Les Arcs

With seven different resort bases to choose from, 200km of local slopes and double that when the rest of the Paradiski is included, it is clear why Les Arcs is a perennial favourite amongst British skiers and snowboarders.

Forecast today: Generally clear

Max temp: -8.1 °c
Min temp: -12.9 °c

Last Updated: Wed 29 Nov

Forecast today: Generally clear

Max temp: -8.1 °c
Min temp: -12.9 °c

Last Updated: Wed 29 Nov

Ski Club offerings

Freshtracks holiday

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This is a Rep resort

Reps

52%Beginner

35%Intermediate

13%Advanced

There is a huge range of runs, from long cruising reds and blues, to steep blacks and some fine tree-lined runs

– a bit of a rarity in this part of the French Alps. A lot of money has been invested in the lift system and it is now pretty slick, with few slow chairs remaining. Keen intermediates upwards should purchase the Paradiski lift pass upgrade to access a further 225km of slopes at neighbouring La Plagne, linked via the double-decker Vanoise Express cable car.

Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities
Advanced
Aprés
Snow
Value

Pros and cons

Varied slopes and access to vast Paradiski area with 425km of pistes
Good resort for families and beginners, particularly Arc 1800
Some excellent woodland runs – ideal for bad weather days
Each resort village is different and lots of good value accommodation on offer

Some of the main runs can get busy, especially in the Arc 2000 bowl
Fairly quiet nightlife, but L’Arpette is great
Upper slopes where the toughest terrain is close in bad weather
Most accommodation is in self-catered apartments, which doesn’t suit all

Skiing and Snowboarding

Each of the village bases offers something different. The traditional villages of Peisey, Vallandry and Villaroger bookend the four purpose-built resort bases – roughly named after the height at which they are located – 1600, 1800, 1950 (the newest) and 2000, all of which offer a huge number of good value apartments and are traffic-free.

The terrain is very varied and unlike many big French resorts, there are some great tree-lined runs to head to in a snowstorm – our favourites are the routes served by the Grizzly chairlift. On a sunny day the Arc 2000 bowl provides some great cruising, whilst the Aiguille Rouge offers some good challenges for advanced and expert skiers, including the epic descent all the way from 3226m down to the small hamlet of Villaroger down at 1200m. Add in the La Plagne ski area and you have access to the world’s second largest linked ski area.

For Beginners

Each of the main Les Arcs villages have a good beginner area and a number of free lifts for learners to use. Just note that here no green runs are marked on the trail map – this is not because everywhere is steeper, but just because the resort only use blue/red/black markers. Progression on to longer runs is good, including the winding Forêt trail down to Vallandry and the gentle blues in the Arc 2000 bowl.

For Intermediates

Les Arcs is an excellent area for intermediates – most of the terrain is accessible and not too steep. If the weather is bad then head to the trees above Vallandry, but otherwise the entire area is within reach. All but the very top of the epic descent to Villaroger is within most intermediate’s grasp, just catch the Lanchettes chair from Arc 2000 and start from the top of there.

Keen intermediates should purchase the Paradiski upgrade to also explore La Plagne.

For Advanced/Expert & Off Piste

The best of the terrain lies above the Arc 2000 bowl, off the Varet Gondola or from the top of the Aiguille Rouge. If the snow is fresh head to the ‘natur’ runs marked on the piste map as these will have been left unpisted – just watch out for any moguls that have been half covered by the new snow as these runs can build some pretty big bumps. Purchasing the Paradiski lift pass upgrade will only increase your options, especially for off piste.

Les Arcs Resort

Each resort town brings its own atmosphere. 1600 and 1800 are the biggest and most lively, with accommodation mostly in the form of good value apartment blocks. The new Mille 8 development at 1800 has made a big difference for families, making this our top choice if you’re heading to Les Arcs with little ones. 1950 is the newest village having been built fifteen years ago and 2000 has great access to the bowl for skiing above. Peisey and Vallandry offer slightly more traditional accommodation and more chalets, all in a quieter, wooded setting.

For Families

Les Arcs is a great choice for families wanting convenience, especially as much of the accommodation is in ski-in-ski-out, self-catering apartments. The new Mille 8 area at 1800 is a great innovation and it has an excellent leisure pool at the base as well as skiing and tobogganing. Arc 1950 has a family-friendly layout and also has a good programme of kids’ activities. Family chalet holidays are mostly available in Peisey and Vallandry.

