Ski weekend

Wouldn't you need a little weekend skiing?

Need to get some fresh air, but the big holidays are still far away? No worries: treat yourself to a weekend in the mountains to tide you over! Two days away from the city is all it takes to clear your mind and come back home recharged. The usual weekend chores can wait until next week...

From mid-December until April, treat yourself to a gourmet and sporty getaway, relaxing and festive, rejuvenating and contemplative. Follow the guide!

When is the best time to go for a weekend ski trip in the Alps?

The best time to go for a weekend ski trip? Outside of school holidays! It’s during these periods that you will most easily find a cheap accommodation and an interesting train ticket (or less crowded roads if you decide to go skiing by car).
The most eager will choose to go for a weekend ski trip as soon as the ski area opens in mid-December (so before the start of the Christmas holidays).

January is ideal for lovers of big carved turns and off-piste skiing in the fresh powder. Do remember to check the weather before you leave to bring the right gear with you (piste skis, snowboard, freeride skis…). Would you prefer to rent your equipment directly at the resort? Trust the ski equipment rental shops to guide you towards the most suitable skis for the weekend conditions!

Finally, spring (March/April) will particularly please you if you are starting out (the snow is so soft!), if you want to try backcountry skiing, or simply if you enjoy skiing "casually" and hopping between slopes and terraces.

Where to go for a weekend in Savoie when you're passionate about skiing?

When you love skiing, two essential criteria must be taken into account: snow guarantee and the size of the ski area (groomed slopes, and off-piste areas for powder enthusiasts). A third criterion could be: proximity to your place of residence (to spend more time on the slopes and less time in transit).

At La Plagne, we guarantee that you can ski from mid-December until April. Why? Because 70% of the ski area is located at over 2000 m altitude (highest point of the area: 3000 m!).
The ski area of La Plagne is immense: 225 km of slopes ! Enough to keep you busy all weekend (and even the following weekends if you decide to come back later in the winter or in the spring). Do you think you can tackle the 133 slopes of La Plagne in one day? It’s ambitious, but we have the solution: you still have the slopes of Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry to explore the next day, as the La Plagne area is connected to these two resorts within the XXL Paradiski area (425 km of slopes!).
La Plagne is only xxh by car from Chambéry, xxh from Grenoble, or xxh from Lyon. Perfect for a weekend of skiing not too far from home! Do you prefer to avoid driving on snow? Do you choose the train for your travels out of ecological conviction? La Plagne is served by TGV and TER. Stop at the Aime La Plagne station, then reach your accommodation by coach ; you can then get around by free shuttle throughout the weekend (to reach a restaurant in another village, go shopping, access an activity site…).

What budget should you plan for your ski weekend?

To go on a ski weekend, you will need to budget for accommodation for two nights (in a hotel or in a guesthouse for example, unless you prefer the hostel or campervan option for a budget stay), as well as an envelope for your leisure activities on site.

For example, thanks to the ski passes “ Saturday I ski ” and “ Clever Sunday ”, you can hit the slopes all weekend for less than €100 per person (divide the budget approximately in half if you only ski one day out of two; good to know: Saturday is when the ski pass is the cheapest).

For a cheap ski weekend, rent second-hand skiing gear and prefer the ski and snowboard lessons scheduled in the afternoon if you are a beginner or want to progress quickly (more economical than those planned in the morning).

But maybe you are not looking for a budget weekend skiing? Perhaps, on the contrary, you want to treat yourself, for a special occasion or just because "why not"? In that case, enjoy your weekend in the mountains to test some winter activities that make you dream (like the bobsleigh for example), and indulge in the best of French and Savoyard cuisine for lunch and dinner! Starter, main course, dessert at every meal, extravagant hot chocolate to warm you up on the slopes, signature cocktail après-ski… You deserve to deny yourself nothing.

Finally, to ensure complete relaxation, why not open the door to one of a the wellness spaces at the resort? Relaxing massage, cocooning facial, hammam, sauna, and jacuzzi will help you disconnect from everyday life in less time than it takes to say the word "spa."

The ski package you need for a budget-friendly ski weekend

Thanks to the special offers “Saturday I ski ” and “Sunday smart ”, you benefit from great discounts on your ski pass every weekend (excluding the Christmas and February school holidays for the Sunday Smart offer). Perfect for skiing for a day or two at a low price while waiting for your big annual ski vacation. Or to redirect the savings made to another activity that you desire (a walk in snowshoes, a break at the spa or a very good restaurant for example).

Our selection of the best activities to do in a group during a weekend skiing with friends

The secret to a successful skiing weekend with friends? A perfect balance between moments of sharing together, and moments in smaller groups based on each person's skiing level or activity preferences.

