PlanetSKI With La Plagne At the Westway Climbing Wall in London
15th October 2026
We go to many industry events at this time of year to hear what is new at resorts for the coming season, what the trends are and simply to have fun, network and savour the approaching ski season. NEW
Last night it was a pleasure to be back to one of our old stomping grounds.
25 years ago we just called it The Westway now it is The Westway Sports and Fitness Centre and was the scene for the winter launch event for the resort most popular with the Brits – La Plagne.
La Plagne Winter Launch 2026/27. Image © PlanetSKI
The main attraction was World Ice Climbing Champion, Louna Ladevant, who is an ambassador for the resort and a local.
Here he is on a 7A:
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And study his skill and athleticism on a 7B+:
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Back in the day (over 20 years ago) the PlanetSKI content editor, James Cove, worked round the corner at BBC Television Centre.
He came here three times a week, and in the winter took skills learnt out to the ice.
Ice climbing, Verbier, 2007. Image © PlanetSKI
Ice climbing, Verbier, 2007. Image © PlanetSKI
Ice climbing, Saas-Fee, 2007. Image © PlanetSKI
So, what about La Plagne for next winter?
It’s famous red bobble hat logo is getting a revamp as it turns 60 years old.
In 1966, La Plagne took part in Interneige, the winter version of a French TV game show similar to the British “It’s A Knockout”.
Television was still black and white, so La Plagne needed a simple logo that viewers could instantly recognise.
Graphic designer Mathieu Diesse produced the Red Hat.
La Plagne won the competition and kept its new lucky charm.
Sixty years later, the Red Hat is getting a makeover.
La Plagne Winter Launch 2026/27. Image © PlanetSKI
It will change hats, acquire different expressions and become animated as part of La Plagne’s new visual identity.
La Plagne Winter Launch 2026/27. Image © PlanetSKI
La Plagne Winter Launch 2026/27. Image © PlanetSKI
La Plagne recorded 2.7 million skier days during winter 2025/26, which the resort says makes it the number one ski destination in the world by skier days sold.
Brits are still the number one overseas guest visitors and this winter the season runs from 12th December 2026 – 24th April 2027.
New For Next Winter:
- La Plagne will be one of just three ski resorts testing PRINOTH’s new 100% electric piste basher
- 80% of the warning banners are being removed from the pistes
- Enforcement of France’s smoking ban is being stepped up
- A new overnight train will bring skiers from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels
- The bobsleigh track built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics is getting ready to do it all again in 2030 with improvements for the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton athletes.
La Plagne comprises 11 sites, all with different characteristics.
Seven of these sit between 1,800-2,050 metres and were built from scratch between the 1960s and 1990s.
Four of these are more traditional villages at an altitude of 1,250 metres, that existed before the ski area was created.
Think wood-and-stone chalets, small residences, and farms surrounded by trees and clearings.
Along with 225 km of pistes (60% of which are easy greens and cruisy blues) guests can also try the Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track, plus ice climbing tower.
In addition, alight a horse-drawn sleigh, board a sled pulled by huskies, jump off the mountain in a tandem paraglide, sink into a hot tub at the spa, or give Nordic skiing a go.
On a bigger scale, La Plagne is part of the renowned Paradiski area, home to 425 km of skiing with Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry.
We will be bringing you a full update on La Plagne shortly and reporter Simon Wilson will be visiting La Plagne in early December.
Do check back…
Related Articles:
- New Spring event for La Plagne
- Ice climbing World Cup in La Plagne
- VIP SKI heads back to La Plagne
- Paradiski turns 20 years old
La Plagne Winter Launch 2026/27. Image © PlanetSKI
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