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Les Arcs Ski Resort
Les Arcs came to be in 1968 after a group of ski instructors and architects dreamt up a resort with all the perks of a village but a mountainside location. It grew into one of the largest, most incredible ski areas in the Alps. The closest airport is Chambery with a transfer time of a couple of hours, plus transport links from Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble.
Present-day Les Arcs consists of four main purpose built villages. The original resort, Arc 1600, was created for doorstep skiing and is linked by a funicular from Bourg St Maurice which only takes 7 minutes!
Arc 1800 lies to the east as you look up the mountain and is quite the contrast to 1600, with a far livelier atmosphere. It has a terrific mix of runs, making it ideal for mixed ability groups. The village is also home to the Mille 8 area with fun runs, an aquatic centre and luge.
Continuing in height order, Arc 1950's the newest of the lot. It was built by the Canadian company Intrawest (the brains behind Whistler's architecture) and contains luxurious apartments fashioned in North American style (so not your typical French resort - some liken it to Disneyland!).
Arc 2000 is the highest village, sitting at the bottom of the mammoth Aiguille Rouge peak. It's not the prettiest or the liveliest of its resort siblings, but the altitude makes sure you're best placed to get the freshest snow.
Outside the main options, Villaroger lies at 1200m to the west and is a quiet little alternative. There are also 5 smaller resorts in Peisey-Vallandry to the east.
The Vanoise Express cable car's introduction in 2003 has revolutionised the region by opening up the whole Paradiski area. If Les Arcs is enough for you, get the Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry lift pass covering the local slopes, but if you want to venture far and wide, the Paradiski Unlimited pass grants access to a socking great 425km of piste shared with La Plagne. This is the second biggest linked ski area in the world, and you'd be hard-pressed to find another that suits such a massive mix of skiing and snowboarding levels.
Stats & FAQ
Location: France, Alps
Established: 1968
Open: December - April
Downhill: 200km
View our detailed Les Arcs snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Les Arcs snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Chambéry (CMF) | 134km, 2 hrs |
| Geneva (GVA) | 215km, 3 hrs |
| Lyon (LYS) | 212km, 2 hrs 30 |
| Grenoble (GNB) | 207km, 2 hrs 30 |
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| Top Altitude: | 3226m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1200m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1600m - 2100m |
| Longest run: | 7km |
| Slope Orientation: | N S E W |
| Vertical Drop: | |
| Skiable Vertical: | 2,026m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | Yes |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 200km |
| Beginner slopes: | 52% |
| Intermediate: | 34% |
| Advanced slopes: | 14% |
| Lift Pass Price: | €315 (adult 6 day Paradiski area pass) €276 (adult 6 day Les Arcs local pass) |
| Nearby resorts: La Plagne, La Rosiere, Tignes, Val d'Isere | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Les Arcs
As you'd expect from one of the biggest ski areas on the planet, there's everything from gorgeous tree-lined runs to wild, white-knuckle off-piste. For beginners, each of the 3 main Arcs has 'ski tranquille' zone, and the wide beginner runs leading to the resort have gentle gradients perfect for practising. Local instructors are on hand to show you the ropes, with ski schools based in each of the main villages (1800 has the most). There are magic carpet lifts at 1800 and 2000 - an easy way for newbies to get up the slopes without tackling button lifts. A number of the easiest runs are served by free beginner lifts, including a short one at the bottom of Arc 1800 - so you might be able to save some pennies and hold off buying a ski pass until your instructor deems you ready.
The Peisey Vallandry areas are better suited for intermediates. It has gorgeously groomed pistes, tree-lined skiing, and generally quiet so you can really work up a rhythm and let your skis/board do the work for you. The run to Villaroger is brilliant for slightly more confident intermediates, and Plan des Eaux and Plagnettes are old-school, wide, cruisey runs to get carving on.
For confident SNO lovers, the lower part of the Aiguille Rouge-Villaroger is a super run to start on with remarkably varying terrain. There's some really nice out-of-the-way piste on the backside, towards Villaroger. Try out the Dou d'Homme if you want to practice your mogul handling. The off-piste options are fabulously extensive on the back of the Bellecote glacier down to the Nancroix valley. If you're a speed freak, Les Arcs is also home to the Trail KL, a famous piste for speed skiing. If you want to follow a local guide's lead, there are all kinds of on and off-piste tours.
The snowpark near 1600 has bundles of brilliant features for skiers and snowboarders, including kickers, rails, boxes and a mini pipe - more than enough to keep all levels of freestylers, and spectators, entertained.
Ski tourers can enjoy the 2.5km La Trace Des Arcs track from Arcs 1600 and cross country skiers have 44km of tracks in Peisey-Vallandry.
Les Arcs Apres Ski
If you're looking for a party, Arc 1800 is the place to be. With heaps of watering holes like the Red Hot Saloon (or the 'Red Bar' to use local lingo), Benji's and La Folie Douce. If you're looking for more of a French-style après spot, Ambiente Cafe has a really cool atmosphere and lots of nice cocktails (happy hour usually starts at 4) while Le club 1950 your venue if you're looking to party into the wee hours. Arc 1600's a little quieter but for good music and a scenic terrace check out Les 2 Têtes.
In terms of places to eat, Arc 1800 again comes up trumps. Le Laurus is loved for its delicious range of mountain classics (try their tartiflette). When it comes to fine dining, the master behind L'Atelier d'Eric is Eric Samson who already has 2 Michelin stars. In Arc 1600, Chalet de L'Arcelle has an indulgent a la carte menu and Le 1934 rooftop restaurant in 2000 whips up a cracking champagne fondue. Up the mountain, Le Bulle Cafe in 2000 serves large, cheap pizzas.
