Experience the thrill of skiing Les Arcs in the heart of the French Alps. With over 200km of ski runs at your ski tips, you’ll find something for everyone, from beginner slopes to challenging off-piste runs. Take in stunning panoramic views as you glide down perfectly groomed slopes surrounded by breathtaking mountain peaks. With stunning views of Mount Blanc, this world-renowned ski resort boasts a variety of slopes and a top altitude of 3,250 meters. Whether you prefer skiing or snowboarding, Les Arcs has something for all winter sports enthusiasts.
Quick Trip Overview
Quick Trip OverviewSnow:
Runs:
Experience:
Is Les Arcs good for skiing? Yes, Les Arcs offers a little bit of everything for everyone. From beginner slopes to off-piste. Additionally, compared to other resorts Les Arcs caters to those with a variety of budget.
- Location: Les Arcs, France
- Closest Airport: Chamberys Airport the closest, while Geneva Airport is the largest.
- Price: $$
- Amount of runs: 200km of piste (1 green, 53 blues, 33 reds and 18 blacks) in Les Arcs, 49 lifts.
- Skiing Les Arcs Best for: Tree Skiing – unlike other resorts in France which are above the tree-line Les Arcs is at the level of the tree-line offering the option to ski between trees while off-piste.
- Time of Year: December to April
Good to Know Information for Skiing Les Arcs
Learn some quick information to make the most of your ski trip to Les Arcs.
Is Les Arcs good for beginners? If you’re just starting out with skiing, Les Arcs is a great place to learn. With plenty of gentle green runs and expert instructors, you’ll be carving down the slopes in no time. The resort’s beginner areas are conveniently located near the base of the mountain and just a short ski lift ride away from fun intermediate trails. Les Arcs has invested heavily in modern lifts and facilities that make it easier to get around, even for beginners. Like any resort there is bunny slope area – make sure to book a stay over at Les Arcs 1800 to have the most access to beginner slopes.
After a day on the slopes, there’s nothing like unwinding in Les Arcs. Known for its vibrant Apres Ski scene, Les Arcs offers something for every taste and budget- from lively bars and nightclubs to cozy mountain huts serving traditional dishes. Enjoy a warm cup of cocoa, try some local liqueurs or dance the night away before retiring to your comfortable accommodations. Les Arcs boasts an extensive range of amenities and activities aside from skiing making it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded holiday experience. Whether you’re travelling with friends or family, Les Arcs ensures that the après ski experience is just as unforgettable as hitting the slopes themselves.
Just like over at Courchevel, you will find the famous and popular French Apres-Ski location of La Folie Dulce. Located at the end of the runs near Arcs 1800, after a day of skiing Les Arcs you can enjoy entertainment from dancers, to ring acrobats.
Additionally, each of the villages has a variety of bars to grab that post ski beer or wine.
Discover the winter wonderland of Les Arcs, where thrilling activities await! With a variety of options of ski slopes, including off-piste runs and lower-altitude Nordic areas, there’s something for everyone. Explore the breathtaking scenery on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Want a bit more adrenaline? Try paragliding or driving a dog sled through the snow-covered landscape. Don’t miss out on ice climbing or ice skating either. Les Arcs offers a truly unforgettable winter experience that will leave you longing to return year after year.
- Indoor Activities: Spa treatments and swimming
- Outdoor Activities: Snow Shoeing and Hiking, Ice Climbing, Dog Sledding, Tobogganing
Snow Forecast at Les Arcs
On average annually Les Arcs will receive 294cm of snow.
Is Les Arcs snow sure? Sharing the huge Paradiski region with La Plagne, Les Arcs has historically shown to be snowsure even in the toughest of season. With an altitude ranging from 1200 to 3226m, this snow-sure ski resort is perfect for all levels. Boasting over 200 km of slopes, split between wooded trails and high glaciers, there is plenty of space to explore. Les Arcs is located in Savoie Mont-Blanc region and offers picturesque views with a unique character. In the entire Paradiski area, skiers will have access to 425km of snow-sure skiing.
Experience the thrill of skiing through perfect powder at Les Arcs. Come carve new tracks and make unforgettable memories on epic powder days. Historically, Les Arcs will have 3-4 snow days a week.
Like many French resorts, you will find plenty of easy access Off-Piste options. Just watch out for those tree wells.
Night Skiing at Les Arcs
Currently you are unable to do night skiing at Les Arcs. Check back next season – as in the past Les Arcs has offered the opportunity for night skiing.
How do you get to Les Arcs ski resort?
There are three common ways to get to Les Arcsl: By plane with transfer, by train with transfer, and by car.
By plane, most will fly into the larger international airport at Geneva and the transfer from the airport to Les Arcs is almost 3 hours..
