La Plagne, France. | Picture: La Plagne Facebook Page
New out of the French Alps broke on Tuesday that Compagnie des Alpes will continue running La Plagne, one of the world’s largest ski resort, after local authorities selected its bid for a new 25-year operating contract. The decision, announced November 25, follows a competitive tender process overseen by the Syndicat Intercommunal de la Grande Plagne, the public entity that manages the resort.
The agreement gives the company’s subsidiary, Société d’Aménagement de La Plagne, responsibility for the ski area through 2052. According to the company, the deal represents roughly €5 billion in projected revenue over its full term, nearly doubling Compagnie des Alpes’ existing long-term contract portfolio.
La Plagne draws more than 2.6 million skier visits each winter and spans 11 interconnected village bases across three municipalities in France’s Tarentaise Valley, making it one of the most visited and expansive ski areas on Earth. The resort includes 225 kilometers of trails, 95 lifts, and a high percentage of terrain above 2,000 meters, offering reliable snow cover. It is also linked to Les Arcs via the Vanoise Express, creating one of the largest combined ski domains in Europe.
In public remarks, Compagnie des Alpes CEO Dominique Thillaud said the selection reflects decades of work by the company’s teams and partners. He added that the renewed agreement aligns with the group’s strategy to remain a major operator in the European mountain industry.
The new contract also includes responsibility for La Plagne’s shuttle system and its Olympic bobsleigh track. According to the company, the winning proposal emphasizes modernization, environmental planning, and long-term mountain-town partnerships. SAP worked with several local organizations on its bid, including the La Plagne ESF ski school for slalom course operations and regional transport companies for shuttle services.
Compagnie des Alpes leaders said the contract offers stability for the resort and maintains a long relationship between the company and La Plagne, which SAP has operated since its creation in the 1960s. The group said the renewed partnership supports future development while preserving the resort’s identity and the needs of local communities.
The new operating agreement will take effect June 11, 2027, immediately after the current contract expires.
La Plagne trail map. | Photo: skifamille.co.uk