Les Arcs has some exciting activities such as snow golf and ski-joering, the art of being pulled behind a horse on skis and dog sledding. Sightseeing helicopter tours and heliskiing/heliboarding trips to La Rosiere or La Thuile are available, showing off the peaks' best views. Arc 1800 has over half the shops in the resort, and 1950 has several boutiques and gift shops to pick up a souvenir or two. 1800 is also where you'll find bowling at the Station Lounge and the Aquatic Centre with its fun pool, waterfall, caves and wellness centre - spot on for a bad weather day or just an afternoon without skis. If your ideal apres-ski is simply more skiing, you'll be glad to hear there is floodlit skiing with the Cabanes piste every evening.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Les Arcs
Best time to visit & ski Les Arcs
The ski season here runs between December and April and sees some of the best snow conditions in the Alps. 70% of the ski area sits between 2000m and 3250m, and the snowmaking system is far-reaching and state of the art. Most of the local slopes are north-facing, meaning they escape the heat of the springtime sunshine. You've also got runs streaming in every other direction across the mighty Paradiski. We always recommend Les Arcs for travellers heading out at the very beginning or end of the ski season, as it tends to get good early coverage and holds onto the snow well into the spring. If you're looking for the most amazing snow, January and February generally get the best - just make sure that you wrap up warm as temperatures can be very nippy!
Event-wise, early December has seen the Les Arcs European Film Festival in recent years. Christmas and New Year's Eve are always fantastic fun with plenty of amazing activities to get stuck into. March and April usually see some weird and wonderful happenings as the season nears its end. The Great British Celebration, usually held for a week at the end of March, is to remind its British guests that in or out of the EU, they're still a big part of Les Arcs life. The Star Trail is an 11km running race on snow at night, usually held in March. The ski season ends with a range of entertainment in April including snow golf competition and ski waterslides.
Peak Dates
Christmas in Les Arcs is brilliant and there’s plenty going on to keep the whole family happy. The torch-lit descent by some of the local ski instructors is not be missed - make sure you keep warm by sampling some of the gorgeous mulled wine! On recent years, the tourist office has been able to arrange for Santa to visit your chalet. Les Arcs Christmas ski holidays ‣
New Year in Les Arcs is a really fun affair. Partygoers should head to 1800 and party the night away. For families, there’s usually a bouncy castle and kids entertainment that children will love. Les Arcs New Year ski holidays ‣
There’s plenty to offer in Les Arcs at half term. You’ll find loads of activities like ski-Joering and ice skating to keep everyone entertained and the snow is usually at its peak around this time of year, perfect! Les Arcs Half Term ski holidays ‣
The North facing slopes ensure that Easter in Les Arcs comes with some of the best snow conditions in the Alps. There’s a load to do, from Easter egg-hunting to husky sledding and tobogganing to make sure you have a really terrific Easter. Les Arcs Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Les Arcs
Les Arcs has plenty to do to keep parents and children of any age grinning. There’s a beginner area that’s a treat for kids to learn on at Arc 1800, complete with magic carpets as well as some family-friendly runs for everyone to enjoy together. Aside from the skiing, there are all kinds of activities including husky rides which the whole clan will love.
If you’re planning on coming over the school holidays for Christmas and New Year, look out for the spectacular torch-lit descents and other festive activities – and book early as the best family accommodation gets snapped up fast for peak dates. Guest staying at the all-inclusive Club Med Arc Panorama will be well looked after over the school holidays.
Hotel La Cachette is a brilliant family accommodation option, offering doorstep skiing and so ensuring that you avoid juggling everyone's equipment to and from lifts each day. Our catered chalets are also fantastic for families as all the cooking and cleaning is taken care of by your host, leaving you to have some quality family time. We love Chalet Tetra as a brilliant ski in-ski out family chalet. If you don’t mind doing a bit of cooking and you’re looking for cheap family accommodation, have a browse through our range of self-catered apartments or, for a bigger property with more facilities, ask us about family hotels with onsite childcare facilities.
GroupsGroup Holidays Les Arcs
Good news for groups great and small: we have multiple accommodations across the Les Arcs to make sure all manner of groups are catered for. The four major resorts are all linked by bus as well as the lift and piste network, giving everyone a great chance to get about and explore.
Thanks to the marvellous Paradiski, the mountain here serves all abilities amazingly and includes terrain from open groomed pistes to sheltered, tree-lined runs. Non-skiers have plenty of things to keep entertained, including snowshoeing, swimming and even shopping. If you’re a bunch of chums looking to party then choose one of our holidays in lively Arc 1800.
Chalets are a great choice for groups, especially if you have the right number of people to bag one for sole occupancy, which gives you the whole place to yourselves. If you aren’t sure of your numbers then booking into one of our fabulous hotels will ensure that latecomers have the best chance of getting into the same accommodation as you. Alternatively, an apartment is excellent if you aren’t concerned about having meals provided and gives groups the flexibility to eat out and cook as you please.
Which are the best ski holidays in Les Arcs?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Club Med Les Arcs Panorama | 3 | £ 657 |
| Club Med Peisey-Vallandry | 3 | £ 724 |
| Chalet Oksana | 7 | £ 836 |
| Chalet Solomia | 7 | £ 836 |
| Chalet Nadyia | 7 | £ 836 |
| Chalet Anne | 7 | £ 896 |
| Hotel Eden | 7 | £ 916 |
| Hotel Mélèzes (Arc 2000) | 7 | £ 1038 |
| Altezza Hotel and Spa | 7 | £ 1101 |
| Hotel La Cachette (Arc 1600) | 7 | £ 1378 |
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