Discover our selection of family-friendly activities and our practical tips (tested and approved by parents!) for a great summer vacation in La Plagne with kids of all ages.
Kids’ Favorite Activities in La Plagne This Summer
Young children’s favorite games and fun activities in La Plagne
To keep the little ones happy, nothing beats simplicity: games, fun activities, and spaces where they can laugh, jump, and run—in short, have fun.
- Free playgrounds can be found in all the villages of La Plagne, complete with swings, slides, and more; the Versants d’Aime recreation center, in particular, is a must-visit for families on sunny days with its small pond (where swimming is allowed);
- Other big favorites among children in La Plagne during the summer: inflatable structures (found at the Kids Park in Champagny-en-Vanoise; ages 4 and up) and trampolines (Acro Bungy at the Versants d’Aime recreation center in Le Gothard; for children weighing 15 kg and up);
- Older children might prefer to play soccer, volleyball, tennis, or a game of ping-pong (courts and tables are freely available throughout the villages of La Plagne), or even try their hand at archery (ages 7 and up);
- One last idea that will appeal to budding young detectives: orienteering (12 themed courses in total, categorized into four levels from easiest to hardest so the whole family can participate).
Thrilling summer activities to share with your teens
Are your older kids reluctant to spend their summer vacation week in La Plagne on hiking trails? Surprise them with ideas for more intense, adrenaline-fueled activities:
- Downhill mountain biking (ages xx and up) on the bike park’s 12 trails for all skill levels;
- Rafting (ages 8 and up; baby rafting for ages 6 and up) or hydrospeed (ages 13–14 and up; introductory sessions for ages 10–12) in the rapids of the Isère River;
- Canyoning (ages 8 and up), a combination of hiking and rock climbing practiced in the region’s water-filled canyons;
- Tree-topadventure courses (ages 4–5 and up) to explore the treetops along a course featuring a series of rope bridges, nets, and walkways…
- Via ferrata (introductory sessions for ages 8 and up or 12–13 and up, depending on the provider), to navigate a rocky route equipped with cables (a lifeline to which you clip the carabiners of your lanyard connected to your harness), metal ladders, handrails…
A course in Belle Plagne (“Les Bourtes,” rated AD—Moderately Difficult) and two courses in Champagny-en-Vanoise (“Plan du Bouc,” in two sections rated PD—Easy and AD—Moderately Difficult; and “Les Grosses Pierres,” rated ED – Extremely Difficult); - Outdoor rock climbing (introductory sessions for ages 6 and up) at the sites in Champagny-en-Vanoise (Grande Roche, Torchet, Contreforts de la Grande Marianne, Ravière) and Villette;
- Mountain Cart (for those 1m30 and taller), 3 blue and red-level tracks to race down from the top of the Colorado chairlift (Plagne Centre) or the Montalbert gondola;
- Zip line: ages 3 and up for the Giant Zip Line (115 m long), 20 kg and up for the Super Tyro (600 m long), ages 10 and up for the Zipline Cascade (a series of 10 ziplines, including one that’s 200 m long).
Hiking: our selection of easy hikes around La Plagne to motivate your kids to keep putting one foot in front of the other (and do it again)
Short hikes with little elevation gain and plenty of fun things to discover along the way: here’s the secret recipe for introducing your kids to hiking in a casual way during your family summer vacation in La Plagne!
- “Les Alpages enchantés,” starting from the Montalbert gondola: a trail dotted with magical characters carved from wood and signs recounting the tales and legends of our mountains (about a 2-hour hike);
- “Le Chemin de Renard Futé,” starting from Montchavin-les-Coches: a fun and educational trail to learn more about nature and the mountains (about a 1.5-hour hike);
- The Gorzderés Trail, starting from Champagny-le-Haut (a valley designated as a protected area since 1992 for its scenic and heritage value): a trail certified as an “easy walk” (and therefore stroller-friendly), featuring about ten information panels where you can learn all about glaciers, wildlife, and landscapes... (about a 1.5-hour walk);
- The “Budding Explorer” hiking trail, starting from Champagny-en-Vanoise: a fun and active trail for kids who can’t sit still, themed around mountain animals (about a 45-minute walk);
- Bonus idea: Prajourdan, a lovely scenic hike at an altitude of 2,000 meters, accessible to all-terrain strollers via the Montalbert gondola (about a 40-minute walk).
