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Ski Holidays in Arc 1800
The biggest and boldest of the villages in Les Arcs, Arc 1800 offers excellent skiing, awesome accommodation and amazing après-ski in the heart of the stunning Tarentaise Valley.
Arc 1800 is roughly divided into two areas; Le Charvet and Les Villards, it’s set beside a beautiful forest and it is at the heart of the popular Paradiski ski area ̶ which boasts 435 km of pristine pistes, three peaks at altitudes of over 3000m and runs for all abilities at elevations of between 1200 and 3250m.
There are plenty of wide and easy blue and red runs for beginner and intermediate skiers, a good choice of black runs, ample off-piste opportunities to challenge you if you’re an advanced skier and a nearby snowpark where you’ll be in your element if you’re a boarder.
Experienced skiers love the thrilling run down to Villaroger from the top of Aiguille Rouge and there’s a good mix of open and wooded runs to keep you busy in all conditions. Furthermore, the ski season usually runs from December to April and there are plenty of north-facing slopes which hold their snow well, with snow making facilities to top up the cover if necessary.
With ski-in, ski-out convenience, a range of comfortable accommodation options for groups of all sizes and tastes, the liveliest après-ski for miles around, and facilities that suit solo skiers, couples and groups of friends and family, this is the most popular village in Les Arcs because it’s set up to offer something special to every type of visitor.
This car-free resort feels safe for families with children, there are ample off-slope activities (like bowling, gyms and spas) and handy resort buses conveniently scoot you from village to village if needed.
Simultaneously popular with families who appreciate its well-appointed accommodation, children’s activities and efficient ski lift network, and young thrill seekers looking for thrilling high-altitude runs off the Aiguille Rouge by day and tabletop dancing by night, Arc 1800 has everything you need in an Alpine hotspot. If you’ve been searching for a high-altitude French Alps ski resort with great skiing, you’ve found it in Arc 1800 ̶ read on to find out more about this vibrant snowsports village.
This car-free resort feels safe for families with children, there are ample off-slope activities (like bowling, gyms and spas) and handy resort buses conveniently scoot you from village to village if needed.
Simultaneously popular with families who appreciate its well-appointed accommodation, children’s activities and efficient ski lift network, and young thrill seekers looking for thrilling high-altitude runs off the Aiguille Rouge by day and tabletop dancing by night, Arc 1800 has everything you need in an Alpine hotspot. If you’ve been searching for a high-altitude French Alps ski resort with great skiing, you’ve found it in Arc 1800 ̶ read on to find out more about this vibrant snowsports village.
Here’s the lowdown in skiing in Arc 1800:
The Arc 1800 ski area is located between the northerly L’Arpette plateau and the Peisey forests in the south and has a plethora of easy-to-intermediate pistes ̶ if you’re new to the sport you’ll love the roomy blue runs above the village and in between Arc 1600 and Arc 1800. There’s also a dedicated practice area served by its own two lifts.
If you’re an expert skier you’ll probably also want to make the most of your trip by taking the Vanoise Express cable car across to La Plagne, where there are more black runs and off-piste areas to explore.
The Myrtilles, Morey and Aigle red runs through the woods above Peisey-Vallandry are quiet, wide and perfect for fast cruising, which makes them a firm favourite for intermediate skiers.
You’ll find the best off-piste terrain on the open slopes which you can reach from the Varet Gondola and Aiguille Rouge cable car.
You’ll be in your element here if you’re an avid snowboarder. Arc 1800 has a terrific snowpark nearby, plenty of off-piste terrain and countless opportunities to improve your skills in the other Les Arcs villages and the wider Paradiski area. Here’s the word on snowboarding in Arc 1800:
Freestylers love the Apocalypse Snowpark that’s located above Arc 1600 and the kickers, tabletops, rails, boxes, jumps and hips on black, red and blue runs are all designed to allow all levels of boarders to build their confidence. There’s also a big airbag with its own dedicated chairlift, so it’s easy to reach.
There are expansive areas between the pistes above Arc 1800 ̶ some are wide, flat and easy, but there are also some steep sections. Remember that it’s always advised to hire a pro mountain guide for off-piste exploration because they’ll keep you safe, ensure that you find the best untouched snow and maximise your fun.
If you’re confident and experienced, try the Aiguille Rouge black run or the Genepi, Robert Blanc, Cretes and Lanches natural pistes. There is usually fresh off-piste powder above Arc 1600, the terrain isn’t too tricky, and you can be the first to carve up some untouched snow.
Snow Conditions in Arc 1800
Sitting at 1800m high, Arc 1800 is blessed by decent snow conditions throughout the season. Here’s the lowdown:
The slopes in Arc 1800 face west, which means you’ll benefit from lovely afternoon sun, but also that the lower runs can get rather slushy later in the season.
