Family-friendly La Plange, to the east of Grenoble and Chambery, is a huge ski area with 212kms of mostly beginner and intermediate runs. There is also off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those at a more advanced level, as well as summer skiing on the glaciers.

Ten villages, some of which are traditional and others more modern, make up the resort and all have excellent facilities and a combined 200 shops. There are 50,000 beds in every type of accommodation, from a youth hostel to five-star resort establishments. Most villages have ski-in/ski-out access.

La Plagne ski resort has 122 runs with a vast array of beginner and intermediate pistes. Twelve per cent of all runs are suited to beginners; 48 per cent, intermediate; 33 per cent, advanced; and seven per cent for experts. Thrill-seeker skiers and snowboarders have a limited amount of off-piste. The longest run is 15kms and 107 lifts provide access for 120,600 people per hour. Additionally, there are 96kms of cross-country trails.

There is a snowboarding park at Plagne Soleil and other winter activities and facilities include: snowshoeing; trekking; ice-skating (natural); mono-skiing; paragliding; tobogganing, and rock- and wall-climbing. In addition, there is indoor swimming; a sauna; jacuzzi; Turkish bath and a sports centre. At night there are various folklore evenings, concerts and lots of bars and discos.

The December to April La Plagne ski season has its best snow in February, summer skiing (July and August) on the high glaciers, and cheap deals at the beginning and end of the season, and in mid-January.

The most popular way in getting to and from La Plagne ski resort is to fly to Geneva-Cointrin Airport and take a Skibus to the resort. Trains also go from the airport, via Chambery, to Aime. From here, regular buses go to and from the resort; returning trains are also frequent.