La Cembraie, 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 ...

Nature reserve with Swiss stone pines, accessible by snowshoes

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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La Cembraie

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Take a Sleeper Train to This Sustainable French Ski Resort