Les Arcs Ski Resort, France

Overview of Les Arcs

Les Arcs forms part of the Paradiski ski area which also includes La Plagne and Peisey-Vallandry. Lovers of Les Arcs ski resort may have many superlatives to describe it, but one that everyone will agree on is definitely “unique”. This applies to everything from the unique design of the four high-altitude villages, Arcs 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000, to the resort’s eco-credentials. These include a funicular linking Arc 1600 to the town of Bourg Saint Maurice at the bottom of the mountain.

Described as a “time-capsule of imaginative Modernist Seventies architecture,” Les Arcs accommodation includes sloping corridors, staggered balconies and buildings that curve in sympathy with the mountains. Arc 1950, built only a few years ago by American company Intrawest, has been described as an alpine Disneyland, offering a large choice of luxury residences and doorstep skiing. For Les Arcs we offer top ski apartments, as well as chalets and hotels. You can see suggestions split by accommodation type further below.

Les Arcs skiing too is pretty unique for its unusually well-proportioned mix of slopes and varied terrain, plus it's easy to reach off-piste, making it a perfect option for a mixed ability group ski holiday. Les Arcs chalets are modern apartments in most cases although there are a few beautiful old converted farmhouses to snap up as well. If you’re after nightlife, Arc 1800 bucks the trend with plenty of parties to choose from, but you will also find a good choice of bars in all the villages. All in all, a Les Arcs ski holiday makes a fantastic choice for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary, especially if you have a thing for Seventies architecture.

Learn more about Paradiski Ski area, or keep reading to learn more about this resort and why to go on a Les Arcs ski holiday.

3 Things We Love About Les Arcs

1. One half of the vast Paradiski area, with 425km of piste linked by the fast Vanoise Express chairlift.
2. Known for everything from wooded beginner runs to high-altitude skiing, variety is the key to the enduring popularity of Les Arcs.
3. Good option for freeskiers and snowboarders with its large, with plenty of jumps and rails.

Skiing and Boarding in Les Arcs

Everyone from beginners to free-riders sing the praises of Les Arcs. The quality of the pistes, as well as the snow and lift system, are hard to beat. Beginner terrain can be found in all four villages and although there are not many green runs, there are plenty of simple blues to get you going.

The best are above Arc 1800 under the Charmettoger chair or build up your confidence over the nice long Vallée de l’Arc. If you’re staying in 1950 or 2000, head for the runs under the Plagnettes chair. For intermediates, Les Arcs is your oyster – every lift has at least one (and in a lot of cases 3 or 4) intermediate trails leading from the top and daily grooming maps are available so you can take your pick of the lovely smooth corduroy.

Vallandry is the best area for building speed and confidence, but you’ll also find good reds around 1800, check out Froide Fontaine and Carreley for thrills and spills. If it’s the distance you’re after, the 7km run from the top of the glacier down to the village of Villaroger will get those thigh’s burning and it's lovely and powdery at the bottom after a good snowfall.

Les Arcs skiing also boasts free-riding terrain so good that the large Apocalypse snowpark, fast boardercross and half-pipes on offer stay relatively uncrowded.

Advanced skiers should tackle the steepest run in the resort, Robert Blanc, a challenging bumpy black. If your knees can take it, one of the longest and hardest technical mogul runs can be found left of the TC Du Varet gondola up in Arc 2000 or ride the deep powder in the open bowl left of the Transarc cable car.

Lift Passes in Les Arcs

Les Arcs and La Plagne both sell two types of lift pass. As the areas are connected you can either buy a local area lift pass for each or a full area pass for your stay where you can venture between areas as often as you would like.

The local area pass is ideal for beginners as each area covers a huge range of terrain and they each provide ample area to explore. Most intermediate and advanced skiers will be content with a local area pass as each area contains more than enough runs to keep even advanced skiers happy for a week.

For those who want complete freedom over the area, the full area pass is perfect. With this, you can cover as many pistes as possible and go from each area as often as you would like.

The Epic Pass

Activities in Les Arcs

Les Arcs ski resort benefits from an array of leisure options away from the skiing. Here are some options.

