France
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Región: Northern Alps
The French ski resort of Les Arcs is located in the Tarentaise valley (Savoie) in the Northern Alps.
The Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry ski area covers more than 200km of 123 runs, mainly blue and red. It comprises four sectors named after their altitude: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. These four areas are well connected by road, and Arc 1600 is linked to Bourg Saint Maurice by a funicular railway.
Table of Contents
The Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry mountain area
The Les Arcs resort is divided into two areas: Arc 1600 and Arc 1800, and Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. The areas of Les Arcs / Peisey Vallandry and La Plagne are linked by the incredible Vanoise Express cable car. They form the Paradiski area, one of the largest ski resorts in France. With over 425km of pistes, Paradiski has something for everyone. And it goes without saying that 70% of the ski area is above 2000m altitude. By the way, did you know that this ski resort is part of one of the largest skiable domains in the world?
The Aiguille Rouge (3226m) is located on the heights of Arc 2000 and is accessible by cable car. It is the roof of the ski area and offers spectacular views over the Alps. Its footbridge offers a breathtaking panorama accessible to skiers and pedestrians alike!
Les Arcs, for all tastes and colours
Les Arcs is a very complete resort, with runs to suit all tastes and abilities. Three of them are slalom runs. The Les Arcs snowpark is 7.5 hectares of fun for snowboarders and skiers. Whether you’re an expert, advanced or beginner, there’s something for everyone. At Arc 2000, awaken your athletic and competitive spirit on the bordercross. An efficient snowmaking network ensures reliable snow cover throughout the resort.
Off-piste
Les Arcs also has 11 NATURE pistes (ungroomed, marked and safe natural runs), including the most difficult piste in the resort.
Finally, after a day’s skiing, there’s nothing better than relaxing and rejuvenating at ‘La Piscine’, a 3800 m2 aqualudic centre right in the middle of the Arc 1800 pistes. You can find all the latest news from the resort on the YUGE application!
Les Arcs ski resort committed to sustainable development
The 4,000 hectares that make up the Les Arcs playground are rich in landscapes, flora and fauna. Bordered by protected natural areas such as the Hauts de Villaroger National Reserve and the Vanoise National Park, it is vital to ensure the health of its ecosystem and biodiversity.
An environmental observatory
In 2012, the ski area set up an environmental observatory to study and map the species that inhabit it. The creation of this observatory has significantly improved our knowledge of the state of biodiversity and landscapes.
It is also fully integrated into the process of developing and designing new development projects for the estate,
to reconcile its activities with environmental protection. For example, every year the estate undertakes reforestation and species planting. Work is timed to minimise the impact on wildlife.
Unforgettable experiences in Les Arcs
Would you like to live like an Inuit for an evening? Make your dream come true and discover the largest Igloo Village in the French Alps and its ice cave!
Perched at an altitude of over 2000m, a themed setting made exclusively of snow and ice awaits you in Les Arcs, at the start of the Arcabulle chairlift. An ice cave, igloo bar, bedrooms, restaurant areas and dancefloor – that’s the layout of this 400m2 Igloo Village that you’ll just have to discover…
Peaking at over 3226m, the Aiguille Rouge offers a breathtaking 360° panorama!
On foot or on skis, discover the Italian Alps, Mont Pourri, the Pierra Menta, not forgetting the magnificent Mont Blanc in front of you.
An unbeatable view
A footbridge has been installed so that everyone can contemplate the exceptional beauty of the Alps. Accessible to pedestrians and skiers alike, the footbridge stretches for dozens of metres and has a glass railing at the end of each overhang. An impressive sight!
On one side, you can see the majesty of the Alps. On the other, you overlook the Hauts de Villaroger nature reserve, a wild site where protected flora and fauna thrive. In conjunction with the ONF, an educational trail has been set up to inform and educate visitors about the reserve’s natural treasures.
Hotels in Les Arcs ski resort
TAJ-I MAH *****
The first 5-star hotel in Les Arcs, in a prime location on the slopes
48 rooms with views of Mont Blanc or directly onto the ski area, everything has been designed for your well-being and comfort.
2 restaurants where gastronomy plays with original and gourmet combinations. Charcoal-fired cooking for unique culinary moments, all to be savoured in a warm, refined setting or on our panoramic, south-facing terrace with a panoramic view over the Arc Valley (Arc 2000).
Our 400 m² Spa is an invitation to let go and relax. Discover treatments from the famous brands ESPA and Valmont.
L’Arcadien ***
L’Arcadien Hôtel & Spa welcomes you in the spirit of a classic mountain chalet with just the right amount of contemporary touches to combine tradition and modernity.
Lovers of snow sports, fresh air and breathtaking Alpine scenery, l’Arcadien Hôtel & Spa, in the heart of Paradiski, will delight you winter and summer alike.
Hôtel La Cachette**** Arc 1600
An emblematic hotel in the history of the resort, restored in the spirit of the architects and designers who created it, it is ideally located at the arrival of the funicular with direct access to the whole of Europe and has 88 rooms!
At La Cachette, well-being is above all outdoors, in the mountains and forests of Les Arcs! But when you return from your adventures, what a pleasure it is to let go! An attentive team and a range of treatments that will amplify the natural benefits of altitude, pure air and the strength of our environment.
Discover an outdoor sauna and jacuzzi on the spa terrace, ideal for relaxation.
