La Plagne is known for being part of one of the world’s largest ski areas, Paradiski, with around 10,000 hectares of terrain shared with neighbouring Les Arcs and over 425km of groomed runs. But this winter the resort is opening up more runs to skiers and boarders in its “ski mountaineering project”.
This isn’t quite as hard-core as the title might suggest; the idea is to provide marked off-piste routes which good skiers who are wanting to try ski mountaineering can attempt either alone or as part of a guided tour. The ski-touring routes (ranging from 2km to 6.5km in length) are based on walking paths used in the summer, forested runs and unofficial routes used by ski tourers and keen offpiste skiers.
“Because the new itineraries end on pistes, the skiers always know where they’re going to end up, and the descents will be protected from avalanches,” said a La Plagne spokesperson.
“The routes aren’t really aimed at expert ski tourers who want to get completely lost in the wild per se, but at good skiers who want to practise ski touring safely and easily, and improve their fitness by walking up the slopes with skins on their skis.” The Oxygène Ski School will be taking small groups (maximum five) along the new marked itineraries in the morning (7am– 8.30am) before the slopes open, and in the evening, after they close (5.30pm–7pm). Individual sessions cost from £26pp, or a week’s ski touring can be booked from £237pp with skis, skins and boot hire included, if needed. Maximum five people per group.
oxygene-ski.com
