La Plagne in March
Is La Plagne good in March. If you ask any experienced seasonnaire their favourite time of year in ski resorts, you’ll invariably get the same answer – March into April. Spring days in ski areas are the best for any number of reasons including longer days, a warming sun, (mostly) quieter pistes and a general more relaxed atmosphere in the mountains. Let’s take a look at what skiing and snowboarding is like in La Plagne in March . . . .
Don’t be fooled into thinking spring in La Plagne is just wall-to-wall sunshine and corn snow pistes – in recent years, March has often brought some of the biggest storms. While it’s true the general trend is for less snow and more sun, there are frequently big dumps that can bring epic conditions across the area. That said, 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 is our take on the typical conditions you can expect to find through March in La Plagne – including video reports from previous seasons to give you a better idea of what to expect.
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 March – typical snow conditions
Is La Plagne snow-sure in March? By March, the storms of the previous months have had ample opportunity to consolidate – especially above 2000m (70% of La Plagne’s pistes lie above this level). Consequently, you can be more or less assured of great conditions. Couple this with the (often-frequent) March storms and this is a great month to ride La Plagne. On average, the ten-year stats show La Plagne typically has an average snowfall of 98cm in March spread over nine snowy days and a mean base accumulation of 134cm – normally the deepest of the entire season (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 March? Even in the worst of seasons, La Plagne has the fallback of 600 snow cannon that can top up cover if and when required. These can be particularly useful for keeping the lower village runs open but they’re also an option higher up if they’re needed (they rarely are). Nonetheless, for complete peace of mind, you should book accommodation around the 2000m mark for optimal conditions. These resorts are also far more convenient in terms of ski in / ski out accommodation. Lower areas in La Plagne can be a little less predictable – particularly as March progresses. Take a look at our newbie guide to La Plagne for more information. As a rule, you should aim for the high alpine stations like Plagne Villages, Plagne Soleil, Plagne 1800, Plagne Centre, Aime 2000, Plagne Bellecôte and Belle Plagne.
What are the typical La Plagne snow conditions in March – 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
What is the typical March weather in La Plagne?
How is the weather in March in Paradiski? La Plagne is no different to anywhere else so you can expect the weather staples seen all across the northern hemisphere – namely longer days and a strengthening sun. In general, you will get more sunny days through March – although you should bear in mind this month also frequently brings large dumps. This mix of snow and sun makes for some of the best conditions of the season – all with the benefit of reliable cover and (usually) the deepest base of the season. Note, this especially applies to the pistes above 2000m.
What is the typical La Plagne weather in March – useful links
The weather forecast for La Plagne
La Plagne live piste and lift conditions
How busy are the La Plagne pistes in March?
Is La Plagne busy in March? With the hectic February mid-terms done – and Easter normally yet to come – March offers some of the best conditions of the season on considerably quieter pistes. That said, La Plagne is still the world’s most popular ski area and, in recent years, people have started getting wise to the benefits of riding through March. Nonetheless, if you can spare the time off work and have the freedom to choose your vacation dates, March ski holidays in La Plagne are some of the best. Note, you should also check the European holiday dates as Easter can fall early sometimes.
Is March busy in La Plagne – 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
What are the typical La Plagne temperatures in March?
How cold is La Plagne in March? As we move towards spring, temperatures warm considerably across the area and you may even be lucky enough to get some jacket-less days. However, March is very much a transitional month from winter into warmer climes so you’ll still need adequate outerwear for the occasional storms that can pass through. According to data gathered over the last 15 years, the average temps at the higher resort stations vary between minimum av -6.2′ and maximum av -2.5′ – although fluctuations can happen either way and above / below spikes are common (up to almost +10′ and as low as -15′). Also, night times remain cold at altitude so you should take warm clothes for your La Plagne aprés antics. Check our ski holiday packing guide for more information and a downloadable checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything.
What are the typical temperatures in March in La Plagne – useful links
The weather forecast for La Plagne
La Plagne live piste and lift conditions
Is La Plagne expensive in March – holiday prices
Is a La Plagne ski holiday expensive in March? With the majority of people having to work between the February mid-term holidays and Easter, March can see some great deals on ski holidays – particularly in chalet accommodation. March is still considered low-season so you could find discounts on everything from lift passes to ski / snowboard lessons and La Plagne ski hire. Yet another reason why riding in March makes so much sense.
What are typical La Plagne ski holiday prices in March – useful links
La Plagne ski holiday accommodation
La Plagne all-inclusive holidays
La Plagne ski holiday transfers
March transfers and roads – how busy?
