Tailor-made ski holidays in Les Arcs
Four resorts, 425 km of pistes with La Plagne and a funicular straight from the train station. Tell us who is coming, your level and your budget, and we will build your Les Arcs holiday.
Les Arcs & Paradiski
Les Arcs spreads across four resorts, Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000, linked to La Plagne to form Paradiski. From the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m, a 7 km run drops 2,026 m to Villaroger.
Arrive by train in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and the funicular takes you up to Arc 1600 in about seven minutes. We choose the resort and the accommodation that suit your group.
Plan my stayWhat could your Les Arcs holiday look like?
Skiing
Varied terrain for every level, from tree-lined runs to the big vertical of the Aiguille Rouge.
Architecture
Arc 1600 and 1800, created with designer Charlotte Perriand, are icons of 20th-century mountain architecture.
Arc 1950
A car-free village with ski-in/ski-out residences, restaurants and shops around a central square.
Speed & experiences
The 1992 Olympic speed-skiing track at Arc 2000, and the Vanoise Express to La Plagne.
Les Arcs: everything to know before you book
Skiing and snowboarding in Les Arcs
Les Arcs has about 200 km of pistes of its own, shared between Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000 and the lower villages of Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger. The Vanoise Express, a double-decker cable car, links it to La Plagne to form Paradiski, with 425 km of slopes in total. Lower down you will find tree-lined runs that are ideal in poor visibility, while the open bowls above Arc 2000 offer high-altitude skiing with views of Mont Blanc on clear days.
The highlight for strong skiers is the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m. From the top, a run of about 7 km drops 2,026 m to Villaroger at 1,200 m. Arc 2000 is also home to the speed-skiing track used at the 1992 Albertville Olympics, and the resort has a large snowpark for freestyle. Off-piste is excellent but should always be skied with a qualified guide.
Les Arcs for families and beginners
Each village has its own beginner area close to the accommodation, so young children and first-timers do not need long journeys to their lessons. The ESF and several independent ski schools teach in every village, with English-speaking instructors widely available. Wide blue runs link the villages, making it easy to progress and explore as a family.
Arc 1950 is car-free, which many parents appreciate, and Arc 1800, the largest village, has the widest choice of shops and activities. Dedicated sledging areas at Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 add variety for children at the end of the day.
Where to stay in Les Arcs
Arc 1600, the original village, is small and quiet, set among the trees and linked to the valley by funicular. Arc 1800, the largest, has the most restaurants, shops and après-ski and suits most families and groups. Arc 1950 is a car-free village built in a traditional Alpine style around a central square, with ski-in/ski-out residences. Arc 2000 is the highest and most snow-sure, with direct access to the Aiguille Rouge sector.
Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 were designed with Charlotte Perriand and are celebrated examples of 20th-century mountain architecture, with buildings arranged to follow the slope. Accommodation across Les Arcs is mostly apartments and residences, plus chalets and hotels. If you plan to ski La Plagne often, Peisey-Vallandry, at the Les Arcs end of the Vanoise Express, is a convenient and more traditional alternative.
Getting to Les Arcs
Les Arcs is one of the easiest resorts to reach by train. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice station, served by TGV trains from Paris and, on winter weekends, by Eurostar Snow trains from London with one change in Lille, a footbridge leads to the Arc-en-Ciel funicular, which climbs to Arc 1600 in 7 minutes. Shuttle buses then connect Arc 1600 to Arc 1800, 1950 and 2000, so you can arrive without a car.
By road, Chambéry airport is about 1h30 away, while Geneva and Lyon are about 2h30 to 3h, depending on traffic, snow and which village you are heading for. From 1 November to 31 March, French mountain rules require winter tyres or snow chains carried in the car.
Beyond the slopes in Les Arcs
Away from the skiing, Les Arcs offers sledging, snowshoe outings and winter walks, and the architecture of Arc 1600 and 1800 is worth a stroll in itself. Every December the resort hosts the Les Arcs Film Festival, dedicated to European cinema. With a Paradiski pass you can also cross the Vanoise Express for a day in La Plagne, including a ride on its 1992 Olympic bobsleigh track.
Après-ski is relaxed rather than wild, with the liveliest bars in Arc 1800 and Arc 2000, and Arc 1950’s car-free square is pleasant for an evening walk and dinner.
When to go to Les Arcs
The season usually runs from mid-December to late April. January is a good time for quieter slopes and lower prices outside the New Year week. February is the busiest month with French and UK school holidays, so book early. March offers longer days and a solid snow base, while in April the upper slopes around Arc 2000 and the Aiguille Rouge usually stay in good condition, and the lower runs turn to spring snow.
Your Les Arcs holiday with AlpAway
AlpAway can help you choose the right village and organise your accommodation, lift passes, equipment rental, lessons and transfers, by road or by train and funicular. If you are weighing up Les Arcs against La Plagne, the other half of Paradiski, tell us your dates, group and level and we will send you a tailored proposal.
Your questions about Les Arcs
Is Les Arcs good for families?
Yes. Each village has its own beginner area and ski schools, Arc 1950 is car-free, and Arc 1800 has the widest choice of shops and activities. Most accommodation is in apartments and residences close to the slopes.
Which Les Arcs village is best?
It depends on what you want. Arc 1800 is the largest and liveliest, Arc 1950 is car-free and compact, Arc 2000 is the highest and most snow-sure, and Arc 1600 is small, quiet and linked to the valley by funicular.
Is Les Arcs good for beginners?
It is a good choice for beginners, with nursery areas in every village and wide blue runs linking them for the next step. The ESF and independent schools offer group and private lessons in each village.
How do I get to Les Arcs by train?
Take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, served by TGV from Paris and, on winter weekends, by Eurostar Snow trains from London with one change in Lille. A footbridge leads to the funicular, which reaches Arc 1600 in 7 minutes, and shuttle buses continue to the other villages.
How far is Les Arcs from Geneva?
Allow about 2h30 to 3h by road from Geneva airport, depending on traffic, snow and your village. Lyon is a similar distance, and Chambéry is closer, at about 1h30.
Is Les Arcs ski-in/ski-out?
Much of Les Arcs was built for skiing, and many residences in Arc 1950, Arc 2000 and parts of Arc 1800 and 1600 are on or very close to the pistes. Always check the exact location, as distances vary within each village.
What is Paradiski?
Paradiski is the ski area formed by Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne, linked by the Vanoise Express double-decker cable car. Together they offer 425 km of pistes, accessible with a Paradiski lift pass.
How long is the Aiguille Rouge run?
From the summit of the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m, the run to Villaroger is about 7 km long, with a vertical drop of 2,026 m. It is best kept for confident skiers, as the upper section is steep and exposed.
Your Les Arcs holiday, designed around you.
Share your dates, your group and your wishes. We reply with a free, personalised proposal.
