Les Arcs Ski Resort Guide
Les Arcs, France
Rated: 4/5 (from 7 ratings)
Recommended For | Freeriders, Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders and Snowfall! |
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Total Piste Length | 200km124 miles |
Highest Lift | 3,230m10,597ft |
Resort Height | 1,600m5,249ft |
Nearest Airports | Chambery and Annecy |
Save on Ski Hire | Save up to 50% |
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Les Arcs
Les Arcs, including four resort centres in 2 valleys (at 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000 metres altitude) and several adjacent villages, is one of the great French ski areas with skiing from gentle Blues to seriously steep Blacks and extensive off-piste and freeride terrain.
Summary
The ski area of Les Arcs is in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,600m5,249ft, with 200km124 miles of marked runs.
Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski area with access to 425km264 miles of downhill skiing, with 475 marked pistes, served by a total of 141 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Les Arcs itself (200km124 miles of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Paradiski ski resorts of La Plagne and Peisey-Vallandry.
Les Arcs comprises the villages of Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000.
Snowboarding
Les Arcs is very highly rated by Snowboarders and there are a variety of Snow and Terrain Parks in Les Arcs.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Les Arcs is 7km4 miles long and the most difficult run is the 'Robert Blanc'.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in Les Arcs?
The next notable snow forecast is 2cm1in, expected on 12 November.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or Join our Snow Mail Here
Snow this week
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Ski Area Stats
Les Arcs Ski Area
Black Pistes Expert Trails | 18 | 43km27 miles |
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Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 33 | 62km39 miles |
Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 56 | |
Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 1 | |
Downhill Total Length | 200km124 miles | |
Cross Country Total Length | 15km9 miles | |
Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 77 |
Paradiski Ski Area
Black Pistes Expert Trails | 69 | |
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Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 127 | |
Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 257 | |
Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 22 | |
Downhill Total Length | 425km264 miles | |
Cross Country Total Length | 153km95 miles | |
Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 141 |
Altitudes & Slopes
Les Arcs Ski Area Heights
Highest Lift | 3,230m10,597ft |
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Resort Altitude (Les Arcs) | 1,600m5,249ft |
Lowest Piste | 1,200m3,937ft |
Max Vertical | 2,030m6,660ft |
Ski Slope Aspects
N, NE, NW
Les Arcs has ski slopes facing north (good for keeping the snow).
Ratings & Suitability
Freeriders | |
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Expert Skiers | |
Intermediate Skiers | |
Beginners | |
Snowboarding | |
Snow | |
Apres-Ski |
Skiing
The ski area of Les Arcs is one of the world's buggest with a massive vertical range and an excellent variety of terrain.
The Vanoise Express cable car, which departs from Peisey Vallandry, takes 200 people at a time (120 on the lower deck, 80 on the upper one) over to La Plagne and the rest of the joint Paradiski area in just four minutes.
Les Arcs for Beginners
There is terrain to suit any level of skier with Arc 1600 down in the woods, surrounded by largely gentle trails through the trees, and both 1800 and 2000 located at the tree line with wide open sunny slopes above. All of the centres have gently sloping meadows directly beside them for the first few runs.
Les Arcs for Intermediates
Intermediates, as with all 'super ski areas' can perhaps get the maximum enjoyment of all, being able to tackle most of the slopes. Much of the terrain is long fast motorway cruising, although there is more variety than at many comparable resorts.
More confident intermediate skiers should be able to cope with the Red down from the imposing Aiguille Rouge, the highest point of the ski area where the cable car broadcasts a recorded announcement (when you're ascending) advising that the terrain is not safe for inexperienced skiers.
Les Arcs for Experts
Experts have plenty to keep them happy including a number of 'proper' Black runs, and extensive off-piste terrain. The legendary 7km (4.5) mile long Black from the top of the Aiguille Rouge down to Villaroger is one of the world's longest and covers the world's biggest vertical for a run of this grading, a full 2000 metres.
There are plenty of other challenges including mogul runs like the Dou de l'homme and the increasingly frequented off-piste route from La Plagne to Les Arcs, returning via the Nancroix forest.
Cross Country
For cross-country skiers there are three 5km long loops, one by each resort.
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Ski Hire in Les Arcs
Les Arcs Ski Hire
Save up to 50%
Ski Hire Shops in Arc 1950, Arc 2000, Arc 1800 and Arc 1600.
For more information, see our page about Les Arcs Ski Hire.
Ski Lessons in Les Arcs
To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Les Arcs Ski Schools and Les Arcs Ski Instructors.
Location and Map
Where is Les Arcs?
This ski resort is in the French Alps in Draguignan, Département du Var.
Map
Tap for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Les Arcs is Chambery, 100 minutes drive away.
Annecy, Geneva and Sion airports are all within three hours drive.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 77 ski lifts are able to uplift 86,000 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 22km14 miles of ski runs, with 143 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Les Arcs open?
Open from : 14 December 2024.
Closes : 21 April 2025.
Usual opening is mid December, and usual closing is Late April.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.