Ski Holidays in Belle Plagne
Sitting at 2000m, it is the highest-located of the La Plagne villages and one of its largest. It is an ideal ski holiday destination with its pedestrianised centre, great restaurants and ease of access to its numerous amenities. Developed in 1981 by architect, Michel Bezancon, Belle Plagne was designed with traditional Savoyard charm as an inspiration.
Located high up in the mountains, Belle Plagne is also one of La Plagne village's most stunningly beautiful resorts. From its stylish and contemporary style wooden-clad buildings to the amazing backdrop views of the mountain range at every turn, it is certainly one of the area's most picturesque resorts. Thanks to its south-facing position, it also receives swathes of sunlight during the season.
Belle Plagne is part of the expansive Paradiski ski area, providing access to over 425km of pistes. From gentle slopes perfect for beginners to challenging black runs for advanced skiers, the ski area caters to all levels of expertise. Breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks add to the allure of Belle Plagne's ski area, creating a truly immersive alpine experience.
Belle Plagne is part of the expansive Paradiski ski area, providing access to over 425km of pistes. From gentle slopes perfect for beginners to challenging black runs for advanced skiers, the ski area caters to all levels of expertise. Breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks add to the allure of Belle Plagne's ski area, creating a truly immersive alpine experience.
Belle Plagne also has excellent snow conditions all season. Its high altitude and brilliant snow record see it covered in snow from early December up until late April. Holidaymakers have access to up to 225km of snowsure pistes as well as an additional 22km on the Les Arcs side of the Vanoise Express Cable Car. Belle Plagne’s slopes cater to all ski ability types from beginners to advanced-level skiers; if you’re after a bit of refreshment while you’re out there on the slopes, you can catch a ride to one of several mountain huts on a snowcat!
Belle Plagne is the third-highest village in La Plagne with an impressive elevation of 2050m. Part of the awe-inspiring Domaine La Plagne, which is also connected to the larger Paradiski area, you’ll find plenty of varied terrain that’s suitable for skiers of all levels and abilities – with altitudes ranging from 1,207m up to 3,250m at the top of the Bellecôte glacier. Belle Plagne also has 135 runs spread across 225km, so if you’re looking for an adventure, there really are a lot of pistes to explore! The majority of slopes in the immediate ski area are made up of beginner-friendly blue runs with a decent selection of reds for more experienced skiers. If you're up for a challenge, head over to Roche De Mio for some steeper on- and off-piste. And don’t forget, you’ve still got the whole of Les Arcs and the rest of the Paradiski to explore.
Belle Plagne is the best-located village in the Plagne ski area. It sits at 2050m and has fast access to Roche de Mio and the Plagne glacier, basically, you can get anywhere fast if you’re staying in Belle Plagne.
It’s arguably the prettiest of the Plagne villages as well, with fairy lights galore and nice looking shop fronts, it’s perfect to get you in the Christmas spirit, no matter what time of year!
There are several great restaurants, most of them serving traditional Savoyard food so you can get your cheese fix and then some! Cheyenne and Tete Inn are great little bars to round off a great day on the slopes and Le Saloon will keep you dancing until the early hours if you decide the next day’s forecast isn’t inspiring you.
As we have already alluded to, Belle Plagne has some great accommodation options to suit all budgets. The resort is really compact as well so no matter where you stay, you won’t be far from a lift, a bar or a restaurant!
Let’s get silly
Just above Belle Plagne, at the top of the Arpette chair lift is the most fun funslope ever! It is a delight for all senses as you slide, jump and weave your way around the obstacles. Get your mates together and race to the finish! Your quads will be on fire by the end but you’ll be grinning from ear to ear! If you are feeling a little more serious then you can bomb it down the blue all the way back down to Bellecote, it’s a great run first thing in the morning!
Becoin
From the top of the Becoin lift you have two amazing runs, the red down the Plagne Centre is steep but wide so an exciting run that is great progression for those wanting to graduate from blues, and the black down to La Roche, which is the longest run in La Plagne. The black is on a west facing slope so the snow tends to hold up well.
Ski away day
Being linked to Les Arcs means you’ve got a whole 200km more to play with if you get the full area lift pass. Les Arcs has some amazing runs and a must do on your trip is to venture all the way over to the top of the Aiguille Rouge and back in time for après! From Belle Plagne ski down to Bellecote and take the Arpette chair. From here ski down to Montchavin and take the Vanoise express across to Plan Peisey, the views on this cable car are stunning as you cross the valley! From Peisey, take the Peisey 61 chair and ski down to the bottom of the Transarc in Arc 1800. From the top of Transarc you need to bomb it down to the Varet and take this to the top where you will arrive at the Aiguille Rouge gondola. After a stomach-lurching ascent, you will arrive at the top of les Arcs and be able to admire panoramic views of the whole domain from the viewing platform, it’s breathtaking!
Now you need to make it back to the Vanoise Express before it closes…the race is on!
Belle Plagne is known for being a bit more laidback and family-friendly than some of its rowdier neighbouring resorts, but that doesn’t mean it lacks a lively après-ski scene. Among its boujee cafés and crêperies, you’ll find some lively bars and restaurants perfect for winding down with an après beer in the sun. Or if you’re up for an epic night out for partying into the early hours, you’ll won’t be short on “table-stomping” dancing in your ski boots action in some of the resort’s brilliant nightclubs. Whatever a great night out looks like to you, Belle Plagne has got a real variety of places to keep you entertained long after you’ve packed your skis back in the locker room. Check out our top Belle Plagne après-ski picks:
- Feel like partying late into the night? Then you can be sure to count on Saloon Bar for lively vibes after the last lifts have shut down for the day. It’s open daily from 4pm, but it comes alive in the later hours when the dance floor is packed, legendary live DJs are hyping the crowd and everyone’s busting dodgy dance moves until 5am.
- Le Cheyenne Café is a casual Western-themed bar that feels like a cosy cowboy saloon high above the clouds. It serves up a great selection of burgers, pizzas and other comforting dishes alongside a classic selection of cocktails, beers and wines that hit the spot after an exhausting day skiing in Belle Plagne.
- Mid-afternoon après, anyone? La Bergerie is what can only be described as a renovated farmhouse-turned-party house on the slopes. Located on the Mira blue run just above Plagne Villages, this epic high-altitude venue has a sit-down restaurant and a snack bar for quicker bites. But once the lunch service wraps up at 2pm, the party kicks off with beers and signature shots accompanied by legendary live DJs, table-top dancing, live saxophonists and even sometimes fire artists!
- La Tête Inn is a lively Alpine bar with cosy carved ceiling beams, a great selection of beers, wines and whiskeys, free bar snacks and a wonderfully warm ambience you’ll want to sink into for the entire evening as you listen to live DJs serving up great music.
Le Matafan
A highly rated restaurant serving traditional Savoyard dishes made from local produce.
K2
A large restaurant serving traditional French cuisine in a warm and friendly setting!
La Godille
A stylish and modern restaurant serving some classics, elevated to new heights.
La Face Nord
A great little restaurant with lovely staff.
Les Iversens
A stunning location for an alpine restaurant. Perched high in the clouds, this chalet with a sun terrace is perfect for lunch or a quick hot chocolate break!
Le Cheyenne
A cool little French bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as drinks. A great venue that regularly has DJs playing.
Le Bowling
A fun bowling alley and also one of the bigger bars in Belle Plagne.
Spitting Feathers
A classic English pub in the centre of Plagne Bellecote
Le Saloon
The only late night venue in Belle Plagne, but they haven't got complacent! This place is a great venue from après ski all the way through till the wee hours!
