SKI & SNOW destinations

here’s a 1,500-metre sheet of in Europe, it was built for the it’s possible to cover the whole Tpure ice in front of me, and 1992 in ski area just on blue runs. I’m about to be hurtled down , . Reluctantly, I lower La Plagne benefits from high it at 50mph. Sounds slightly There’s a choice of four altitude, with 70% of the ski area terrifying? Yes, I thought so too. vehicles to take you from top myself into the above 2,000 metres, meaning Reluctantly, I put my helmet to bottom, ranging in speed bobraft. Moments snow is pretty much guaranteed. on and lower myself into the from 50mph to the fastest of later it’s over – and I And if there has been a lack bobraft. One minute, 42 seconds 75mph an hour, which – if you’re of snowfall in parts, the resort later it’s over – and after my brave enough to try it – means want to do it again! is equipped with Ready, steady, apprehensive start, I’m pumped being driven by a professional facilities to ensure the slopes are Speed is of the up enough to want to do it all in a replica of the four-man well maintained. over again! competition bobsleigh. It’s not the first choice for essence for Emma This particular bobsleigh track different in character. The ski the more experienced skier, but Winton in French is in French resort La Plagne, w THE RESORT area is best suited to families there are still a decent number where specialist operator La Plagne is one of the world’s and lower intermediates. Of its of red and black runs – 37 of the La Plagne SkiBeat has brought us to hit most-visited ski resorts, spanning 261 slopes, 135 are blue, so it’s latter – as well as a sufficient the slopes for a week. One of 11 ‘villages’, each a self-sufficient perfect for those looking for amount of off-piste skiing to only seven bobsleigh tracks mini-resort and all widely plenty of wide, gentle slopes, as keep them entertained. @enwinton snow

TOP TIP Download the YUGE app to check snow conditions and lift queues and for an interactive piste map

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56 travelweekly.co.uk 21 September 2017 21 September 2017 travelweekly.co.uk 57 SKI & SNOW LA PLAGNE destinations

left: High above the beginner w neighbouring resorts La Plagne and intermediate slopes is the The resort is linked with two 3,417-metre summit of Bellecote others, Peisey-Vallandry and Les right: Glacier, where you can head for Arcs, which together form the Guests on some difficult skiing and long giant Paradiski area covering Ski Beat fam trip off-piste descents, including 265 miles of ski runs. Bellecote’s North Face. Even if Suggest clients get the ski below: you don’t want to ski down (and pass to cover all three areas, as Super Tyro it is possible to get the bubble in particular has lovely zip-line car back) it’s worth making your wide, open slopes, making for a way up to the glacier purely for great day’s skiing. the impressive views, as well as The three resorts are linked by to visit the ice cave hosting some the Vanoise Express cable car remarkable ice sculptures. which takes only four minutes to As a popular resort, it can cross. It can take up to an hour to become overcrowded in peak get to the cable car from Plagne season, so despite recent Centre, and clients will need improvements, there can still to head back from Les Arcs at be frustratingly long waiting about 3.30pm to make the last times at lifts, especially at the lifts, so ensure they set aside a busiest times. whole day.

w OTHER ACTIVITiES warned, the black jumps are huge! La Plagne is well-equipped with other The large proportion of families here Tried & Tested activities too. Skiers having a break Skiers having a break means La Plagne is not particularly Chalet florence, Plagne 1800 from the slopes can try Super Tyro, well known for its après-ski. There are a 600-metre zip-line which whizzes from the slopes can try a few bars and pubs in-resort, such you along at up to 55mph through the Super Tyro, a 600-metre as Le Mine Bar in Plagne 1800 and ASK THE A snow-topped wooden cottage freshly baked cake that is laid out snow-tipped trees from 2000 to zip-line which whizzes Scotty’s Bar in Plagne Centre, which EXPERT with a roaring log fire and chalet every afternoon on return from Plagne Centre. you along at up to 55mph has live music in the evenings and is hosts to cook indulgent meals the slopes. Breakfast and dinner Kids can have a go at dog‑sledding, definitely the one to head to if you every day? Welcome to Chalet are also freshly prepared by the learning to become apprentice mushers want a late night of dancing on tables Laura Hazell, Florence, one of Ski Beat’s largest chalet staff, with canapés followed by mastering basic techniques on a and singing those all-time classics. director, Ski Beat chalets in La Plagne. by a three‑course meal and sled pulled by one or two dogs. Book it: Ski Beat has a week’s stay Recommend clients It sleeps up to 19 people in nine complementary wine pairing. Colorado Park in Plagne Centre is by night, with a ski instructor. at the Chalet Florence from £482 book a high-altitude bedrooms (seven with en-suite The chalet is in the centre of home to a mile-long toboggan run – For adrenaline junkies, La Plagne is per person, based on two sharing, resort, as the snow bathrooms and one with a private Plagne 1800, with the nearest always a fun way to end your day on a great place to come to try a bit of including flights from Gatwick or in the past few spa bath), making it ideal for a 10-minute walk away. the slopes. And if you want to carry on freestyle. It’s home to a huge snowpark Manchester, transfers and the services years has been families or groups. There is also the option to get a free skiing into the evening, try Moonlight that sits above Plagne Centre, catering of a chalet host to prepare breakfasts, unpredictable, and With a large open-plan lounge shuttle bus which goes regularly Ski, where you can enjoy a sunset meal for people of all abilities, with jumps afternoon tea and three-course there has been a area, it is the perfect place to to Plagne Centre and Plagne at the top of the mountain, before graded in the same way as the pistes, evening meals with wine for six days. shift in weather relax after a long day’s skiing, Bellecote from a bus stop just two skiing back to La Plagne on blue runs, according to level of difficulty. Be skibeat.co.uk patterns. The preferably with a slice of the minutes’ walk from the chalet. snow seems to be coming much later on in the season in Europe, so clients will have a much better chance of getting good‑quality snow higher up and booking that little bit later, between February and April. Find out exactly what clients are after from the holiday, including facilities for children, the après-ski and

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