Les Arcs - Ski, Snowboard & Summer Holidays

The best place to stay in Les Arcs depends on the type of ski holiday you're looking for. Each village has its own character, but they're all linked by the resort's excellent lift system.

Arc 1950 is a picturesque, traffic-free village with high-quality apartments, a lively atmosphere and easy ski-in/ski-out access. It's a popular choice for families and groups looking for convenience and a traditional alpine feel.
Arc 2000 is the highest village in the resort, offering exceptional snow reliability and immediate access to some of Les Arcs' best skiing. It's ideal for keen skiers who want to maximise their time on the slopes.
Arc 1800 is the largest and liveliest village, with a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, bars and shops. It's a great all-round choice for families, groups and anyone looking for plenty of après-ski options.
Arc 1600 has a more relaxed atmosphere and is popular with families and those arriving by train, thanks to the funicular connection from Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
Peisey-Vallandry, part of the Paradiski area, offers a more traditional mountain village experience with charming chalets, quieter surroundings and direct access to both Les Arcs and La Plagne via the Vanoise Express.

Whether you're looking for a luxury chalet, a cosy apartment or a family-friendly ski-in/ski-out property, Les Arcs has accommodation to suit every budget and style of holiday.

Yes, Les Arcs is an excellent choice for a family ski holiday. The resort combines a vast, varied ski area with plenty of beginner-friendly slopes, making it suitable for families with children of all ages and abilities.

Many of the villages offer convenient ski-in/ski-out accommodation, so getting to and from the slopes is easy, even with young children. There are also highly regarded ski schools, dedicated beginner areas, children's snow gardens and childcare facilities in several of the villages.

Away from the pistes, families can enjoy activities such as sledging, swimming, tobogganing and winter walking, while the pedestrianised layout of villages such as Arc 1950 makes them particularly safe and easy to get around.

With accommodation ranging from self-catered apartments to catered chalets and family-friendly hotels, plus excellent lift links across the Paradiski ski area, Les Arcs offers everything you need for a relaxed and memorable family ski holiday.

Yes, Les Arcs is an excellent resort for beginner skiers and snowboarders. Each of the main villages has dedicated beginner areas with gentle nursery slopes, easy lifts and wide pistes where you can build confidence at your own pace.

As your skills improve, you'll find plenty of easy green and blue runs across the mountain, allowing you to explore more of the resort without tackling difficult terrain. The extensive lift network also makes it simple to move between different parts of Les Arcs and, for those ready to venture further, into the wider Paradiski ski area.

The resort is home to several highly regarded ski schools offering group and private lessons for both adults and children, making it easy to learn with expert instruction. Many accommodations are also ski-in/ski-out, so beginners can get onto the slopes with minimal hassle. Ski schools to try include the ESF, Arc Aventures by Evolution 2, New Generation and Aim Snowports.

Absolute beginners do not need a full ski pass for their first few days, as Les Arcs provides 11 free lifts—including magic carpets and select drag lifts—located within the dedicated learner zones. No physical pass or ticket is required to step onto these beginner-specific lifts. Once you outgrow the free zones, you can graduate to a heavily discounted, highly localized 1-Day Beginner Pass rather than buying a full-price ticket. With its combination of excellent tuition, confidence-building terrain and easy progression, Les Arcs is one of the best resorts in the French Alps for anyone learning to ski or snowboard.

Not always. If you're a complete beginner taking ski lessons, you may not need a full ski pass for your first day or two. Many beginner lessons take place in dedicated nursery areas, where free beginner lifts or magic carpets are available, allowing you to learn the basics without purchasing a standard lift pass.

As your confidence grows and you begin exploring longer green and blue runs, you'll usually need a beginner ski pass or a standard Les Arcs lift pass, depending on where you're skiing. Beginner passes provide access to selected lifts and are a more affordable option than a full-area pass.

If you're booking ski school, it's worth checking with your instructor or holiday provider before you arrive, as they'll be able to advise exactly which lift pass you'll need. Buying more access than you can use during your first few days is a common mistake, so it's often better to start with a beginner pass and upgrade later if needed.

