As the Christmas vacations are fast approaching, ‘Reasons to Ski at Les Arcs’ might be a thought that’s crossing your mind while you daydream at your desk. Imagine snow-covered landscapes, a delightful family meal over raclette, or an exhilarating dog-sled ride. Your perfect winter getaway awaits at Les Arcs!
A must-see ski resort in the Haute-Tarentaise Valley and the Savoie region, Les Arcs is the ideal destination for winter vacations this year!
You’re probably wondering what’s so special about Les Arcs? To answer that question, we’ve put together a list of 10 good reasons to visit this multi-faceted resort.
Here are 10 good reasons to come to Les Arcs this winter
1. Enjoy the world’s second-largest ski area
Coming to Les Arcs means treating yourself to an incredible skiing area!
Since 2003, the resorts of Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne have been connected by the Paradiski ski area. This is the world’s largest linked ski area, with excellent accessibility thanks to its famous Vanoise express cable car network. This gives you access to no fewer than 425 km of runs, 70% of which are above 2,000 m altitude.
Boarders cross, snowparks, off-piste, blue, red and black runs… there’s something for every level and every taste!
Not to mention one of Europe’s longest ski runs: the Aiguille rouge (7km) with its glacier culminating at 3226 m.
2. Easy access to the resort
The resort is remarkably easy to get to, making your stay a breeze!
Cars, trains, buses… you choose your own means of transport. There are even direct bus routes from major towns, and once you’re here you can take the Arc-en-ciel funicular, which links Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Arc 1600 in just 7 minutes! This modern means of transport will enable you to make the most of your day on the slopes and discover the valley’s historical and cultural heritage.
🚆 Check Train Schedules & Prices
The resort is pedestrian-only, allowing you to stroll freely in a pleasant and relaxing setting. For inter-station mobility, the resort has a network of free shuttles to help you get around! You’ll find all the timetables here.
3. Book your stay on a budget
The accommodation on offer in this resort is remarkably varied, ranging from cosy chalets to more economical apartments. This allows everyone to find a place to stay that suits their means, without compromising on comfort or experience.
The activities available are equally impressive. In winter, the slopes welcome ski enthusiasts of all levels, while in summer, the mountains offer an idyllic setting for hiking, mountain biking and many other outdoor activities. There’s always something to satisfy your desire for discovery and adventure.
A particularly interesting aspect is the possibility of benefiting from advantageous rates by booking in advance. For the planners among us, this is an opportunity not to be missed to save on accommodation and activities.
Whether you’re traveling alone, as a couple, with family or friends, this ski resort is a destination to consider for a memorable vacation, suitable for all budgets. It’s a place where the beauty of the mountains blends harmoniously with the accessibility and diversity of the experiences on offer.
4. Find the accommodation that’s right for you
Les Arcs also has a special feature that will not leave you indifferent: its architecture!
The resorts of Les Arcs 1600 (1968) and 1800 (1972) have been classified as 20th century heritage sites since March 10, 2003. These resorts and Arcs 2000 were designed by the visionary Roger Godino, assisted by the Atelier d’Architecture en Montagne, Gaston Regairaz (architect), Bernard Taillefer (architect), Charlotte Perriand (architect), Guy Rey Millet (architect) and Jean Prouvé (engineer).
In Les Arcs, you’ll also find wooden chalets, mountain decor, Jacuzzis, panoramic views… Let yourself be surprised by the charm of these accommodations.
The commune of Bourg Saint Maurice – Les Arcs has 50,000 tourist beds, half of which are concentrated in the Les Arcs 1800 sector.
🔗 Read Also: Discover the 6 Best Hotels in Les Arcs for Your Alpine Getaway
5. Savour Savoyard specialities in one of our many restaurants
You’ll also find a wide choice of local restaurants to delight your taste buds. On the menu: raclette, fondue, tartiflette, local charcuterie, gourmet desserts and more!
Whether it’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, one on the slopes, a fast-food restaurant or a takeaway, there’s something for everyone in Les Arcs!
