Situated in the Paradiski region in France's southeastern Savoie province, Les Arcs is an Alpine ski resort with everything visitors could look for. Popular with Brits (who make up 45% of annual visitors), the resort caters for all abilities and isn't hard to reach via Chambery Airport.
Ski Holidays Les Arcs: Top Holiday Lettings
Key Information for a Ski Holiday in Les Arcs
If you're keen on an Alpine adventure, skiing holidays in Les Arcs will be a delight. Families will appreciate the diverse runs and presence of expert instructors, while experts can head off to enjoy themselves however they wish. But before booking, here are some tips to help you ensure that Les Arcs is the ideal skiing destination.
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1. The Les Arcs ski season
While specific dates vary, the season at Les Arcs usually runs from mid-December through to the end of April. However, visitors can't count on perfect snow cover towards the end of the season, although low accommodation and ski hire prices could provide compensation. January tends to be the best time to ski, with reliable cover, and there will be far fewer skiers than peak periods around Christmas and the New Year.
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2. Explore the Paradiski region
When visiting Les Arcs, skiers don't need to limit themselves to the resort itself. That's because Les Arcs is at the heart of France's sprawling Paradiski zone, an area with around 300 miles of pistes in the Savoie region. Area passes offer access to runs in resorts like La Plagne and could be a sound investment.
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3. Pick the right resort for your level
Les Arcs is divided into a series of resorts at varying altitude levels, so booking accommodation in the right place can make a difference. Generally speaking, the higher the resort, the harder the runs (although every run is accessible, even from Villaroger at the base of the valley). Arc 1800 and 2000 are great for intermediate skiers, while Vallandry offers a more sedate village-style experience.
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4. There are plenty of off-piste activities
Even if you aren't keen to ski, Les Arcs is a fun place to be. Guides lead visitors on snowshoe expeditions, horses drag skiers on "ski-joëring" excursions, helicopter rides soar over the Alpine slopes, and kids can be thrilled by dog-sledding trips as well. There's even a cinema and bowling alley for days when the slopes aren't appealing.
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5. Choose the perfect piste
Les Arcs caters to all standards of skier. Black runs like the descent from Aiguille Rouge or Comborciere will test even the most experienced Alpinists, the Forêt piste offers a leisurely breeze through the woods, and the Belette run is fast but forgiving. Whether you have kids on board or you're keen to blitz the competition, it's all here to enjoy.