The majority of things to do in La Plagne relate to being outdoors, and whilst there are many organised activities, getting out there is mainly what it is about - at a leisurely pace or at warp speed, it's up to you. Here are a few of our suggestions of what to do once the snow has melted and the summer sun is shining!
Arapaho Scooters
Hire an off-road scooter with big fat mountain bike tyres that has been specifically designed for downhill riding. You can hire the scooters (helmet and gloves provided) in Champagny and freewheel down practically any path; grassy, stony, etc...
This activity is available for anyone over the age of 10 years old and is great fun for all the family to enjoy.
Adrenalin Factor : 6/10 (increasing to 9/10 if you manage to stray away from the course and accidently end up on the bmx bike course - not recommended!)
Arbre Aventure
Swing through the trees high above the mountains on a circuit of zip lines, monkey bridges , ladders and ropes. You can travel through the forest without touching the floor, safely strapped into a harness and attached to a secure safety line. These eco-friendly adventure parks are created around the trees without damaging them in any way and can be dismantled if necessary, leaving the forest as though untouched. Both adults and children can enjoy this activity with different circuits for different ages and abilities.
There are 'arbre aventure' parks at Belle Plagne, Aime Villette and Champagny.
Canyoning
A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day! You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course.
Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous.
Hydrospeed is an alternative to rafting where you shoot down the river on a kind of inflatable body-board. Half-in half-out of the water you are closer to the action and guaranteed a soaking!
Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons.
There are a number of local companies that offer guided descents down the nearby Doron and Isère waterways.
Children's Entertainments
La Plagne offers a number of organised entertainments for children throughout the summer. Highlights include: the circus school at Montchavin Les Coches; the Club des Champions, where children can take part in games such as mini-golf, trampolining and mini-moto; painting classes. For festivals and other entertainments enquire at the Tourist Office for details or check our What’s On Calendar to see what is happening when.
Climbing
The Sports Centre in Plage Bellecôte features an indoor climbing wall and in Plagne Centre you will find 3 movable and tilting walls to practice on.
For those of you who prefer to get out in the fresh air there is no shortage of natural rock climbing routes in and around La Plagne and the Paradiski area, to be tackled under your own steam or under the watchful eye of a guide.
Farm & Crafts
Donkeys, goats, chickens and other alpine animals await you at the mini farm in Montalbert. Here you can take a tour of the farm, ride a pony or learn about the traditional methods of making alpine cheese.
Glacier Walking
For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking on one of the many nearby glaciers; the Glacier de la Chiaupe and the Glacier du Varet, to name but two. The breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses make this an incredible adventure. There are a number of glacial hikes, of varying difficulty, in this region of the Alps. Most mountain guiding companies will run organised excursions to the most accessible. To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article.
Golf
The nearest golf course to La Plagne is Les Arcs, but it is worth the journey!
Les Arcs Golf Course offers something for every standard of player with the stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc in the distance. For the more experienced player there is the 18 hole par 70 Le Chantel course; open to FFG members only, with a minimum handicap of 35. Booking in advance is recommended. For those who prefer a more leisurely game there is the 9 hole par 27 Le Beauchet course; no minimum handicap or tee off time is needed. Both courses are in Arc 1800 and have spectacular views of the mountains.
Open every day from late June to early September the Les Arcs Golf Club hosts a number of competitions and events throughout the summer. If you fancy brushing up your skills with a few lessons the prestigious David Leadbetter Golf Academy runs 3 and 5 day courses in Les Arcs.
Hiking & Walking
Whether your idea of walking in the mountains is a gentle ramble or a three day hike, La Plagne has something for you.
The valley has hundreds of kilometres of beautiful, marked walking trails and maps and trail guides are available from the Tourist Office.
To reach the higher trails you can buy a Pedestrian Lift Pass; from a higher elevation you can see the most spectacular views.
For the more adventurous, try longer hikes into the Vanoise National Park, perhaps staying overnight in a refuge. The local Mountain Guides Office offer guided group walks, walks on a glacier, and private, longer trips.
There are two riding centres in the La Plagne area, one at Aime la Plagne and the other at Plagne Centre. Between them they offer a range of activities such as family rides, children’s lessons, half-day treks and more. Reservation is advised and children will need parental permission before they take part.
Hot Air Ballooning (Vol en Montgolfiere)
Hot air ballooning looks serene, but there are moments of excitement; once the creaking wicker basket rises off the ground you are uncomfortably reminded that you are suspended hundreds of metres above the ground in a small twig structure! The views are stunning, and as you glide over the forests you may see deer and other animals normally hidden from view. The pilot controls the height but the wind determines which direction you take, so the flight can take anything from one to two hours, depending on when a suitable landing site comes into view.
