 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there,
I'm looking to go on a skiing holiday, to La Plagne, France, in the last week before the resort closes (scheduled to close on 25th April 2020).
Though I've never been so late in the season before (only ever had 1 skiing holiday before!), so wondering if people could give me any info on what the resort's (or any resort) is like so late in the season?
In particular;
1) Would you expect everything to still be open as normal?
(i.e. - all runs, snowparks, chair lifts, gondolas, etc)
I can only find one generic shutdown date (being 25th April 2020), though from searching online, at certain resorts people seem to indicate that lower altitude areas sometimes shut earlier.
2) Is there any likelihood the resort may end up closing earlier than expected?
(i.e. - resorts tend to give close dates as "estimated" or "weather permitting". In the past, how often (if ever) do they shut earlier than this?)
3) What conditions can I expect at this time of year?
(i.e. - still ample snow cover? is the snow good to ski on? etc...)
Thanks in advance
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Shredward, I skied at the end of the season in La Plagne a few years ago (into the last week but not the last day), after spending the season out there. It was a good snow season with a great base and it snowed lots in April, so the conditions were really good. It was really really really quiet though - many places started to close down a couple of weeks before and by the end there were very few mountain restaurants etc open. I had no issues skiing all the way back to Montchavin but I think that was pretty unusual. Definitely they started to reduce the number of lifts open though I still felt there was loads of skiing, especially considering there was almost no one on the mountain. I would go that time of the season - but I probably wouldn't book La Plagne in advance, simply because it is so very quiet and it could get a bit limited if the snow isn't good. I usually do the EosB in VT which is the same week and not too far away (though higher), and I've never had any issue with snow cover. But they have a planned closing into May. The deserted slopes of La Plagne would be lovely if snow was good though.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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My experience (in other resorts) echoes what @Gämsbock says though conditions vary a lot, year to year. Lifts and other facilities will have been closing before the end. Snow could be very icy in the morning and slushy later. If it's only your second week on skis best thing is to join s ski school as instructors will know which slopes will have the best conditions. Skiing in April sunshine can be wonderful, even if you do find yourself skirting grassy puddles from time to time in some areas. And you might see a marmotte!!
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I can only echo what others have said - I usually ski to the bitter end and you can expect
1. variable conditions - pick your time of day to ski or spend time with ski school as others have suggested, follow the sun: east - south - west skiing.
2. a lot of businesses to have shut up shop for the season, final weekend at l'alpe d'huez last year and there were no restaurants open on the slopes that we could find but that also depends on the weather forecast
3. lifts closed - often though there is another lift to get to the same point and satellite resorts shut
4. the snow cover is generally good through to mid May and beyond so I wouldn't expect the main resort to lack snow
5. sometimes unsettled weather as the seasons change, maybe cloudy, rainy, snowy
6. Janvril !
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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We skied the last week of the season in La Plagne last year, based in Plagne 1800.
We had a fantastic few days, everything open. Conditions were great higher up, but quite slushy lower down by the end of the day (which I suppose can be the case any time).
Added bonus that the hotel which we stayed were selling off the local ale incredibly cheap before the closed 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I've had everything from pools of meltwater on the piste to 30cms of fresh powder in closing day before, but most likely you can expect spring snow and slush, full coverage on most/all pistes, a number of closed huts/restaurants, cheap food and beer at the still-open ones as they try to get rid of everything, not many people about, the majority/all lifts still open, really good vibes.
But at this stage the only thing that's certain is that some of the businesses will be closing/closed. Everything else depends on the weather.
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I went to La Plagne 1800 a few years ago in the last week of the season and you could not ski back to the chalet. Plenty to ski on higher up, though.
I would think (possibly wrongly) that as it is only your second week in the mountains you would be in ski school. In that case, you will not need a huge amount of snow and the instructors will find decent snow for you.
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Bring some High Factor sun-screen... 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thanks for the responses guys!
I believe the resort I'm looking to stay in, is in Belle Plagne (2,050 m), so should be high enough up for snow cover?
