Les Arcs is a ski resort located in the Tarentaise Valley town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice in Savoie in France. Les Arcs is a part of the Paradiski system (the new vanoise Express cable car has helped it more) owned by Compagnie des Alpes, a French company that owns various ski resorts and theme parks. Aiguille Rouge at the top of Mt Blanc is to the north of the resort. Les Arcs mainly comprises Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Arch 1600 (first to open in 1968), Arch 1800, Arch 1950 and Arch 2000. Les Arcs has hosted international winter sports events like Quik Cup and the World Speed Skiing Championships on its ‘Flying Kilometre’.
Skiing at Les Arcs:
The ski area at Les Arcs has 106 runs, 54 lifts and 200 kilometres of descent. There is a piste at Aiguille Rouge with
2,100 metres in vertical drop. This ‘mega resort’ has large and wide network of pistes catering to skiers of various levels.
The skiing area is a blend of open runs (particularly above Arc 2000) and wooded runs (around Peisey and Villaroger villages). The few drag lifts at the terrain park also make it ideal for snowboarders. The ski lifts here are also modern, fast and convenient for tourists’ use.
Skiing at Les Arcs:
Les Arcs has on and off piste skking facilities for beginners, intermediates as well as the experts (the expert skiers can find black runs from the top of the Aiguille Rouge extremely exciting). These runs have 2,000 metres of vertical slope besides various off-piste trails. Skiers of all skill groups can meet over lunch after skiing above Arch 2000. Some of the best terrain parks in the Alps are also located here, for instance, the Apolcalypse terrain park above Arc 1600. There is also a big halfpipe located at Arc 2000.
The skiing season at Les Arcs extends from early December till late April.
Other activities:
- Ice skating (Arc 1800 and 2000)
- Snowshoeing
- Dog sledding
- Tobogganing
- Snow tubing (Arc 2000)
- Speed riding (skiing by wearing small paragliding sail)
- Ski joering (skiing by being pulled by a horse)
- Movie watching (Arc 2000, 1800 and 1600)
- Multigym and bowling (Arc 1800)
- Child care:
Arc 1800 has a children’s centre while there is a ‘discovery’ piste at Arch 1600 where kids can take lesson from
alpine wildlife. Les Pommes de Pin at Arc 1800 has children’s ski school and care facility - Shopping:
Limited scopes for shoppers here as only skiwears stores are mainly found here. Bourg St Maurice also has a few shopping points but in all, Les Arcs is not a place to shop. - Local heli-skiing from La Rosière (contact Helimountains; web site: www.helimountains.com for availing the service). However, one must keep in mind that heli-skiing is not allowed in the French Alps.
- Après ski:
Arc 1800 is known for its lively Après ski activities. Red Hot Saloon, Ambiente Café are popular destinations here while at Arc 1600 L’Arcelle is a good bet. At Arc 2000, Le Red Rock Café is famous. Les Belles Pintes is a lively Irish bar at this resort. - Eating out:
Arc 1800 has some high quality restaurants. Casa Mia, Gargantus, Chez Clarisse, L’Escale Gourmande, Le Choucas are some popular eating outlets here. At Arc 2000, Chez Eux is known for great Savoyard dishes, while at Arc 1950, Hemingway’s, Le hameau du glacier are popular culinary hotspots. L’Arcelle in Arc 1600 offers traditional French meals.
Accommodation:
- Radisson SAS
- Chalet Tarentaise
- Aiguille Rouge
- Hotel Du Golf
Reaching Les Arcs:
- By air:
Chambéry (127 km) and Geneva (156 km) are the nearest airports to Les Arcs. - By rail:
Bourg St Maurice is the nearest railway station (with funicular link to Les Arcs).
Getting around:
Buses link Bourg St Maurice with Les Arcs. There are also connecting roads with the villages and ski lifts.
