La Plagne in January
Is La Plagne good in January: With the Christmas rush out of the way, La Plagne returns to a more sedate pace in January with considerably quieter pistes and much shorter lift lines. By now, the early snows of November and December have had time to consolidate, resulting in a deep and wide cover, especially around the higher resorts. Note, you should bear in mind conditions can vary from year to year in all ski resorts (even more so in recent seasons) so the lower stations may not have the same reliable depths.
Below is our guide to the most typical conditions in La Plagne in January – including video reports from previous seasons to give you a better idea of what to expect As with all snow trips, the best advice is to check the La Plagne piste and conditions updates for the most recent information. 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.
La Plagne in January – typical snow conditions
Is La Plagne snow-sure in January? By January, the previous months’ snowfalls combined with artificial cannon snow will have built a considerable base, especially above the magical 2000m mark. La Plagne is fortunate to have the majority of its terrain above this key altitude meaning you can be sure of reliable cover (unlike many other lower ski areas). Looking at averages taken over the last ten years, January is the snowiest month in La Plagne with a mean total of 134cm of snow, typically falling over 11 days culminating in an average base of 94cm.
What is the effect of La Plagne snow cannon and resort height on snow in January? La Plagne has a reported 600 snow cannons which you can rely on even if the natural snowfall fails to turn up. That said, you are still safer booking accommodation around 2000m to ensure optimal conditions as the lower areas can be a little less predictable. Your best bet is to stay in the high alpine stations like Plagne Villages, Plagne Soleil, Plagne 1800, Plagne Centre, Aime 2000, Plagne Bellecôte and Belle Plagne. 70% of La Plagne’s pistes lie above 2000m so, in terms of being snow-sure, it’s about as reliable as they come but recent winters have seen more sporadic snowfall. Read this guide for people new to La Plagne to learn the best, most snow-sure and most convenient villages.
What are the typical snow conditions in La Plagne in January – 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 in January – typical weather
How is the weather in La Plagne in January? Recent seasons have seen feast or famine conditions in January – particularly at lower elevations. This is very much against the grain compared to how things used to be even just a decade ago – but it may be a sign of things to come. While sunny days are perhaps more pleasant for riding, it goes without saying that ski resorts need snow – and January used to be the primary month for big dumps. Nonetheless, you should be able to count on at least a few powder days through the month and, in the higher alpine areas at least, good snow cover is pretty much assured. As for weather, regardless of snowfall, you will likely encounter all types of conditions so you should pack varied winter gear. Dressing in layers is key to staying comfortable in the mountains. If it’s warm, you can shed a layer – when it’s cold you can add another. Also – and another point many people forget – you should pack suncream. Even if it feels cold at this time of year, the sun is strong at altitude and is magnified as it reflects off the snowbase.
What is the typical weather in La Plagne in January – useful links
The weather forecast for La Plagne
La Plagne live piste and lift conditions
La Plagne in January – how busy?
Is La Plagne busy in January? January is one of the quietest periods in any ski resort. In particular, the first and second weeks after New Year are blissfully quiet as the majority of people return to work and the kids go back to school. This reduction in family holidaymakers also results in quieter ski schools, hire shops, facilities, bars, etc. January piste traffic and lift lines are among the quietest of the season. The aprés, while quieter, is perhaps more enjoyable and considerably less hectic.
How busy is La Plagne in January – 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
La Plagne in January – typical temperatures
How cold is La Plagne in January? Even if the snow doesn’t arrive in abundance, January can be bitterly cold. According to data gathered over the last 15 years, the average temperatures at mid-levels vary between a minimum -8.0′ to a maximum -4.0′ . However, fluctuations can and do happen – positive or negative – with spikes as high as +10′ or down to -20′. When you also consider snow showers or blizzards are likely, you should bring adequate outerwear and night clothing for nights out in La Plagne. Have a look at our ski / snowboard holiday packing guide for more information and a printable checklist of what to bring.
What are the typical temperatures in La Plagne in January – useful links
The weather forecast for La Plagne
La Plagne live piste and lift conditions
La Plagne in January – holiday prices
Is a La Plagne ski holiday expensive in January? January is considered low season so it’s possible to find discounts on flights, accommodation, lessons and hire. These savings can be substantial – yet another reason why a January La Plagne ski trip makes so much sense. Low queues, better value, quieter pistes – there’s a lot to like.
What are typical La Plagne ski holiday prices in January – useful links
La Plagne ski holiday accommodation
La Plagne all-inclusive holidays
La Plagne ski holiday transfers
La Plagne January transfers and roads – how busy?
Are La Plagne roads busy in January? Unless you arrive early on the transfer weekend directly after New Year, you shouldn’t have any particular problems on the roads to La Plagne in January. As noted above, this is one of the quietest months in the resort – particularly the first couple of weeks. Of course, this is all weather-dependent – especially on the hill road from Aime. It just takes one driver to travel without chains in snowy weather for the entire hill network to get clogged. One good solution to get around potential road problems is to take the train from your arrival airport to Aime la Plagne in the valley below. Of course, from there, you’ll still need to take a taxi, transfer of the La Plagne valley bus service to get up the hill to the main stations. Nonetheless, it can save considerable time taking the train. Click here for La Plagne by train schedules and online booking
What are typical La Plagne January roads and transfers conditions – useful links
La Plagne live roads and conditions
La Plagne typical transfer times
A tour of La Plagne snow conditions in January
Season 2019/2020
With broken ribs, it was impossible to go riding but this video still gives an insight to conditions across La Plagne in January filmed across Belle Plagne, Aime 2000 / Biolley, Plagne Centre / Grande Rochette and Plagne Bellecôte as well as views showcasing the views from the top of Grande Rochette and Roche de Mio. This video also includes footage of the Hogmanay New Year celebrations at Plagne Bellecôte – a party you definitely don’t want to miss if you’re in the resort over that period. There’s also drone footage of La Plagne from the top of Roche de Mio to get a better idea of typical La Plagne January snow conditions.
