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La Plagne Centre (1,970 metres)
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La Plagne Centre is in the heart of the la Plagne ski area. Much of Plagne Centre was built in the sixties and seventies; it is perhaps the source of la Plagne’s reputation of being ugly and a concrete jungle: you should go for the skiing not the architecture. Other la Plagne villages such as Belle Plagne and la Plagne 1800 were built much later and in a style more sympathetic to their surroundings. Most of the chalets and ski apartments in Plagne Centre are not the best but prices tend to be lower: it is good for cheap ski chalets and cheap ski apartments. |
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| Ski & Snowboard Access: Plagne Centre is often chosen for a ski holiday for the ski access and ski convenience. There are plenty of ski apartments that are definitely ski in ski out. Snowboarding access is generally good if boarding direct back to Plagne Centre however if snowboarding back to one side of the village you may need to walk if aiming for the other side. Leading out of Plagne Centre there are four chairlifts, a drag lift as well as the Funiplagne telecabine. The Funiplagne takes you to the Grand Rochette at 2,500m with its spectacular views of Mont Blanc (25 miles away) and Courchevel. On a fine day you can also see the top of Tignes. There is a selection of runs to Champagny, to Plagne Bellecote or back in to Plagne Centre. The ski lifts out of Plagne Centre give access to all areas of la Plagne as well as runs such as “Ramy” that are great for less experienced intermediates or beginners. See our unique piste guide for more details of all the ski runs in la Plagne. La Plagne Centre caters well for disabled skiers and their families, both for ski accommodation and lessons. The best source of information is the Ski 2 Freedom Foundation, a snow-sport portal providing disabled people with a comprehensive information on ski resorts for Alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski areas and winter holiday activities. |
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| Accommodation Summary: Catered ski chalets are available through Snow Hounds as are self-catering apartments and hotels. It has to be said though you are better off looking for catered ski chalets in Plagne 1800. The biggest selection of ski apartments in la Plagne is probably with: |
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| Apres Ski: There are many shops and restaurants in the gallery of la Plagne Centre. Although the shops provide most things that you might require, nobody would describe the gallery as pretty. There are several bars in Plagne Centre. Scotties bar/restaurant is located right on the piste at the bottom of the Becoin ski lift out of Plagne Centre. It advertises great food and fantastic apres ski with live bands. It is also the only place in Plagne Centre for English breakfasts and Sunday roasts. The "No bl’m" often features live bands; the Lunar bar is more pub style; the liveliest early evening is usually the Dutch-run La Plagneja. To dance the night away the best bet is Belle Plagne: “The Saloon” disco offers a free minibus service. Plagne Centre is the best served of the la Plagne villages for banks, there are also two cash machines. Within the gallery you will also find the la Plagne tourist office (www.la-plagne.com); the medical centre and the pharmacy. For a touch of relaxation after a day of skiing or snowboarding around the Paradiski there are a couple of mobile massage service operating in the resort. Massage Me therapists will come to your ski chalet to provide that extra bit of holiday pampering that you are after, or Pamper Off Piste are great for mobile physiotheraphy, osteopathy, massage and beauty services in the comfort of your chalet or holiday accommodation. |
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| Ski Schools: All the ski schools cater for snowboarding as well as skiing. The meeting points for the ski school in La Plagne Centre are convenient for most of the chalets and self-catering apartments so can make for a very easy family ski holiday. The ESF ski school is generally satisfactory although there are some instructors who are definitely better than others; service standards seem to fall during French holidays, group sizes and prices do not: a common problem when skiing in France during school holidays! Special beginners ski packs are available. The independent ski school Oxygene is probably the most popular with the British who make up about 70% of Oxygene’s clientele: you can be fairly sure that there will be other British skiers in your class and that English will be spoken. Special beginners ski packs are available, as is ski hire. The independent ski school Reflex set up in la Plagne a few years ago, it is based in Plagne 1800 but can easily arrange to meet in Plagne Centre. The Reflex ski school is the most flexible and probably the best in la Plagne, although it is not cheap. Disabled skiers are able to use Antenne and Oxygene. |
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| Hire Shops: There are about six ski hire shops in la Plagne Centre renting all ski and snowboarding equipment. It is hoped that links will be added soon that allow for pre-booking of skiing equipment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
More la Plagne villages and ski accommodation
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