Worldwide Ski Resorts • France • Les Arcs

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Overview

Les Arcs is one of four modern, purpose built resort communities that stand in the French Alps above the town of Bourg St Maurice. It has links with La Plagne and the two resorts combine to form the Paradiski sector which means that the available ski area is simply huge. The four ‘villages’ mainly consist of accommodation units and associated facilities such as shops for the convenience of the self catering guests who form the large majority of holiday makers to this resort.

There are however some excellent hotels of good quality and a selection of catered apartments and chalets to be found and further accommodation can be found in the smaller, charming villages close to Les Arcs most of which have their own lifts to one part of the ski sector. Virtually all areas enjoy doorstep skiing and the resort is know as one of the friendliest in France. It is however quite ugly and charmlessly functional.

Profile

The four resort villages of Les Arcs stand at heights between 1600m and 2000m. It has an excellent snow record on its high, predominantly west facing slopes and with the Paradiski area containing 420 km of pistes, there is always plenty of new areas to explore. The ski sectors are well suited to expert skiers who have a large selection of true, steep black runs to choose from, together with almost limitless areas of off piste country to explore.

Intermediates are also well catered for, because one of the advantages of the resort is that the majority of runs have easy and hard alternative routes that allow you to pick your way according to you mood and level of confidence. Beginners will find three distinct nursery areas to learn on and have the benefit of special areas at the base lift stations to practice a little before setting off up the slopes. There are some gentle greens and wide, simple blues within the resort on which to progress. Cross country skiers are not so well served with little to interest them other than the attractive 40 km of trails down in the Nancroix Valley. Snowboarders however are spoiled for choice with a number of terrain parks and zones especially available for them. There is a choice of ski schools and excellent child care facilities available in the resort villages.

Mountain Information

All the slopes are very well laid out, clearly marked and generally well groomed. There is an excellent choice between the higher wide open runs and the extensive wooded slopes that lead down to Plan Peisey and Vallandry. Many of the runs are impressively long, particularly the Aiguille Rouge that extends for 7 km to the village of Le Pre from the top of the 3225m peak. The Villandry area is also the place to go if you enjoy speed skiing. Boarders will find the terrain park at the Arpette and other zones at the Altiport restaurant and at Arc 2000. There are plenty of restaurants to be found on the slopes, some of which are of an excellent standard.

Apres Ski

There is a great selection of bars and clubs in the villages. Live music and ‘bar games’ are common, so be prepared to go without most of your sleep.

French Resort Guide

Resort Information • Les Arcs

Resort Height Resort Height 1600m
Top Station Top Station 3226m
Bottom Station Bottom Station 1600m
Vertical Descent Vertical Descent 1626m
Drag Lifts Drag Lifts 42
Chair Lifts Chair Lifts 31
High Capacity High Capacity 3
Opening Dates Opening Dates Dec-May
Rating Expert Rating Expert 7
Rating Intermediate Rating Intermediate 8
Rating Beginner Rating Beginner 6
Apres Ski Rating Apres Ski Rating 6
Snow Reliability Snow Reliability 8

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