good time to holiday in La Plagne?
Bottom line, February is busy – very busy. However, if you’re smart and follow the guides above, there are ways you can alleviate and, in some cases, avoid the busiest pistes and beat the queues that are so prevalent throughout the month. The positives of a La Plagne February ski trip are clear – great snow, sun and fresh snow, lengthening days, bustling nightlife and a reliable snowbase. However, the negatives are undeniable and you will face busy lifts and runs (at times, nightmarishly busy). In short, if you can avoid holidaying in February, you should. However, this advice applies to all the major European ski resorts – not just La Plagne.
La Plagne month-by-month snow and conditions
To get a better idea of what to expect from your La Plagne ski holiday, check our other snow and conditions guides that detail typical snow and conditions month by month: La Plagne in December, La Plagne in January, La Plagne in March and La Plagne in April. There’s also an abbreviated, shorter version at when is the best time to ski in La Plagne.
La Plagne suitability by skill level
If you’re wondering if La Plagne is the right resort for your level of skiing or snowboarding, take a look at these guides that outline the advantages and disadvantages of a La Plagne holiday, split by skill level.
Is La Plagne good for beginners?
Is La Plagne good for intermediates?
Is La Plagne good for experts?
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