• Grotte de Glass - An ice cave situated at the top of the Arcabulle lift. It has sculptures and carvings of ice with a different theme each season.
• Rodeo Park - This is a toboggan ride on a track cut into the mountain where you can race your friends over a 3000 metres descent.
• Natural Ice Waterfall - Situated on the way down to Villaroger a natural waterfall which freezes over the winter and people love taking pictures of the beautiful formations.
• Huskies - In 1800, 1950 and 2000 there are huskies which are available for sledge rides along set routes. You can choose between different variations of trips and even get the deluxe option including champagne en route.
• Skidoos - For all the adrenaline junkies who would love to experience riding on the snow bike. Skidoos are available to hire in the evening once the pistes close for a fun-packed adventure on the mountain.
• Ski joeuring - For all horse lovers or for anyone who would love to experience this unusual, yet traditional form of skiing, there is ski joeuring. This involves being pulled around an arena by a horse whilst on skis.
• Parapenting - To see the mountains from a different viewpoint, try parapenting- descending the mountain both by ski and by parachute.
• Bowling - There are bowling alleys in both 1800 and 2000.
• Heritage sight-seeing - Architectural and historical walks around Bourg St. Maurice.
• Ice Skating

Après Ski in Les Arcs

• The Crazy Fox - Best for just after the mountains with the cheapest happy hour in town from 5:30 - 6:30.
• Whistlers Dream - The liveliest of all bars in 2000, usually sporting live bands for apres and themed nights.
• El Latino Loco’s - The only nightclub in the resort which plays deep house music until the very early hours of the morning.
• Bar King Mad (BKM) - Serves great food with very generous portions. BKM is the favourite amongst seasonnaires.
• Red Hot Saloon - Another seasonnaire nightspot that shares a terrace with BKM. A fun place to hang out and have a boogie.
• Club 73 - This nightclub in 1800 plays non-stop party tunes until the early hours.
• Arpette - This is a mountain restaurant and après bar. DJs play until 5:30 every day and boasts a highly entertaining atmosphere with people dancing on tables getting very loose and squiffy. The restaurant also has a mountain meal every Wednesday straight after the DJ finishes then ski down with mountain rescue after your raclette or fondue on floodlit pistes. Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.
• Chez Bou Bous - Cheapest Beer in town: Chez Bou Bou at happy hour.

Places to Eat in Les Arcs

If you ski Les Arcs, you needn’t worry about where to stop for lunch as most sectors have at least one lovely (and reasonably priced) establishment to tempt you.

• Refuge Gourmand - A quaint restaurant situated by the button lift which serves amazing food from traditional mountain dishes to quick and easy snacks.
• Chez Eux - A traditional restaurant in the main square of 2000, which offers a large selection of food from the Savoyarde specialities to burgers, pasta and grills.
• Lolitta - A relaxed pizzeria which serves a wide selection of toppings, all freshly made so you can watch while you wait. Either eat in or take away.
• La Marmite - For a great night out with friends and families, this french restaurant is in the heart of Villards. One can enjoy simple and carefully prepared traditional cooking and savoy specialities.
• La Cabane des Neiges - Only open for evening service, serving exceptional south-west and Savoyarde specialities.
• Popote - Amazing street food style burgers. You can eat out on the shared terrace in the upper end of Villards.
• Escale Gourmande - Serving a great range of tasty food including Savoyard, snails, frogs legs.
• Bar King Mad – Great burgers, nachos and a wide range of western-style food.
• Voga Goga - A great sunny spot by the top of the Dahu lift, great for lunch and dinner. Serving a wide range of food including a Savoyard all you can eat buffet on a Tuesday evening.
• Miam corner - A lovely piste-side café, great during the day for crepes, big coffees and snack style food.

Family Facilities

• Nannies? - Available but very difficult to book on the week required. It's advisable to have this arranged before you come to the resort.
• In-resort crech? - Yes but again very difficult to book on the week required. It's advisable to have this arranged before guests come to resort.
• Tips for families - Villards gondola is open until 7 pm everyday so perfect for some easy early night skiing. Also, get on the Rodeo sledging piste, it’s a hoot! The ice grotto at the top of the Arcabulle chair is also worth a visit.