Enjoy a host of snowy adventures in La Plagne, French Alps – without once putting on a pair of skis

From bobsleighing on an Olympic track and ziplining through snowy valleys, to cracking codes in a thrilling Escape Game and soaking in an outdoor Norwegian hot tub with mountain views, the French Alps resort of La Plagne offers plenty to keep the non-skier busy this winter season, which runs until 27 April 2019. 

For those who like the idea of a winter holiday – with its promise of scenic snow-covered mountains, cosy chalets, cheese fondues and vin chaud – but who don’t fancy skiing or snowboarding, there are plenty of other exciting activities to take part in throughout the 11 traditional Savoyarde villages of this family friendly resort. Choose from some of the many options:

For the thrill seeker ​

• NEW for 2018/19 winter – Escape Room: Ben Valentin, a former freestyle ski champion from La Plagne and an avid fan of Escape Rooms, has set up two exciting escape room games in Plagne Bellecôte. In teams of two to six people, participants have one hour to escape by advancing through the plot and solving puzzles. One is the family-friendly ‘Hunting the Chuppa Yeti’ while the other is more thrilling – ‘The Mont Saint Jacques Bunker’, set within a post-apocalyptic world. The cost is from €20 / £17 pp. To book, visit www.escape2rooms.fr.
• Olympic bobsleigh track: Built for the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games, La Plagne’s bobsleigh track (the only one located in France) welcomes 12,000 intrepid visitors every winter. There are three exhilarating rides from which to choose:

1. Bob raft: With a capacity of four people, this self-driving raft can reach 80 km/hr and is suitable for those over the minimum height of 1.30 metres. Priced €45 / £40 pp.
2. Speed Luge:  A solo vehicle, the luge can reach a whopping 90 km/hr and is suitable for ages 16+. Priced €109 / £97 pp.
3. Bob racing: Channel Cool Runnings and try the ultimate bobsleigh experience; the vehicle takes three riders plus a pilot, and can reach 120 km/hr. Suitable for ages 16+, it is priced €125 / £111 pp. Visit the La Plagne website to book. 

• Zipwire: Adrenalin junkies will love the sensation of whooshing through snow-draped valleys, and a feeling of being on top of the world. Choose from:

1. The Supertyro: This sensational 600-metre zip line offers uninterrupted views of Mont Blanc at a 16% gradient, travelling at speeds up to 90 km/hr for 30-40 seconds. The cost is €20 / £17 pp.
2. Zipwire cascade: A series of zipwires which zig-zag between the trees from Belle Plagne down to Plagne Bellecôte for 2 km, with 14 different elements including nine zipwires and a 9 m base jump. The electrifying course takes 1hr30 and is available three evenings per week. The cost is from €29 / £25 pp. Visit the La Plagne website to book.

• Fatbikes: This season sees a great choice of downhill or touring biking options after the slopes close. Make a 600 m descent on skier-free groomed tree-lined runs in La Plagne-Montchavin Les Coches with a mountain biking instructor. The thick, under-inflated tyres are designed to grip the snow, and the disc brakes mean that, even in the wettest conditions, the descent is still controlled. The price is from €45 / £40, including instructor, bike equipment and helmet. For more information, visit: www.evolution2-montchavin.com.  

For the chill seeker

• NEW 1,500 m2 Deep Nature spa in Belle Plagne: Deep Nature Spas are a firm French favourite, and this serene wellness brand has opened a new 1,500 m2 spa for guests of all ages in the centre of Belle Plagne this winter. With magnificent mountain views, visitors can enjoy three separate areas including a family spa with outdoor aquatic trail, waterfalls and geysers; a premium area for those aged 15-plus with hammam, salt grotto and ‘green’ sauna; and six treatment rooms offering a range of customised Deep Nature treatments such as a facials by Cinq Mondes and ‘My first spa’ sessions for ages six-plus. Entry costs from €19 (£17) per adult / €13 (£11) per child (under 15), and treatments cost from €49 (£43) per adult / €39 (£34) per child. To book, visit www.deepnature.fr.
• Invigorating wellness centre in Champagny en Vanoise: This beautiful alpine village is home to a 250 m² spa, featuring two saunas, Jacuzzi, steam room, Turkish bath, cold splash pool, relaxation room with ‘experience’ showers and treatment area. After a day of energetic mountain activities, treat those weary muscles to a relaxing spa session, as well as a swim in the newly-refurbished Piscine Municipale. Entrance to the spa and swimming pool costs from €14 / £12 pp for a one-day pass. Treatments are from €70 / £62 per hour.

For the nature lover

• Snowshoeing: The diversity of environments in La Plagne is huge – from the pine forest ecosystem of the ‘cembraie sur gypsum’ (unique to this part of the world), to rocky canyons and babbling streams, perfect for exploring on a snowshoeing excursion. The wide, flat snowshoes are attached to hikers’ boots enabling them to walk on snow and traverse the slopes with ease (well, relative ease – it’s a great cardio workout!). Discover lost villages, spot alpine creatures such as ibex, fox, marmotte and chamoix, and retreat to a cosy shepherd’s hut to feast on fondue and drink warming shots of génépi. A day’s snowshoeing with instructor and equipment costs from €25 / £21 pp for a half day. Visit the La Plagne website for more information.
• Paragliding: Discover the resort from a different angle and glide peacefully through the air above rocky peaks, snowy slopes and pine-filled forests. In tandem with a qualified paragliding pilot, you’ll take flight for roughly 10-20 minutes, before taking a gentle landing on the slopes. The cost is from €80 / £68 pp. Visit the La Plagne website for more information.

For the kids 

• NEW: Jaguar Land Rover driving experience for 11-17 year olds. Swap quiet neighbourhood streets for snowy terrain and give your children a safe and exciting first driving experience. The Jaguar Land Rover Experience allows parents to relax as a qualified instructor takes their child through a series of fun exercises on the snow, driving a dual controlled Range Rover Evoque or Jaguar E-PACE. Available for children aged 11–17 years old (minimum height 1m42), this experience is free of charge. Also open to 18-22-year olds (ID required).
• Husky rides: The whole family can cuddle together on a huge sled, with cosy reindeer skins for maximum warmth, pulled along by a group of gorgeous husky dogs. Led by a professional musher, take in glorious alpine views and fresh mountain air. A 30-minute husky ride costs €98 / £84 for two adults or €132 / £113 for two adults and a child. Visit the La Plagne website for more information.

One week’s self-catering in Plagne Villages currently costs from €285 pp / £244 pp based on four sharing a studio apartment. Fly from London Gatwick to Geneva with easyJet from £55 pp return.

For more information, visit www.la-plagne.com, or call La Plagne on +33 (0)4 79 09 79 79.

Note to Editors: For additional information, see the full winter 2018/19 press kit.

Press: For further information, high-resolution images, and press trip enquiries, please contact Kate Chapman or Lizzie Cooper at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.chapman@travelpr.co.uk or l.cooper@travelpr.co.uk.