Les Arcs

Overview

The villages are aptly named by their height, each village has a different feel, so make sure you take time to consider them all before booking your skiing holiday. There is a direct funicular access from the valley floor to some of the sub-Arc villages. Arc 1600 is relaxed and full of catered and self-catered ski chalets with lots of idyllic snowy tree runs. Arc 1800 is where all the après action is at with a selection of a bars and a vibrant nightclub. Arc 2000 skiing holidays offer a wealth of doorstep skiing and access to amazing terrain for serious skiers. It also has some bars for the post ski pint and live music. Arc 1950 is the posh option and a new addition to the family, it has a Canadian feel with a good range of shops, bars, restaurant and an amazing 60m waterfall.

Skiing in Les Arcs

Despite being a very popular resort, the slopes aren’t too busy as the Les Arcs pistes provide such a large playground for all ages and abilities. It is good skiing in general with more challenging terrain than neighbouring La Plagne. Arc 1600 is filled with some glorious tree runs to swoop down on. Arc 1800 and 2000 have big wide open slopes to cruise down adding to the intermediates’ paradise. Experts are looked after with challenging off piste options and the famous 7km long black run from the top of Aiguille Rouge covers an enormous vertical of 2000km. Les Arc offers much more variety than ski resorts on a par.

The long-awaited ‘Paradiski’ area finally opened in 2003 linking Les Arcs to neighbouring resort La Plagne, creating an impressive total skiing domain of 425km of downhill slopes to take advantage of. The efficient double decker cable car ‘Vanoise Express’ created a large skier’s paradise of snow-sure slopes ideal for all abilities.

One fun tip for Les Arcs is to try and beat the clock on the ‘Flying K.’ The Olympic high speed run in Arc 2000 gives the dare devil in you the opportunity to ski straight down the fall line with no obstacles. The current records are being compared to those of F1, with astounding speeds of 251.4km/h for men and 242.59km/h for women. This speedy slope hosts 2 major speed skiing events annually, The French KL Championship and World Pro Speed Skiing Tour.

Snowboarding in Les Arcs

Snowboarding in Les Arcs doesn’t disappoint, freeriders are will be smiling all the way down through the trees in Peisey. The pistes are well maintained perfect for riding. The Acopalypse Park, above 1600, boasts man made jumps and rails to fly over and a border cross park called ‘Boarder Gliss’ featuring tables, pyramid and diverse humps and bumps.

Accommodation in Les Arcs

The resort has lots of cheap ski accommodation that can accommodate groups. There are some very cheap apartment complexes and a couple of hotels here for family or group skiing holidays. There is one in 1850, one in 2000, and a couple of new upmarket hotels in Arc 1950.

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