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Les Arcs Ski Holidays
Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 climb the mountainside in that order, each with its own character, joined by funicular, chairlift, and free shuttle down to the valley town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
Linked to La Plagne by the Vanoise Express cable car, Les Arcs takes up a large chunk of the Paradiski area, one of the biggest connected ski regions anywhere. Two further villages round out the group: Peisey-Vallandry, a quieter, more traditional Savoyard setting linked directly into the ski area, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice itself, the valley town at the foot of the funicular, useful for those arriving by train or wanting a livelier, more year-round base off the mountain. Between the four Arc villages and these two additions, the choice here comes down to altitude, atmosphere, and how much convenience matters versus character.
Why should I ski in Les Arcs?
Les Arcs' altitude and scale give it terrain suited to every level, from first turns to some of the longest descents in the Alps.
- Beginners are well catered for in the lower parts of the resort, with dedicated learning areas in Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 offering gentle gradients and wide slopes for building confidence. Instructors from internationally certified ski schools provide multilingual lessons, so language is rarely a barrier for visiting families.
- Intermediates have an extensive network of blue runs to work through, with the terrain connecting Arc 1800 to Peisey-Vallandry offering particularly enjoyable cruising with strong mountain views throughout. This stretch of the resort tends to reward those who want long, uninterrupted runs rather than short, technical pitches.
- Experienced skiers are drawn to the legendary Aiguille Rouge descent, a 7km run with a 2,000m vertical drop down to Villaroger, one of the longest and most dramatic descents in the Alps. Arc 2000 serves as the natural base for reaching this terrain and the wider off-piste and powder fields around it.
- Freeriders will find deep snow areas across the Grand Col in particular, alongside the more serious terrain on the western flanks of the Aiguille Rouge. Given the exposure and scale of this ground, it's best explored with a local guide who knows current conditions.
Why should I snowboard in Les Arcs?
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Riders have a strong mix of built features and natural terrain to work with across the resort.
- The Apocalypse Snowpark in Arc 1800 gives freestylers a well-equipped base, with kickers, rails and a big air bag spread across different difficulty levels. Positioned between Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 and reached via the Clair Blanc chairlift, it's one of the more complete parks in the Paradiski area.
- Riders after natural terrain rather than built features will find fantastic powder slopes across the wider ski area, particularly around the higher sections near Arc 2000. The resort's reputation as a birthplace of European snowboarding gives it a slightly different character to some of its more traditionally alpine neighbours.
- Beginners tend to stay in the lower parts of the resort around Arc 1600 and Arc 1800, where gentler gradients make for an easier introduction to riding. The same nursery areas used by skiers double up well for new boarders finding their feet.
- More advanced riders can also head into La Plagne's terrain park via the Vanoise Express, adding variety without needing to look outside the Paradiski area. Boardercross trails spread throughout the resort round out the freestyle offer for those who prefer racing lines to jumps.
What accommodation is available
Accommodation across Les Arcs ranges from premium, car-free apartments in Arc 1950 to more traditional, value-focused stays in Arc 1600 and Peisey-Vallandry. Arc 1800 offers the widest general choice given its size, spanning everything from simple self-catered apartments to higher-end chalets. Bourg-Saint-Maurice, in the valley below, adds a lower-cost alternative with easy funicular access up to the slopes. Across the group, the range suits everything from high-altitude, ski-in/ski-out convenience to a quieter, more traditional base away from the purpose-built villages.
Les Arc Ski Holidays
Après-ski in Les Arc
Les Arcs' evenings tend to follow the same pattern as its skiing: livelier and more central in Arc 1800, quieter and more low-key the further you move from the main hub. Elsewhere in the resort, the pace drops noticeably, giving a clear choice between a big night and a calm one depending on where you're staying.
- In Arc 1800, La Folie Douce offers three distinct dining styles under one roof, from authentic local gastronomy to fast, French-style food, before the afternoon turns into the resort's best-known après-ski party.
- In Arc 1950, Chalet de Luigi combines a bar and restaurant on a large south-facing terrace right next to the Marmottes slope, making it a natural stop straight off the mountain.
- Also in Arc 1800, Bowling des Arcs offers a family-friendly alternative to the bar scene, suiting groups with a wide age range looking for something other than a terrace.
- O'Chaud Lounge Bar, also in Arc 1800, blends a relaxed daytime atmosphere with more of a nightlife feel come evening, including gourmet finger food for those not looking for a full meal.
- For something different, an ice grotto bar and restaurant in Les Arcs offers Savoyard fondue and aperitifs in a genuinely unusual 180 square metre setting.
Facilities in Les Arc
Ski hire shops are spread across all four Arc villages and Peisey-Vallandry, so equipment is rarely far from wherever you're staying. Arc 1800 holds the widest general choice of shops and services given its size, while the smaller villages offer more basic provision suited to day-to-day needs. Indoor and outdoor pools, an ice-skating rink, and a range of high-altitude experiences including an Aiguille Rouge zip line and footbridge add variety for time away from the slopes. Moving around the resort is straightforward: the funicular connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice directly to Arc 1600, free inter-village shuttles run between the four Arc villages, and lifts and pistes link everything together during the day.
Facilities for children in Les Arc
Ski schools operate across the resort, with dedicated children's areas in Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 as well as a large area in Peisey-Vallandry, where a long, gentle beginners' run gives young skiers plenty of space to progress. Crèche and kindergarten care is available for children from 4 months to 6 years old, with ski lessons available from age 3, giving families a full range of options depending on age.
Off-slope, families can make use of an igloo village, indoor pools, and activities such as snowshoeing and dog sledding, spread across the resort's different villages. Between the on-slope teaching and the range of family-focused activities, Les Arcs offers enough to fill a week without children needing to repeat the same day twice.
Why Choose Les Arcs
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
FAQs
Which village should I stay in at Les Arcs?
Arc 1600 suits those wanting peace, nature and good value, with an easy funicular link down to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Arc 1800 offers the most nightlife and the widest choice of shops and restaurants, while Arc 1950 provides a more premium, car-free experience with ski-in/ski-out convenience. Arc 2000 gives the most direct high-altitude access for confident skiers, and Peisey-Vallandry suits families wanting a quieter, more traditional setting.
Is Les Arcs good for families and beginners?
Yes. Dedicated learning areas in Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 offer gentle gradients and wide slopes specifically designed for new skiers, supported by multilingual instruction from internationally certified ski schools. Peisey-Vallandry also has a large children's and beginner area, including one of the longest beginner runs in Europe.
How does the Les Arcs to La Plagne (Paradiski) link work?
The Vanoise Express, the world's largest cable car, connects Les Arcs and La Plagne directly, forming the Paradiski area and opening up 425km of skiing on a single pass. The crossing itself is quick, though given the scale of the combined area, most skiers treat a day in La Plagne as a single excursion.
What is the best time of year to ski Les Arcs?
January through March generally offers the most reliable conditions across the resort, with the highest villages, Arc 2000 in particular, holding good snow well into spring thanks to their altitude.
How do you get to Les Arcs from the UK?
Bourg-Saint-Maurice has a direct rail connection to London, making the train a genuinely practical option for reaching Les Arcs without flying. From the station, a seven-minute panoramic funicular runs directly up to Arc 1600. For those flying, Geneva, Lyon and Chambéry are the closest major airports.