What is La Plagne like in January?
Season 2019/2020
A video filmed primarily at the top of Grande Rochette showing extensive drone footage of La Plagne as well as explaining the proximity of La Plagne to the other Tarentaise ski areas.
Does La Plagne have good snow in January?
Season 2019/2020
Snow report from mid-January featuring drone footage above Plagne Centre and Aime 2000 showing conditions. This year, the snow came early but was followed by almost two weeks of sunshine making for the odd situation of glide avalanches being the greatest risk. The forecasted snow arrived a few days later making out-of-bounds riding considerably more sketchy. it was also a year of the famed polar vortex – never good news for ski areas.
What is La Plagne’s weather like in January?
Season 2019/2020
After almost three weeks without snow, winter finally returned to La Plagne. This is a good example of how erratic snow can frequently be through January – particularly through recent years. While cover on the pistes is pretty much assured, conditions can vary from year to year. Filmed in Plagne Centre, Champagny, Montchavin and Plagne Soleil.
Does January see fresh snow?
Season 2019/2020
With snow finally arriving, conditions across La Plagne in January 2020 completely transformed. This has become remarkably common through the last few seasons. Also, this shows how the tail-end of January can often become a little busier – even before the official start of the February mid-terms. Filmed mostly in Plagne Centre, Plagne Soleil, Montalbert and Bellecôte with a glimpse of apres in Bellecôte’s Spitting Feathers and Centre’s Igloo Igloo.
Is January a good time to visit Paradiski?
Season 2018/2019
This season January brought the goods after a long blocking high pressure sitting over the majority of the Alps. Up until this point, of the Alpine areas, Austria had the best snow of the season due to a disrupted jet stream forced high over the UK and dropping into more eastern parts of the continent.
Does La Plagne have good early season off-piste skiing?
Season 2018/2019
With a consolidated base following rain over Christmas, fresh snow arrived in early January almost restarting winter and bringing powder turns. Filmed primarily around some of La Plagne’s best, most easily-accessible off-piste terrain in the Montchavin and Plagne Bellecôte sectors.
A guide to January conditions
Season 2018/2019
When the snow arrives in January in La Plagne, you can get an immense mix of powder turns followed by sunny days – and all with the added bonus of very quiet pistes and minimal queues. Filmed mostly around Plagne Bellecôte and Plagne Montchavin.
Typical January snow conditions
Season 2018/2019
Take a ride around the whole of Plagne from the glacier down to the villages showing the types of conditions you can expect from a La Plagne ski holiday in January. This video also includes the view from the top of Les Verdons, one of La Plagne’s best viewpoints.
Is good snow guaranteed in Paradiski?
Season 2017/2018
January 2018 brought repeated storms including a famed Retour d’Est. This really was the season that just kept giving with seemingly endless storm patterns constantly battering La Plagne. Footage filmed on the Monica’s terrace in Plagne Soleil (one of La Plagne’s best mountain cafes) as well as around the Champagny sector.
Does La Plagne offer guaranteed snow?
Season 2017/2018
By January the season is in full swing in La Plagne with the link to Les Arcs fully open and top to bottom riding. However, while that’s the norm, this season was truly exceptional with incredible depths all over the area. Nonetheless, January pretty much assures good snow in all but the very worst of seasons.
Does it snow in January in Paradiski?
Season 2017/2018
With continuing snow storms, La Plagne faced an absolute deluge of fresh snow in January. This winter saw an incredible start to the season with massive dumps repeatedly rolling across the area. Sure, this season was extraordinary but you can almost always expect heavy snowfall through January in La Plagne.
How deep is the early season snow cover in La Plagne?
Season 2017/2018
The season that simply refused to stop, 2018 witnessed mammoth snowfalls across the area – so much so the pathway outside our apartment was soon elevated to first floor level. Conditions were superb across La Plagne although sunny days were most definitely in short supply. Filmed in Plagne Soleil, Plagne Centre, Champagny and Plagne Bellecôte.
Is January busy in La Plagne?
Season 2017/2018
Experimental video using 360 tech – somewhat a fail moment – but conditions across the area remained superb. You can see more *actual* 360 video on the piste guide and lift guide sections of La Plagne 360 which give an immersive view of La Plagne.
La Plagne – where is the best early season snow?
Season 2017/2018
Learning that 360 video doesn’t work as a format for snow reports we returned to a more traditional format. This video takes a tour around La Plagne during a brief respite in the almost constant storms of early 2018 – including making the trip from La Plagne to Les Arcs as well as the Bozelet piste which features some of the best La Plagne piste views.
La Plagne in January – the takeout
With a quieter resort, lower prices on flights/accommodation/hire etc, a more chilled atmosphere and more or less guaranteed good snow, January is one of the best times in La Plagne – especially in the early weeks of the month just after New Year. While the weather might be a little more erratic with colder temperatures, you should get frequent fresh snowfall which just serves to top up the already established base. Also, when the weather breaks, these weather patterns can bring some of the best off-piste powder turns of the entire season. In a nutshell, if you can spare the time, January is one of the best months to visit 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 February, 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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