Les Arcs Overview
Les Arcs perhaps lacks the Alpine charm of Megeve and the party scene of Val d’Isere, it is simply a skier's resort, purpose-built for the ultimate in skiing convenience at an altitude that translates into snow assured slopes. The many-tiered resort was linked to neighbouring La Plagne in 2003, creating Paradiski, one of the most expansive and varied ski areas in the world. Within the vast domain there is an abundance of intermediate terrain, but also some unmissable off-piste opportunities.
Getting To Les Arcs
Chambery is the closest airport to Les Arcs. It takes a little over an hour and half to reach Arc 1600, the first of several distinct villages. Count on another twenty minutes for the climb up to the pinnacle resort of Arc 2000. Between the two extremes, as their names suggest, lie Arc 1800 and Arc 1950. All four resorts offer doorstep skiing and are car free zones, so you may find having a car in Les Arcs more of a hindrance than a help. Think about pre-booking a transfer to and from the airport, and when you’re in resort take advantage of the free and frequent shuttle bus service to get around.
Arc 1600 is the original settlement - though even that only dates back to 1968 - and is both compact and child friendly. Lively Arc 1800 and practical but some what soulless Arc 2000 sprang up more recently and Arc 1950 is the recently completed jewel in the crown. Even before the last brick has been laid, 1950 has established itself as the heart of the collective resorts; built with modern convenience but in the traditional alpine style, 1950 has managed to create a genuine village ambience. The Canadian company Intrawest’s project has succeeded in producing reasonably priced apartments finished to a level not previously found in the French Alps.
Each of the accommodation centres is well served lift-wise. And the Vanoise Express cable-car, which links Les Arcs to La Plagne, also serves nearby Vallandry, Peisey Nancroix and Plan-Peisey on the Les Arcs side. Since the installation of the remarkable 200-passenger double-decker cable-car, the three hamlets have developed into resorts in their own right. The link, which spans the gaping Porturin Gorge has also created the vast ski area known as Paradiski, surpassed only by The 3 Valleys in terms of kilometres of piste.
The Mountain
Paradiski is so large that even expert skiers will struggle to cover the distance between the two extremities of Le Pré and Champagny-en-Vanoise and back in a single day. Most will find the 200km of skiing in Les Arcs more than adequate for a week’s holiday. In fact, statistics show that the Vanoise link to La Plagne is used by less than 30% of visitors in either centre in any one week. So, consider buying a single resort pass and upgrading for a day if you fancy a change of scene by the end of the week.
There is something for every standard of skier in Les Arcs, but it is intermediates that will truly be in their element. The slopes are dominated by red and blue motorway pistes and you can cruise for several kilometres without having to catch a lift, from above the tree-line, through the woods to low laying hamlets Le Pré and Villaroger. In good mid-winter conditions you can even ski all the way down to Bourg-St-Maurice at 850m, from where the funicular will whisk you back up Arc 1600.
The lifts in Les Arcs are efficient people-movers but during the holidays queues can be a problem. In particular, the lifts above Arc 1800, which serve a variety of popular beginner and intermediate runs, suffer from congestion at peak times. To avoid lift queue scuffles and dodgem style skiing, head over to the Peisey-Vallandry area where the lifts and pistes are generally quieter. More accomplished skiers and boarders will find a challenge in the steep black runs from the top of the Aiguille Rouge cable car. The summit of the Aiguille, at 3226m, is the highest lift in resort, accessing an incredible 2000m vertical descent. There are also several excellent off-piste itineraries on both sides of the mountain, including the incredible North face of the Bellecote.
If you’re more of a ramp-rat than a freerider you’ll find the snow-park above Arc 1600 one of the best in the Alps. There’s a second park at 1800 and a massive halfpipe at 2000. These top snowboard facilities reflect the fact that Les Arcs was one of the European pioneers of the sport. The resort is also famous for its speed skiing track. The track, which is located above Arc 2000, is often the venue for world class competitions and for world records to be broken. The high octane sport of speed skiing, in which pros reach speeds in excess of 200km, has to be seen to be believed. And if you’re a speed demon yourself, you can try your luck on a short section of the track for a small fee.
Bars & Clubs in Les Arcs
Les Arcs may not be known for its nightlife, but 1800 does have a reasonable selection of bars. The Red Hot Saloon is the liveliest option where the staff are friendly and the live music will get you on the dance floor. At Ambiente Café, house shooters are the order of the day. Enough of them and you’ll soon be partaking in the other house speciality, karaoke. If you’re all cheesed out try the Jungle Café for a quiet drink and the best lasagne in the Alps. Benji’s is popular with season workers, holds infamous stripper nights, has a large terrace and serves good food. Save Apocalypse, open till 4am, for when you've fallen out of any of the other establishments. In Arc 2000, Red Rock bar draws a crowd from when the lifts close in to the small hours. The Crazy Fox and The Whistler pubs are also popular. Arc 1600 has few bars of note. Basically in 1600, it all happens at the Arcelle. Arc 1950 is quieter still, although Les Belles Pintes pub is grudgingly worth a visit; reputedly it is an Irish pub, although at last census no Irishman had ever been in it ever. The best bar in the whole area, the Bar Mont Blanc, is in otherwise slightly sleepy Peisy Vallandry; well worth a cruise by for a vin chaud, even if you're not staying there, and guaranteed to go off every night if you are.
Les Arcs Après Ski
While there is no getting away from the fact that Les Arcs was created first and foremost for skiers, there are plenty of other snow related activities on offer, including ice skating , snowshoeing, tobogganing, skidooing, dog sledding and snow tubing. If you’ve had enough of the white stuff, there are cinemas in Arc 2000, Arc 1800 and Arc 1600. Arc 1800 also has both a bowling alley and a multi-gym.
Something for the Kids
With all its kid friendly slopes and with free lift passes for children under the age of six, Les Arcs is great for families. Little ones will love the fab kids’ zone in Arc 1800, which features moving carpets, a climbing wall and a toboggan track. And there's an adventure trail at 1600, where kids can learn about alpine wildlife. Children's ski schools and care facilities in all of the resorts are well regarded, especially Les Pommes de Pin in 1800.
Les Arcs Accommodation Links
Other Snowjet.co.uk Resort Guides:
Chamonix Ski Resort Guide
Courchevel Ski Resort Guide
La Plagne Ski Resort Guide
Meribel Ski Resort Guide
Sainte Foy Ski Resort Guide
Tignes Ski Resort Guide
Val d'Isere Ski Resort Guide
Val Thorens Ski Resort Guide
