The resort

The definition of skiing convenience

The ski resort of Les Arcs consists of four modern purpose-built resorts at 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000 metres. The resorts are spread out and accommodation is generally well placed to access the skiing. Arc 1800 is the largest village with a lively atmosphere, whilst Arc 2000 is extremely convenient to access the skiing and at 2000 metres, snow-sure. Arc 1950, the most recent addition to Les Arcs, is more rustic in style, with each building designed to have views of either a valley or a peak.

The skiing and boarding

Skiing Les Arcs has taken on a new dimension with the Vanoise Express cable car combining the two areas of Les Arcs and La Plagne on the Paradiski lift pass. The ski resort of Les Arcs offers excellent skiing and boarding for every level and the superb lift system makes getting back to base very easy from any point. The Glacier du Varet guarantees snow and offers one of the longest runs in the world: 7km descent from Aiguille Rouge to Villaroger. Beginners benefit from the abundant blue runs while intermediates can enjoy the high altitude bowls and tree-lined runs to Peisey Nancroix. Advanced skiers should try the challenge of the Deux Tétes.  more >>

The apres ski

Apres ski in Les Arcs offers something for everyone. In Arc 1800, the ski instructors head to Bar Le Gabotte in the centre of Le Charvet, as do the majority of the English-speakers when the lifts shut down. Another popular bar is Bar le Thuria across the square. Also try the small Arc Café or the Jungle Café at Les Villards with its funky jungle décor. In the Les Villards section of Arc 1800, the best après-ski is in L'Ambiente. The lounge of the Hotel Du Golf has live jazz. Le J.O. Live Rock Café offers live music and dancing from1030pm every night.

There are discos in the ski resorts of Arc 2000, 1600, and 1800 and all are open until 4am.. For live music and dancing, make sure you take a look at the Red Hot Saloon too. Another Arcs1800 hot spot to check out is the Sing Island Café and there is free admission after 9:30pm. If you are staying in Arc 2000, disco K.L.92 is normally is the place of choice for visitors of all ages. At Arc 1950 head to Les Belles Pintes for a good Irish pub and to Bachal in Luigi's for dancing.

Eating out in the ski resort of Les Arcs offers something to suit all tastes and budget. Le Marmite is a small, cosy, friendly place with a €17-€20 menu and child's menu for €7. Le Plante d'Baton is a very traditional French looking restaurant with meals for €15-€21 and a child's meal for €7. SOS Pizza makes great, inexpensive pizza for takeout only.

In Arc 2000: Chez Eux serves fine fondue and raclette as well as great semi-gastro food. Red Rock Café (479 07 10 58) serves excellent burgers and is very popular.

For a special lunch on the mountain don't miss Belliou La Fumée named after a Jack London story, in the valley of Arc 2000. This unique family-run restaurant was built in the 15th century by King Victor Emmanuel of Italy as a bear-hunting lodge. Or after a long ski down to the bottom of the Villaroger lift, visit La Ferme with excellent mountainside food. Le Chalet de L'Arc serves up atmosphere. This chalet on the slopes compliments its menu with its own freshly baked bread. You can go by ski or foot.

Shopping in the ski resort of Les Arcs truly has something for everyone. Arc 1600 has over 30 shops, bars, and restaurants. It also offers floodlit night time skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, fitness centres, horse-drawn sleigh rides, mountaineering and horseback riding. The ski resort of Arc 1800 has over 100 shops, bars, and restaurants. It also offers floodlit skiing, an ice skating rink; three squash courts; snow-shoeing; paragliding, fitness centres, mountaineering, horse-drawn sleigh rides, horseback riding and skidoos. Arc 2000 offers over 30 shops, bars, and restaurants.  After skiing in Les arcs you could take the 7-minute funicular ride down to the valley town of Bourg St Maurice. This offers a chance to spend a few hours in the shops, museums, and restaurants of a  typical Savoyard town.  more >>

Les Arcs overview

Four resorts at different levels make up the ski resorts of Les Arcs: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, the beautiful new Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. Arc 1800 consists of three hamlets: Charvet, Villards and Charmettoger. Charvet and Villards are centred round open-air shopping centres with numerous bars and clubs. Charmettoger is prettier in the trees but it’s a 10–15 minute walk to the bars in Villards.

The brand new Arc 1950 is stunning. It’s still in the final stages of being built (due to be completely finished in 2008) by the Canadian company Intrawest, and it has a certain Canadian feel to it. A few more restaurants and shops popped up last year, and you can expect Arc 1950 to continue to grow over the next year or two. The apartments are spacious and modern and the buildings are colourful.  Arc 2000 is quieter and the whilst the nightlift is quieter, it does offer something for everyone. Skiing in Les Arcs will appeal to every level of skier and snowboarder, so is attractive to mixed ability groups. Beginners will find convenient nursery slopes, Intermediates have extensive terrain to explore, freestylers can play in the well equipped apocalypse snow park and advanced skiers will find some challenging on-piste escapades as well as vast expanses of freeriding off-piste.

The villages within the ski resort of Les Arcs provide many activities such as bowling, helicopter trips, hot air balloon rides, overnight igloo stays, dog sled trips, driving on ice, massage, paragliding, or skidooing.

Vanessa Webb - Co-author of Top 50 Ski and Snowboard resorts in Europe 2007

the latest snow and weather conditions

Last Snow	31st October		Forecast	Light snow
Lower Snow Depth	0 cm		Upper Snow Depth	15 cm
Conditions	Closed for snowsports		Runs Open	0 %
Last Report Update	19th November 08:30