Here are the family hikes starting from La Plagne and its villages.
La Plagne’s themed summer camps: perfect for teens who love soccer, rugby, trail running, combat sports, basketball, and more…
Are your teens crazy about soccer, basketball, or combat sports? Themed camps are organized in La Plagne throughout the summer to help them improve their skills alongside other passionate young people, under the expert guidance of professional coaches.
- Freestyle Soccer Camps
- Basketball camps: week-long advanced training camps organized by the AuRA League for U13 through U17 age groups (instructional program and lodging included). Ages 12 and up;
- Trail running camps: an introduction to mountain running over three half-days (ages 16 and up, runs of about 10–12 km with 500 m of elevation gain) and an “expert” camp over three full days (ages 20 and up; runs of approximately 20 km with 1,000 to 1,200 m of elevation gain);
- Combat sports camp: 5 days to get started in combat sports or improve your technique. Led by Édouard Bernadou, multiple world kickboxing champion. Ages 15 and up (activities and lodging included);
- Rugby camps: week-long skill-building camps for boys (U12–U14 age groups) and girls (U12–U15 age groups). Rugby… but that’s not all!
And for the little ones who love the circus, check outthe “La Cloche” Circus School, led by professionals from the prestigious Annie Fratellini School! Tightrope, trapeze, trampoline, juggling, acrobatics, contortion, hula hoop… There are plenty of activities available for children as young as 2, teens, and even adults.
Three unique summer activities to do in La Plagne for kids who love animals
It’s not always easy to get kids to walk… To make them want to go hiking, entice them with animals!
- A challenging hike pulled by a Nordic dog, also known as “cani-rando,” in Montchavin, Montalbert, and Champagny-en-Vanoise. Hikes lasting 1.5 to 2 hours, available as half-day or full-day excursions. For ages 6–8 and up, depending on the activity provider (younger children are paired with an adult to handle the Nordic dogs’ impressive pulling power);
- Pony or donkey rides in Montalbert and Champagny-en-Vanoise. Tours lasting half an hour, an hour, half a day, or a full day—ideal for avoiding the weight of a backpack and giving little ones’ legs a break. Suitable for ages 2–3 and up, depending on the activity provider;
- Hike with alpacas in Montchavin. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes for the activity, including meeting the adorable animals and the hike. Suitable for children of all ages.
What to do in La Plagne with kids when it rains?
Is the weather acting up? No problem! In La Plagne during the summer, you’ll always find something to keep your kids and teens entertained thanks to our selection of “all-weather” activities:
- Pack the whole family’s swimsuits and towels into a large bag, and head to the pool closest to your lodging (Plagne Bellecôte, Montchavin, and Champagny-en-Vanoise);
- Take advantage of the younger kids’ curiosity and the older ones’ deductive skills to solve the puzzles in the two indoor escape rooms in Montchavin-les-Coches (ages 5 and up);
- Take advantage of a quiet moment to read stories at the media library (in Montalbert, Montchavin, Champagny-en-Vanoise, Macôt, Bellentre, La Côte d’Aime, and Valezan), or borrow board games for free (at the Champagny-en-Vanoise tourist office);
- If you’re up for getting wet, try whitewater sports (rafting, hydrospeed, canyoning): these activities can still be enjoyed when the weather is gloomy (your guide will decide whether to postpone the session if safety conditions aren’t met, such as in the event of heavy rain).
More ideasfor family activities to enjoy in the summer, no matter the weather.
How to plan your family summer vacation?
Book “kid-friendly” accommodations near La Plagne’s summer activities
The best kind of accommodations? The ones that strike the right balance between the “excitement of something new” and the “ease of creating a cozy space that feels just like home.”
