Les Arcs - Overview
The Paradiski area in France comprises three neighbouring resorts: Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, and La Plagne. This guide focuses solely on Les Arcs, but you can read more about La Plagne and Peisey-Vallandry in their own guides.
Les Arcs, nestled in the French Alps, is a well-developed multi-village ski resort connected by the Vanoise Express, making it easy to move around the Paradiski area. The Paradiski ski area is the second-largest interconnected ski area in the world and one of the largest in Europe. Les Arcs is made up of 4 areas, or villages: Arc 2000, Arc 1950, Arc 1800, and Arc 1600, with most of the ski area above 2,000 metres.
It may be one of the best resorts for all types of skiers, from families to friends; each village has a vibe to suit your needs, and with ski-in/ski-out options, visitors get a true mountain experience.
Les Arcs – Ski Resort Highlights
Les Arcs - Ski Map & Pistes
Across the four villages, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy 137 pisted runs, including 12 green, 63 blue, 45 red, and 17 black. The resort is excellent for beginner and intermediate skiers, as most runs are blue and red. Still, it also offers a good selection of black runs for advanced skiers and plenty of green runs for beginners and learners.
Lifts and Queues
Les Arcs has 52 ski lifts, all of which give visitors interconnected access across the Paradiski resort. The resort includes a funicular, a selection of cable cars, gondolas, drag lifts, and magic carpets for beginners. The resort is well designed so that visitors have a good selection of route options to help avoid congestion and queues.
Special features
As one of Europe's larger resorts, there are many special features to help visitors get the most out of their trip. Les Arcs is home to a leading terrain park that even has drag lifts designed for snowboarders, creating an all-inclusive snow park. The 7.5 hectares of fun welcomes all levels and has four main features: 2 lines of boxes, 2 rows of 3 kickers, 1 rail line for beginners and more advanced riders and 1 expert line featuring a hip, a wall, a rail, and a table.
For families, Les Arcs is perfect as it is spread across four villages that are well connected, each offering a great selection of facilities that cater to families such as ski schools, kids clubs and day care services in hotels.
Most hotels are also adapted to disabled visitors, and many of the gondolas can accommodate a wheelchair. Just bear in mind that, as a primarily ski-in/ski-out resort, this might add some challenges; however, Arcs 1950 and 1800 are more modern resorts with better infrastructure.
Les Arcs - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring
As one of the world's leading resorts for adventurous skiing and snowboarding, Les Arcs has great areas for off-piste, backcountry and ski touring. There are many guides across the Paradiski resort that can lead you on fantastic day trips or introduce you to off-piste skiing through a personalised lesson.
Off-piste skiing
Les Arcs has some great off-piste routes, but they require experience, safety awareness, and knowledge to stay safe on the mountain. Wide-open areas near the pisted runs let beginners give it a try, while more serious trails suit experienced off-piste skiers and snowboarders. It is important to know the mountain and weather and go prepared with the correct equipment before setting off on an off-piste run.
Backcountry skiing
High-altitude terrain with steep descents and glacial runs makes backcountry skiing in Les Arcs truly enjoyable. Because of the high altitude and consistent snow, backcountry skiing can be very rewarding in Les Arcs and in the Paradiski area in general, but it is important to hire a guide if it is your first time trying backcountry skiing.
Ski touring
Sometimes considered an adventurous skiing activity, ski touring in Les Arcs can be incredibly rewarding after hiking up trails to enjoy long, smooth descents across the resort. It also gives visitors a new perspective and can make them appreciate the mountain more after getting to the top. Les Arcs has several marked trails and routes, which you can find on the official resort website. If you don't know the terrain well, it's best to take a guide, and be sure to check the weather before heading up the mountain.
Guided tours
Les Arcs offers many guided tour options, and this is a great way for confident skiers to go beyond the pisted runs and try something new. Whether you are an expert skier looking to challenge yourself through off-piste skiing or you are looking for a rewarding experience a little different to just skiing, guides will be able to show you what the mountain has to offer beyond the slopes. It is also a good way to stay safe on the mountain, as guides are highly qualified and can make decisions for the group, rather than leaving the responsibility on you.
Les Arcs – Safety measures
French ski resorts hold high safety standards and are known for well-trained ski patrol teams that monitor slopes, weather, and visitor safety. Several measures are in place, such as clearly marked pistes and signage, and the snow patrol team will close a run if conditions become unsafe due to changes in weather or the surface. The resort monitors avalanche activity alongside other weather factors, such as wind, so that lifts can be closed and everyone can get down from the mountain safely.
Les Arcs – Environmental measures
Les Arcs is a pioneering sustainable resort in France, and it was awarded the Green Snowflake label (Flocon Vert) in 2020. It is also one of the first resorts in Europe to become a B-Corp in 2023, in recognition of its sustainability efforts. The resort is trying to become net zero by 2030 by using renewable fuel sources to power snow groomers, etc., and cutting back on artificial snow production to save water. Other initiatives show its protection of wildlife and the environment by educating visitors through wildlife museums and campaigns that teach the importance of mountain biodiversity, as well as protecting species such as the black grouse.
Les Arcs - Family Skiing
Due to its size and diversity, which accommodates a variety of visitors, Les Arcs is a great place for families, especially those with younger children. Special beginner zones welcome young children, and a variety of slope features create a small wonderland for children to enjoy during and after lessons while practising. Several daycares and kids clubs offer sessions for a few hours or full-day care, freeing up time for parents to enjoy the slopes. Les Arcs is a fantastic place for families, with hotels offering specialised services and ski schools providing safe, fun environments for little ones to learn a new skill.
