Ski The French Alps By Rail
Caroll Alvarado
| 16-10-2026

· Travel team
Imagine falling asleep aboard a train in Paris and waking up surrounded by snow-covered mountains. This is one of the most appealing ways to reach La Plagne, a French Alpine destination combining spectacular skiing with a growing commitment to sustainable tourism.
Located in the Savoie region, La Plagne offers hundreds of kilometres of pistes, charming mountain villages and exciting winter activities. Its efforts to reduce environmental impacts also make it an interesting choice for travellers seeking a more responsible mountain holiday.
Travel To The Mountains By Train
Travelling by rail can reduce the environmental impact of a ski holiday, particularly when it replaces a long car journey or flight.
A seasonal overnight service introduced for winter 2025–2026 connected Paris with the Alpine railway station of Aime-La-Plagne. The journey took approximately nine hours, allowing passengers to travel overnight and continue to the resort in the morning.
From the station, La Plagne's main ski villages are approximately 20 kilometres away, with onward transfers available.
Sleeper services are seasonal, so check whether they operate on your intended dates before planning your journey.
Explore Hundreds Of Kilometres Of Slopes
La Plagne offers approximately 225 kilometres of marked pistes, with around 80% classified as blue or red runs.
This makes the resort particularly appealing to families, beginners progressing beyond nursery slopes and intermediate skiers.
The wider Paradiski area connects La Plagne with Les Arcs, creating an extensive network of approximately 425 kilometres of pistes.
For spectacular mountain views, head towards Grande Rochette, which rises to 2,508 metres. The surrounding slopes offer a mixture of gentle descents and more demanding routes.
A standard adults lift pass typically costs approximately €65–80 per day, depending on the season and ticket type.
Discover More Sustainable Skiing
La Plagne has received the Flocon Vert environmental certification, recognising its efforts to improve sustainability in mountain tourism.
One interesting initiative involves reusing skiing equipment rather than purchasing new products.
Second-hand equipment rental can cost as little as €10 per day for adults and €5 for children, compared with approximately €35 and €15 respectively for conventional rentals.
Environmental specialist Estelle Chatellier, who oversees the local sustainability certification, explains that heavy traffic from private vehicles and coaches remains a major challenge for Alpine destinations. She highlights improved public transport connections as an important part of reducing congestion and emissions.
Experience An Olympic Bobsleigh Track
Skiing is only one of La Plagne's winter attractions.
The resort also features an Olympic bobsleigh track originally constructed for the 1992 Winter Games.
Visitors can experience the course aboard a specially designed four-person Bob Raft, travelling at speeds of approximately 80 km/h through 19 bends.
The 1.5-kilometre track offers an unforgettable experience for adventurous travellers.
Prices vary by activity, but budget approximately €60–150 per person for a recreational bobsleigh experience.
Explore The Mountains On Snowshoes
For a quieter adventure, consider a guided snowshoe excursion through the surrounding Alpine wilderness.
La Cembraie nature reserve is home to Swiss stone pines and fascinating wildlife, including spotted nutcrackers and black grouse.
These birds play important roles in the mountain ecosystem, particularly through seed dispersal and their interactions with the forest environment.
Guided snowshoe excursions generally cost around €35–75 per person, depending on the route and duration.
How Much Does A Ski Holiday Cost?
For a four-day skiing holiday, allow approximately €600–1,000 per person, excluding travel to the resort, based on two people sharing accommodation.
A typical budget includes:
Accommodation for three nights: €135–255 per person
Four-day lift pass: €260–320
Ski equipment rental: €40–140
Food and local transport: €130–220
Travelling outside the busiest school holiday periods can help reduce accommodation costs.
With its extensive slopes, impressive mountain scenery and growing emphasis on sustainability, La Plagne offers a memorable way to experience the French Alps. Choosing rail travel and making thoughtful decisions about equipment and activities can make the adventure even more rewarding.