La Plagne consists of 11 different, self-contained but inter-linked villages, each with their own character and charm. Whether you are staying in one of the purpose-built resorts higher up the mountain or one of the traditional villages further down, there is plenty of skiing for all levels, both on or off-piste, and it is particularly suited to intermediate skiers. Since December 2003, there is now also a spanking new gondola link to the adjoining resort of Les Arcs, opening up a huge ski area branded ?Paradiski??. The extended area has a bigger footprint even than the Trois Vall?es, albeit with fewer kilometres of piste. However at 420km (compared to the 600 km of Les Trois Vall?es) there is still more than enough to keep even the fastest speed-demon happy for a week or so.

La Plagne alone has 220 km of piste, from 3,250 m down to 1,250 m. Of these, there are 11 green, 75 blue, 37 red and 9 black. The resort sits in a huge, North-facing bowl, where seven of the eleven villages have been purpose built at altitude, giving them unparalleled opportunities for ?doorstep? skiing.

There are also no fewer than three glaciers, so for the truly dedicated, it is even possible to ski all year round. There are magnificent off-piste runs down from the Chiaupe glacier and across the Cul de Nant glacier, with breathtaking views and acres of virgin snow to ski, ending at the small hamlet of Le Bois, a short bus-ride back to the main slopes.

La Plagne also figures highly in international winter sports championships, with its famous Olympic bob-sleigh run, which is open to both professionals and members of the public, though it?s definitely not something for the faint-hearted. There is also a stadium for night skiing, plus a whole host of other activities, such as ice-climbing, skating, dog-sleighing, cross-country skiing and snow-cats. Most of the villages also have a nursery and junior ski-school, making La Plagne one of the most family-friendly resorts in the Alps.