Les Arcs

Les Arcs is one of the best-known names in French skiing, famous for its scale, variety, and family-friendly credentials. Perched above Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Tarentaise Valley, it stretches across four main purpose-built villages — Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, and Arc 2000 — plus the charming valley town of Bourg itself, linked by funicular railway.

Part of the vast Paradiski area, together with La Plagne, Les Arcs offers access to 425 km of pistes — one of the world’s largest ski domains. Its local slopes cover everything from gentle beginner areas to high-altitude glacier skiing on the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m. Snow reliability is strong, with altitude, glacier access, and extensive snowmaking.

Les Arcs is also a pioneer: it introduced Europe’s first purpose-built snowboard park, helped launch ski-in/ski-out design, and has long been a favourite for UK skiers thanks to its excellent value and family focus. It may lack the stone-and-wood charm of traditional villages, but it makes up for it with convenience, scale, and variety.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Les Arcs’ skiing is vast, varied, and surprisingly well-structured.

• Beginners: Each village has its own nursery zones, with free lifts and wide greens. Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 have excellent learning areas close to accommodation, and ski schools are highly rated.

• Intermediates: Les Arcs is a playground for intermediates. Long, rolling blues and reds dominate, from the sweeping pistes above Arc 1800 to the scenic descents into Vallandry and Peisey. The tree-lined runs here are perfect in bad weather.

• Experts: The standout is the Aiguille Rouge, a 7 km descent with 2,000 m of vertical drop from glacier to Villaroger. Black pistes like Arandelieres and Lanches challenge even strong legs, while guided off-piste routes drop into hidden valleys and couloirs. With a Paradiski pass, the freeride potential doubles across into La Plagne.

• Freestylers: Les Arcs has excellent freestyle facilities, with snowparks, boardercross, and natural terrain that encourages progression. The Mille8 area in Arc 1800 blends freestyle features with family fun.

Paradiski is one of the few ski areas where skiers of all abilities can spend a week without repeating too many runs — yet still feel like they’re exploring a coherent, connected domain.

Ski Lift Passes (2024/25 Season)

Skiers can choose between a Les Arcs-only pass or the full Paradiski pass.

• Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry pass (200 km): ~€63/day | ~€315 for 6 days
• Paradiski full-area pass (425 km): ~€69/day | ~€345 for 6 days
• Child (5–12): ~25% reduction
• Under 5s: Free

Deals:

• Family passes with discounts.
• Beginner passes at reduced cost.
• Season passes include summer lift access.

Details via the Les Arcs ski pass page.

Yes — absolutely. Just like we’ve done with Val d’Isère, Tignes, Chamonix, Châtel, and others, we can weave in editorial links to Les Arcs’ official sites and key infrastructure pages so the section feels more useful and connected. Here’s the expanded Resort & Infrastructure for Les Arcs with links added:

Resort & Infrastructure

Les Arcs is not a single resort but a collection of interconnected villages, each with its own style, altitude, and appeal, all linked by a fast, modern lift network. Together, they stretch from the tree line at 1,200 m right up to the glacier on the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m.

• Arc 1600: The original village, built in the late 1960s as one of France’s first purpose-designed ski resorts. It remains functional and compact, with ski-in/ski-out convenience and easy access to family-friendly slopes. Crucially, it’s linked to the valley floor by the funicular railway from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, making it one of the most accessible high resorts by train.

• Arc 1800: The largest and liveliest base, spread across several sub-areas (Charvet, Chantel, Charmettoger, and Villards). It’s the social hub of Les Arcs, with the busiest après scene, the Mille8 leisure complex (pool, wellness, and fun snow park), and a wide choice of shops, bars, and restaurants. The slopes above Arc 1800 are wide, sunny, and ideal for intermediates, with quick links across to Peisey-Vallandry and onwards to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express cable car.

• Arc 1950: Built in the early 2000s in traditional Savoyard style, this is the most charming of the villages. It’s car-free, pedestrianised, and designed for comfort, with luxury residences, spas, and ski-in/ski-out access throughout. Arc 1950 feels intimate compared to 1800, yet sits right at the heart of the ski area, making it one of the most desirable places to stay for those who want convenience with a more refined feel.

• Arc 2000: As the name suggests, this is the highest of the main bases, sitting just below the Aiguille Rouge. It’s functional rather than pretty, but unbeatable for serious skiers thanks to its direct access to the glacier, steep descents, and high-altitude snow security. It’s quieter than Arc 1800 but attracts those who want to maximise slope time.

Together, these bases are well connected by free shuttles and covered walkways where needed, while on the slopes, the lift system is fast and efficient, with gondolas, funiculars, and high-speed chairs keeping queues minimal even at peak times. The Paradiski connection via the Vanoise Express doubles the scope, linking Les Arcs seamlessly to La Plagne.

Snow reliability is excellent thanks to altitude and glacier access, while extensive snowmaking covers the lower slopes down to Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger. This means you can often ski top-to-bottom descents of more than 2,000 m vertical when conditions allow.

Accommodation

Les Arcs covers the full range of budgets:

• Budget: Self-catered apartments, especially in Arc 1600 and Arc 2000.
• Mid-Range: 3★ and 4★ residences and chalet-style hotels in Arc 1800 and Arc 1950.
• Luxury: Arc 1950 is the standout for upscale stays, with residences like Pierre & Vacances Premium Arc 1950 and spa hotels offering ski-in/ski-out comfort.

Accommodation here prioritises convenience, with ski-in/ski-out the norm in most villages.

Dining & Après

Les Arcs’ dining scene is varied, with everything from mountain huts to fine dining. On the slopes, restaurants like Chalet de l’Arcelle and Le Belliou la Fumée (in Villaroger) offer authentic Savoyard dishes. In the villages, you’ll find crêperies, pizzerias, and brasseries alongside gourmet spots.

Après-ski is lively in Arc 1800, with bars like Red Hot Saloon and Chez Boubou buzzing until late. Arc 1950 has a more refined vibe, while Arc 2000 is practical but quieter. The overall atmosphere is fun and international, but less rowdy than Val Thorens or Tignes.

Non-Skiing Activities

Les Arcs has plenty to keep non-skiers entertained.

• The Mille8 complex in Arc 1800 features a swimming pool, wellness centre, and fun ski play areas.
• Toboggan runs and snowshoe trails across the villages.
• Paragliding and dog sledding for adventure seekers.
• A cinema, bowling alley, and ice rink in Arc 2000.
• Day trips down to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Annecy for shopping and culture.

Its mix of family activities and adventure options make it a well-rounded resort.

Village Character & Access

Les Arcs is unapologetically purpose-built, but Arc 1950 in particular offers charm with its car-free streets and Savoyard architecture. The villages are convenient and functional, designed for ski-in/ski-out living.

How to get there from the UK:

• By air: Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry, and Grenoble (2–3 hrs).
• By train: Eurostar Ski Train or TGV direct to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then funicular (7 mins) up to Arc 1600.
• By car: Around 9 hrs from Calais, with motorway access most of the way.

InTheSnow Verdict

Les Arcs combines scale, accessibility, and variety in one of the Alps’ biggest playgrounds. Its 200 km of local slopes are excellent for beginners and intermediates, while experts can test themselves on the Aiguille Rouge and beyond. With the Paradiski pass, the possibilities double.

It may not offer the prettiness of traditional villages, but for convenience, snow reliability, and sheer terrain, Les Arcs is one of the most complete ski resorts in the French Alps — especially for families and groups who want a balance of value and variety.