La Plagne ski resort originated from an economical need.
The 1960’s witness the decline of the agricultural and mining activities which lead to the desertification of the valley. Villages decided to unite themselves around a common project which was led by Aime’s mayor, Doctor Borrione.
Thus, in 1961, La Plagne was created to boost the economy of the valley through winter sports. Then the future ski resort La Plagne centre opens on December 24th 1961 with two ski tows and four slopes. It encountered immediate success thanks to the ski champion Emile Allais advices. In 1966, Guy Lux (a famous broadcaster) presented his show « Interneige » from La Plagne.
The development of the ski resort starts.
Winter activities, an unlimited dynamism…
Thanks to this both French and international growing interest, new ski resorts will be soon created nearby:
- Aime La Plagne (aka Aime 2000, « Le Paquebot des neiges ») opens in December 1969
- That same year, Champagny joins its ski area to La Plagne
- Montchavin opens in 1972 and will be linked to La Plagne in 1973
- Then La Plagne Villages appears in 1972 followed by La Plagne Bellecôte in 1974
- Montalbert becomes a ski resort in 1980
- That same year, Les Coches ski village hosts its first visitors
- Plagne 1800 was created in 1982 and then Plagne Soleil in 1990
- Belle Plagne (2050m) where you are today opens winter 1980-1981
What about Le Matafan…
That very same year, Le Matafan restaurant, situated in the Agathe residence (it will then be transferred to our actual location) gets involved in the creation of the ski resort and its businesses with the first owners Dominique and Alain Cressend.
In our current premises, in the early 80’s the restaurant has been called « Le Vieux Tyrol », then « Chez Moustache » and finally in 1997, it became « Le Matafan » named which is now linked to the history of Belle Plagne.
