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

La Plagne Village guide

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 – people often ask: which is the best La Plagne village to stay in?

Choosing the right La Plagne Village

Choosing the right La Plagne village for your holiday is important to make sure 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. Below is a closer look at the 11 villages that comprise La Plagne including their distinctive features – both negative and positive:

Belle Plagne guide

Belle Plagne: Ski-in/ski-out convenience, a picturesque village with a lively après-ski scene which is also ideal for families and groups looking for a vibrant ski town. 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, maybe La Plagne’s most famous late-night haunt. Word of warning – your bill might come as a bit of a shock you when you check your credit card in the morning. You can read more about the village in our Belle Plagne review.

Plagne Bellecôte guide

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. Check our Plagne Bellecôte review for more information.

Plagne Centre guide

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 very easy lift access. Plagne Centre offers a mix of chalet, hotel and apartment accommodation. You’ll find more information about the station in our Plagne Centre review pages.

Plagne 1800 guide

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. For a more detailed view, check our Plagne 1800 overview pages.

Plagne Soleil guide

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. Read more about resort in our Plagne Soleil review and detailed guide.

Plagne Villages guide

Plagne Villages: Located at a higher altitude, this village offers great 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. However, it is very convenient for taking advantage of the afternoon aprés at the Bergerie bar. Learn more about the resort in our Plagne Villages review. Check our review of Plagne Villages for more information.

Plagne Aime 2000 guide

Aime 2000: A largely self-contained 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. You’ll find more information about this resort in Plagne Aime 2000 review.

Plagne Montchavin guide

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. For more information, read our detailed Plagne Montchavin guide.

Les Coches guide

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. There’s more information about the resort on our Plagne Montchavin pages.

Plagne Montalbert guide

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. Read more about the station in our Plagne Montalbert review.

Champagny-en-Vanoise guide

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. You can find more detailed information in our Champagny review.

Plagne La Roche guide

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). There’s more information about the village in our La Roche review.

La Plagne’s altitude resorts tend to be more lively

With an array of accommodation options available throughout the villages, including hotels, chalets and apartments, you can find the perfect place to stay 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.

See La Plagne in a day

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 and the breathtaking mountain views, La Plagne really does have a lot to offer.