La Plagne is one of the most famous ski resorts in the Alps, popular with British holidaymakers and in particular families for many years.
But how much do you know about La Plagne? We bet you didn’t know these five facts:
1. La Plagne opened for business as a ski resort on 22 December 1961. This original area is now known as Plagne Centre. There were 2 lifts and 4 pistes.
2. Silver and lead used to be mined in the area: at one point 20% of all lead mined in France was produced here.
3. The mines were used as a base by the French resistance during WWII. ‘Mont de la Guerre’, located above Champany, is named in honour of those who fought in the resistance against the Germans.
4. There are now 53,000 beds across the 10 ‘stations‘ of the La Plagne ski area. When the resort opened there were just two hotels offering 200 beds.
5. Agriculture was the key industry before tourismand in 1940 there were more cows on the slopes of La Plagne than people.
For a beautiful insight into the history of the resort, watch this video, produced for their 50th anniversary celebrations in 2011:
For more details on catered ski chalets in La Plagne or other resorts, please contact the Chaletline team on 01822 617 761.
Sources: Laplagnet.com, ledauphine.com, perso-laplagne.fr,
Article By Iain Martin