Renting an apartment in a tourist residence, a vacation village, or simply through a real estate agency or a private owner offers many advantages for families with children:
- It’s very easy to maintain the same routines as at home: breakfast in pajamas with everyone’s favorite cereals—which you’ll have made sure to pack—a plate of pasta with ham for the picky eaters who barely touch their food at restaurants, bedrooms separate from living areas to accommodate the little ones’ sleep needs (early bedtimes, naps…);
- You’re in charge of your meal budget: from the cheapest option (everything homemade, including sandwiches for hikes) to the most expensive (breakfast, lunch, and dinner eaten out every day), and everything in between (dinner at a restaurant to enjoy a delicious fondue without filling the whole apartment with a lingering cheese smell, a crêpe on a terrace at snack time…) ;
- You’re completely free and independent; you can plan your day however you like (without having to depend on the hours of a hotel restaurant, for example);
At a vacation village: you can often leave your children with activity leaders so they can have fun with other kids while you enjoy a little peace and quiet (or an activity not suitable for little ones that you’ve been dreaming of: paragliding, a long day hike … or a wellness retreat at the spa!).
Do your kids have a bit of an adventurous streak? For your next family summer vacation in La Plagne, opt for camping…or take them to experience their first night in amountain hut! The Laisonnay mountain hut, for example, is easily accessible on foot (and even by car). It’s ideal for a first family experience without any pressure.
Good to know: trailheads for easy and/or intermediate hikes are just a few minutes’ walk from all the villages in La Plagne, and a free shuttle service runs throughout the summer to get you from one village to another without having to drive. Convenient for getting around between activity sites.
Set a balanced summer activity budget
In summer in La Plagne, many family-friendly activities are 100% free: there are no fees to use the hiking trails (including those that wind through the Vanoise National Park), or to access the children’s playgrounds (in all the villages), the skateparks in Macôt and Champagny-en-Vanoise, and the pump tracks in Aime-la-Plagne and Plagne Bellecôte… Free activities are also organized every week for children of all ages.
Here’s a great way to plan ahead and keep your expenses under control: book in advance (when possible) the few family activities that require a fee but are sure to delight your children. A pony ride, for example, a mountain biking lesson, an introduction to rock climbing, a family rafting trip… This way, you can spread out payments over several weeks or months (bonus: it gives you gift ideas for birthdays leading up to the vacation!).
Book La Plagne’s most popular summer activities to ensure you don’t miss out
Certain particularly popular summer activities fill up quickly, especially between mid-July and mid-August (for example: guided hikes with animals, mountain biking lessons, themed camps for kids…).
Have you spotted a camp, a class, a guided outing, or any other summer activity that your kids are really excited about? Be sure to book spots for the whole family before you arrive to avoid disappointment.
Leave room for the unexpected in your summer vacation plans in La Plagne
When you go on a family vacation, it’s easy to fall into the trap of planning every minute of the day for fear that the kids will get bored. Yet it’s often by leaving room for the unexpected that you make the most wonderful discoveries.
Can’t decide between two hikes around La Plagne? Choose the shorter one so you’ll have time to watch the marmots play and run around. Tempted to hit the playground and then the pump track back-to-back? One activity will be enough: it’s so much more enjoyable to have fun without watching the clock, then stop for a crêpe on a terrace on a whim.
Who knows—you might also stumble upon an event or activity you hadn’t planned for (and that will be a great substitute for an activity you can save for later in the week).
What to pack in the kids’ suitcases for a summer vacation in La Plagne?
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things not to forget for a stress-free family summer vacation in La Plagne:
- Comfortable clothes for moving around and running, suitable for all temperatures (it can be hot during the day and cool in the evening at high altitudes; don’t forget socks and a windbreaker!);
- Good shoes (sneakers, hiking boots, etc.), which are much more useful than sandals or flip-flops for a mountain vacation;
- At least one swimsuit per person (or even several if you plan to go to the pool every day or try your hand at whitewater sports);
- Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen;
- A backpack and a water bottle;
- An action camera (like a GoPro) if you have one: handy for capturing thrilling activities (downhill mountain biking, rafting, zip-lining…).
Are you coming by car? If you have a little room left in the trunk, don’t forget the kids’ balance bikes and regular bikes, the usual protective gear (helmets, elbow pads, knee pads), tennis rackets, balls, etc. Don’t worry if you don’t have any of these items or if you’re coming by train: you’ll find all the sports equipment you need available for loan or rent right here.
Have a great family summer vacation in La Plagne!
