As anyone who has planned a family winter sports excursion will know, when it comes to choosing a destination you sometimes have to sacrifice that picture-perfect vision of a secluded chalet in favour of a more practical location, with all the amenities you need to keep the kids happy. Not so in La Belle Plagne, the gem of the Tarentaise Valley, which combines a village feel with large resort appeal. As one of six smaller towns making up the larger La Plagne ski area, it benefits from access to some of the most spectacular slopes in Europe, while boasting an impressive array of family-friendly activities of its own. Read on for my top picks, and see how you can enjoy everything the town has to offer in just twenty-four hours!
Enjoy an Adrenaline-Fuelled Morning at the Olympic Bobsleigh Track
Start your day with the ride of your life! Built for the 1992 Olympic games, the Olympic Bobsleigh Track is open to the public from December to April, offering solo or professionally piloted rides, reaching speeds of up to 100kmh. When your stomachs have settled after all the exciting twists and turns, head for lunch at the nearby Le Chalet du Friolin Restaurant, where you will find a sun terrace set against spectacular mountainside views. Pasta lovers, opt for the tagliatelle bolognese – you will not be disappointed.
Hit the Slopes in the Afternoon
Get your skis on for the main event! The area surrounding La Belle Plagne boasts 425km of pistes to suit all abilities, so you’re sure to find something for everyone. There are plenty of options for lessons, too – or if you’re feeling adventurous, why not take advantage of the cable car link to Les Arcs? The possibilities are endless.
Wind down with a hearty local meal in the evening
I could mention enough establishments offering fondue fare to fill a fortnight’s holiday in La Plagne, but given our limited timescale, I will narrow it down to my top two: the Godille Restaurant for a mouth-watering raclette, or the Matafan restaurant for meat lovers. The latter is conveniently located right in the centre of town, so no need for traipsing off to change out of your skis! To top off the day, I suggest heading back to your chalet to wind down with cards and board games together by the fire.
And Finally, Always be Prepared
Of course, amongst the extra preparations that go into a winter sports holiday, it can be easy to forget the less exciting essentials – such as journey snacks, EHIC cards, and the all important winter sports travel insurance. Although it is the last thing you’d like to think about when planning a snowy getaway, skiing carries risks, and only with a comprehensive winter sports travel insurance policy can you rest easy knowing that you and your little ones are covered in case of any eventuality. Another common oversight is forgetting to bring a print-out of policy details, so once you have purchased your winter sports travel insurance, be sure to bring a hard copy. It should be up there with your boarding pass when packing your important documents. And finally, with all that taken care of, remember to have fun! La Belle Plagne is a beautiful setting; perfect for making memories that will last a lifetime.
Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning team of specialists in global single trip, annual, family, business and winter sports travel insurance. Besides offering great deals on travel insurance, Patrick also collects and shares the best free travel competitions to help his clients get the most out of their holidays.
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