Les Arcs Overview

Les Arcs – The resort

Located in Savoie, at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park and facing Mont Blanc, the Les Arcs – Bourg Saint Maurice destination was born in 1968 with the creation of Arc 1600. From Bourg Saint Maurice, at 850 metres, to the summit of the Aiguille Rouge, at 3,226 metres, it brings together four high-altitude villages: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. Summer and winter alike, enjoy an exceptional playground for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, outdoor activities and wide open spaces. A destination to enjoy through the seasons, full of nature, thrills and freedom!

Arc 1600: The Original
Les Arcs' architectural signature was born here. Arc 1600 has an intimate atmosphere and provides access both to Bourg Saint Maurice and to the other Arcs villages.

Arc 1800: The Hyperactive
The hub of the multi-sport offering in both winter and summer, in the heart of the mountain area, Arc 1800 is also very friendly.

Arc 1950: The Trendy One
Its hybrid look, inspired by North American resorts, and its multicultural atmosphere make it a popular place for a stroll. Truly ski-in/ski-out in winter.

Arc 2000: The Summit
The highest of the villages, it guarantees snow and is a paradise for experienced skiers. It is connected to the highest points of the ski area, and also to Arc 1950 for après-ski.

(Note the 7-minute funicular link between Bourg St Maurice and Arc 1600.)

With more than 100 runs spread over 200 km of marked pistes, served by 52 lifts, the Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry ski area is one of the largest in France and offers terrain for all levels, from beginners to the most experienced skiers.

Another major asset is its 2,026 metres of vertical drop, between 1,200 and 3,226 metres, offering long descents and a great variety of terrain.

And to extend the experience, the Essentiel pass also gives access to the La Plagne ski area, linked to Les Arcs by the spectacular Vanoise Express cable car. In total, 425 km of pistes await skiers, at the heart of one of the largest linked ski areas in the world.

Les Arcs highlights

- Easy access by train and funicular from Bourg Saint Maurice.
- Remarkable architecture, linked to Charlotte Perriand.
- Largely pedestrianised villages, with plenty of ski-in/ski-out accommodation.
- Exceptional views of Mont Blanc.
- 70% of the ski area above 2,000 metres.
- Access to Paradiski, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world (425 km of pistes).
- Plenty of freeride opportunities, with equipped and supervised off-piste itineraries.
- A wide variety of high-altitude activities beyond skiing: sledging, zip line, snowshoe hikes and unusual experiences.

Getting to Les Arcs

By train:
Les Arcs is easy to reach without a car thanks to a rail network linking Bourg Saint Maurice to many French and European cities. Then take the funicular (free for train ticket holders), which reaches Arc 1600 in 7 minutes, and the free shuttle buses serving the resort's other villages.

By car:
- Take the motorway to Albertville, then the RN90 towards Moûtiers.
- Continue on the RN90 via Moûtiers and Aime-la-Plagne to Bourg Saint Maurice.
- In Bourg Saint Maurice, follow the D119 towards Les Arcs and continue to your destination: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 or Arc 2000.

Please note that the following passes are closed in winter: Col du Petit Saint Bernard and Cormet de Roselend.

Parking in Les Arcs

- Bourg Saint Maurice: funicular car park, paid in winter, by the half day or full day.
- Arc 1600: free outdoor parking.
- Arc 1800: paid outdoor parking and covered car parks.
- Arc 1950: paid covered car parks.
- Arc 2000: paid outdoor parking and covered car parks.

Les Arcs ski area

The alpine ski area

Staying in Les Arcs means first and foremost enjoying large hotel and residential complexes right next to the slopes, offering optimal access to not one but two huge ski areas:
- the Les Arcs ski area, which alone totals some 200 km of pistes;
- the Paradiski area (linking Les Arcs to Peisey-Vallandry and then La Plagne), which offers 425 km in total.

Anyone spending a week's holiday in Les Arcs can therefore ski a different sector every day. At around forty runs a day, by the end of the week you will have skied some 250 runs across these two areas… Let's be clear from the start: there will be no time to dawdle if you want to take on this challenge!

At the foot of the Aiguille Rouge (the highest point of the Les Arcs ski area, at 3,226 m) and in the shadow of Mont Pourri, a wide range of runs for all levels and a great variety of terrain await you, all served by a largely modern and fast lift network. From challenging high-altitude runs to long, gentler pistes winding through the forests, Les Arcs offers a very varied ski area with numerous traverses, ridges, valleys and gullies.

The Vanoise Express cable car even takes you from Plan Peisey to Montchavin – La Plagne, extending your ski area to 425 kilometres of pistes! This vast ski paradise, astonishing in its diversity, lets you discover a wide range of villages and atmospheres, moving from the snowpark to the glaciers, and from the forest to the powder fields…

Off-piste skiing in Les Arcs

Les Arcs is also renowned for its off-piste terrain. The ski area covers a vast zone, much of which lies away from the marked and groomed pistes. The north face of the Aiguille Rouge, for example, is very popular for its long ridge opening onto a myriad of off-piste lines.

