The Arpette chair rises from Plagne Bellecôte and serves the main uplift for getting out and over to the Montchavin sector and, thereafter, Les Arcs. The Arpette also feeds some of La Plagne’s best blue pistes (Arpette, Lainés and Dunes) as well as La Plagne’s funslope. Consequently, this lift is busy in the mornings and afternoons with riders travelling across the mountain and it often stays busy with people lapping these pistes.

If you do need to take this lift, it’s best to go super early or over the quiet lunchtime period when queues usually drop. Despite being one of La Plagne’s fastest lifts, it can still struggle to keep up with demand.

Tip: There isn’t a true “avoid” route into Montchavin that saves time. You pretty much have no choice but to take this lift so it’s best to arrive early. 

It might seem unfair to include the 8-person Colosses chair as it deals admirably with demand most of the day. However, after around 3pm (and often early morning) queues can form as riders funnel back from Les Arcs, Montchavin and the Bellecôte sector to other parts of La Plagne.

Another contributing factor is Colosses is also one of the easiest ways to reach Plagne Centre, Aime 2000, Villages, Soleil, Montalbert and Champagny, so queues are somewhat inevitable at peak times.

Tip: A simple tactic is to stop past Le Bonnet for a break and keep an eye on the queues. If you see them building, leave early or, alternatively, just take the resort shuttle buses back to your village (only applicable for La Plagne’s altitude resorts). 

The Bergerie chair runs between the Plagne Centre / Villages / Soleil side and the Bellecôte side of the mountain. Because it’s such a vital connection, it can be busy at almost any time of day and it’s made worse by ski-school traffic. Indeed, along with Arpette, this is La Plagne’s busiest lift (they jostle for the ‘honour’).

The Écartée piste below is one of the most popular instructor runs, so this lift is often rammed with beginners and it can stop frequently at loading and unloading with beginners .

Tip: If you’re staying in Plagne Soleil, it’s way quicker to walk up to the Dou du Praz drag lift and link over to Bellecôte via Bretelle Trieuse rather than joining the main Bergerie bottleneck.

The Colorado chair is another lift that can be busy in holiday periods, largely because it’s popular with ski schools and serves fun, accessible terrain right above Plagne Centre. The lift is fast and efficient but the problems come through demand.

Tip: The simplest workaround is often to use Funiplagne instead. It can queue too, but capacity usually means the line keeps moving more consistently.

The Salla is an older lift that creeps up the hill at a spectacularly slow speed. It’s more of a transit link back from Montchavin than a lift you’d choose to lap.

Tip: The easiest way to avoid the Salla chair is to continue down a little further and take the base of the Teppes blue to the Crozats chair. It’s faster and opens up much better runs.

The Dos Rond is another aging lift that crawls its way up the hill and can be a time sink when you’re returning from the Montchavin side.

Tip: A quicker option is to use the Plan Leschaux poma (if you’re happy on drag lifts) or sticking with the faster Bijolin chair for efficient uplift from lower down. 

The slow Bauches chair is mainly used as a return route from tougher terrain and off-piste lines below Roche de Mio. For most piste skiers and snowboarders, it’s not a lift you’d choose on purpose unless you specifically need it for your route back.

Tip: If you’re not riding the terrain that funnels you towards Bauches, you’ll usually have a better day sticking to the faster main uplifts above this area.

Technically, the Crêtes isn’t a lift to avoid as it can access great terrain. However, it’s marked with a warning triangle for good reason: it has a strong kick at the start, climbs a steep incline and includes a dogleg about a third of the way up.

Tip: If you’re not comfortable on steep drag lifts, this is one to skip. If you are comfortable, it links into great backcountry terrain over the back of Aime 2000.

The Aollets can be tricky for lower-level riders. It has a kick at the start, a steep climb out of Villages, a dog-leg half way up and sections where you need to brake to avoid outrunning the tow. This combination can be especially awkward for snowboarders.

Tip: If you’re staying in Plagne Villages and this lift feels like a battle, the simplest alternative is to drop to Plagne Centre and use the main lifts from there.

The Col de Forcle is another drag lift with a warning triangle and a dogleg that can catch people out. It’s often quiet and useful for quick laps, but only if you’re comfortable on pomas.

Tip: If you want to avoid the tow, use the Blanchets chair out of Plagne Bellecôte which gives access to similar terrain with far less stress. This is also one of the quietest lifts out of the Bellecôte hub.

The Tyrolien is a short, steep drag lift used mainly to get back up into Belle Plagne Haut from the lower village area. You’ll often take it at the end of the day when legs are tired, which can make it feel tougher than it looks.

Tip: If you want to avoid it, plan your return route so you finish higher up – the Arpette runs give access to most of Belle Plagne. Alternatively, be ready for a short walk from other runs that suit your accommodation better.