Are La Plagne roads busy in March? As mentioned above, March is one of the quietest months in La Plagne so you shouldn’t have any particular problems on the roads. Then again, if your transfer day falls on a snowy day, there’s a good chance you could encounter delays – especially on the hill road from Aime which can get clogged quickly if drivers forget snow chains. Remember, there’s also the option of taking the train if the weather is looking bad (details in the link below) – although you’ll still need to make the final climb up the hill road from Aime on the La Plagne valley bus network or train / transfer services. Click here for La Plagne by train schedules and online booking.
What are typical March roads and transfers conditions – useful links
La Plagne live roads and conditions
La Plagne typical transfer times
Videos of March in La Plagne
Season 2019/2020
March brings longer days and La Plagne feels like it’s finally waking up from the cold of winter. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t get lucky with new snowfall as this video shows. Also, with the deepest base of the season, snow cover is usually reliable across the majority of the area. Remember, if snow does fall at this time of year, avalanches are a real and present danger – particularly if the new snow falls on an already consolidated base and hasn’t had time to bond. If you do plan to go off-piste riding, you should hire a ski guide. This video is filmed mostly on the Bellecôte pistes, Champagny pistes and Montchavin runs including some La Plagne off-piste riding. Little did we know at the time that Covid was about to bring this season to a very abrupt end – see the full La Plagne season edit.
Video of typical snow conditions
Season 2018/2019
Another example of the very mixed conditions you can expect through early March in La Plagne with blizzards, sun, powder, corduroy and everything in between. Filmed mostly around Plagne Centre, Champagny, Bellecôte and Montchavin including a preview of the 7km Mont Blanc piste, La Plagne’s longest piste.
What to expect from a March ski holiday
Season 2018/2019
Video showing the typical spring snow conditions you can expect in La Plagne in March. Skip forward to 2:35 to see and hear how much the snow quality can change in just one run. This particular season saw good dumps of snow in early March followed by almost two weeks of pretty much unbroken sunshine. When conditions become slightly more varied like this with a freeze / thaw cycle, you can follow this guide to find the best snow in La Plagne. You’ll also note the base runs in Champagny were already closed by this point – another reason why higher La Plagne resorts offer more convenience.
Good snow, sun and blizzards – March conditions
Season 2018/2019
More sunny days in with great corn snow conditions under bluebird skies. This video also shows one of the best La Plagne viewpoints at the top of Les Verdons. Filmed all around the resort and including footage of the the best day in any ski resort – Saturday transfer day. Also shows edits from the Champagny boardercross track.
How much snow does La Plagne have in March?
Season 2018/2019
With softening snow, it’s often worth taking a trip up to the La Plagne glacier where the snow typically starts firmer for longer and answering the perennial question – how snow-sure is La Plagne? In these latter parts of the season, you often make the trade between fresh snow and sunshine as shown in this edit. There’s also a short overview of how to do a La Plagne season as well as a brief guide to La Plagne aprés ski.
Are snow conditions reliable?
Season 2017/2018
The epic 2017/18 season saw unprecedented snow levels across La Plagne with blizzards continuing well into the latter months of the season. This was one of La Plagne’s snowiest years in recent memory as can be seen by the huge piles of snow around the resort.
Is March a good month to ski in La Plagne?
Season 2017/2018
2017/18 in La Plagne was the season of the seemingly neverending winter with fantastic conditions and persistent snowfalls all season. While it’s true this year was somewhat exceptional in terms of snowfall frequency, snowstorms are to be expected in La Plagne later in the seasonevery winter. This video was flimed mostly across Champagny, Belle Plagne, Plagne Centre and Montalbert. Even in the lower-lying resorts of Champagny, Montalbert and Montchavin snow depths remained impressive.
An idea of late season March snow conditions
Season 2017/2018
As is so often the case at this time of year, the tail-end of the month saw incredible conditions across La Plagne with the ideal mix of sun and fresh snow. In this particular season, the width and depth of cover was extraordinary but late-season dumps have become increasingly common in recent times. Indeed, it almost seems as though winters are getting later and later. Footage from the top of La Plagne on the glacier right down to the lower villages.
Is there still snow in Easter in La Plagne?
Season 2017/2018
Video showing impeccable late-season snow conditions in La Plagne following yet another late-season dump. Yes, this season was out of the ordinary but you can always expect fresh snow and some of the best conditions of the season through March. Filmed all around La Plagne from the villages up to Roche de Mio. Also showing the effects of a Mer du Nuages. Note, Easter dates vary from year to year so you should check the European school holiday dates link above.
Taking a March ski holiday in La Plagne – the takeout
March is probably the most fun and most reliable month to take a holiday in La Plagne. With an already-consolidated base, frequent snow showers, warming temperatures, longer days, shorter queues and a more relaxed vibe across the area – what’s not to like? If you can take your trip outside the traditional school holiday periods of February and Easter, March in La Plagne will reward you hugely.
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 February 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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