Hello and welcome to the magnificent world of La Plagne, a jewel in the crown of ski resorts and the world’s most popular and most visited ski destination.

With its rich history, excellent skiing and a variety of villages to choose from, La Plagne offers something for everyone. No matter your level or the type of skiing you’re after, one of La Plagne’s resorts will provide the goods.

However, with 11 distinct villages scattered across the mountain – and each with its own unique charm and character – the question is often asked: which is the best La Plagne village to stay in?

Choosing the right La Plagne Village

Choosing the perfect La Plagne village for your holiday is important to ensure you get the best from your holiday. While La Plagne, as a whole, is renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere, it’s important to note that some villages offer a livelier ambiance and nightlife than others. Let’s take a closer look at the 11 villages that comprise La Plagne and think about their distinctive features – both negative and positive:

Belle Plagne: Ski-in/ski-out convenience, a picturesque village with a lively après-ski scene which is also ideal for families and groups seeking a vibrant atmosphere. Belle Plagne has a lot of all-inclusive La Plagne hotel and apartment accommodation. Belle Plagne and Plagne Centre are probably the most rounded of all the La Plagne stations with good facilities, shops and lift connections. Belle Plagne is also home to the Saloon nightclub, probably La Plagne’s most famous late-night haunt. Word of warning – your bill might surprise you when you check your credit card in the morning.

Plagne Bellecôte: Another station with ski in / ski out convenience and ideally located to discover the main areas with its extensive hub of lifts – the Arpette chairlift to get to Montchavin and Les Arcs, the Roche de Mio gondola for Roche de Mio and the glacier gondola, the Blanchets chairlift to access Champagny or Roche de Mio via the Carella chair and the Colosses chair to reach Centre, Soleil and Villages. While this station is quite small, it has everything you need on the doorstep – including one of La Plagne’s best bars, Spitting Feathers. Should you want more, there is also the gondola link up to Belle Plagne which runs until around midnight.

Plagne Centre: The heart of La Plagne, offering easy access to the slopes, Plagne Centre has the biggest range of bars, restaurants, and lively nightlife. Along with Belle Plagne, this is the perfect base for those seeking better nightlife and eateries with easy lift access. Plagne Centre offers a mix of chalet, hotel and apartment accommodation.

Plagne 1800: A village with a relaxed vibe, offering easy access to the slopes and a variety of accommodation choices. Although there isn’t much nightlife, what there is, is very good. 1800 is very popular with chalet and hotel companies.

Plagne Soleil: A charming village bathed in sunlight, offering ski-in/ski-out convenience and a small selection of restaurants and bars. Soleil is connected to Centre by shuttle bus. Soleil offers mostly apartment and hotel accommodation. There are only limited nightlife and facilities here.

Plagne Villages: Located at a higher altitude, this village offers breathtaking views, ski-in/ski-out access and a ‘tranquil’ ambiance (that’s being polite). Of all the altitude resorts, Plagne Villages is probably the quietest and features mainly apartment accommodation. Facilities are very limited and the nightlife is next to non-existent.

Aime 2000: A peaceful village with direct access to the slopes, ideal for families and those looking for a relaxed atmosphere. Aime 2000  is perched high above Plagne Centre with dramatic views over Mont Blanc in the distance. Note, it is also connected to Centre by the cable car which runs until late at night. The Aime 2000 apartment block is also due a massive renovation in the coming years. This station tends to be favoured by French visitors.

Montchavin: A charming alpine village with traditional Savoyard architecture, great for families and those seeking a more relaxed environment. Accommodation here is mostly apartments and hotels and there is very little nightlife.

Les Coches: A small village with a family-friendly atmosphere, boasting ski-in/ski-out convenience and a range of activities. Located a little above Montchavin, Les Coches is another slightly sleepy village with little in the way of nightlife.

Plagne Montalbert: A quaint and family-friendly village with a range of accommodation options and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Again, this is one of the quieter La Plagne resorts and nightlife is limited. Accommodation is mostly apartments and chalets.

Champagny en Vanoise: A traditional mountain village with an authentic feel, perfect for those seeking a quieter and more laid-back experience. Accommodation here is mostly hotels and chalets and nightlife is extremely limited.

La Roche: Staying in La Roche may make you feel rather isolated as the accommodation is rather strung out. Also, there’s very little in the way of nightlife down here (there is a bus connection to the higher stations).

With an array of accommodation options available throughout the villages, including hotels, chalets, and apartments, you can find the perfect lodging to suit your preferences and budget. As a rough guide, the altitude resorts in La Plagne tend to offer the best facilities and especially nightlife.

For a guide to seeing the best of La Plagne in a day, see the comprehensive video below. Please also like and subscribe to the iRide YouTube channel for more great La Plagne content.

The importance of La Plagne as a premier ski area:

La Plagne’s distinction as the world’s third-largest ski area with mostly intermediate pistes makes it a great destination for families and groups of mixed abilities. There are plenty of picturesque slopes to explore while catering to a wide range of skiing abilities.

From its wide variety of pistes to its (albeit slightly limited) après-ski scene, or the breathtaking mountain views, La Plagne really does have a lot to offer.