Perfect Preparation for La Plagne: Top Tips for a Ski Holiday

It is that time of year again to rally the troops for your next epic ski holiday. For a group of fun-loving powder hounds, I think that La Plagne is the perfect choice this year. As part of the famed Paradiski region, the resort is on the doorstep of over 425km of pistes. In addition it features a range of other cool activities, a lively après scene and excellent accommodation.

Here are a few tips for enthusiastic skiers to get the most out of their trip here:

Fitness - If you plan on spending most of your time shredding powder, you might want to hit the gym in the run-up to your ski break to build some strength. As you know, skiing and snowboarding are physically demanding activities and a long day on the slopes can leave you feeling jelly-legged and sore the next morning. This is why I recommend focusing on leg and core strength in advance of your trip. Stretching before and after is also a must! This will ensure that you are fresh and raring to go each day.

Altitude - La Plagne is well known for its (quite literally) breathtaking scenery and great snow quality, but this is because 80% of the runs are above 2000m. This can take people by surprise and exhaust them very quickly, so keep this in mind when making plans. Most people adapt pretty quickly, but the first few days can be challenging so do not get frustrated if you do not have much energy initially.

Piste Map - Familiarise yourself with piste and lift names in advance of the trip and especially the ones near your chalet. La Plagne also has markers at the side of the runs which indicate steepness, the position on the piste and the name of the run - this is helpful information which can assist if you get lost or if there is an accident, so keep this in mind when out skiing.

Check Your Gear - Skiing fanatics prefer to use their own gear, but always remember to give it a thorough check over before setting off on your holiday. Make sure that everything is safe and working before taking to the slopes to avoid a nasty accident. Any issues and you can always rent your gear.

Accommodation - For young groups, I think that it is best to book into a chalet. La Plagne has catered and self-catered chalets available and this provides young groups with the ability to get comfortable, enjoy privacy and a decent space for a few drinks before hitting the town! I also recommend booking as early as possible in order to get a suitable chalet. La Plagne is a busy place and the accommodation can get snapped up quickly.

Insurance - It is better to be safe than sorry and this certainly applies with skiing. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will cover medical expenses in France, but you certainly don’t want to be footing the bill to be rescued on the mountain! It is, of course, unlikely you’ll ever need to use it, but why take the risk?

So, there you have it. The above information should help you to organise a thrilling, rewarding and safe trip to this fantastic resort which is perfect for young groups.

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Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're looking for a ski chalet, La Plagne is an ideal choice, and for accommodation anywhere in the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.