There are more north facing runs at nearby Arc 2000 and Arc 1950 and the snow records around these two villages can compete with any resorts in Europe.
In the most recent season, Arc 1800 had a total snowfall of 498cm, a total of 32 snowfall days, largest snowfall of 55cm, a maximum base depth of 320cm, average base depth of 186cm, average summit depth of 272cm and maximum summit depth of 430cm.
As the largest village and due to its central location, Arc 1800 après-ski is varied and vibrant ̶ whether you want a quiet cosy drink, a lively afternoon with friends enjoying beers and mountain views or a floor-shaking party that lasts until the wee small hours, you’ll find it all here. Take a look at these Arc 1800 hotspots you simply can’t miss:
Chez Bou Bou is in Le Charvet and it has good pub grub, a fine selection of drinks, a friendly atmosphere and table football.
Club 73 is a bijou underground bar where you can dance the night away to a diverse mix of music genres. Fancy dress parties are a speciality and a signature selection of strong shots keeps the energy levels up.
Le Carré was formerly known as Apokalypse or APO ̶ it’s now a little more upmarket than its previous incarnation but still a great place to socialise and dance until the early hours.
Giovanni’s Pub is a great place to kick off your evening ̶ happy hour is between 4-6pm and it showcases live music later into the evening.
Facilities in Arc 1800 are fantastic ̶ there are adventure parks set in wooded glades, you can play laser tag, go ten pin bowling or head to the huge Mille 8 sports complex, where there’s sledging, swimming, boardercross and mountain karting. As mentioned, there are pubs and clubs aplenty, but you’ll also find plenty of shopping options for everyday essentials, gifts and sports equipment.
You won’t struggle to find ski hire options in Arc 1800, but to save you the trouble of hiring your gear when you get there, why not let us arrange it for you and include it in your booking? Erna Low has great connections with the most reliable ski hire operators in the resort, will find the best kit for your skiing style and level. If you’d like to talk about hassle-free ski hire, feel free to contact us via live chat.
It’s also convenient arranging your Arc 1800 ski passes through Erna Low ̶ we’ll find you the best deals on passes for your group and make sure you have them prior to arrival, which means you can start skiing straight away rather than standing in a cold queue. We also regularly have special offers like free child passes, so there are several advantages from allowing us to take care of your ski passes.
Some of the accommodation options in Arc 1800 have their own in-house spa and pool facilities, but the Mille 8 Sports Complex features saunas and steam rooms as well as its superb pool.
There’s an eclectic selection of shops in Arc 1800 ̶ you’ll find attractive jewellery and novelty clocks at L’Art et la Fugue, authentic Savoie crystals and divining sets at Crystal Passion, Quiksilver branded clothing and fast food at Slide planet and professional photography at Instant Photo.
Les Arcs is a very family-friendly resort in general and Arc 1800 has plenty to offer kids of all ages ̶ read on for more useful information.
ESF ski school operates in Arc 1800, lessons are in English and its instructors are amongst the most experienced in the Alps. If you’re looking for reliable lessons where your children will progress at a comfortable pace and enjoy learning with peers, they’re in safe hands here.
Alternatively, we can arrange private ski lessons in Arc 1800 directly ̶ the advantage of this approach is that kids benefit from personalised instruction.
Kids can spend an entire day at the Mille 8 sports complex, the freestyle park and water slide above the village are always popular and there’s laser quest, a cinema and 10-pin bowling. Meanwhile, there’s even more to do throughout Les Arcs ̶ for instance, there’s an ice grotto and rodeo toboggan course to explore up at Arc 2000 and each of the other villages also has its own facilities you’re able to use.
Childcare Les Skimômes by ESF at Arc 1800 caters for kids from 3-8 years old on a half day or full day basis, meaning you and your partner can enjoy a day alone on the pistes or a quiet romantic lunch while your little ones are having fun in a safe, supervised environment.
At 3226m high, Aiguille Rouge is the premier peak in Les Arcs and offers amazing panoramic views of Mont Blanc, Mont Pourri, the Pierra Menta and the Italian Alpine Chain. To get there from Arc 1800, simply take the Transarc Telecabin and ski to the Varet Telecabin and then head straight to the top on the Aiguille Rouge cable car. Les Arcs and the wider Paradiski ski area offer excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions throughout an extended season that lasts from November to April. Every Les Arcs village has good nursery slopes where beginner skiers can find their feet and the extensive network of interconnected blue and red runs is ideal for building your confidence. There are plenty of off-piste opportunities for experienced skiers and snowboarders who are more than satisfied with a dedicated snowpark, wide sweeping runs to cruise along and fresh powder on the higher slopes.