By train, a train from Paris can take you to Bourg St Maurice, which is just 7 minutes from Les Arcs, meaning that you will be significally closer to the resort by train. This is a cheaper option if you can fly into Paris and catch a train down to Les Arcs.
Finally, there is the option of getting to Les Arcs by car. Compared to other resorts in France, I found the parking to be the most expensive at Les Arcs. The area of 1950 only has one parking garage so there is really no options of where to park. So prepare to pay over $30 a day in parking at the resort.
Where to Stay in Les Arcs
Like other French resorts, the area of Les Arcs is identified by the altitude of the village. The villages to know are:
- Arc 1600
- Arc 1800
- Arc 2000
- Arc 1950
So of all the areas where is the best part of Les Arcs to stay in?
It depends on what you are looking for.
Arc 1950 and 2000 – are collocated at the highest altitude at the resort. I personally found this to be more family orientated. The area has sky rise hotel apartments, and not the largest selection of restaurants. This could be because most of the housing there comes with kitchens so there is not much need to go out – if you are looking for more of a nightlife then this may not be the best option.
However, Arc 1950 and 2000 give quick access to black and red runs. If you are looking at experiencing challenging runs and ski right to your door stop after then this is a great location for that. The villages have snow lanes that pass through all the hotels/apartments allowing ski in and ski out access. During my stay at 1950, I was able to ski up to my hotel for lunch, eat lunch in the comfort of my own apartment, then ski back out in the afternoon until cooking dinner in the evening. It was affordable for a ski trip – and gave more of a home like experience.
Arc 1800 – is a preferred stay for beginners. Right beside 1800 village are all the bunny slopes – so if you are looking to learn this is a great location to stay at when skiing Les Arcs. 1800 is also a bit more looking for the Apres-Ski experience are there are more restaurants, and nightlife there. You will also find a majority of people in this village.
Les Arc Bus Timetable
Additional consideration to the village selection above is the bus timetable. While you may consider staying at one village with hopes of getting access to the other through the free shuttle service, I would heed the warning that the bus is limited.
Is there a bus from Arc 1950/2000 to Arc 1800?
There is no direct route from Arcs 1950/2000 to 1800 – which is disappointing. If you are staying at 1950 for example, you will have to transfer to another bus at Arcs 1600 to then go to 1800 which makes for about a 45 minute bus ride to get down to the village. It’s easier by ski ultimately – but then you have to watch the lift schedule.
See more of the Les Arcs bus timetable here.
La Folie Dulce Les Arcs
Looking for an incredible skiing and après-ski experience? Look no further than Les Arcs La Folie Douce! This fantastic resort located in the French Alps offers some of the best slopes and views you’ll ever see and when it’s time to unwind after a long day on the mountain? Head over to La Folie Douce, where you’ll find lively music, delicious food and drinks, and a one-of-a-kind party atmosphere that you won’t soon forget. With its combination of breathtaking scenery, amazing skiing terrain, and unbeatable après-ski experience at La Folie Douce—Les Arcs truly is an unforgettable winter vacation destination
La Folie Dulce is quite the experience, and not to be missed when visiting one of the major ski resorts in France. If you are searching for the best Les Arcs Apres Ski, then this should be top of your list. There are not any other Les Arcs Apres skis that will offer dancers, ring acrobats, and a variety of DJs. Come out to La Folie Dulce to dance on a table, or just enjoy the entertainment of provided by the bar.
Les Arcs La Folie Dulce is located closer to Arc 1800. You can reach the famous apres ski location off of the blue run: Chantel Jardin Alpin. After the party is over, if you are staying in Arcs 1800 then you can ski back down to the village. If you are staying over in Arcs 1950 or Arcs 2000 make sure you keep an eye on the time as you will have to catch the last lifts back over to your side of the resort.
Price for a Ski Trip to Les Arcs
In comparison to other resorts in France, Les Arcs was one of the most affordable large resorts.
If you want to experience plenty of kilometers of piste, with a variety of piste options on a budget then Les Arcs is one to consider.
Given the number of apartment hotels it gives those looking to budget on a ski trip more flexibility. For one week in an apartment at Les Arcs 1950 – I spent $1200. I brought in my own food and ate out of my apartment most nights meaning I did not spend more than I did in a normal week at home. Which means it’s fairly easy to have a budget stay at a popular ski resort.
If you are looking for a more luxurious stay like those in Courchevel, there are options for that at Les Arcs as well – primarily in Les Arcs 1800.
Overall, I found Les Arcs giving more flexibility for those with varying budgets compared to other ski resorts in France.
[…] to other French resorts, Val Thorens falls comfortably in the middle. It is not as inexpensive as Les Arcs, but seems to have more accessible affordable stays than […]