New ski holiday trends from the world’s most-visited ski resort – La Plagne

This season, the world’s most visited ski resort, La Plagne, is offering a whole host of different snow, ski and mountain activity options for skiers and non-skiers alike

La Plagne, French Alps, opens for winter on 14 December 2019.

Here are La Plagne’s top new ideas for winter 2019/2020

Sophrology ski:

NEW: Ski sophrology experience: This is skiing for the mindful generation – get back to nature and learn a fresh approach to skiing, one that is more conscious of nature, the elements and oneself. Ski instructor and sophrologist Karine leads a 1.5 hour course in Montchavin-Les Coches, which encourages self confidence, wellbeing, mental focus and physical strength, followed by a ‘Serenity Afternoon Tea’ in an altitude restaurant. Individual half-hour lessons from €75 pp; group lessons from €25 pp. See https://montchavin.evolution2.com/en/activite/ski/sophrology.

Wilderness and wildlife:

NEW: Far North Experience: Take a snowshoe walk up to the tepee camp before indulging in a glass of homemade vin chaud around the fire. Meet Lionel the musher and his happy pack of Samoyed sled dogs, enjoy a cheese fondue and then descend back to resort by dog sled. From €53 pp, including meal and equipment. See https://montchavin.evolution2.com/en/winter/tipi-evening.

Nordic Evening: After dark, don snowshoes and accompany guide Philippe on a snow-covered trail to the Finnish kotas at the Cocoon for dinner. Before the meal, Phillippe will whet the appetite with his guide to the sky, observing the stars above (no light pollution means that the stars are much more visible than in the UK) and explaining more about the celestial heavens. Priced at €60 pp. See www.espacesmontagnes.fr.

A non-skiing ski holiday:

NEW: winter sports activity – “Snooc”: Snooc is a French invention and is a ski/sled hybrid which can be used as an alternative to a toboggan. La Plagne is the first resort to have a dedicated Snooc run/track in Plagne Centre. Adapted for both skiers and non-skiers, it is easy to get started, rapid to learn to control with your feet, and offers similar sensations to a kart. It can also be used on the ski runs and for ski touring. Minimum height 1m40. From €7.

Pony-sledding in Champagny-le-Haut: Explore this pristine valley at the heart of the Vanoise National Park by pony-led sled. Setting off from Le Petit Ranch, discover the peacefulness and picture-perfect backdrop of snow-covered fir trees in this quiet area of the resort. Priced from €15 pp. See www.equitation-champagny.com.

Other non-skiing activities: Olympic bobsleigh, Colorado Park toboggan run, e-biking, ice climbing, Escape Game, airboarding, zipwires, snowbiking, Nordic walking, paragliding.

Ski safety:

NEW: Free Ski S’Cool Course with Marie Martinod. Marie from La Plagne is a double Olympic medallist who loves her discipline (freestyle) and her resort. She is setting up freestyle ski initiation courses for teenagers this winter. The free programme will also include piste safety. Minimum level required: Bronze Star. See www.elpro-la-plagne.com/node/339

Journey around the world:

NEW: craft beer après bar Le Brix: A cool new après hangout in Plagne Centre with a choice of draft and bottled beers from around the world, overlooking the end of the ski slope. Open 3pm to midnight.

Event: Subli’cimes: 9-15 April 2020: Five peaks in La Plagne will be themed for this fun family festival to portray a ‘journey around the world’. Travel from India to Japan, to Route 66 in the US to 18th century France, and on to a thrilling jungle environment – all within the French Alps!

Get off grid:

Over The Moon VIP snow groomer suite: A world first – a luxury converted piste basher hotel suite at 2,400 m. A romantic escape for two people who are left alone at the summit overlooking Mont Blanc with only the stars for company (and a walkie talkie should they need assistance). One night’s B&B priced from €320 (based on two sharing). See https://www.skipass-laplagne.com/en/over-the-moon.

The Igloo Village: After a cheese fondue on the Dou du Praz, spend a magical night in rooms made of ice or in the hot igloo (a geodesic dome with a wood heater). From €99 pp per night in a shared room. From €199.50 pp per night in the hot igloo with half board. See www.blacksheep-igloo.com.

Down-to-earth dining:

Finnish kota huts at The Cocoon Grill: Warm and cosy wooden huts with circular seating around a central fire/cooking station where a group of diners is cooked for by a private chef (eg. grilled meats and ravioli.) See https://hotel-lecocoon.fr/en/food/.

Farm-to-fork dining at Chez Roland: In a former sheep barn, the menu of Chef Roland’s restaurant – Le Forperet – features produce straight from his small adjacent farm in Montalbert, such as tartiflette with sheep’s cheese, Forperet Fondue with cider and Tomme cheese. See http://forperet.com/restaurant/?lang=en.

Return flights (London-Geneva) cost from £52 pp with easyJet. One week’s self-catering in Plagne Centre costs from €145 pp / £124 pp, based on three sharing a studio apartment.

For more information, or to book any of the events or activities above, visit www.la-plagne.com, or call La Plagne on +33 (0)4 79 09 79 79.

Note to Editors: For additional information, see http://presse-laplagne.com/en/winter-press-kit-2019-2020/.

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.​