Dilemma 4 (A): Balancing capacity, demand and risk in
tourism operations
Introduction
The visitor destination will be given in the following chapter, followed by a discussion of each
pull element to help explain why this is such a popular place, and finally, an explanation of
how overtourism is affecting the destination and its stakeholders.
La Plagne ski resort is positioned high above the villages of Aime and Champagny en Vanoise
in the legendary Tarentaise valley in the French Alps. By road, Champagny is only 19
kilometers (25 minutes) east of Moûtiers, the nearest large town. Plagne Centre, the major
resort community, located 34 kilometers (1 hour) east of Moutiers, over a tortuous 24-
hairpin bend road that is 'white knuckle' driving when a steady stream of approaching buses
is speeding down the hill (Powderhounds, 2020).
The Tarentaise valley in France is home to several big ski resorts, including La Plagne. La
Plagne, one of the most popular ski resorts in the world (based on visitor numbers), appeals
to a wide range of skiers and snowboarders who enjoy limitless on-piste trails. The 'double-
decker' Vanoise Express cable car connects it to Les Arcs, forming the massive Paradiski area,
which adds to its allure. From valley to mountain, there should be something to suit
everyone's preferences and needs (Powderhounds, 2020).
La Plagne is a ski resort with colossal proportions. With almost 225 kilometers of piste trails,
2,250 meters of skiable vertical, 76 lifts, a longest run of over 10 kilometers, and a diverse
range of off-piste terrain, the link to Les Arcs appears to be more of a publicity stunt than a
required extension of the ski area.
The fact that roughly 60% of on-piste slopes are rated as beginner gives a true picture of
skiing in La Plagne. There are a lot of low-angle, long groomers, and they're usually packed.
Because of this, the mountain is often unfriendly to snowboarders. But there's a reason it's
so popular. The ski lifts are reliable, there are numerous communities to visit on skis, and
there are a few excellent groomed slopes with names like Kamikaze. Another plus in the ski
region is the numerous ski trails below the tree line, which allow for safe skiing during
storms and limited visibility, which are lacking in many French ski resorts (Powderhounds,
2020).
tourism operations
Introduction
The visitor destination will be given in the following chapter, followed by a discussion of each
pull element to help explain why this is such a popular place, and finally, an explanation of
how overtourism is affecting the destination and its stakeholders.
La Plagne ski resort is positioned high above the villages of Aime and Champagny en Vanoise
in the legendary Tarentaise valley in the French Alps. By road, Champagny is only 19
kilometers (25 minutes) east of Moûtiers, the nearest large town. Plagne Centre, the major
resort community, located 34 kilometers (1 hour) east of Moutiers, over a tortuous 24-
hairpin bend road that is 'white knuckle' driving when a steady stream of approaching buses
is speeding down the hill (Powderhounds, 2020).
The Tarentaise valley in France is home to several big ski resorts, including La Plagne. La
Plagne, one of the most popular ski resorts in the world (based on visitor numbers), appeals
to a wide range of skiers and snowboarders who enjoy limitless on-piste trails. The 'double-
decker' Vanoise Express cable car connects it to Les Arcs, forming the massive Paradiski area,
which adds to its allure. From valley to mountain, there should be something to suit
everyone's preferences and needs (Powderhounds, 2020).
La Plagne is a ski resort with colossal proportions. With almost 225 kilometers of piste trails,
2,250 meters of skiable vertical, 76 lifts, a longest run of over 10 kilometers, and a diverse
range of off-piste terrain, the link to Les Arcs appears to be more of a publicity stunt than a
required extension of the ski area.
The fact that roughly 60% of on-piste slopes are rated as beginner gives a true picture of
skiing in La Plagne. There are a lot of low-angle, long groomers, and they're usually packed.
Because of this, the mountain is often unfriendly to snowboarders. But there's a reason it's
so popular. The ski lifts are reliable, there are numerous communities to visit on skis, and
there are a few excellent groomed slopes with names like Kamikaze. Another plus in the ski
region is the numerous ski trails below the tree line, which allow for safe skiing during
storms and limited visibility, which are lacking in many French ski resorts (Powderhounds,
2020).