Iconic routes include the steep Couloir en S, with slopes of up to 45 degrees, and the 7 km descent from the summit of the Aiguille Rouge down to Villaroger.

Please note: given the size of the terrain, if you are not fully familiar with the dangers of off-piste skiing, it is essential to go with a guide or an instructor!

If you prefer to stay on the pistes while enjoying ungroomed terrain, you can choose one of the 10 secured but ungroomed runs: Varet, Crêtes, Dou de l'Homme, Lanches, Robert Blanc, Génépi, Bois de l'Ours, les Bosses, les 2 Têtes and Malgovert.

Finally, Arc 2000 is home to France's largest speed riding school, where you can glide down untouched slopes with a small paraglider wing on your back… Another side of off-piste skiing to try, without needing to be a professional freerider.

Snowparks and fun zones in Les Arcs

Located in the Arc 1600 sector and covered by the snowmaking network, the Les Arcs snowpark is generally up and running from the start of the winter season.

It features several lines (a blue line with 4 kickers and 2 rails, a red line with 4 kickers and 3 rails, and a black line combining a double kicker and 3 rails) to cater for beginner freestylers and international-level riders alike.

Nearby, the boardercross lets everyone have a blast racing with family or friends. And when the sunny days arrive (from March), head to the water slide and try to make it across the pool!

Our recommendations for your stay in Les Arcs

Les Arcs must-dos

- What's new: the zip line, the Vallandry area and the giant Les Arcs letters.
- First Tracks: skiing for the ‘privileged few’! Start your day on freshly groomed pistes before anyone else, then enjoy breakfast at the top in the company of mountain professionals.
- Luge 1800: choose your helmet and your sledge (Speedy, Rocket or Big Bus) and get ready to go after riding up the Villards gondola. The sledge takes you on a 900 m circuit full of thrills and experiences, finishing in an illuminated tunnel. Open to little ones (from age 3) and grown-ups alike, every day from 2pm to 7.15pm, with night sessions on Thursday evenings until 8.15pm.
- Luge 2000: a track with banked bends alternating fast sections and gliding sections – thrills guaranteed! Open every day from 10.30am, the experience is reserved for those aged over 10 and at least 1.25 m tall. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- The Natur' pistes (ungroomed, best enjoyed after each fresh snowfall): Varet, Crêtes, Dou de l'Homme, Lanches, Droset, Robert Blanc, Génépi and Bois de l'Ours.
- The Chrono Speed zone: a dedicated area to test your speed safely, with a timing cell and your speed displayed at the finish (in Peisey-Vallandry, under the 2300 chairlift).
- The Avalanche Park: an area entirely dedicated to learning how to use your avalanche transceiver. You can practise there with the help of the ski area's ski patrollers.

Unmissable events at Les Arcs

Every winter, Les Arcs hosts and/or organises a number of major sporting and cultural events that would be a shame to miss during your stay:
- Les Arcs Film Festival: 12 to 19 December 2026
- Arc 1950 Freeride Week: 18 to 23 January 2027
- Les Arcs Star Trail: 12 March 2027
- Highline Freestyle World Cup: April 2027

Learning to ski

Because everyone has their own wishes, level and pace on the snow, the Les Arcs ski and snowboard schools offer packages to suit every profile. First turns, improving technique, freestyle or off-piste: in group or private lessons, benefit from the advice of qualified instructors to progress with confidence. And with a smile, even behind your goggles!

To find the package that suits you, rely on the professionals at ESF (in Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000), Evolution 2 (Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000), Initial Snow, École de Ski Privilège or, for snowboarders, Switch Snowboard by Privilège.

Childcare

A paradise for skiing… and for children!

At Les Arcs, little ones enjoy big holidays too! Free lift pass for under-5s, adapted ski lessons from age 3, snow gardens, kids' clubs, nurseries and activities for the whole family: everything is in place for an unforgettable mountain holiday.

For the youngest children, Les Arcs offers:
- Arc 1800: Mini Club Les Skimômes, for children aged 3 to 8, with ESF ski lessons, childcare, meals and fun activities.
- Arc 1950: Yéti Camp, with the P'tit Cariboo nursery for children aged 9 months to 3 years and the Cariboo's Club for 3 to 13-year-olds.
- Arc 2000: Halte Garderie 2000, for children aged 18 months up to and including 6 years.

There are also babysitting and in-home childcare services, as well as accommodation offering kids' clubs.

And don't forget the many activities to share as a family: sledging, play areas, a visit to the ice cave and plenty of other snowy adventures!