For Après

The Les Arcs après scene focuses on the legendary L’Arpette Restaurant, which is packed as the lifts close – it has to have one of the finest sunset views anywhere in the Alps. Back in resort, 1800 is the liveliest of the villages and Red Hot Saloon or Chez Boubou are the places to head to if you’re staying there. Après in the other villages is much more laid back, but some decent bars and happy hours can still be found.

Getting There

Chambéry is the closest airport to Les Arcs and private transfers are the best option – the drive takes around an hour and a half. Geneva is further away, with the drive taking around two and a half hours. A great option is to travel by train, catching the Eurostar to the town of Bourg St Maurice in the valley before grabbing a quick bus transfer up to the resort, or the funicular to Arc 1600. Check out the Ski Club’s Guide to travelling to resort by train.

Chambéry airport: 1.5 hours (driving)
Geneva airport: 2.5 hours
Eurostar & TGV from London: 8-10 hours
Calais: approximately 11 hours driving (615 miles)

Ski Pass Prices

Dates for the 2023/24 season are still to be confirmed; the season at Les Arcs typically runs from Mid-December to late April, with connections to the rest of the Paradiski area opening a week later and closing a week earlier to Les Arcs proper.

There are two options – either buy the local Les Arcs pass or upgrade to also cover the Paradiski. We’d recommend the latter for confident intermediates upwards. A season pass covering Les Arcs costs €999 whilst the entire Paradiski pass costs €1150 for an adult. Note that these prices are lowest early and late in the season but may change, so check with the resort’s website for the latest or give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009<

The basic “Classique” ticket gives you access to the slopes, whilst the more expensive “Essentiel” and “Premium” passes provide skiing along with discounts or access to other activities in and around resort.

Category	Day Ticket	3 Days	6 Days
Les Arcs Only
Adult (13-64)	€47 – €73	€163 – €219	€285– €385
Child (5-12)	€46 – €59	€131 – €176	€228 – €308
Senior (65-74)	€46 – €59	€131 – €176	€228 – €308
Paradiski
Adult (13-64)	€57 – €73	€163 – €219	€285 – €385
Child (5-12)	€46 – €59	€131 – €176	€228 – €308
Senior (65-74)	€46 – €59	€131 – €176	€228 – €308

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Resort holidays

Les Arcs

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Top (3179m)

	Wed 29 Nov			Thu 30 Nov			Fri 1 Dec			Sat 2 Dec			Sun 3 Dec			Mon 4 Dec			Tue 5 Dec			Wed 6 Dec			Thu 7 Dec			Fri 8 Dec
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Generally clear	Partly cloudy	Light snow	Snow	Light snow	Light snow	Snow shower	Light snow	Light snow	Snow shower	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Rather cloudy	Rather cloudy	Partly cloudy	Partly cloudy	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Clear skies	Partly cloudy	Occasional snow	Snow grains	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	2.7 cm	7.4 cm	2.8 cm	2.9 cm	3.4 cm	5.1 cm	6.3 cm	3.4 cm	0.2 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.2 cm	0.1 cm	0.3 cm	0.3 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.9 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.6 cm	1.2 cm	6.4 cm	7.7 cm
Max temp	-11.4°c	-10.6°c	-10.2°c	-5°c	-4.8°c	-4.6°c	-6°c	-7.3°c	-9°c	-14.6°c	-15.5°c	-17.7°c	-15.6°c	-15.6°c	-16.9°c	-13.1°c	-13.1°c	-15°c	-12°c	-12°c	-14.2°c	-12.2°c	-12.2°c	-14°c	-10.4°c	-10.4°c	-11.4°c	-10.1°c	-10.1°c	-10.6°c
Min temp	-14.9°c	-11.4°c	-10.6°c	-7.4°c	-5°c	-4.9°c	-7.3°c	-9°c	-11.4°c	-15.7°c	-17.7°c	-19°c	-19°c	-17.5°c	-17.5°c	-16.2°c	-15.1°c	-15.1°c	-14.7°c	-14.2°c	-15°c	-15.1°c	-14.2°c	-14.2°c	-13.6°c	-12.1°c	-12.1°c	-11.7°c	-10.8°c	-10.9°c
Feels like temp	-14.9°c	-11.4°c	-10.6°c	-7.4°c	-5°c	-4.9°c	-6.2°c	-7.3°c	-9°c	-21.6°c	-22.2°c	-24.7°c	-25.7°c	-15.6°c	-17.5°c	-16.2°c	-13.1°c	-15.1°c	-14.7°c	-12°c	-14.2°c	-15.1°c	-12.2°c	-14.2°c	-13.6°c	-10.4°c	-12.1°c	-11.7°c	-10.1°c	-10.8°c