This is really a collection
of 10 small resorts, comprising 6 high-altitude, purpose-built
ski-stations connected by lifts and 4 more traditional-style
villages at lower altitude. Plagne Centre (measuring ½
ml by 300 yds) remains the hub and is the liveliest base,
with a reasonable selection of hotels, shops, restaurants
and amenities, all connected by covered walkways or underground
passages; although built in an era of unsympathetic architecture,
efforts have been made to overcome this with a renovation
programme, which has smartened up the resort but not removed
the incongruity of high-rise blocks in an alpine setting.
About 1 ml away and at a higher altitude are the more upmarket,
chalet-style apartment blocks of Plagne Villages (comprising
a strip around 600 yds long) and tiny Plagne Soleil (300 yds
by 200 yds). Aime la Plagne (300 yds by 600 yds) is the highest
satellite at 6,890 ft and a little farther out is Belle Plagne
(½ ml by 600 yds), with its modern chalet-style buildings.
Below Plagne Centre are the uninspiring Bellecote - a rather
grim, linear development, ¼ ml long -and Plagne 1800
(¼ ml by 600 yds). Some 14 mls away by road lie the
lower valley villages of Montalbert, Montchavin and Les Coches,
with Champagny at the entrance of Vanoise National Park. Lack
of altitude makes these less popular, but they have a more
attractive alpine ambience.
Suitability:
Popular with international middlemarket groups and families,
owing to a preponderance of apartment accommodation and children's
facilities. Wide range of skiing for all levels, although
intermediates will benefit most.
Accommodation:
Predominantly purpose-built concrete blocks, with large self-catering
apartments far outnumbering hotels, concentrated in Plagne
Centre. Some units being used by UK operators as chalet-style
accommodation.
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