Bobsleigh
Thrills and adrenaline in bobsleigh in La Plagne
Looking for a truly out-of-the-ordinary activity for your winter mountain holiday? Try bobsleigh in La Plagne, the only resort in France (and one of very few in Europe) to offer this Olympic discipline to the general public. On the famous La Plagne Olympic track, enjoy a unique moment combining speed, thrills and elite-level sport.
A bobsleigh descent means 19 corners at full speed, an unmatched rush of adrenaline and a memory etched in for life. Accessible to everyone from age 14, this activity is ideal for thrill-seekers, the curious and winter-sports enthusiasts in search of a brand new experience.
The origins: a sport from Switzerland
Bobsleigh was born in Switzerland at the end of the 19th century, in the resort of St Moritz. Originally, it was a question of sleds modified to go faster and carry several passengers. Soon, purpose-built tracks appeared, with banked corners and complex layouts.
Bobsleigh became an official Olympic sport as early as 1924, at the very first Winter Games in Chamonix. First practised as four-man, then as two-man, it established itself as a discipline of speed and precision, demanding pinpoint piloting and perfect coordination between the crew.
A mountain heritage in La Plagne
Long before the legendary Olympic track was built, the La Plagne old-timers were already practising bobsleigh… on the road! In the 1960s and 70s, La Plagne’s most daring locals tore down the resort’s roads on home-made sleds mounted on wheels, in a friendly, sporty… and at times slightly mad atmosphere. This taste for speed and the gliding spirit is now an integral part of the resort’s DNA.
In 1990, this passion took a historic turn with the creation of the only bobsleigh track in France, built for the Albertville 1992 Olympic Games. Since then, La Plagne has become a world reference, blending local tradition, international competition and descents open to the public.
The La Plagne Olympic bobsleigh track: a unique site in France
Built for the Albertville 1992 Olympic Games, the La Plagne bobsleigh track is the only one in France, and one of very few in the world still open to the public. Stretching 1,500 metres long, it features 19 corners and reaches a maximum gradient of 14.5%. It is a monument of sliding sports and a true gem for thrill-seekers.
Today, this track is not just for elite athletes. It welcomes thousands of holidaymakers each year coming to try bobsleigh open to the public in La Plagne, with various packages depending on the level of intensity sought.
The different bobsleigh descents in La Plagne
🔹 Bob Raft: a fun first taste
The bob raft is a self-guided, self-braking sled, accommodating up to 4 people. It is the ideal way to discover the sensations of bobsleigh in complete safety, without a professional pilot. Open to anyone aged 14 and over, this activity is perfect for an outing with friends or family.
👉 Speed: up to 80 km/h
👉 Advantage: no pilot needed, excellent stability
👉 Sensation: fun, fast and accessible to all
🔹 Speed Luge: solo adrenaline
The speed luge is a solo descent, lying on your back in a streamlined sled. You sit just above the ice, as close to the track as possible, for an intensified sense of speed.
👉 Speed: up to 90 km/h
👉 Advantage: solo format, unique sensation
👉 Sensation: intense, sporty, deeply immersive
🔹 Bob Racing: with a professional pilot
This is the most spectacular descent! You climb into a genuine racing bobsleigh with a professional pilot. On board, you reach speeds of up to 120 km/h, with G-forces comparable to a Formula 1 car (up to 3G).
👉 Speed: up to 120 km/h
👉 Advantage: an authentic piloted bobsleigh
👉 Sensation: extreme, technical, ultra-realistic
An anecdote: when the Jamaicans inspired La Plagne
In 1993, in the wake of the famous film Cool Runnings, which tells the (true) story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team, a group of British holidaymakers tried to recreate the feat at La Plagne. With no experience but plenty of enthusiasm, they entered an amateur team in a friendly race on the track. The result: a memorable descent, a few bumps, but above all a great deal of laughter! Ever since, the “tropical bob” has become a local legend, and the resort hosts still love to tell the story to visitors.
La Plagne, a land of bobsleigh and competition
Beyond its tourist activity, La Plagne is a leading venue for competitive bobsleigh. The Olympic track regularly hosts:
- International competitions: European Cup, national championships…
- Training camps for the French national bobsleigh and skeleton teams
- University and military events
The track has been the venue for many top-level performances and remains a training centre recognised on a global scale.
Savoyard and French bobsleigh athletes
Savoie has seen the rise of several leading names in French bobsleigh. Among them:
🛷 Loïc Costerg
From the region, he represented France at several Winter Olympic Games (Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018, Beijing 2022). He has won several national titles and posted top-10 finishes on the World Cup.
🛷 Romain Heinrich
Also a member of the French team, he has long formed a formidable duo with Costerg. Together they have helped raise France’s profile in a discipline often dominated by Germanic and North American nations.
These athletes have regularly highlighted the importance of La Plagne in their development and careers, thanks to the Olympic track and the local support.
🛷 Margot Boch, a pioneer of women’s bobsleigh in France
From La Plagne, Margot Boch is an iconic figure in the renewal of French women’s bobsleigh. From a family passionate about gliding sports (her father Bruno Boch was himself a bobsledder), she rose to prominence as the first French woman to represent France in women’s bobsleigh at the Olympic Games, at Beijing 2022. Trained on the La Plagne Olympic track, where she trains regularly, Margot embodies determination, discipline and boldness. Her aim: to lift France into the leading nations of women’s bobsleigh, and to inspire a new generation of athletes.
Why rent a chalet in La Plagne to enjoy bobsleigh?
To make the most of this unique activity, renting a chalet in La Plagne offers an ideal setting:
Close to the Olympic track
Some chalets to rent in La Plagne are just minutes from the bobsleigh track. No need for a car: shuttles or short walks are enough.
Comfort after the effort
After a 120 km/h descent, what could be better than a relaxing moment in a private jacuzzi, a lounge with fireplace or a spa with sauna? The chalets selected by Pointe de Sel are designed to offer rest and comfort after high-octane thrills.
A friendly atmosphere
A chalet with family or friends is the perfect place to share the bobsleigh experience, host a memorable evening and enjoy meals delivered or prepared by a private chef.
A bespoke holiday
Pointe de Sel guides you in arranging a complete experience around bobsleigh: booking the descents, transport, complementary activities (skiing, snowshoeing, husky sledding…), concierge services and more.
In conclusion
Bobsleigh in La Plagne is a must-do activity for an out-of-the-ordinary moment in the mountains. Whether you go for a bob raft descent, a speed luge or the full thrill of bob racing, the emotion is guaranteed. In an exceptional setting, on the only Olympic track in France, this adventure will leave you with a lasting memory.
And to make the most of it, there is nothing quite like renting a chalet in La Plagne: comfort, immersion, flexibility and a warm atmosphere all come together. So, ready to step into the world of bobsleigh?