Yes – Les Arcs is one of the best ski resorts in the Alps for intermediate skiers. With over 200km of pistes in Les Arcs alone, and more than 425km across the linked Paradiski area with La Plagne, there's an enormous choice of long, confidence-building blue and red runs.

Intermediates can comfortably explore all five villages, with wide, well-groomed pistes making it easy to cover plenty of ground during the day. The runs from Arc 2000 down to Villaroger and the long descents into Peisey-Vallandry are particular highlights, while confident intermediates can venture onto more challenging reds or even try some of the resort's famous off-piste terrain with a qualified guide.

One of Les Arcs' biggest strengths is that you rarely need to repeat the same runs. The extensive lift network and excellent connections across Paradiski mean you can ski somewhere new every day, making it an ideal destination for a week-long holiday.

Whether you're looking to progress from blue to red runs or simply enjoy mile after mile of varied cruising terrain, Les Arcs offers some of the best intermediate skiing in France.

Absolutely. Les Arcs offers a superb mix of challenging pistes, steep descents and renowned off-piste terrain, making it an excellent choice for advanced skiers. Combined with the vast Paradiski ski area, you'll have access to over 425km of pistes and an incredible variety of terrain to explore.

Experienced skiers can tackle demanding black runs such as the legendary Aiguille Rouge descent, a spectacular 7km run dropping around 2,000 metres from 3,226m down to Villaroger. There are also plenty of steep reds and blacks around Arc 2000 and Peisey-Vallandry, along with exciting mogul fields and more technical terrain.

Les Arcs is also famous for its off-piste opportunities. From high alpine bowls and couloirs to tree skiing lower down the mountain, there's plenty to challenge expert skiers. Many of the best routes are unmarked and glaciated, so hiring a qualified mountain guide is strongly recommended if you want to explore beyond the marked pistes.

Thanks to its high altitude, modern lift system and direct links to La Plagne, advanced skiers can cover huge distances in a day, combining challenging terrain with long, scenic descents. Whether you're looking to clock up miles on fast reds, tackle iconic black runs or discover exceptional off-piste skiing, Les Arcs delivers one of the most rewarding experiences in the French Alps.

Chambéry Airport is the closest airport to Les Arcs, located around 125km from the resort. During the winter ski season, transfer times are typically between 1½ and 2 hours, depending on weather and traffic conditions.

However, Geneva Airport is often the most popular choice for visitors thanks to its excellent range of international flights and regular ski transfer services. Although it's around 200km from Les Arcs, the journey usually takes between 2½ and 3 hours, making it a convenient option for many travellers.

Other airports within easy reach include Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (around 200km) and Grenoble Alpes-Isère Airport (around 210km), both of which offer seasonal flights and transfer services to the resort.

When choosing an airport, it's worth considering flight availability, transfer times and prices, as a slightly longer transfer can often be offset by more frequent flights or lower fares. Many visitors also opt for private or shared airport transfers, while those hiring a car will find Les Arcs easily accessible via France's well-maintained motorway network.

Geneva Airport is one of the most popular gateways to Les Arcs, with the journey taking around 2½ to 3 hours by road, depending on traffic and weather conditions. It's well served by international flights and offers a range of transport options, making it a convenient choice for skiers travelling from the UK, Europe and beyond.

The easiest option is to book a shared or private airport transfer, with many companies running regular services throughout the ski season. If you're travelling as a family or group, a private transfer can be a comfortable and cost-effective way to reach your accommodation.

Hiring a car is another popular choice, particularly if you plan to explore the surrounding area during your stay. The drive is straightforward via the French motorway network before climbing the final mountain roads to the resort. Winter tyres or snow chains may be required depending on conditions.

If you prefer to travel by rail, take a train from Geneva to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the nearest railway station to Les Arcs. From there, the funicular railway provides a quick journey to Arc 1600, with free shuttle buses connecting to the other Les Arcs villages.

