425 Km (linked with La Plagne to form the Paradiski area)
1600 M, 1800 M, 1950 M, 2000 M
1,600 M – 3,226 M
Aiguille Rouge – 3,226 M
Green 18, Blue 129, Red 77, Black 34
Chambery 2.25 hrs
Lyon 3 hrs
Geneva 3 hrs
Les Arcs is a great choice for groups of families and friends with its incredible offering of ski-in/ski-out accommodation, whilst also catering for those looking to get a little more adventurous with its legendary off-piste zones.
From early December to end of April.
Each of the main Les Arcs villages have a good beginner area and a number of free lifts for learners to use. Just note that here no green runs are marked on the trail map – this is not because everywhere is steeper, but just because the resort only use blue/red/black markers. Progression onto longer runs is good, including the winding Forêt trail down to Vallandry and the gentle blues in the Arc 2000 bowl.
Les Arcs is a great choice for families wanting convenience, especially as much of the accommodation is in ski-in-ski-out, self-catering apartments. The new Mille 8 area at 1800 is a great innovation and it has an excellent leisure pool at the base as well as skiing and tobogganing. Arc 1950 has a family-friendly layout and also has a good programme of kids’ activities. Family chalet holidays are mostly available in Peisey and Vallandry.
Made up of 4 villages (1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000) whose names all refer to their altitude, Les Arc offers some of the most convenient and snow-sure skiing across the entirety of The Alps. With all 4 villages being fully pedestrianised, they lend themselves to family orientated skiing and therefore offer the perfect conditions for anyone learning to ski.
The combined area of Les Arcs alone enjoys a healthy 200 KM of slopes, however through Les Arcs ability to link up with the neighbouring resorts of Peisey Vallandry and La Plagne to make up the Paradiski, the total distance of skiable area jumps up to a phenomenal 425 KM of piste. The area itself is a unique, limitless playground, with all 4 villages offering a different style of skiing: Les Arc 1600 offers a more peaceful and family orientated setup, Les Arc 1800 is the main area offering a well balanced blend of relaxed skiing and resort atmosphere with the pick of the bars, restaurants and shops. Les Arc 1950 and 2000 offer the best access to the high altitude snow-sure skiing that the area is known for with a handful of nice bars and restaurants to choose from.
First opened in 1986 with just Les Arc 1600, the then groundbreaking design and styling of the first purpose built apartment blocks in The Alps was the complete opposite of the more traditional wooden chalet laden resorts. Before long this more modern approach proved its worth and was soon copied across other ski resorts around the world.
With five village resorts, Les Arcs necessarily has five times more skiing and best leisure facilities to offer its visitors to book for holidays but also, and this is the charm of this domain, five different atmospheres to propose to them. Each village has created its own identity to attract a specific type of clientele.
Following the success of Les Arc 1600, Arc 1800 was constructed in 1974, Arc 2000 in 1979 and Arc 1950 in 2003. Each project was accompanied by the construction of ski lifts (chairlifts, cable cars, funiculars…) so that the whole piste area was perfectly connected. A successful gamble since Les Arcs is now part of the second largest linked ski lift area in the world, The Paradiski.
There is no question that Les Arcs main selling point is its amazing variety of ski-in/ski-out chalets and apartments making sure that you make the absolute most of your time on the mountain.
With its highest point at 3226 m, the resort benefits from exceptional snow conditions, Les Arcs has a great reputation for off-piste terrain; the resort covers a huge area and much of it is outside the groomed motorways. The north face of the Aiguille Rouge is highly regarded with its long ridge opening up a myriad of off-piste options in what are the few remaining areas of the Tarentaise not yet filled with lifts and pistes.
Les Arcs is a very family-oriented resort, on and off the slopes, with 75-percent of terrain rated easy or intermediate and more than 50 blue runs to choose from.
In general terms the terrain becomes progressively more challenging the further you ascend with gentle runs through the woods down at Arc 1600, then the heart of the ski area is home to many wide cruising blue and red pistes as you move above the treeline, and then the upper runs on the exposed Aiguille Rouge offer some of the greatest challenges. A sign as you board the cable car up here advises that only good skiers should attempt to ski down. There are red as well as black options.
The resort has a strong history of excellence when it comes to ski tuition dating right back to the 1970s when it pioneered ‘ski evolutif’ which saw first-timers learn proper technique (rather than progressing from snowplough) on progressively longer skis. This teaching method was superseded by the arrival of carving skis, but Les Arcs has sought to maintain its leading status as a teaching resort and operates a number of learner-only areas close to the resort bases, complete with easy to ride conveyor lifts serving very gentle gradients.
