Skiing & Snowboarding in Les Arcs

Les Arcs is a resort with everything, for every type of winter holidaymaker, including snowboarders of all levels. Whatever your budget, boarding ability and boarding style you will find that you are thoughtfully catered for in Les Arcs.

The skiing and snowboarding

Les Arcs is composed of a number of villages at different altitudes: 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000. Recently the Les Arcs area has been linked up, via super fast and modern Vanoise Express cable car, with nearby areas La Plagne and Peisey-Villandry to form the Paradiski.

The combined space is epic in proportion offering 425 km of pisted skiing comprising 152 beginner runs, 79 intermediates and 22 advanced. Add to this supreme backcountry riding and excellent freestyle facilities and you end up with a resort that will entertain for the whole season.

For off-piste check out the Grand Col, the area under the Derby chairlift, or, for the more adventurous try the run from the Aiguille Grive. For more relaxing freeriding you could try the trails below the Peisey-Vallandry lifts.

The Apocalypse snowpark is suitable for all levels with a range of kickers, tabletops, rails and jumps that will keep any serious freestyler busy. There is also a fast and popular boardercross area.

Although the resort is insanely popular, because of the sheer size of the place there is plenty of room for everyone which means the pistes aren’t crowded and the queues for the lifts are reasonable.

Furthermore, the pistes are generally well-groomed and the area gets quite good snow anyway so pisted skiing is a joy for all levels of boarders.

Where to stay

When choosing accommodation be aware that each of the villages has its own unique feel – 1600 is the original village and is more quiet and relaxed than the others, 1800 is the party town (and also has tons of amenities), 1950 is the most luxurious and has the best facilities and 2000 is fugly but has the best access to terrain. For a budget option you could always stay in Bourg St Maurice and access the Les Arcs area by the regular funicular railway. The normal range of ski accommodation is available with some particularly great ski-in ski-out chalets in 1950. The new Aiguille Grive is an attractive building with luxurious rooms.

Where to eat

There are delectable eating options at each altitude. Especially recommended would be Chez Anne, Chalet de L’Acelle and La Table de Lys at 1950 and Le Plante D’Baton at 1800. If you’re in the mood for some hearty American style fodder try the Red Rock Cafe at 2000.

Après shred

The rowdiest nightlife will be found at 1800 – try the Red Hot Saloon or the Blue Bar and top it off with a (very) late night boogie at Apokalypse. Don’t rule out 2000 for a night on the tiles as it is surprisingly buzzy – try Whistlers Dream, the Crazy Fox or the Latino Loco (which is also a good spot for some Mexican grub).

All in all you can’t really go wrong with Les Arcs and it is ideal for a group of mixed abilities. It is so big and so well serviced that it really is an ideal destination for a boarding holiday.