Les Arcs - Restaurants, Bars & The Town
Restaurants
Across Les Arcs, you will find a good selection of restaurants, from upmarket spots serving locally made produce in a fine-dining atmosphere to cosy, tavern-style chalet restaurants where families can sit around a fondue and enjoy a hearty communal meal. For views across the resort, Restaurant L'Altiport is one of the top places to eat; for traditional French cuisine, cheeseboards, and good wine, visit La Cabane des Neiges. A typical regional dish is tartiflette, a warming dish made with cheese and potatoes. Some of the best restaurants in Les Arcs are:
- L'Escale Gourmande
- La Popote
- L'Adresse Vallandry
- La Vache Rouge
- Restaurant L'Altiport
- La Cabane des Neiges
Après Ski
France is one of the top countries for après-ski, and Les Arcs offers a diverse range of places to party. From a couple of casual beers on the slope while listening to a DJ to dancing the night away in a cosy pub, you will find something to suit your preference. Perhaps the most famous location is La Folie Douce Les Arcs, but visitors can also enjoy some of these places for an après-ski vibe:
- Chez Boubou Arc 1800
- Before 2
- Bar Mont Blanc
- La Folie Douce Les Arcs
Les Arcs - Accommodation Options
Across the four villages, Les Arcs has a great selection of accommodation options, and it is hard to make a bad choice, as almost all locations are ski-in/ski-out and offer a certain standard of service. Several hotels are highly rated and offer services such as spas, daycares, and more, while some visitors prefer a more home-like experience and opt for BnBs or chalet-style guesthouse stays. Large hotels are more common because the resort is relatively modern, but they still have charm and incorporate traditional wooden architecture. It is best to stay in Les Arcs, as staying in a nearby village could mean a long commute to get to the slopes and ski area, and you will have a more immersive experience staying in one of the villages of Les Arcs.
Les Arcs - Activities
Les Arcs offers several tours and activities, including ski touring, off-piste and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and glacier walking. There is also a zip line on one of the slopes, and visitors can take to the skies for a paragliding experience. Les Arcs is at the heart of the action for adventurous visitors who want an extreme mountain experience. It is best to find a guide either through the official Les Arcs website or via the Paradiski area.
Other Activities
Beyond the slopes, visitors can enjoy a selection of activities, such as visiting one of the local museums to learn about biodiversity and wildlife or swimming at the Mille8 Aquatic centre. Many hotels offer spa facilities to unwind, and you can enjoy a culinary experience at one of the higher-end restaurants or bars. Kids can enjoy sledging, or the whole family can enjoy a night ski or visit the igloo village. The resort continually develops seasonal events and activities to offer an entertaining mountain experience.
Les Arcs - Ski Rental Services
Across the four arcs, several ski rental shops offer tailored service for each visitor. From specialist equipment for advanced skiers or adaptive skiers, they all have a good stock of the latest equipment for rent. Several shops have multiple locations across the resort, so make sure to choose the one closest to where you are staying. Here are some of the best rental services in Les Arcs:
- INTERSPORT
- Precision Ski Arc 2000 - Front de neige
- Precision Ski Arcs 1950
- Precision Ski Arc 1800 - Charmettoger
- Sport 2000 Arc 2000 Sport
- Sport 2000 Delay Savoie Sport - Location ski Les Arcs 1800
Les Arcs - Ski Schools
In France, ski schools are often attached to ski rental shops, so it is a good idea to see whether they offer combined packages if you're renting equipment and taking lessons. Ecole de Ski Français (ESF) is one of the best-known ski schools across France, but other good locations include:
- Arc Aventures By Evolution 2 Skiing School
- Spirit Arc 1950
Les Arcs - Ski Tickets
We always recommend buying ski tickets from an official source, whether you buy them on the official Les Arcs website or through your hotel. Make sure you buy them from a legitimate source. If you want to buy one on arrival, visit one of the main gondola stations, but it is better to buy it in advance. The ski pass for Les Arcs comes under the Paradiski area, so you will have access to surrounding resorts all on one pass. The Classic Pass typically starts at around 71 euros for a day and around 368 euros for 6 days for adults. Paradiski offers pass upgrades such as the Essential Pass, which includes bonuses like one free visit to the local swimming pool and discounts on other resort activities. This pass starts at around 78 euros per day, and Premium pass options start at around 91 euros per day for more perks.
Les Arcs – In Closing
Les Arcs comprises four villages at differing altitudes, all connected under the Paradiski area, with access to other surrounding villages. As one of Europe's largest ski resorts and globally known for its vast ski area and reliable snow, Les Arcs is an attractive destination for families and adventurers alike, thanks to its diversity and range of off-piste activities, entertainment and après-ski. As one of the first B-Corp ski resorts in Europe, it is leading the way in sustainable skiing and demonstrating eco-friendly practices that are helping it reach its target of becoming a net-zero resort by 2030.
The resort would receive a 10 out of 10 for its variety, its ability to accommodate all types of skiers and snowboarders, and its efforts to work toward a greener future.
Please note that the latest information on restaurants, bars, ski hire, ski schools and guided tours is subject to change. We recommend checking their official websites or contacting them directly for the latest information.
Have a great time in Les Arcs!
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