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Ski Schools in La Plagne
Learn to ski in La Plagne
Situated in the Tarentaise Valley in the Northern Alps, La Plagne is located around 2.5hrs away from Geneva & Lyon and approximately 2hrs from Grenoble. The resort is part of the world’s second largest skiing area, Paradiski, which has a total of 425km of pistes, with 152 beginner, 79 red and 22 black runs.
Paradiski covers the ski resorts of La Plagne, Les Arcs & Peisey-Vallandry, and encompasses two glaciers - the Bellecôte and the Chiaupe. Within the three resorts are 11 villages; Plagne Centre, Belle Plagne, Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne 1800, Aime La Plagne, Plagne Village, Plagne Soleil, Les Coches, Montavin, Champagny and Montalbert.
Skiers visiting La Plagne can ski on a total of 130 slopes, 70% of which are located at an altitude of over 2000m. At 3417m, the Bellecôte mountain is the highest point within the resort, its high altitude guaranteeing good snow conditions throughout the season. Six other mountains ranging from the Fornelet (1970m) to the Grande Rochette (2505m) are directly accessible from La Plagne, each offering slopes for skiers at every level.
Ski schools in La Plagne make the most of the many and varied slopes within the Paradiski area, offering not only skiing and snowboarding, but also freestyle, ski touring and slalom lessons.
Ski lessons for beginners in La Plagne
Ski schools in La Plagne offer group and private lessons for beginners of all ages, lessons normally lasting either 2,5hrs or 3hrs per day. Group lessons take place in La Plagne 1800, La Plagne Centre, La Plagne Soleil and La Plagne Villages and the ski instructor meets students 10min before the lessons begin, directly at the bottom of the beginner slopes in the specified village.
The nursery areas in La Plagne have free beginner lifts, so a ski pass is not necessary for first-time skiers. With 9 green pistes, 67 blue pistes and five free beginner lifts, ski novices have ample space on which they can practice their newly-learned skills.
Ski schools in La Plagne start their beginners with the first techniques of gliding and the snowplough. Once these are established, the next step is the parallel turn. With focused help from the ski instructors, ski novices quickly gain confidence and can move from green to blue slopes.
For the first stop after the nursery slopes, Plagne Bellecôte has numerous blue runs that are gentle and rolling. The Arpette chairlift also accesses a further 4 wide and rolling blues. A particular favourite of the ski schools in La Plagne is the Levasset blue; a superb, long and wide run that starts at the top of the Roche De Mio and meanders behind La Plagne towards Champagny.
Kids’ ski lessons in La Plagne
In La Plagne, kids’ lessons are offered from the age 3yrs, lessons lasting for 2,5-3hrs. Ski schools in La Plagne teach their very young skiers at one of the resort’s 4 Piou Piou clubs, where they get used to their skis and learn first moves in a safe and child-friendly environment.
Lessons for children aged 5yrs and upwards are arranged according to age and level of experience. This means that first-time skiers stay on easier slopes, whilst the more advanced skiers begin to tackle blue and eventually red slopes with more of a gradient.
Plagne Bellecôte and the area around the Arpette chairlift are both popular choices for the ski schools in La Plagne for blue runs, the same-named Arpette blue being wide, rolling and ideal for practising speed control.
For red, or intermediate runs, the Montchavin/Les Coches area has numerous intermediate runs. Another favourite red run for ski schools in La Plagne is the La Sources; a 4km, long, fun and easy red that also begins at Roche de Mio and leads down into Belle Plagne.
Ski lesson prices in La Plagne
Ski schools in La Plagne offer ski lessons starting at 24EUR/2,5hrs, for both adults and kids.
Ski hire in La Plagne
La Plagne has 16 ski hire centres, most situated directly within Plagne Villages. There are also two in Plagne Aime, two in Plagne Bellecote and two in Belle Plagne. The ski schools in La Plagne will be happy to give advice regarding equipment and prices.
La Plagne lift pass
As the nursery areas have free lifts, complete beginners do not need a ski pass. For beginners progressing to the full ski area, La Plagne offers a "Cool Ski" pass, which can be bought one day at a time. This gives access to designated beginner areas within the ski area, which are signposted with the Cool Ski logo. The ski schools in La Plagne will provide all the necessary details.
For skiers progressing on from the nursery zones, the La Plagne lift pass is the local area pass that gives unlimited access to all lifts in the region, including Plagne Centre, Plagne 1800, Bellecote, Belle Plagne, Plagne Villages, Plagne Soleil, Aime La Plagne, Plagne Montalbert, Les Coches, Montchavin and Champagny-en-Vanoise. This pass is also a good option for intermediate skiers, as it covers 225kms of pistes with 136 different slopes.
