Les Arcs — France

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Les Arcs

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The resort of Les Arcs (Lay zaarc) is actually made up of a number of quite spread out villages, each with unique characteristics. Arc 1600 is linked by funicular railway with Bourg St. Maurice, in the valley (where the snow train arrives) making resort access very swift. Arc 1800 is the largest sector and is itself split into several villages. Arc 2000 is a purposed built altitude resort with some interesting architecture but great access to the highest slopes.

Arc 1950 was built by Intrawest between 2003 and 2008 and has quite a different feel. It is car free and fully ski-in, ski-out. Having been built to honour more traditional styles it's a well designed and a very popular addition to the Les Arcs portfolio.

The Peisey-Vallandry area is sub-divided into various sections and offers great access to the Vanoise Express cable car to La Plagne and therefore the whole Paradiski network. There are a lot of independent British chalet operators in Peiset-Vallandry and some excellent tree-lined pistes which are usually open even in the worst weather.

How to get there

In the heart of the Tarentaise Valley in the Northern French Alps, Les Arcs is accessible from London via train to Bourg-St-Maurice. A funicular from Bourg to Arc 1600 takes just 7 minutes so you can leave Friday night and be skiing first lifts on Saturday morning. Read more >

Where to stay

Les Arcs has something for everyone but it's important to choose the right area for what you want. If you want modern luxury with doorstep skiing head for Arc 1950. If you're a fan of the catered chalet, think about Peisey-Vallandry. For nightlife try Arc 1800 or for good value, and a snow sure village, there's Arc 2000. Read more >

On the piste

Les Arcs boasts an impressive lift network and a logical well-signed ski area that has something for everyone. The resort has always had a pioneer spirit. The short ski or ‘Evolutif’ instruction method was born here and the resort was a Mecca for snowboarders in the early years of the sport. Les Arcs was once home to the famous ‘flying kilometre’ speed run and is now a leader in the latest craze of SpeedRiding (Skiing with a wing). Read more >

Food and drink

Each village has restaurants and bars but the variety depends very much on where you stay. There are usually plenty of local Savoyard dishes to try, such as meat or cheese fondues, tartiflette and raclette. Proper night clubs are few and far between although many bars stay open quite late. If you're looking for a party vibe, Arc 1800 probably has the most to offer. Read more >

Things to do

Les Arcs has plenty of non-skiing activities from spas, gyms and cinemas to husky rides and skidooing depending on how adventurous you are feeling. See the “Things to do” section of the site for more information. Read more >

Families

Les Arcs is well set up to receive kids and each village has a nursery and children's ski school, usually run by the ESF. There are often extra activities put on during the holiday weeks (e.g. Santa Claus, face painting, Easter egg hunts etc). Read more >