Vanoise National Park, La Plagne

National GeographicSep 12

Take a Sleeper Train to This Sustainable French Ski Resort

A Paris railway station on a miserable, rainy January night feels worlds away from sunny alpine slopes and high-altitude soft powder. But vintage train carriages emblazoned with ‘Les Arcs’, ‘La Plagne ...

Park offering superb off-piste and backcountry skiing

17 things in this story

Ski HutRestaurantHires secondhand ski and snowboard equipment at lower prices
Flocon VertPlaceAward for destinations committed to sustainability
Mountain RidersPlaceNon-profit protecting the alpine environment
PopAlp hotelHotelSki-in, ski-out hotel with vintage gondola in hall
Chalet Hotel ChristinaHotelLa Plagne’s first hotel, opened in 1961
Grande RochetteSightSummit with spectacular views at 2,508 meters
Mira routeTrailLong, wide, family-friendly ski run
ParadiskiSight425km of interconnected skiing across seven peaks
Vanoise National ParkSightPark offering superb off-piste and backcountry skiing
Roche de Mio GondolaSightRefurbished lift offering faster connections to Live 3,000
AéroliveSightOpen-air cabin experience with 360-degree views
La Plagne Olympic Bobsleigh TrackSightBobsleigh run built for the 1992 Winter Olympics
La CembraieTrailNature reserve with Swiss stone pines, accessible by snowshoes
Aime-La Plagne stationTrain stationRailway station serving La Plagne
Elsewhere
Gare de LyonSightParis, FranceBelle époque-style railway station in Paris
Pegasus TrainsPlaceParis, FranceOffers low-impact alternative to flying or driving
TravelskiPlaceParis, FranceUK tour operator chartering sleeper train for 2025-26

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Vanoise National Park

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Take a Sleeper Train to This Sustainable French Ski Resort