Here’s our selection of the best Savoyard speciality restaurants in Les Arcs:
- La cabane des Neiges (Arc 1800, les Villards)
- Les Chalets de l’Arc (Arc 2000)
- L’Escale Gourmande (les Arcs 1800, Le Charvet)
- Le Chic Mama (Arc 1800, le Charvet)
- Chez Clarisse (Arc 1800, les Villards)
- Le Choucas (Arc 1800, le Charvet)
- L’Arpette (Arc 1800)
- Le 2134 (Les Arcs 2000)
6. Take part in incredible events all winter long
The Les Arcs resort is punctuated by highlights every winter: festivals, sporting events and cultural events.
Every year, the magic of Christmas and the New Year reigns here, with the famous torchlight procession in traditional garb, merchant entertainment, fireworks displays, Santa’s arrival, and more. Party-goers will also find plenty to do in Les Arcs’ many atmospheric bars and clubs.
But that’s not all: the resort also hosts a number of major sporting events, such as the BTM Winter Cup, the star trail and the ski2bike.
And every year, outdoor ski enthusiasts and those curious to discover new things are invited to the Winter Film Festival, a must-see event for film buffs.
7. Unusual experiences
A night in an igloo? Yes, it’s possible in Les Arcs!
The resort offers a wide range of unusual experiences for groups, including the “Les Arcs igloo village” at 2000 m altitude.
There, you can enjoy a fondue, a cocktail or even a party in a bar-restaurant with icy walls, but also spend a night in cocooning mode, unlike any other. You can also explore the 200 m2 ice grotto, decorated with extraordinary artistic sculptures.
But that’s not all: other sensational experiences await you at Les Arcs, including game areas, ski joering, starlit walks and evenings in Mongolian yurts!
One thing’s for sure: you’ll never be bored in Les Arcs!
8. Relax after skiing
Les Arcs offers a host of relaxation and wellness facilities.
Among them, we’d like to introduce you to our favorite place to relax after a day on the slopes: the Deep Nature Spa in Arc 1950! With its 1,000 m2 mineral world, it’s one of the largest spas in the Alps. The spa features saunas, a frosted grotto, Jacuzzi, Nordic baths, hammams, a Norwegian shower and a volcanic grotto, all with a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc.
And that’s not all… you can also relax with a massage, a yoga class, or a workout in one of the resort’s fitness centers!
9. Choose a committed resort
While not all resorts have yet taken up the challenge of sustainable development, it is one of tomorrow’s key issues. The resort of Les Arcs is one of these players, and has declared its ambition to place ecology at the heart of its development.
As well as being an entirely pedestrian resort, to limit the use of cars, in 2012 Les Arcs created an environmental observatory to study and list the species that live there, in order to protect its fauna. Concerned about protecting its fragile ecosystem, it has also installed a green roof over the Pré Saint-Esprit chairlift, providing a home for over 2 million bees.
The resort also advocates a rational use of artificial snow: with 70% of the ski area above 2000 meters, snow is generally naturally present. The resort also uses solar energy to power some of its lifts.
With the aim of obtaining the “flocon vert” label, awarded to green ski resorts by the Mountain Riders association, Les Arcs also organizes waste collection days… a fight against plastic that the resort takes very seriously!
Les Arcs is the ideal resort for “green skiing”!
10. Breathtaking panoramas are just one of the reasons to ski in Les Arcs.
Coming to Les Arcs is also an opportunity to take in the sights! Located close to the Vanoise National Park, the Les Arcs ski area offers unrivalled panoramic views of the Savoyard region.
For the best view, we recommend climbing to the resort’s highest point, the Aiguille Rouge (3226m), via a footbridge. The latter is no less than 35 metres high and overlooks the Hauts de Villaroger nature reserve.
Other sports not to be missed include the Col des Frettes 1800, with its view of the Haute-Tarentaise and Arc valleys; Comborcière at Arc 2000, with its unique view of Mont-Blanc; and the Deux-têtes at Arc 1600, where you can admire Mont-Blanc and the Deux-Têtes rocks from the same vantage point.
You’ll leave with some great photos of your vacation!
