La Plagne has to win on its more creative marketing, and they did a good job at publicising their 50th anniversary last year. More here.
Below are three further areas where I'd put La Plagne ahead of Les Arcs....
1. Loads more mountain restaurants
Cross over from the Peisey side, and the contrast is marked. La Plagne has miles more places to eat than Les Arcs, and the Montchauvin/Les Coches area seems particularly well served.
2. A richer Tour de France history
The dramatic "it's Stephen Roche!!"arrival on the line in 1987 (in La Plagne) has to beat Les Arcs' claim to fame as the climb which signalled the end of the Miguel Indurain era. Click on the links for more on La Plagne and Les Arcs in Le Tour.
3. A more extensive glacier
The La Plagne glacier is more extensive than its counterpart at the top of the Aiguille Rouge, and was open for summer skiing until relatively recently. There's investment going in here too, with a new lift for 2012/13.
And here's where Les Arcs has the edge:
1. Historic architecture
Yes, really! Les Arcs had a "grand plan" which was followed reasonably consistently during the 1968-1980 period, as Arc 1600, 1800 and then 2000 took shape. It's now got a "historic site of France" label, and you can treat yourselves to tours of both 1600 and 1800. More here.
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| Hotel du Golf, Arc 180 |
2. Easier to get to, easier to explore
Bourg St Maurice beats Aime for having the bigger train and bus station, and of course for the funiculaire direct to Arc 1600. Connections to La Rosiere, Tignes and Val d'Isere are easy even for those without a car.
3. A Premier League snowpark
La Plagne's park is OK, but the Les Arcs set-up is widely viewed as one of the best in France:
The 2000m descent from Aiguille Rouge to Villaroger gives Les Arcs the lead here, at least in terms of official pistes (there are some pretty long runs down from the Bellecote glacier.....)
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| Villaroger in April |
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