Mountain Layout — Skiing

Here is a larger, more detailed map of La Plagne.

Here is a larger, more detailed map of Paradiski.

There are 134 trails, including 10 black and 34 red, covering 225 km. of ski area with 105 ski lifts, eight of which are gondolas, and one that connects Bellecote and Belle Plagne with the glaciers.

What you see, you can ski. Just take off and explore different sections of the resort on different days. Intermediate will not get into any trouble here if they stick to the upper slopes and stay off the glacier. This is one of the best intermediate resorts in the world. The distances here are extreme. Be sure to plan your day before finding yourself on the wrong side of the resort when lifts start to close.

Adventurous skiers can find plenty of challenge along the fringes of the resort. Experts will want to drop behind the ridge above Aime La Plagne, follow the Morbleu and Les Etroits trails that loop around to the Les Coqs lift, and then challenge the Les Coqs and the Emile Alais trails.

Another expert adventure is to take the Bellecote cablecar from the peak of Roche de Mio to the Glacier of Bellecote at 10,662 feet. This spectacular ride takes skiers down 500 feet before rising almost 1,640 feet. From the glacier, advanced skiers in tip-top shape can follow the lazy Bellecote or Le Rochu runs down more than 2,000 feet of vertical to the Chalet de Bellecote lift. Skiers with guides will take the Traversé lift and set off across the face of Bellecote and drop towards Les Bauches some 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) of vertical below. It is a daunting ski afternoon or morning. The restaurant at Les Bauches certainly seems welcoming after that descent. From here, lifts reconnect skiers with the network.

A similarly challenging descent can be made from the Bellecote Glacier to Champagny-le-Haut along the Cul du Nant with a guide. A shuttlebus (registration necessary 479 55 05 28) takes skiers back to the cablecar at Champagny-en-Vanoise.

Experts can drop alongside the bobsled run for some good skiing through trees and across pastures down toward Plagne Montalbert. Snow is fine during most of the season, but in the spring ask about coverage.

The combined Les Arc/La Plagne Paradiski region has two boardercross courses, four snowparks and two halfpipes.

Mountain rating
La Plagne is an intermediate and beginner mountain, at least as far as the prepared trails go in the Bellecote, Belle Plagne, Grand Rochette, Montchavin, Les Coches, Plagne Montalbert and Champagny sectors.

Intermediates will think they have died and gone to skier heaven. The rolling mountains offer acceptable steeps where intermediates can play, and mellow, off-trail areas to develop deep-snow skills. The Champagny section is pretty tame, but the run into the town and return ride make a great outing.

Beginners and lower intermediates are in one of the best European resorts for learning to ski. Here beginners can have the experience of taking a lift to the highest point, with all the thrill of the spectacular views, and still be able to get back down the mountain safely.

Advanced skiers will find challenging skiing on the back of the Biolley sector. There are plenty of spots for cre-ative experts to go off trail and find more than enough to keep them busy for a week. Any expert will be challenged by the runs down the glacier. The more skill you have, the further off the basic trails you can venture. With good snow this glacier area is fantastic for even the best skiers.