👉 This article is taken from the11th edition of our newsletter, Les carnets de La Plagne. To subscribe and receive it directly, click here. Enjoy the read!
First up!
Herds graze in the alpine pastures, marmots stand watch on their rocky outcrops, and delicate edelweiss bloom against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks… There’s no doubt about it: La Plagne checks all the boxes for the classic image of the mountains in summer. A cliché? Maybe, but above all, it’s PARADISE for parents in need of a refreshing break after the school year 😅
But here’s the thing… Any experienced head of household will confirm: contemplative hikes struggle to find an audience among 8- to 16-year-olds. Especially when there’s a bit of an elevation gain. It’s a guaranteed recipe for the infamous “Are we there yet?” and its faithful echo, “Is it still far?”
Looking for a vacation that everyone will love? What follows is perfect for you. 👇 Let’s take a bet— who’s going to want to enjoy this first?
Evening Activities
A two-part evening program near Champagny-en-Vanoise:
1. Deep in the Champagny-le-Haut valley (accessible on foot or by car), an extraordinary dinner at a mountain hut, by candlelight and at the foot of a magical waterfall. Cyril, the host, is an expert at slow cooking over a wood fire, since the spot has no electricity.
2. Followed by a horseback ride on perfect sandy-colored companions, setting off from the forest trails. Halfway through, a gourmet break is offered featuring fresh, local products “pulled from the saddlebags,” by the light of headlamps.
The return trip takes place in the dead of night, with complete confidence in your horse, whose eyes see very well in the dark! Ages 12 and up; a leisurely ride at a walking pace, suitable for beginners.
A Source of Fresh Dopamine
Set in a lush, green setting with views of the mountains, the Versants d’Aime recreation center offers the best of what a warm summer day has to offer:
✅ A 14-km greenway between Aime and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, for pedestrians and cyclists. There’s also a pump track on the Aime side.
✅ A lake with a sandy beach and a central fountain
✅ Water play areas and a large playground
✅ Shaded picnic areas with barbecue grills
✅ A restaurant/refreshment stand with a large terrace (and ice cream !)
✅ And a great selection of activities: canoeing and kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, a tree-top adventure course with a zip line, acrobungee…
The Ultimate Thrill
The perfect way to cool off, the 600-meter-long Super Tyro between Aime 2000 and Plagne Centre is open to kids ages 6 and up. It’s perhaps the most spectacular of the five zip lines in La Plagne.
A breath of fresh air with #panoramic views—and in complete safety thanks to Justé and Jens, certified adventure park professionals.
And if the kids want more, we “highly” recommend the Montalbert water slide. A 125-meter slide with a thoroughly wet finish. For ages 8 and up.
Animal Investigation
Set up camera traps with guide Guillaume during a highly informative half-day “Traces and Clues” outing to learn about mountain wildlife.
Without disturbing them, this is one of the best ways to “get to know” deer, does, roe deer, wild boars, foxes, hares, squirrels, martens, and even wolves—which are quite common in our mountains. Ages 8 and up.
Today’s Number
That’s how many La Plagne Academies are offered each summer at an altitude of 2,000 m: basketball, trail running, rugby, freestyle soccer , and even the Fighting Academy with Édouard Bernadou, a multiple world kickboxing champion.
Ages 10 and up, depending on the sport.
