Geneva to La Plagne Transfer
Eleven resorts in one you are spoilt for choice in La Plagne!
Most people love La Plagne because it’s so easy. We’re not just talking about the actual pistes, but the fact that everything you need is on hand. This is because the whole resort was meticulously planned, after the local Mayor of Aime decided the pastures above his village with their mix of snowfall and sunny aspect were perfect for being developed into a ski resort.
All the purpose-built resorts are fully integrated, which means you get proper ski in/ski out accommodation (in fact many of the residences just seem to appear in the middle of pistes!), underground car parks with direct access to buildings and covered galleries of shops so you can wander around without getting snowed on.
There are loads of pistes to discover in La Plagne and since 2003, the area is linked to Les Arcs by the impressive Vanoise Express cable car between Montchavin (La Plagne area) and Plan Peisey/Vallandry (Les Arcs). This created the expansive domaine called Paradiski.
All the villages and hamlets of La Plagne
If you’re looking into booking a ski holiday to La Plagne and are not sure which is the area for you, you’ll hopefully find our lowdown of each resort pretty useful. And whilst you’re trying to narrow your decision down, there’s no need to worry about how you get to each resort, as at Mountain Drop-offs we have competitively priced private transfers to all the resorts and villages of La Plagne from Geneva Airport, so wherever you decide to stay, we can take you there.
Plagne Centre – the original resort and some say still the best, as it is the crossroads to all the Plagne resorts, pistes and lifts and at 1970m, it’s a very much snow-sure resort.
Plagne Aime 2000 – at 2100m, is linked day and night to Plagne Centre by the Telemetro cable car. You might also know the resort as Aime 2000 or Aime-La Plagne.
Belle Plagne – at 2050m, is more relaxed and has a more alpine feel to it, with a that traditional Savoyard style sitting in a bowl pretty much in the middle of the whole domaine.
Plagne Bellecote – just down from Belle Plagne, the hamlet at 1930m is dominated by a curved building that resembles a dam, barricading the valley when seen from the pistes. It’s the choice for those wanting to maximise slope time, as offers direct access to the glacier and the snowpark.
Plagne 1800 – enjoys a forest setting below and between Centre and Bellecote with low-rise apartment blocks and individual chalets all nestled around pine trees.
Plagne Villages/Plagne Soleil – these two neighbouring hamlets both at 2050m have smaller residences with staggered roofs that seem to perch of the edge of the pistes and you ski around them!
Aside from the high altitude areas, La Plagne also boasts more traditional village resorts such as Plagne Montalbert on the edge of the forest at 1350m with stone and wood chalets and direct lifts to the main ski area.
Then there’s Montchavin les Coches offering a great view of the Mont Blanc Massif above Chamonix, small pedestrian streets and low-rise alpine chalets, whilst still keeping the essential ski in/ski out going and the shorter journey time to and from the airport too.
Finally there’s Champagny en Vanoise, which is hidden in a valley of its own at 1250m, leading to the gorgeous Vallon de Champagny le Haut which is a nature reserve area providing cross country skiing and ice climbing in winter, as well as alpine skiing pistes linked to the main areas of La Plagne. Be aware that if you stay here, the transfer will take you in the opposite direction to most La Plagne resorts and will be longer.
La Plagne Transfer
If you Google ‘How long does a transfer take from Geneva Airport to La Plagne?’ you will get a variety of results back, from a nippy 2.5hrs, to the best part of 3.5hrs. This isn’t because taxi and transfer companies are stretching the truth, it’s because La Plagne isn’t just one place, it’s actually a collection of 11 resorts and villages that make up what is officially known as Grande Plagne ski area.
And the whole domaine is vast. It stretches from Montchavin at the western extremity, to Plagne Montalbert in the east. Whilst up and over all the main summits of La Plagne is Champagny-en-Vanoise, which is just a snowball’s throw from Tignes. Resorts vary from 1250m in altitude to 2100m, hence the difference in transfer journey times. Mountain Drop-offs covers all La Plagne resorts.
Wherever you decide to stay you, will find La Plagne is vast with skiing and boarding for every ability, excellent ski schools and childcare, interesting activities for non-skiers and some lively apres-ski too. It may not be the most charming looking of resorts, but the facilities and easily accessed ski areas make it a perfect choice. Once in resort you don’t need a car, so why not go for a comfortable private airport transfer straight to your door from Mountain Drop-offs and leave the car at home!
Olympic Bobsleigh
Do the Olympic Bobsleigh run at la Roche near Macot le Plagne village! You can ride in a Mono Bob on your own, take a Bob Raft ride (which steers and brakes itself) for four, or go the whole high-adrenaline hog with a Taxi Bob ride for up to three passengers in a proper bob sleigh driven by a professional driver. This is all about those famous 19 corners at speeds of 130km/h!
Sleep in an igloo
Go native and stay in a real snow igloo for a night! Black Sheeo Village Igloo is a little hamlet of six igloos above Plagne Village. Meet at 19:30, enjoy a guided mountain walk up to the igloos, sip an aperitif by the camp fire, eat a hearty Savoyard meal inside the igloo, then either head back down the mountain (69€pp) or stay the night in the igloos (120€ in total).
Zip wire
Take the night time zip wire challenge, if you dare! Hold on tight as you fly along the cable at 25m above the snow in Belle Plagne, with the extra thrill that it’s after dark. You can have two goes for the princely sum of 15€. This take acres-ski activities up a whole new level – literally.
Drive a piste basher
Have a go at driving a piste basher. This has always been a dream of ours and makes a change from thinking about transfers from Geneva Airport all day long! You meet the team in Plagne Soleil for a briefing, then you’re off behind the wheel of your Piston Bully to go piste bashing. Brilliant. 60€ for 20mins for adults and 30€ for 10mins for kids. Sessions run from midday to 8pm on Weds, Thurs and Fridays during the season. Book at the tourist office or call +33 6 17 33 51 95/+33 6 11 95 40 72.
Snow parks galore
Bust some freestyle moves! La Plagne is home to multiple X Games freestyle ski champ Kevin Rolland and freestylers are well-catered for courtesy of the Caradiboi snowpark crew. There are snowparks in Belle Plagne, half pipes in Bellecote, boardercrosses and a Big Air Bag too.
Open-air swimming
Go swimming in the open air pool at 1930m in Plagne Bellecote. And yes, it’s heated – to a constant 29 degrees, which makes doing a few lengths whilst looking out at the snowy peaks all the more tempting!
Ice climb
Conquer the ice climbing tower! This impressive man-made tower of ice is in Champagny en Vanoise and offers 70 and 90 degree slopes. Every Tues evening there is an intro session with all equipment and instruction included that costs 34€ per person. This is one of the those activities you don’t see on offer everywhere. Well worth a go.
