Skip to main content
SeeLaplagne

Vivienne Falkiner: Marketing & Communications Co-Ordinator Oxygene Ski

Behind the scenes with Oxygène in La Plagne

featured in Meet the locals Author Ellie Mahoney, La Plagne Editor Updated

We love getting top tips from locals, to share with you our lovely readers, and Vivienne from Oxygène has got lots for you! When she's not working hard in the office or skiing, you might find her dancing in Scotty's bar or drinking a Milka hot chocolate in the Croq'Neige...

Tell us a little bit about your business, how it started out and where you're based etc...

Bertrand and Pierre, two brothers, started Oxygène in 1992 in La Plagne Centre. Their aim was to keep the family spirit to offer individual care to all their customers all by being big enough to offer something to suit the needs of the entire family. That was a successful bet as over 20 years later Oxygène is the one-stop-shop in la Plagne. Ski lessons, equipment hire and extra activities can all be sorted under the same roof, making logistics easy.

Since then, Oxygène hasn’t stop growing, we are now in Val d’Isère, Belle Plagne and the 3 valleys and over 100 instructors work with us.

How long have you been in your current role / how long have you been with the company?

This is my second year working in marketing and communications, but I’ve been with Oxygène for three years now - I initially started off as a receptionist.

What are the best bits about your job?

The seasons. I work for Oxygène year-round and my job completely changes from winter to summer. In winter, I enjoy the buzz we find in a ski-resort, nothing ever stops and something is always going on in-resort. But, I must say that I am also happy to reconnect with my little village La Plagne and go back to a normal life once the season is over. Only 450 people live here year-round and I love it.

And the worst bits?

My boss! (Bertrand if you are reading this, please don’t fire me).

What is in store for the future with your business, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?

When we found out that La Plagne has dedicated ski-touring tracks all over La Plagne, we thought ‘who better than Oxygène can become a specialist in this field?’ We then ordered ski-touring equipment for rental and organized extra activities, such as the First & Last Track, which is an introduction to ski touring for beginners.

We also had a growing concern about the dangers of off-piste skiing and ordered airbags. Everyone skiing off-piste with Oxygène will now be equipment with an airbag, free of charge. In general, I would say that Oxygène is continuously looking to innovate its offer.

What's your favourite piste or off-piste area & top tip to go skiing?

Le Mont de la Guerre is my favourite piste in La Plagne – it has the most incredible view and it isn’t always open, so skiing on it is a rare pleasure.

Here are a few tips when skiing in La Plagne: If it’s cloudy, stay in the trees, Montalbert & Montchavain are great for that. End of day? Go on the sunny side of La Plagne towards Champagny and if you want some proper off-piste, tackle the famous Face Nord.

Your personal favourite place for lunch or dinner?

Le Petit Chaperon Rouge’ in Plagne 1800 - it’s an old typical Savoyard Chalet with lots of character, isolated from other restaurants. I always feel a little special when dining there. That’s without mentioning the delicious food and the warm welcome.

Where will we find the best coffee or hot chocolate?

Go to the Croq’ Neige in La Plagne Centre and order a Milka hot chocolate with whipped cream – Ideal after a day on the slopes.

What has been your best ever day in this resort?

The first time I joined the Steep & Deep off-piste course. It had snowed the previous evening, the sun was out and I fell in love with skiing all over again. It felt like I was floating on top of the world and at that moment, nothing else mattered. (If my phone hadn’t been stolen this summer in Columbia, I would attach a photo!)

Do you remember your first trip to La Plagne?

I was about 7 years and saw chairlifts for the first time. I remember thinking ‘Aren’t people scared of jumping off?’ - I genuinely thought that was the only way of getting off a chairlift.

What do you do in the summer?

I go on holiday! During winter we are busy bees, so when summer comes around, we tend to get away. Last summer I spent 6 weeks backpacking through Colombia.

Where are we most likely to find you for après-ski?!

Scotty’s, also called ‘The English bar’ by the French. Go and have a beer, listen to live music and have a good laugh while the seasonnaires take their tops off on ‘Hot in here by William Pharell’. I understand that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it!

Skiing or snowboarding? What's your preference & why?

Skiing by far. I will admit that snowboarders look cool, but once skiers handle their technique, they are the ones who get the most out of the sport.

-

Thanks Vivienne! You'll find Oxygene's office in Plagne centre on the front de neige, pop in if you've got any questions for them about any of the activities they offer. 

Location

Map of the surrounding area