Anyone know if the freestyle parks & air bag (heard there's an air bag somewhere on there, maybe in one of the parks?) stay open until the season closing?
@Tazz2bme @Gämsbock
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Thu 27-02-20 0:12; edited 1 time in total
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I love La Plagne in late season. They often have the skimming pond open around that time near the snow park.
I’ve recently written a resort review on La Plagne from a recent trip if you wanted more info - http://batterseaski.co.uk/la-plagne-resort-review/
Have a great trip!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Shredward, Belle Plagne is the highest resort in the area, so all things being equal then you should still be able to ski in /ski out. Obviously a lot will depend on the weather between now and then.
There's also plenty of runs above Belle Plagne running back into the resort. You will be reliant to a certain extent on skiing back into Plagne Bellecote (1950m) to link into other runs/areas. If the snow is okay down to 1950m then you should be fine, and you may not need to go lower.
A lot of people have mentioned ski school - definitely worth checking that they are still open in Belle Plagne, as it's a fairly small (but lovely) village, so some of the ski schools may have shut if the demand isn't there.
You surrounded by a few snowparks and fun slopes but not sure if they will be open.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Shredward, welcome to snowHeads
All of the above + the marmots are likely to be coming out of hibernation.
Will you have a vehicle? If so, a day up in Tignes/Val D'Isere might be an idea.
Enjoy...often had excellent skiing right through into early May in the Tarentaise.
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1) Would you expect everything to still be open as normal?
(i.e. - all runs, snowparks, chair lifts, gondolas, etc)
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No. Do not expect the lower runs to be open, especially Champagny. The snowpark may not be open - it depends. Chairlifts etc will be open. On the last day many, if not most restaurants will be closed for staff parties, BBQs etc. The pistuers will be skiing down after you removing piste markers
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2) Is there any likelihood the resort may end up closing earlier than expected?
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I suppose there is a likelihood. Coronavirus may cause all tourist centres to close, all travel to be banned etc. There is probably a greater chance of me winning the football pools.
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3) What conditions can I expect at this time of year?
(i.e. - still ample snow cover? is the snow good to ski on? etc...)
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There will be snow to ski on and it will be enjoyable. There may even be fresh snow. I once had to abandon an attempt to climb the Bellcotte due to too much fresh snow - in July.
As others have said sunburn could be a serious problem. Use plenty of factor 50.
@PeakyB, I've never found marmots to be a particular problem. They tend to run away as I approach. Snow snakes tend to cause me much more problems
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi. I’m also heading out to La Plagne for the closing week of the season - we are driving out on the 18th April staying at Club Med Plagne 2100. I’ve skiied the closing week in Les Arcs previously and it was fantastic - deserted pistes, laid back vibe, cracking weather and all lifts running. You will have a great time.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Lifts = 50-100% open
Trails = 50-100% open
Weather = sunny
Snow = soft
Crowds = quiet
Town = quiet
Costs = cheaper
April and March are the best months for skiing in France (above ~1800m).
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Poster: A snowHead
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@johnE, no, I didn’t mean marmots are a problem, I love to see them. Apart from it being a clear signal that the snowsport season is nearly over.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| PeakyB wrote: |
| @johnE, no, I didn’t mean marmots are a problem, I love to see them. Apart from it being a clear signal that the snowsport season is nearly over. |
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Fingers crossed that next week brings a timely reminder to them that's it's not!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Handy Turnip, +1, far too early yet. I was referring to the OPs trip date of 3rd week in April
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@PeakyB, yes fair point!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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you usually get a lovely sun tan, and when you get back to work they dont believe you went skiing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the info guys
@PeakyB - No unfortunately I won't have a vehicle (flying out & coach transfers), though funnily enough I was looking at Tignes/Val D'Isere as an alternative resort!
Are there any kind of buses/public transport running regularly between La Plagne <-> Tignes/Val D'Isere?
@joeyg - Many thanks for the review! Did you see an airbag when you were out there? And what were the snow parks like?
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