Valmorel and La Plagne share the vast French Alps playground but serve up very different vibes. Valmorel is a cute, car‑free village built to look and feel traditional, think wood, stone, slate, and easy ski‑in/ski‑out living. La Plagne is a big, multi‑village machine in the Paradiski area, famous for its family setup, miles of cruisy terrain, and high‑altitude reliability.
This guide keeps it simple so you can quickly see which ski resort fits your style, group, and budget.
Valmorel or La Plagne?
- Quick comparison table
- Ski area & terrain
- Snow fall history
- Accommodation & village atmosphere
- Après-ski & dining
- Families & beginners
- Advanced skiers & snowboarders
- Activities beyond skiing
- Accessibility & transfers
- Cost and value for money
- Which one should you choose?
Quick comparison table
| Feature | Valmorel | La Plagne |
|---|
| Resort elevation | 1,450m (4,757ft) | 1,250m/4,101ft (villages up to 2,050 m/6,725 ft) |
| Highest lift | 2,550m (8,366ft) | 3,250m (10,662ft) |
| Local pistes (km) | 165km (102mi) | 225km (139mi) |
| Best for | Beginners & intermediates; families; charm & value | Intermediates & mixed groups; families; mileage & big activities; glacier/off‑piste (with guide) |
| Terrain mix | Strong for beginners & intermediates; select blacks + freeride zones | Outstanding for intermediates; some steep blacks; serious off‑piste on Bellecôte |
| Village atmosphere | Traditional, compact, car‑free Savoyard streets | Large, purpose‑built multi‑village; practical, varied character |
| Accommodation | Mostly ski‑in/ski‑out chalets & apartments; walk‑to‑lift convenience; good value | Huge range across 10 bases; many ski‑in/ski‑out apartments & hotels |
| Après-ski scene | Relaxed, cosy bars; low‑key | Broader & livelier; varies by village; late options exist |
Ski area & terrain
- Valmorel: The Grand Domaine gives you 165 km (102 mi) linking Valmorel, Saint‑François‑Longchamp, Doucy and Celliers. First‑timers start on the gentle zones at Rocher and Bois de la Croix, then step up via the Côte Soleil and Pierrafort lifts. Intermediates can drift for miles on confidence‑building blues and reds, including day trips over to Saint‑François and Longchamp. Want more bite? Head for the blacks around Le Mottet, the Combe de Riondet snowcross, or the four secured freeride zones (Le Gollet, Le Mottet, Le Riondet, La Procureuse). A small snowpark, boardercross and family fun areas (like the Pirates’ Village) round things out.
- La Plagne: Part of the 425 km (264 mi) Paradiski area (linked to Les Arcs by the Vanoise Express), with ~225 km (139 mi) on the La Plagne side and 74 lifts. Newcomers get free beginner lifts and mellow blues (the Arpette link is a favourite). Intermediates are spoiled with wide cruisers from Roche de Mio down to Montchavin, up to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) of vertical in a single run. For a challenge, try blacks like Émile Allais and Les Étroits; with a guide, the Bellecôte north face opens serious glacier couloirs and powder fields. Boarders get the 7Cube park near Plagne Centre, a half‑pipe at Bellecôte, and a long fun slope from Arpette.
Check out Valmorel piste map and La Plagne piste map
Snow fall history
| Month | Valmorel (cm/in) | La Plagne (cm/in) |
|---|
| December | 32 cm/12.5 in | 35 cm/13.7 in |
| January | 27 cm/10.6 in | 33 cm/12.9 in |
| February | 21 cm/8.2 in | 26 cm/10.2 in |
| March | 22 cm/8.6 in | 28 cm/11.0 in |
| April | 13 cm/5.1 in | 19 cm/7.4 in |
(ref: snow-forecast.com)
Accommodation & village atmosphere
- Valmorel: Purpose‑built to look traditional with low‑rise chalets, cobbled car‑free main street, cosy squares, and cafés. Most lodging is walkable to lifts, with plenty of ski‑in/ski‑out doors. Quiet at night; charming by day.
- La Plagne: Ten distinct bases from Plagne Centre (hub) to Belle Plagne (prettier) and Aime 2000 (super practical for families). Some architecture is utilitarian, but access is fantastic and each village has its own feel, services, and slope links.
Explore some accommodation options in Valmorel and in La Plagne
Après-ski & dining
- Valmorel: Low‑key and friendly. Mountain spots like L’Alpage/L’Altipiano for views and hearty fare; village picks include La Marmite, Le Jimbo Lolo, and La Table du Berger. Bars are cosy rather than rowdy.
- La Plagne: Bigger and livelier with 100+ places to eat. Try Le Forperet, Le Matafan, Le 360, Chalet des Verdons Sud, and Le Grizzli. For drinks: La Mine, Scotty’s Bar, Le Saloon, Spitting Feathers.
Families & beginners
- Valmorel: Excellent for beginners and intermediate skiers (dedicated learn‑to‑ski areas, easy progression, lots of ski‑in/ski‑out). Family fun zones and gentle mileage keep stress low.
- La Plagne: One of France’s top family choices offering pedestrian friendly bases, free beginner lifts, loads of ski schools, and plenty to do off the slopes (tobogganing, huskies, ice rinks).
Advanced skiers & snowboarders
- Valmorel: A handful of demanding blacks plus secure freeride zones and side‑country in the Lauzière. Good fun, but it’s not an experts only mountain. Park and boardercross for freestyle laps.
- La Plagne: Steeper blacks, moguls, and serious off‑piste on the Bellecôte (guide + safety kit essential). Multiple freestyle options: 7Cube park, half‑pipe, fun slope.
Activities beyond skiing
- Valmorel: Snowshoeing, sledging, dog sledding, XC, fat‑biking, ski‑joering, biathlon, spa, mountain kart, zipline, airboard, paragliding.
- La Plagne: France’s only bobsleigh track, ice climbing, glacier walks, skidooing, snowshoeing, bowling, pools, parapenting, ice karting, walking trails, yoga, sleigh rides.
Accessibility & transfers
- Valmorel: The quickest gateway is Chambéry (about 1h10/1h15 by road). Lyon sits around 2h, and Geneva is roughly 2h15.
- La Plagne: Chambéry is closest at roughly 1h13/1h30. Lyon or Grenoble take about 2h30, while Geneva is closer to 3h.
Cost and value for money
- Valmorel: Often better value on accommodation and an easy place to keep costs down with ski‑in/ski‑out convenience and a compact village.
- La Plagne: Wider price range. The lift pass covers a vast area, especially with the full Paradiski, so you get excellent value and plenty of kilometres of skiing for your money.
Explore our Valmorel deals and La Plagne deals
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Valmorel if you want a charming, car‑free village with genuine Alpine feel, great beginner facilities, and relaxed, good‑value skiing for cruisers and families.
- Choose La Plagne if you want maximum mileage, a super family setup, and high‑altitude reliability, with parks, glacier access and big resort activities to keep everyone buzzing.
