Completely agree. In all our guides we mention Mira being incorrectly graded. Although the steep section isn't particularly long, it should be red. I guess the reasoning behind this is ski resorts can't really grade all the sections of a piste and, taken as a whole, Mira is blue before and after that steep pitch. Also, I would think LP is keen to show blue options off Grande Rochette (although there's always the Petite Rochette blue as an option). However, you're 100% right - on any given day, you'll always see beginners struggling on both this and the lower section of Trieuse. As for the blues, some (especially those around Plagne Bellecôte) should really be green. Then again, there's a huge variation in terms of the classification of beginners ie those never before been on snow and those that are progressing to turning. Also, greens tend to be served by much easier lifts - which is another consideration for beginners - plus they tend to be very close to the main stations in case of accidents and to make access easier. We've covered these subjects more on the pages below: Is La Plagne good for beginners - laplagne360.com/is-la-plagne-good-for-beginners/ Is La Plagne good for intermediates - laplagne360.com/is-la-plagne-good-for-intermediates/ Thanks for writing 👍

@iRideSkiSnow Thanks for replying. I'll have a look at your links. Went with Mum for a week in January. I was happy bombing around the resort (highlights were Combe, Sources, Kamikaze and a blue somewhere around the Colorado/Lovatiere chairs, but after a while she'd exhausted the nursery slopes on her own in 1800 and Plagne Centre so got her a Coolski pass and went out with her up the Bergerie lift. (She's on the cusp of parallel) Must have taken a wrong turn and we ended up on Trieuse - I do feel somewhat guilty for leading her onto it but found the coolski map hard to decipher and not particularly clear signage on piste. She got terrified when she saw the last pitch into Bellecote, and took off her skis and walked down the side. What LP seems to lack are the traditional green runs in other french resorts. PS. Your site is invaluable. I wish I'd come across it before our trip! Thanks for all the info!

​@@Arc_Luena Thanks for writing - and especially for the comments on the 360 site . Re your point about the greens, it's true LP seems to favour grading pistes blue that could very easily be graded green. Then again, for the reasons noted above, my personal take on it is they look at a run in its entirety so perhaps it's understandable they don't want to encourage total beginners to go on some of these runs as most do get a little steeper in places. Nonetheless, if you're ever back in LP, there's another article on the 360 site that covers this subject - laplagne360.com/pistes-to-avoid-in-la-plagne/. These runs can be problematic on skis but they're even worse on a snowboard as we can't pole over flats. Combe, Sources and Kamikaze are great runs - although Sources is only really red in two sections. Again, if you're back, the Emile Allais and André Martzolf below Aime 2000 are enjoyable reds - even if they're not especially testing. Also, if you get the snow, the advanced runs above Montalbert are more like true reds and some of the most enjoyable in the resort. You could also try the Mont de la Guerre piste above Champagny - but, as it's south-facing and low - it's very often closed. The same applies to Les Bois above Champagny - but it's fun if you get it in good snow. As for accidentally ending up on Trieuse - very easy mistake to make. If you're taking that route again, look for a restaurant to your left about midway down and then veer right. This will take you onto the considerably easier Rhodos or the lower section of the Blanchets piste. However, it is really easy to miss that turning. I can completely understand your Mum walking down. The lower part of Trieuse is quite steep - usually pretty crowded - and almost always mogulled later in the day. Not the easiest for a learner. A better option for your Mum would be the runs off the Arpette (left of Bellecôte on the piste map) - although unfortunately the access lift of the same name is the busiest in the whole of LP. Another area she would enjoy is around the Bergerie lift on the Écartée piste - although the Bergerie is also super busy (normally the 2nd busiest in the resort). There are other 'best blue runs' videos at the top of this page - laplagne360.com/la-plagne-guide-laplagne360/ Again, thanks for getting touch. It's always interesting to hear other people's experiences of LP - and cheers for the comments 😁

Hi. We have a few of these left so I could you send you 😁. That's actually pretty cool you noticed them. PM your address on the facebook.com/laplagne360/ page and I'll work out getting some to you (I use this page more atm). Feel free to give that and iRide FB pages a follow if you have time. iRide ski/snowboard app vs2 is currently in development with the aim of releasing winter 24/25. There will be more details on here soon. For wintersports enthusiasts, it'll be a game-changer. Thanks

Hi, thanks for commenting. Yep, the main reason we missed that piste is because of the amount of walking involved. While it is a popular run, as the base is so flat, very few beginners or intermediates will make it even to the tunnel entrance without having to pole or unstrap. For this reason, we prefer the Sources red piste - a run that is mostly blue apart from two short steep pitches - followed by the Belle Plagne blue. Route here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpW7aoicm5urrqs Detailed information here - laplagne360.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=9733&action=edit

