There are heaps of events held throughout the year in La Plagne, ranging from small and quirky local festivals, to world renowned sporting events. Music festivals are also hugely popular during the summer months and provide a great excuse to make a quick trip out to the Alps. In this section, we bring you information about the major annual events in La Plagne, and don't forget to check out our weekly calendar.
20 French snowsport champions will select and sponsored 20 hopefuls to compete in 20 different disciplines at this popular event. This exciting grassroots contest is an annual fixture on the La Plagne sporting calendar and is a good opportuntity to see some up and coming talent.
Télémark World Cup - January
Montchavin-Les Coches and Plagne Centre join forces for 3 days of international competition. The area is known for its excellent télémarking terrain thanks to the height difference across its ski area. To provide the telemarkers with a full range of events, "Sprint" and night time events will take place on the slalom course at Plagne Centre on 10 December and the "Classic" type events will be run on 11 and 12 on the Montchavin-Les Coches ski area. This exciting event should attract a large crowd of télémark enthusiasts and intrigued onlookers alike.
Plagn Arctic - January
Photo - Rolf Hicker
La Plagne celebrates all things Polar, Scandinavian and Nordic in a week of themed events! Typical actvities will be recreated and you are invited to get involved and have a go yourself. Amongst the many things on offer are igloo building, snow sculpting, ice climbing, dog sledding and a plethora of snow excursions and walks. You will have the opportunity to visit the ice caves at 3000m and, possibly the highlight of the week for some, is the massive snow ball fight!
Rossignol Airtour - January
Rossignol brings their kids ski/snowboard contest to La Plagne. Open to boys and girls between the ages of 9-15 years old this tour showcases the incredible freestyle and slopestyle skiing and boarding skills of the up and coming snowsport stars of the future.
This event sees some of the world’s best ice-climbers arrive in La Plagne, not to battle it out in gnarly competitions but to hang out, have fun and enjoy the festivities! Activities include ice climbing, archery, Nordic skiing, big air, hay sled runs and more. Internationally renowned athletes mix it up with keen mountain enthusiasts and those who are there just for fun to create a chilled out friendly atmosphere. Grab a beer and enjoy the live music as the evening draws in and the concerts start.
This two-day event is aimed at all kids who love the snow. There will be a number of games, workshops and activities lined up covering topics such as snow, avalanches, environment, fauna and orientation. For any budding freeriders there are two contests open to 6-12 year olds: Mini Big Air and Snowcross.
All the French freestyle clubs will be sending their star performers to La Plagne this weekend for the event of the year. Disciplines on display will be the half-pipe, bumps and the skiercross. Freestyle is a rapidly growing sport in La Plagne and this event grows in size and standard year upon year!
Winter Urban Plagne - April
The skate park at Plagne Bellecôte is back in use before the summer. This event is a snapshot of the summer Urban Plagne which takes place at the end of August. Provisional schedules include skateboard, freestyle skiing and snowboarding demos. The season comes to an end with a freestyle session!
Fête de la Musique is the celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21st June in cities, towns and villages across France. More than a music festival, the Fête de la Musique is a free event that spills out from the bars and restaurants onto the streets and encompasses every type of music imaginable, from local amateur teen bands to professional classical musicians, from club DJ’s to traditional folk bands.
Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for Culture, the Fete is different from a music festival in that all the concerts and performances are free to the public and none of the artists are paid.
The Fete de la Musique is now celebrated all over the world, where it is more commonly refered to as World Music Day.
Fête de la Musique is one of those certain nights throughout the year when the French authorities waive normal licensing laws, allowing the revelry to continue as long as there are people with the stamina to enjoy it – it is definitely one of the not-to-be-missed events of the summer social calendar!
Every summer France is gripped by the biggest and best cycle race in Europe - Le Tour de France. The Alps have played a large part in the race over the years with the gruelling mountain climbs providing some of the most exciting spectacles of the event. The route changes slightly each year, taking in different towns and villages along the way. Even if the race doesn't pass near to where you are this summer you can guarantee that it will still be avidly watched in bars and cafés around the country with everyone joining in to cheer on the famous yellow jersey! ... see "Le Tour de France" for more
Urban Plagne - August
Nokia Fise, sponsors of the renowned International Festival of Extremes Sports in Montpellier, bring their incredible mix of sports and music to the mountains! As well as the usual heady mix of BMX, Rollerblading, Skateboarding, Wakeboarding, Freestyle Motorbikes, Snowboarding and Skiing there will be a programme of DJs, Hip Hop and break dance groups as well as a graffiti art battle... Lastly, keyboard and joystick addicts will be carried away by infernal play sessions during the daily tournaments in the Video and On-Line Games Area.