With its 225 km of slopes for all levels (including a nice proportion of blue slopes), the ski area of La Plagne is accessible to all types of skiers, from beginners to advanced skiers, including those who enjoy freeride or backcountry skiing. Ideal for organizing a weekend ski trip with friends, regardless of each person's skill level! You just need to split into small groups of two or three skiers of the same level so that everyone can enjoy themselves at their own pace, and then meet up together for a coffee at the mountain restaurant.

After skiing, group activities continue! The tobogganing and the snowshoeing (with or without a guide) are among the most friendly and accessible winter activities for everyone. Unless you prefer to enjoy the collective excitement to take on an adrenaline-filled challenge, like the zip line or the bobsleigh.If your weekend skiing with friends is organized for a birthday, why not offer the king or queen of the day a flight in a ?

paraglider. ?

Finally, what would a weekend with friends be without a festive après-ski followed by a raclette evening in one of the restaurants in the resort?

Weekend ski getaway for couples

Because you share the same passion for skiing, because you dream of celebrating the anniversary of your meeting in a postcard-like setting, because you need to reconnect as a couple without the kids for a weekend... Every couple has their good reason to treat themselves to a mountain getaway!

Here are some program ideas for a successful weekend ski getaway for couples:

❤️#1 A 100% ski weekend : book your ski passes online, and ski all weekend at a discounted price thanks to the special offers “ Saturday I ski ” and “ Clever Sunday ”. Don’t forget to reserve a table in the evening for the essential fondue to share! The Google and Trip Advisor reviews from fellow foodies who came before you are your allies to impress your partner with the best Savoyard specialties of the resort…

❤️#2 A nature weekend: hire a high mountain guide to introduce you to backcountry skiing safely, and spend the night in a hut, away from the crowd. Don't feel comfortable enough to ski off-piste? Opt for a snowshoe hike, just as sporty but more technically accessible.

❤️#3 A chill & romantic weekend: take the time to brunch facing the snowy peaks, stroll hand in hand (mittens in mittens?) alongside cross-country skiers on the groomed trails, take the cable car up to Live 3000 and breathe deeply in front of the impressive glaciers of Vanoise, snuggle up against each other in a jacuzzi to warm up after spending the day outdoors, and feast your eyes on your partner at dinner in a refined restaurant.

Where to go for a weekend ski trip in Savoie when you're a beginner?

Starting skiing as an adult is both exciting and intimidating: "What if I don't like it? What if I get hurt? What if I'm scared?". To reassure you, choose a relaxing weekend ski trip that requires a minimum investment of time/money. In La Plagne, you will find all the facilities and services you need to start with peace of mind:

Test the first sensations of gliding on beginner areas that are secure, accessible for free without a ski pass, then on the Cool Ski. The best day to learn to ski? Saturday, when the majority of holidaymakers are traveling and the ski area is less crowded (you'll have all the space you need to make your first turns)
Borrow your equipment from a friend or family member, or rent it for the day (make sure to specify that you are a beginner, so the ski technician can guide you towards "easy" skis that turn almost by themselves)
Book a private lesson with a instructor to immediately develop good habits (position on skis or snowboard, snowplow turns, transition to parallel skiing, how to get back up easily after a fall, which is inevitable when starting out - but also when you're experienced!).
Bring a friend along for the adventure!

Save time with all-inclusive weekend ski deals from La Plagne Resort

Organizing a weekend ski trip doesn't have to be complicated. To save time, turn to the official booking center of La Plagne! The advisors will find you the accommodation of your dreams, and will take care of booking your ski passes, your parking space if needed, and even your train transport.

La Plagne Resort, guarantees personalized advice and 100% secure booking. No more worrying about online scams on peer-to-peer sites (like Le Bon Coin for example): all accommodations have been verified and visited by a local team of tourism professionals.

What to pack for a weekend ski trip?

Whether it snows or it's bright sunshine, the sunglasses (minimum category 3) are essential to protect your eyes from the glare caused by the pristine snow.

Also think about bringing a pair of shoes with good soles (thick to insulate you from the cold, treaded to prevent slipping), and something to keep your ears, neck, and hands warm. To lighten your suitcase, make double use of your ski jacket and wear it both on the slopes and for strolling around the resort or going out to the restaurant. In La Plagne, there's no complex dress code to follow! A big cozy sweater and comfortable pants: that's all you need for a good evening around a fondue.

The rest of the equipment to consider will of course depend on the activities you plan to do during your stay: sliding gear (unless you prefer to rent on site), a swimsuit for going to the pool, warm and breathable technical underwear for your outdoor activities…

Have a great weekend in La Plagne!