Hi - thanks for the feedvback. There's a short view of the funslope here - facebook.com/laplagne360/videos/1587328602013682/ At some point I'll add it to YT too. There's also the boardercross at Champagny here kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIfNZHdteriLmLM

Thanks Paul - although, technically speaking, I'm not back yet. Still in physio trying to work out knee issues. Just putting these together to help fuel my envy of everyone else that's fit enough to be back riding again - and, ofc, drive a little traffic to laplagne360.com. Hope you're keeping well. Have a great season.

​@@iRideSkiSnow doing well thanks my good man, hope the recovery is good and swift. Damn those joints! We are at that point in life i am afraid to say. Hope you are back at it harder and faster than ever soon as. 😊 🤙

@@paulnqy Thanks. Yep, the issues have been building the last couple of years but really came to a head last season. All being well, I'll find a solution soon. Hope you're still getting up the hill. Thanks again for being in touch. All the best for this season.

​@@iRideSkiSnowNo mountain fun for me this year im sorry to say. Not through injury thankfully, im still out in the ocean snagging the occasional wave. So alls good, still sliding sideways in one fashion or the other. House hunting has hinderd my adventures to the mountains this year. All being well, back to normal next season. All my very best with the fix up Stuart, i guess if i can give advice it would be, take your time, be patient with yourself and dont jump the gun. All good things come to those who wait. Go easy my good man. 😊 🤙

Unfortunately not back in LP this season - doing knee physio in Tenerife instead atm. The aim is to get away again in March, all being well. Hope you have a great season wherever you end up. Tx for being in touch

Top notch fella deserves a top notch video mate :D. Hope you're keeping well (y)

Thank you man. That means a lot. Yeah, I'm hoping to be better for the last couple months of the season. Really appreciate your feedback. Thanks 👍

Unfortunately not. Still working at a knee issue that's been plaguing me for two years already. I'm hoping to get some trips later in the season. Btw, for all things La Plagne, have a look at laplagne360.com and maybe give us a follow on facebook.com/laplagne360 Hope you have a great winter. Thanks for being in touch

Sadly not snowboarding - yet. Currently trying to fix knee injuries that have been the bane of the last three seasons. I'm hoping to get back on the hill for the last couple months of the season, all being well. If you're interested to see more material like this, have a look at laplagne360.com or our new LP360 Facebook page at facebook.com/laplagne360 Thanks for getting in touch. Have a great season 👍

Thanks for the comments. If you want to learn more about MdlG - and pretty much all of La Plagne's pistes, lifts and villages - take a look at laplagne360.com. There's a lot of info on there ranging from 3D visualisations to preview videos and piste/lift stats. We've also got a new Facebook at facebook.com/laplagne360 Totally agree with your comments - this piste is one of the very best in La Plagne with incredible views - but yeah, it's a pity the base is so low which often means it's closed. Thanks again 👍

Merci. Visitez laplagne360.com pour plus d'informations sur toutes les remontées mécaniques, pistes et villages de La Plagne. Le site est uniquement en anglais pour le moment mais Google Translate dans votre navigateur devrait vous aider. Nouvelle page Facebook sur facebook.com/laplagne360

Thanks you. Maybe next winter eh 👍

Oui, la station du téléphérique se trouve un peu au dessus de Plagne Montchavin. Voir laplagne360.com pour plus d'informations laplagne360.com/montchavin-lift-vanoise-express/. Ou cette vidéo pour le parcours complet de La Plagne aux Arcs - studio.kzbin.infoTc_JEsQTeKc/edit Merci pour la question

To be honest, I think you probably got a little lucky not seeing queues - particularly in the mornings during the Feb midterms - but agreed, it's a very handy lift and gives quick access out of 1800 to the great riding at La Roche or, further over, Montalbert. Hope you had a good trip. Thanks for commenting.

It's often cited as being the best run in La Plagne but yeah, you're right, it's often closed - particularly at the start and end of the season.

March and April in La Plagne are the best months by far. Due to the height of the resorts, it can snow right up to the end of the season in LP but, although there are zero guarantees, you'll normally get at least a few sunny days. Enjoy 😁

Hi. No the piste is still there. Get up to the Grande Rochette above Plagne Centre on the Funiplagne lift. At the top head skier's right and after the slightly steep section, take a left down into the Champagny sector. This is the Kamikaze piste. Please remember to like and subscribe. Many thanks.