The mountain resort of Les Arcs in summer
White water sports have become a must-do activity in the Haute-Tarentaise valley!
Rafting, canyoning, white-water swimming… It’s time to take the plunge! Push back your limits and discover these thrilling activities. Along the water and supervised by professionals, white water sports will refresh your spirit!
Looking for a thrill? Mountain karting is coming to Les Arcs this summer! Discover this outdoor activity with your family or friends this summer in Les Arcs. 100% fun! Go beyond your limits by testing these all-terrain machines, in complete safety, on specially prepared tracks in the heart of Arc 1800.
Skiing in Les Arcs: the resort’s highlights
A major hub in the Paradiski area
Les Arcs, together with Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne, forms the Paradiski area (425 km of slopes), connected by the double-decker Vanoise Express cable car, which crosses the valley in ~4 minutes and carries up to 2,000 people per hour in each direction. It is one of the most efficient systems for covering long distances in a single day, with a panoramic crossing at a height of 380 metres.
A very dynamic region with reliable snow cover
Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry has a total of around 200 km of slopes and claims that 70% of the terrain is above 2,000 m, which translates into consistent snow quality throughout the season. The highest point is the Aiguille Rouge (3,226 m), with a continuous descent to Villaroger (~1,200 m): nearly 7 km of skiing and ~2,000 m of vertical drop in one go.
Five ‘villages’ and five ways to experience the mountains
The destination is organised around Bourg Saint Maurice, Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. Arc 1950 is pedestrianised and upmarket; Arc 2000 opens onto the upper cirque and sports skiing; Arc 1800 is the hub for multi-sports activities in both winter and summer; Arc 1600 retains its pioneering spirit and immediate access by funicular railway; Bourg Saint Maurice is the railway gateway.
Exemplary rail access and internal mobility
From Bourg Saint Maurice station, the funicular takes you to Arc 1600 in ~7 minutes; it is a fast, scenic and more sustainable solution than road access. From there, free shuttles connect the different centres of the destination.
A terrain for everyone: from intermediate carving to big verticals
Les Arcs offers a balance between blue boulevards perfect for progressing and technical sectors (Aiguille Rouge, Grand Col) and protected forests towards Peisey-Vallandry, ideal when the weather is unstable. The Aiguille Rouge → Villaroger → Arc 1600 route is an iconic run combining black and red sections, covering nearly 2,000 metres of vertical drop with views of Mont Blanc. Expert tip: ski it first thing in the morning to avoid bumps and temperature changes in the lower section.
Beginners and families with their own ecosystem
The ‘ski tranquille’ areas and beginner areas are spread across all the villages, with a special mention for Arc 1800 and the upper bowl of Arc 2000, which is vast and easy to navigate, helping you to gain confidence. It is an objectively pleasant destination for the first and second weeks of skiing.
Freestyle, snowpark and themed programmes
The snowpark and boardercross lines are integrated into the Arc 1800-Col d’Arpette axis, with easy access from Vagère/Arpette. For creative types, the complex offers progressive lines and a regularly maintained freestyle environment.
Well-being and après-ski with a personal touch
The La Piscine complex (Arc 1800) is open in winter and summer with a wellness and fitness area; it is the most comprehensive option for relaxing your legs after long days on the slopes, and is the anchor point for family après-ski in Arc 1800.
Sustainability with measures and certifications
Les Arcs was the first resort in Savoie to obtain the Flocon Vert label and today retains two ‘flocons’ (level of excellence in progress). At group level, the Compagnie des Alpes encourages Net Zero initiatives with 100% green electricity, the adoption of HVO in snow groomers and local carbon sink projects with the ONF; at the same time, the sector (Domaines Skiables de France) has set 2037 as the overall target for carbon neutrality.
Recent innovations in ski lifts and the skiing experience
From December 2025, Villaroger will welcome a new modern and fast gondola lift replacing the Replat and Plan des Violettes chairlifts.
With its 40 10-seater cabins and external ski racks, this lift redefines comfort and efficiency, connecting Replat (1,200 m) to the summit of Plan des Violettes (2,119 m) in just 6 minutes 45 seconds, reducing the ascent time by almost 10 minutes.
Expert advice for getting the most out of Les Arcs (and Paradiski)
- For a great ‘mixed’ day: Aiguille Rouge at dawn and connection to Villaroger; then return through the forest to Peisey-Vallandry when the wind picks up. The snow remains cold and visibility is good.
- If you plan to cross over to La Plagne, take the Vanoise Express before noon and set a return time (ideally before 3:30 p.m.) to avoid traffic jams and closures due to bad weather.
- With beginners, base yourself at Arc 1800 or Arc 2000 (top of the bowl); for optimal calm and pedestrian traffic, Arc 1950; for a varied lifestyle and services, Arc 1800; for rail access, Bourg + funicular.
- Unstable weather: seek out the forest (Peisey-Vallandry, Arc 1600) or medium altitudes; opposite weather conditions: head up to the glaciers and higher altitudes early.
- If you’re aiming for mileage, stay near the Transarc (fast link between the other Les Arcs sites) and use the YUGE app for queues, maps and challenges.
- Safety: off-piste skiing around the Aiguille Rouge is difficult; hire a guide and take an avalanche transceiver/shovel/probe with you. The changes in snow conditions throughout the ‘mega-descent’ put a lot of strain on your legs: make sure you stay hydrated and conserve your energy.
