La Plagne tunes it edges for the winter season
World-class Savoyard ski resort La Plagne is putting the final touches to its preparations for the Winter 2013-14 ski season, which promises to be bigger and better than ever. La Plagne offers a varied and exciting winter experience for families, couples and groups of friends with the introduction of a new Coolski day pass, a new and exclusive GPS app, Plagne Access, a new, 2.9km floodlit night tobogganing run, plus a four-star (newly-accredited) chalet hotel, with views of Mont Blanc, and five brand-new luxury ski-in ski-out apartments.
New to the 2013-2014 events calendar are La Nuit du Pompon Rouge (Red Pompom Night), a giant outdoor extravaganza on New Year’s Eve, and an innovative, themed Kids’ Experience Week in April. Plus, for the first time, the Ski Cross and Moguls World Cup Final will feature a Big Air category. Old favourites on the events circuit include FestiGliss, a celebration of alternative ways to slide and glide, the nail-biting Ice-Climbing World Cup and the funky Mix Mountain DJ Festival.
Says Yann Clavillier, Director of La Plagne Public Relations: “The keynote for the new season is definitely “Made-to-Measure”. Our Coolski Day Pass is a good example: rather than paying for access to the entire resort, it’s designed to provide beginners with a more chilled-out experience. Learners are given access to a safe, enclosed zone near their accommodation and a choice of routes at progressive levels.”
“We’re also really proud of Plagne Access”, continues Clavillier. “It’s the only ski resort GPS-enabled app in France; it’s available in English and sends you tailored information and advice before and during your trip, to help you have the best possible experience.”
Visitors can enjoy a half-price toboggan pass for the first time this winter, when they buy a six-day pass for La Plagne or Paradiski (from €257), representing a saving of €25. The toboggan pass is valid in Plagne Centre for the Colorado Park run and the new, floodlit Arpette night run, which offers 2.9km of thrills and a heart-stopping 500m vertical drop!
On the property front, Hôtel Cocoon in high-altitude village Plagne 1800 – an intimate, seven-bedroom wood and stone chalet hotel with Finnish sauna and Jacuzzi – has been upgraded to a four-star classification. And, in December 2013, the four-star ski-in ski-out Carlina Hotel in pretty Belle-Plagne will unveil a new annexe with thirteen en suite bedrooms in five luxurious south-facing apartments, each with its own spacious balcony overlooking the pistes.
For more information or to make a booking, visit la-plagne.com.
La Plagne calendar of events, winter 2013-14
14 December
Resort opens
31 December
Red Pompom Night, Plagne Centre: giant outdoor New Year’s Eve extravaganza for all the family with DJs, dancing, ice bar and fireworks.
25-26 January 2014
Gorzderette, Champagny-le-Haut: multi-activity tournament based around the ice tower, with ice-climbing demonstrations, hay sledging, parties and more.
27-31 January 2014
Mix Mountain, Plagne-Montalbert: the winter’s biggest FREE festival of international DJs mixing on the slopes, with a BBQ sizzling in the background.
31 January-1 February 2014
Ice Climbing World Cup, Champagny-en-Vanoise: 100+ of the world’s top ice climbers compete in the “speed” and “difficulty” events.
6-7 March 2014
FestiGliss, Plagne Montalbert: celebration of innovative gliders, from the SMX (BMX bike on skis) to the Zipfy (small sled with a lever to steer) and the Yooner (a seat on a mini ski)
19-23 March 2014
Moguls and Ski Cross World Cup Finals, Plagne Centre Stadium: fresh from the Olympics, the best international athletes compete. New “Big Air” moguls event.
12-19 April 2014
Kids’ Experience: new, themed week for children aged four to twelve to enjoy all the fun of the snow (details TBC)
26 April 2014
Resort closes