Riding the Olympic bobsleigh track

On 20 February 1993—just a year after the Albertville Games—the La Plagne Olympic track opened to the public, the first in France to host guided runs for non-licensed riders. Stretching 1,507 m with 19 numbered turns from a 1,680 m start, this ammonia-cooled concrete channel drops to La Roche in the Tarentaise. Expect 80 km/h in a bob raft, and well over 110 km/h in a piloted sled, with real G-loads through the S of La Roche and that shudder everyone talks about in Turn 15.

Collected from your hotel in Plagne Centre or Plagne 1800, you ride in a Mercedes V-Class with gear space sorted and timing dialed. It’s a smooth 12-minute transfer via the D221 to La Roche for kit check, safety brief, then the run. While you warm up with the included hot drink, your driver keeps the car ready and the clock on your side, with optional add-ons—charcuterie stop in Aime (8 km) for persillé de Savoie or a quick photo pause by Pont de la Glaize—before an unrushed return.