There are a number of local companies that can arrange your ballooning trip.
Mini-Golf
For budding golfers over the age of 4 years, La Plagne has 3 mini-golf courses with obstacles and challenges to test your skill. Located at Plagne Centre, Plagne Bellecôte and Montalbert; entry costs around €5 for an adult and €3.50 for a child.
Mountain Biking (MTB / VTT)
Les Arcs and La Plagne are two of the best downhill mountain biking sites in Europe. The riding is challenging, the views are spectacular and the long tracks just keep flowing!
Probably a resort best suited to intermediate/advanced riders, you’ll find plenty of demanding technical trails and steep downhill plummets. (NB: In French, mountain biking is called VTT. (Vélo tout-terrain!)) ... see "La Plagne Mountain Biking" for more
Paintball
This exciting activity offers fun for groups of all ages. A variety of scenarios are offered at the beginning of all games, with each game lasting approximately 2 hours; the ultimate aim is to shoot your oppenents with paint pellets and capture their flag before they get hold of yours.
The paintball park in Plagne Bellecôte opens mid March for the summer season, players must be 13 years or older.
Please contact Chalet des Colosses (+33 (0) 479 09 28 70) or Damien (+33 (0) 614 61 73 10) for booking details.
Panoramic Helicopter Tours
Sit back and admire the mountains from even higher up! Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies or some mountain guide companies. Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snowcapped mountain tops, glaciers and alpine forests of the Paradiski.
Paragliding ('Parapente')
Paragliding is a truly amazing experience and what better place to try it than in the stunning surroundings of La Plagne.
There are a number of paragliding schools in the area that offer tandem flights, where you take to the skies accompanied by an instructor. Taking off is easy, you simply run (in summer) or point your skis/snowboard (in winter) downhill and as you gain speed the parachute lifts you into the air. Whilst this may seem a little scary, once you are in the air the views and tranquility combine into a truly amazing feeling. The instructor will control where you go, aiming to catch thermals which will keep you airborne for longer. When you are coming back to earth, the landing is also very gentle and no more of an impact than jumping off a step.
A standard tandem flight will last about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thermals and in La Plagne, you can fly from La Grande Rochette, La Roche de Mio, Les Verdons and Les Blanchets. From the lofty heights of La Plagne one can glide all the way down to the bottom of the valley.
There are so many things for kids to do in La Plagne throughout the summer that sometimes the only way to make the most of it is to enrol them in a summer club! La Plagne offers a variety of clubs, split by age so that all children will find a range of activities to keep them busy.
In Plagne Bellecôte there are 3 clubs; the Mini Club, the Youth Club and the Juniors/Teens Club, for children from 3 to 17 years old. Activities include pony rides, hiking, trampolines, roller skating, circus skills, quad biking, paint ball and more (activities are organised according to age).
Belle Plagne has a Youth Club for 3 to 10 year olds and a Junior Youth Club for 11 to 15 year olds that offer a similar range of sports and activities.
Tennis & Squash
You'll find 10 tennis courts throughout the various villages of La Plagne; you can reserve them at any of the many information points in the resort. Lessons can also be booked for adults, children over 7 years and children from 4 to 6 years old.
Indoor tennis can be played in the sports hall at the Salle Omnisport in Plagne Centre, as can badminton.
For those of you who like to build up a good sweat there are squash courts in Plagne 1800. Open each evening from 5pm, entry costs 5€ and includes balls and rackets.
Trampolines
Work off that fondu on the trampolines at Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne Centre and Montalbert. Suitable for both children over 4 years and adults this is something everyone can have a go at!
Via Ferrata
If climbing up sheer rock on the end of a piece of rope sounds a bit scary then Via Ferrata climbing offers an element of security that still allows beginners to enjoy the achievement of having scaled a mountain! This form of climbing was invented by Italian soldiers in the Dolomites who used it to enable them to scale vertiginous faces easily and quickly. These days it is a popular sport that makes the thrill of mountain climbing more accessible to children, beginners and those who want a bit more security when they climb. Following marked routes through the mountains you are helped along by steps, bridges and ladders whilst being roped up for extra safety. Suitable for adults and children over the age of 8; guides can be arranged on request. There are 2 main Via Ferrata routes in La Plagne; Plan du Bouc and Grosses Pierres. Plan du Bouc is in Champagny le Haut and features 2 courses, 1 intermediate and 1 difficult. Grosses Pierres is in Champagny en Bas and is a more challenging and physical route.
If you haven't experienced this before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do! La Plagne has a number of trained guides who will let you experience some of the best white water rafting available in the Alps. From the middle of May until September, the mountain rivers flow furiously as they are fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town. There are various options available from a 3 hour adrenaline rush to a full days excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint.
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