Whichever option you choose, Geneva Airport offers excellent connections and makes reaching Les Arcs simple, whether you're travelling independently or booking a package ski holiday.

Yes. Les Arcs is one of the easiest ski resorts in the French Alps to reach by train, making it an excellent choice if you want to avoid driving or flying.

The nearest railway station is Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which has direct TGV services from Paris during the winter season, as well as connections from Lyon, Geneva, London, Brussels and other European cities.

From Bourg-Saint-Maurice station, the Les Arcs funicular takes you to Arc 1600 in just 7 minutes. The funicular station is directly connected to the railway station, and free shuttle buses link Arc 1600 with Arc 1800, Arc 1950, Arc 2000 and Peisey-Vallandry, making it easy to reach your accommodation without a car.

Travelling by train is a comfortable, scenic and more environmentally friendly way to reach the resort. Whether you're coming from the UK or elsewhere in Europe, Les Arcs is one of the few major ski destinations where you can complete almost the entire journey by rail before transferring directly onto the mountain.

Yes. Les Arcs has a lively après-ski scene, although it's generally more relaxed than party resorts such as Val d'Isère or Val Thorens. Whether you're looking for live music, mountain bars, sunny terraces or late-night dancing, you'll find plenty of options across the resort's different villages.

Arc 1800 is the centre of the action, with the widest choice of bars and après venues. The famous La Folie Douce hosts afternoon DJ sets, live performers and dancers, while bars around the village keep the atmosphere going well into the evening.

If you prefer a quieter evening, Arc 1950 offers a more sophisticated atmosphere with cosy wine bars, restaurants and cocktail lounges, while Arc 1600 and Arc 2000 tend to be more low-key and family-friendly.

Overall, Les Arcs strikes a great balance. You can enjoy a lively après-ski party after a day on the slopes or unwind with a drink overlooking the mountains, making it a good choice for groups, couples and families alike.

If après-ski is high on your holiday wishlist, Arc 1800 is generally considered to have the best nightlife and liveliest atmosphere in Les Arcs. It's home to a great selection of bars, pubs and restaurants, with everything from sunny slope-side terraces and live music to DJs and late-night venues. The famous La Folie Douce is also located here, making Arc 1800 the natural choice for those looking to carry on the fun after the lifts close.

For a more relaxed evening, Arc 1950 offers a charming village atmosphere with stylish bars, cosy lounges and excellent restaurants. It's ideal for couples, families and anyone who prefers a drink by the fire or a leisurely dinner over a lively party scene.

Arc 1600 and Arc 2000 have a quieter, more laid-back feel. You'll still find welcoming bars and restaurants to enjoy a drink after skiing, but the nightlife is more low-key than in Arc 1800.

The good news is that whichever village you choose, you're never far from the action. Thanks to Les Arcs' excellent lift system and shuttle buses, it's easy to spend the day skiing across the resort before returning to your preferred village for the evening.

If you're looking for the best mix of skiing and vibrant après-ski, Arc 1800 is the top choice, while those seeking a quieter mountain atmosphere may prefer Arc 1950 or one of the smaller villages.

Yes. Les Arcs is considered one of the more snow-sure ski resorts in the French Alps, thanks to its high altitude, extensive north-facing slopes and reliable winter conditions. The ski area stretches from around 1,200m up to 3,226m at the top of the Aiguille Rouge, giving it excellent snow reliability throughout the season.

The higher villages of Arc 2000 and Arc 1950 are particularly well positioned for snow conditions, with many slopes starting above 2,000m. The resort's high-altitude terrain means it often retains good snow quality even during warmer periods, while extensive snowmaking helps maintain lower slopes and key connections.

Les Arcs' links with Paradiski also provide a huge variety of terrain and elevations, allowing skiers to seek out the best conditions across the area. The north-facing slopes above Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 are known for holding their snow well, while the tree-lined runs lower down can be especially enjoyable during snowy periods or when visibility is poor.

While no ski resort can guarantee perfect snow every year, Les Arcs' combination of altitude, modern snowmaking and varied terrain makes it a reliable choice for early-season and late-season ski holidays.