The most recent opening is at Arc 2000 close to where the Olympic Flame is located commemorating the resort’s role in the 1992 Albertville Olympics. Both adult and child beginners are welcome to use these facilities.
Arc 1800 is really the liveliest place to be in the Les Arcs region and is the main centre for the apres ski scene. A good start at the beginning of the evening is the J.O Bar, which is open till late and has live music (read cover bands in true resort style!), the Red Hot Saloon and the Jungle Cafe are all friendly spots where the cocktails, music and atmosphere may keep you out long past bed time. For a quieter tipple, there is a cosy bar in Place Miravaldi called the Gabotte, and the Jazz Bar in the Hotel du Golf.
La Frutiere, Folie Douce, located at the top of the Villards gondola in Arc 1800, within the celebrated La Folie Douce après-ski and gourmet hotspot, La Fruitière serves delicious modern dishes based on traditional flavours.
L’Arpette at 2050m has both self-service and table service options as well as a bar if you would just like a drink. It is a well-placed stop en route back to either 1600 or 1800. The sun terrace has some of the best views of the valley which is why we love this place, oh and because of the cheese! Cheese is their speciality so we recommend you try out their tartiflette or fondue.
Le Solliet above Villaroger is a delightful wooden chalet which offers great food with a great view from their terrace. If you are looking for somewhere to warm up on a cold day, then head over on the Arc 1800 side by the Grizzly chair where you will fin Aux Enfants Terrible which has a self-service restaurant on the ground floor and fine dining above. We’ve heard good things about their food and even better things about their hot chocolates which are extra-large! La Crèche also serves up a delicious hot chocolate.
Arc 1800 is home to over 50 restaurants, there is not an overwhelming choice, however almost everywhere is family-friendly and you can find a range of menus to suit your taste and budget. No visit is complete to Arc 1800 without a crepe at the cosy Mamie Crêpe.
In 1600 the slope-side Chalet de L’Orso is a cosy option that serves fantastic food and Le Cairn is another great option serving Savoyard specialities.
In Arc 1950 you can find a few different choices, our favourite of which is Chalet du Luigi, brilliant to fill up with pasta before a big day on the mountain. La Table des Lys has some great wines and comes highly recommended. The restaurants in Arc 1950 do get busy quickly though, especially on the weekends and peak weeks so we recommend you book ahead to avoid missing out.
Arc 2000 is similarly busy to 1950, so again book ahead to avoid being disappointed. We love Chez Eux – go for a pizza here, you won’t regret it.
ESF1800 offers a huge selection of fully qualified English speaking instructors, they also offer a range of other activities such as cross country skiing, telemarking and snowshoeing.
Supreme Ski have over 27 years of experience, offering an exceptional level of instruction for all ages and abilities.
New Generation offer a great team of instructors teaching ski, snowboard, group and private lessons to any age or ability.
As a respected and trusted agency with over 16 years of experience, you are in good hands. We have travelled the Alps to put together our comprehensive portfolio and know all of our chalets and owners personally.
What’s more, we will always offer an honest, unbiased opinion to help you secure the chalet that’s right for you, at the best price. With free pre-arrival concierge thrown in.
Plus if you can’t find what you’re looking for on our site, simply get in touch. We have access to a whole host of stunning chalets and family-friendly properties not yet featured on our site.
All of our chalets have been hand-picked with exceptional service and experience in mind. Our comprehensive portfolio offers you access to all of the finest luxury ski chalets in Europe’s leading ski resorts.
Our ski specialist offer friendly impartial advice and have unrivalled resort and chalet knowledge. They have also visited the properties so we have first hand experience of what will be the best fit for you and your group.
Our pre-arrival concierge team work around the clock to ensure you have everything organised to perfection. From expert advice on the liveliest après-ski stops to husky sledging, heli-skiing or a private jet, no request is too difficult.
Our prices are never undercut. We are competitive in the market and do the research to secure the best deal on your behalf. So you can rest assured you will never find the chalet at a better rate elsewhere.
Wow. What an amazing trip from start to end. The Chalet Edit have curated an incredible set of properties. Alongside this the service was faultless; incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and friendly. The team were always thinking ahead of things we needed and provided great recommendations about all aspects of the holiday from childcare, hire, and transfers to restaurants and apres spots. Would not hesitate to book again with the Chalet Edit.
Annabel and Anna were so helpful with all aspects (chalet, transfers, childcare, ski equipment etc) and super-efficient. Transparent and timely communication around all Covid aspects too. Would definitely book again, as they really made it so easy for me! Thank you so much for everything.
Excellent service from Anna at the Chalet Edit. Super knowledgable regarding the resorts and properties. Very proactive in helping navigating all travel complications due to COVID restrictions. Has become my first port of call for skiing property needs!