New hotel and spa openings in La Plagne, French Alps

The family-friendly resort of La Plagne has announced several exciting new developments to tempt visitors to the French Alps this season, from a stylish new concept hostel and a Deep Nature Spa to a world-first cashless payment system and a new-look resort centre.

Selling over 2.5m skier days last season, and with an accommodation capacity of over 55,000 people (the largest in the Alps), La Plagne is the world’s busiest ski resort. But, as part of the huge Paradiski area – with over 425 km of groomed runs, two skiable glaciers at over 3,000 m, 11 traditional Savoyarde villages and a whole host of winter activities to take part in, as well as skiing and boarding – there is plenty of space and variety for every visitor to enjoy.

In addition to a NEW LOOK Plagne Centre, featuring a lively village square with a multi-service activity centre, panoramic view bar, four-lane bowling alley and ice-skating rink, there is also the return of firm favourites such as the world’s first luxury converted snow groomer hotel suite and the Jaguar Land Rover snow driving experience, as well as a whole host of brand-new happenings, including:

NEW Plagne Access: a world-first cashless payment system for ALL resort services using a single ski pass

La Plagne will be the first mountain resort worldwide to launch a payment system that combines – on a single card – a lift pass, a loyalty programme, and cashless (tap) payment. Plagne Access will offer both ease and convenience to the resort’s visitors, who will no longer need to worry about finding a spare ski jacket pocket in which to carry cash. Parents can rest assured, too, as the system offers a daily spending cap to ensure that kids don’t get too carried away buying sweets in the supermarket! If cards are lost or stolen, users can select a simple option in the accompanying app to ensure that the card is blocked and no further payments are able to be made on it, then collect a replacement card on to which the account will be transferred. To learn more and to download the app, visit https://www.la-plagne.com/app.

NEW stylish hostel ho36

Opening on 14 December (the day before resort opening), ho36 (which also has branches in Lyon, Les Menuires and Avignon) will revolutionise La Plagne’s accommodation offering. This 21st century lodging in Plagne Centre combines the convenience of a hotel with the cosiness of a guest house, providing a lower-budget accommodation option for families and independent travellers alike, without sacrificing any of the comfort or convenience of a hotel. ho36 La Plagne is stylishly decorated throughout, with a welcoming central living area, ‘Chill Room’, chic bar, restaurant serving freshly prepared, hearty dishes (including many French classics), and a relaxed atmosphere – the perfect base to retire to after a day on the slopes. ho36 will be the new choice for guests visiting solo, with a partner, or those travelling with a gang of family members or friends, as there is a range of individual or shared rooms available to suit different requirements and budgets. Hostel beds cost from €25/£22 per night, hotel rooms (double) from €90/£78 per night. To book, visit www.ho36hostels.com/en/la-plagne-1.

NEW Escape Games – exclusive in the Tarentaise Valley

Ben Valentin, a former freestyle ski champion from La Plagne, has set up two unique and fun-filled Escape Games in Plagne Bellecôte, perfect for children and adults alike! In teams of two to six people, players have one hour to escape by advancing through the plot and solving puzzles. ‘Hunting the Chuppa Yeti’ is a family-friendly game (age eight plus) in which yetis are the fashionable furry new pet – but to adopt one you first have to find it, with the help of a guidebook and Émile, a friendly specialist in local fauna. ‘The Mont Saint Jacques Bunker’, meanwhile, is a thrilling game for older players (age 16 plus), set in a post-apocalyptic world where the few remaining survivors must follow the signals to safety. The cost is from €20/£18 to €38/£34 per person. Online reservations at www.escape2rooms.fr.

NEW 1,500 m2 Deep Nature spa in Belle Plagne – open to the whole family

Deep Nature Spas are a firm French favourite, and this serene wellness brand is opening 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.

‘Over the Moon’ VIP snow groomer suite at 2,400 m – a world first

Returning to La Plagne for its second year, this luxurious converted piste basher makes for a truly unique and off-the-grid hotel experience. The cosy suite comes complete with VIP touches such as a queen-sized bed, spa bath, flat-screen TV, bottle of Champagne, freshly-baked macarons, and a complimentary ‘Lovebox’ featuring various fun gifts! Guests are collected in Plagne Bellecôte by the snow groomer and driven to the summit at 2,400 m where they are left to enjoy the utmost privacy (with a radio for communication if needed), waking to mountain views, fresh pastries and coffee. One night’s ‘Over the Moon’ B&B is priced at €320 for two people; the experience is available from early January to end of April 2019. To book, visit www.skipass-laplagne.com.

Jaguar Land Rover snow driving experience for 11-17-year olds

Budding Lewis Hamiltons aged 11-17 will be thrilled to try driving on snow in a Range Rover Evoque or a Jaguar E-PACE. Accompanied by a qualified instructor and a parent/guardian, children take the steering wheel via dual controls and, through fun exercises, start learning to drive. Session free of charge (minimum height 1m42). Also open to 18-22-year olds. For more information visit the La Plagne website.

Ice Tower climbing in Champagny Vanoise

Beginners and experts alike can tackle their fear of heights or perhaps even practice for climbing the Mont Blanc at some time in the future, by experiencing La Plagne’s thrilling Ice Tower. This original concept is a steel structure covered with wood and ice, offering a variety of gradients to climb up its 22 m height. Open from December to March, weather dependent. Two beginner sessions (two hours) are offered every week. Minimum age ten. Visit www.la-plagne.com for more information.

Ski passes for La Plagne are priced at €52 pp for one day or €269 pp for six days. Paradiski passes, including Les Arcs, are priced at €60 pp for one day or €305 pp for six days. One week’s self-catering in Plagne Centre currently costs from €284 pp / £252 pp including a six-day La Plagne ski pass, based on four sharing a studio apartment in January 2019. Fly from London Gatwick to Geneva with easyJet from £59 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.