Advanced skiers will be well-equipped with the Paradiski Area Ski Pass, which offers unlimited access to 425kms of piste, 144 lifts and two glaciers.
The best ski school in La Plagne
ESF La Plagne
Founded in 1961 and with more than 200 experienced instructors, ESF La Plagne offers ski, snowboard, freestyle and slalom lessons in Plagne Centre, Plagne 1800, Plagne Soleil and Plagne Villages. Instruction is given in English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, German & Russian.
Meeting point Plagne 1800: At the ESF office next to the slopes
Meeting point Plagne Centre: At the bottom of the Cabri slope, next to the "Croq' Neige" restaurant
Meeting point Plagne Soleil: At the bottom of the slopes next to the "Skiset Les Drus" store
Meeting point Plagne Villages: At the bottom of the slopes next to the "Sport 2000 Pierre Leroux Sports" store
CheckYeti customers reviews: kids friendly, beginners friendly, experienced
What makes learning to ski in La Plagne so special
For the ultimate speed thrill, La Plagne has France’s only bobsleigh track. Fun for all the family can be found at the ‘Funslope’ - the longest playground slope in Europe.
For those looking for something a little different, January sees La Grande Odyssee, Europe's biggest husky dog sledding competition; 10 days in which international teams and their dogs race across 14 fourteen resorts across the Savoie region.
FAQs
How do we find a suitable activity?
In every ski resort you will find an overview of all available offers. On the left side you have filters to quickly find the right offer. For example, you can search specifically for beginner ski courses for children in groups.
How do we find offers for our desired date?
Under the menu item "Select course date" in the upper left corner of the page you can select a desired start date. At the top of the search results you will find the offers for the desired start date. Below follow offers in a similar period.
How do we find group lessons or private instructors?
Group courses are marked with "Group". You can search specifically for group courses by selecting the "Group" filter under the "Category" menu item. Private teachers are marked with the inscription "Private". You can search for private teachers by selecting the "Private" filter under the "Category" menu item.
How do we find offers in our language?
Under the menu item "Language" you can select a desired language. Afterwards only offers will be shown where this language is available.
When should we book?
During the holiday weeks, ski and snowboard courses are usually fully booked. In order to make sure that there is still a place available in the desired ski or snowboard course, the motto is: the sooner the better.
How do we find our appropriate experience level?
Next to the menu item "Experience level" you will find a description of the individual experience levels. If you're still not sure, you don't need to worry. Simply choose the experience level that best suits your abilities. Before the first lesson of a group course, ski schools will assess your abilities so that you can be placed in the right group. In any case, private instructors will take your abilities into account on an individual basis.
How do we find offers including equipment?
All offers including equipment are marked with the inscription "Ski rental included". If you find the inscription "Ski rental optional" you can book the equipment for this offer. You will find offers including equipment faster if you select the filter "Ski rental including" under the menu item "Popular options". Depending on the provider, an offer including equipment contains: skis, ski poles, ski boots and helmet. You will find a detailed list of the included rental items in the respective offer description.
There is no offer including equipment, where can we alternatively rent equipment?
In a ski resort there is almost without exception the possibility to rent winter sports equipment. If you book via CheckYeti, you will receive discounts from our partner Skiset, where you can conveniently reserve your equipment online.
How many participants are usually in a group?
This depends on the ski school. Some ski schools have a maximum number of participants per group. You can find this information in the descriptions of the offers.
At what age can children ski or snowboard?
There is no fixed age limit here. Supported by specially trained children's ski instructors, children can already learn to ski playfully at kindergarten age. Depending on the children's level of motoric and social development, the ideal starting age is between 4 and 5 years. Occasionally there are children who can already learn to ski at the age of 3 1/2 years.
How many days should the lessons last for our children?
During the holiday weeks, children's ski courses for beginners usually start on Sunday or Monday. The program is designed in such a way that the best learning results are achieved when your children take part in the ski course throughout the week. So they don't miss the final event (race, etc.) and experience a great week with their group. For advanced children the learning success usually kicks in on the third day.
Is it better to put our child in a group lesson or a private tuition?
The group lessons are generally recommended for beginners. Learning together with peers is more fun. The children are not constantly in the focus and have the possibility to catch their breath between the individual exercises, while the other children are on it. In order not to underchallenge highly talented children, a private ski instructor is recommended.
Can we join our child with a private instructor?
Yes, that's possible. Some providers even offer special family offers. Otherwise, you can simply book a private instructor for children or adults and inform the ski school after booking that you would like to go together.