Hey man - I hope you're keeping well. I had never heard of Manali until you just mentioned it. I Googled it but can't find any piste maps - but the photos look great anyway. That sounds like a good plan if you can't get to Turkey. I really want to ride some Indian resorts someday. I hope you have a great trip. Post some videos and link me please. I'm intrigued to see this place. Thanks for being in touch 👍

It kinda depends on your start point, queues and ability but from Plagne Bellecôte, you should bank on about 30-45 mins. Along with the Bergerie, the Arpette always shares the title of the busiest chair in LP so you're best to arrive early to avoid the ski school queues. Once you're at the top, it's all downhill by whatever route you take to get to the Vanoise Express (there are multiple signs to help you find your way). Then you've got the approx 5 min cable car trip over to Les Arcs. The ride back is longer as it's mostly a succession of chairs to reach the summit of Crozats (use that chair instead of Salla - it's way quicker). To make sure you don't get stuck in Montchavin, factor about an hour from leaving Les Arcs. It's an expensive taxi ride if you don't make the lifts on time. There's a lot more info on this stuff at laplagne360.com 😉

Yeah, the original plan was Bansko in Bulgaria but they have zero snow right now and I can't ride anyway because my knees are properly shot. It looks like I'll be sitting out this winter unfortunately. What about you? You got plans? Thanks for your words on the edit btw. Appreciated 👍. Hope you're keeping well and you and the family had a good Christmas.

Thank you man - yeah, this one took a while 😉. Hope to get riding with you both again one day

Thank you very much. If you want more, please subscribe as it helps loads

Cheers Ade. Always appreciate your comments and feedback 👍. Thank you man

Thanks Paul, that's very good of you to say - much appreciated. I just hope I work out a solution to the audio issues next time. That GoPro is an amazing camera (way better video quality than the VIRB360 I was previously using) but it really doesn't handle audio well. Anyways, thanks again. Hope you're keeping well 👍

@@iRideSkiSnow Yes keeping very well, the surf has just picked back up here after what seems like the longest flat spell. So, overstoking on wave riding is the general vibe. Have you considered the Rode wireless microphones? Lots of vlogers seem to use them. Also, ive watched some very positive reviews on the Rode products. 😊 🤙

@@paulnqy good to hear. Surfing is still one of those things I need to get round to doing (again, tx for the previous tips). I'm taking major time out just now trying to get my knee sorted but it'll hopefully back to reasonable strength soon. Nice one tho that you're back out surfing again. I have a wireless mic already but the GoPro won't pick it up for some reason and there's no way to use a wired mic with it apparently. Kind of makes sense as that would mean opening the door which would look really strange in a 360 globe view). I'll keep looking/persevering but it's a major oversight in my opinion by GP. Sure, 360 audio is a great idea when filming in 360 - but there should still be a way to isolate just the front or back microphones if you want to. When you film 360, it captures 360 audio by default and I have yet to find a way to get round it. I had to do major post processing work on those clips to try eliminate the wind and ambient noise - but I'm more than aware that it didn't work well. The audio is terrible 😔 It's an epic camera - but the sound issues are definitely a major problem. Regardless, thanks for the tips. Good to hear from you again

@@iRideSkiSnow would it mean alot more work to record the audio separate and over lay it in post? I guess that would be a sure fire way of getting crystal audio. Rest up my good man, work hard on the physio and get close as possible to 100% recoverd for when the snow arrives. Once again, looking forward to the front row seats to your next adventure. Like ive said before in regard to surf, full one on one lessons are here waiting for you. We will have you up and riding in no time, thats a promise! 😊 🤙

@@paulnqy Not a bad idea. I guess it would be an option to record the audio separately - but a fair bit of work to make sure it synchs properly. I might just go back to using the VIRB just for the bits that need audio. It captured voice way better for some reason (although it still wasn't great either). Again, cheers for your comments on these videos. They're all always appreciated - as is the offer of those surf lessons. That might have to wait a bit on that though as I'm kind of concentrating on trying to get myself sorted for this winter and don't want to risk doing anything that could set me back again. But yeah, cheers on all counts 👍😁

More than likely - can't remember tbh. There's a much better version of this same chair at kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3PaipilrLOoZs0. Thanks for getting in touch

