Accommodation
Quick answer: Les Arcs suits confident intermediates and advanced skiers who want big vertical, glacier terrain, and huge mileage via the Paradiski link to La Plagne. It’s not the best fit for those wanting a traditional alpine village feel or complete beginners who prefer a smaller, single-base resort.
Quick resort facts
Ski area: 425km of pistes, 264 runs, 132 lifts (Paradiski, Les Arcs’ home ski pass area) · Altitude: 1,200m to 3,226m · Season: December to April · Nearest airport: Geneva (150km)
Written by the InTheSnow editorial team. Last updated: 29 July 2026. Resort facts checked against official Les Arcs sources.
Les Arcs is a large, modern ski area in the Tarentaise Valley, forming one half of the vast Paradiski domain alongside La Plagne. Made up of a collection of purpose-built villages from car-free, family-friendly Arc 1600 to the high-altitude Arc 2000, it offers around 200km of pistes on its own and 425km when linked to La Plagne via the double-decker Vanoise Express cable car.
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This 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 1,200m right up to the glacier on the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226m. Arc 1600 was the original village, designed by architect Charlotte Perriand, while Arc 1950 offers a car-free, Savoyard-style base with ski-in/ski-out luxury, and Arc 2000 sits highest, giving direct access to the glacier and steep descents. The resort is linked to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express, doubling the scope to form the Paradiski area.
Together, Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry offer around 200km of pisted runs in their own right, rising to 425km when linked into Paradiski via the Vanoise Express. Snow reliability is excellent thanks to altitude and glacier access, and extensive snowmaking covers the lower slopes down to Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger, meaning top-to-bottom descents of more than 2,000m vertical are often possible. 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 are exploring a single, connected domain.
Beginners: Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 both have gentle nursery slopes, and the wider area has plenty of easy blues to build confidence away from the busier intermediate runs.
Intermediates: Les Arcs excels here, with long cruisy reds and blues linking the villages, plus the option to ski across to La Plagne for a genuine change of scenery.
Advanced: The Aiguille Rouge and glacier sector offer steep descents and off-piste terrain, and Arc 2000 is famous as the location of the Kilometre Lancé speed skiing course, where skiers have reached world-record speeds.
Best ski-in/ski-out areas: Arc 1950 for car-free, direct-access luxury; Arc 2000 for those prioritising altitude and glacier access.
With skiing up to 3,226m on the Aiguille Rouge glacier and extensive snowmaking on the lower slopes, Les Arcs enjoys some of the most dependable snow cover in the Tarentaise. Early and late-season visitors benefit from the high-altitude glacier terrain, while January and February typically offer the most reliable conditions lower down.
The 2026/27 season at Les Arcs is set to open on 12 December 2026. Skiers can choose a Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry-only pass, or step up to the full Paradiski pass for access to La Plagne as well. Indicative 2026/27 public prices for the Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry pass:
Family and beginner passes offer additional discounts. Prices are correct at time of writing and always worth confirming on the official Les Arcs ski pass page before booking.
Comparing options for a Paradiski trip? See the latest ski holiday deals or browse more resorts in our ski resort search.
Every village has its own ESF branch alongside international ski schools offering English-speaking instruction. Ski hire shops are widespread across all the villages, with online pre-booking generally the most convenient and cost-effective option.
Sorting kit before you travel? Our ski gear guides can help you choose the right gear.
Les Arcs covers the full range of budgets. Self-catered apartments are widespread, especially in Arc 1600 and Arc 2000, while Arc 1950 offers a car-free, pedestrianised village with luxury residences, spas, and ski-in/ski-out access throughout, feeling more intimate and refined than the larger bases.
Dining spans family-friendly pizzerias and self-service canteens to smarter mountain restaurants serving Savoyard classics. Après-ski varies by village, from quiet and family-oriented in Arc 1600 to livelier bars in Arc 1800 and Arc 2000.
Les Arcs offers dedicated children’s areas, tobogganing, and swimming pools across its villages. Non-skiers can also enjoy snowshoeing, paragliding, and exploring the traditional villages of Peisey-Vallandry, which retain more of the original Savoyard character.
Travelling with children? Our family skiing guide has more tips for planning a family ski trip.
By air: Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon, and Grenoble airports are all within reach, roughly 2-3 hours by transfer. By train: The Eurostar Ski Train or TGV runs direct to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then a funicular (around 7 minutes) up to Arc 1600. By car: Around 9 hours from Calais, with motorway access most of the way.
Comparing Les Arcs with other options? See our full guide to skiing in France for more resorts across the Alps.
Pros
Cons
Les Arcs combines scale, accessibility, and variety in one of the Alps’ biggest playgrounds. Its 200km 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.
Is Les Arcs linked to La Plagne? Yes, via the Vanoise Express double-decker cable car, forming the 425km Paradiski area together.
Which Les Arcs village should I choose? Arc 1600 for the original, classic base; Arc 1950 for car-free luxury; Arc 2000 for glacier access and serious skiers.
How high is the skiing in Les Arcs? The villages range from 1,200m to 2,000m, with skiing rising to 3,226m on the Aiguille Rouge glacier.
What is the nearest airport to Les Arcs? Geneva, around 150km away.
Is Les Arcs good for beginners? Yes, though complete beginners may prefer a smaller, single-base resort, as Les Arcs’ spread of villages suits mixed-ability groups and confident intermediates best.
What is Peisey-Vallandry? A quieter, more traditional village linked directly into the Les Arcs ski area, offering a lower-key base with easy access to the same 200km of pistes.
How much vertical can you ski in Les Arcs? Snowmaking down to Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger means top-to-bottom descents of more than 2,000m vertical are often possible.
What is the Paradiski area? Paradiski is the 425km combined ski area formed when Les Arcs is linked to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express double-decker cable car.
Which Les Arcs village has the best nightlife? Arc 2000 and Arc 1800 tend to be the liveliest, while Arc 1950 and Peisey-Vallandry offer a calmer, more car-free atmosphere.
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