Thank you man - appreciated 👍

Thanks Michael. As ever, your feedback is much appreciated. Yeah Palandoken was an experience start to finish. No regrets for scratching that itch but it's definitely not a place for doing a full season. That said, I think it's a great choice for beginner/intermediate riders looking for a cheap - and super quiet - week away. As for it being the last video, actually, I'm currently editing a final one - kinda a review of the winter spent there with extra footage that didn't make these ones. Btw, if you get the chance, please do send me your vids from Flaine. I think I said before, it's a resort I've always wanted to ride - and visited many years ago - but we were too skint at the time to buy lift passes so just got drunk and slept in my mate's car. Ah the 'wisdom' of youth eh 😁 Thanks again 👍

@@iRideSkiSnow yes I would recommend flaine , considering no one got much off piste powder days last season in Europe we had a blast staying on piste riding the many tree lined runs which maintained decent snow all week with no icy patches .. I also got to break in my first owned not hired board and boots which is a battalion Goliath all mountain .. my local snowboard shop waxed it perfectly before setting off and I only wished I’d have bought my own board back in 1999 when I went on my first real snow adventure to Nevis range up north 😉after learning on a dry slope in Brum 1995 ish .. blimey I’m gettin old 😁. Any way, love you put Jesus Jones in that vid .. I’m struggling to send my movie as it’s on WhatsApp.. any idea how ? Like you say Palandoken has its good points like night boarding , good lifts ,quiet slopes,CHEAP beer !!! And if you get a good dump you’re gonna be in heaven.👍. Catch u later dude

Thank you 😬

Good point, well made - but, then again, you did get an honorary mention in one previously. Plus there's a season review of the high points coming at some point where you'll undoubtedly make an appearance😁

Cheers Ade - all comments appreciated! Tempted enough to forego La Plagne and try Palandoken? Can't see it somehow😉

Hey Yunus - nasılsın? Erzurum'da ve Dedeman'da herşey yolundadır inşallah 👍

Too long in this video 😂 - but you can book in half hour sessions down at puerto colon

Cheers mate - can't really go far wrong with a little throwback to the 70s/80s eh 😃

unfortunately good music is disturbing better comments, hard to understand 😢

thank you 🙏

Sarakamis and Erciyes are apparently the best places in Turkey - but Sarakamis has trees and I was told normally gets the best snow. I was planning to go there this year but the knees kind of got in the way. If you're heading back next year, let me know when. I reckon I'll be back in Feb at some point. Thanks for the comments on the video btw. Much appreciated. Hope all's good with you too

Thanks man - it was a pleasure to meet you all - and thanks too for the coils 😉. Yep, that time night skiing was really good. I'm just glad you guys had a good time here in what was probably the best snow of the season. Cheers

You're more than welcome Jim. More to the point, thank you for sending it through. Added a great extra perspective from just my incessant rambling 😉. My only regret is I didn't get myself sorted sooner and meet you guys earlier in the week.

@@iRideSkiSnow Next time! Where are you next season? I'm off to France in a few days to get my last slides of the season.

@@jamesrlcarnie next year is way too far away to even consider right now. I'm looking at options but it'll be a while until I decide. For sure, if we can work smth out, it would be great to get up with you. France? You lucky man. Where you headed?

@@iRideSkiSnow Samoens (near Flaines) leaving lunchtime 😁

@james carnie Another resort I've always meant to go to. Spent a night there in a car about 30 years ago but at the time we were too skint to buy lift passes 😂. Likely no need to tell you but it's been dumping down in France this last couple days. You should be getting pretty much the best conditions of the season. Have a good one 👍

Yeah mate - it was mint for a wee bit there - but still in that familiarly Scottish sort of way. Definitely time to get out of here now though before my knee properly buckles or i get a salman-esque fatwa put on my head during ramadan 😂. Experiment over - it's time to get TF outta dodge

@@iRideSkiSnow The good thing with experimenting is now you know! Looking forward to your next updates and possibly a wee video in the summer from Loch Earn?

@@scubadubba for sure on for Loch Earn in summer. We narrowly missed the window last year but yep - will do my best this year. Again, thank you for the offer. I just need to work out what's up with my knee first (next priority) then work on ways to make sure it doesn't happen again. And yeah, you're right about experimenting. I definitely wouldn't do a season here again but Im glad I scratched that itch and tried it. Like you say though, at least now I know. This place is driving me nuts now - so, so ready to get out. This Ramadan thing definitely isn't helping 😂. I'll be in touch mate (y)

@@iRideSkiSnow Just tell me when you are coming over and I will get the red carpet ready, oh and the beers!

@@scubadubba I'm pretty sure this isn't the point of Ramadan but I'm more than ready to get hammered. Thanks mate. Definitely let you know.