Discover and book the best of Les Arcs with the local destination experts
Les Arcs is a purpose-built ski resort made up of a number of different villages. Renowned as a family-friendly ski area, it genuinely offers something for everyone. Since 2003, Les Arcs has been connected to La Plagne by the valley-spanning, double-decker Vanoise Express gondola, creating the Paradiski ski domain and providing adventurous skiers with access to 425km of pistes.
Situated in the heart of a 300-year-old Swiss stone pine forest, Les Arcs was the first resort of its kind in Europe with Arc 1600 being the original village which opened up as a ski resort in 1968. The concept was very innovative at the time – accommodation built specifically for convenient skiing and doorstep access to the slopes – but it has since been replicated many times over across the Alps and beyond.
Today, Les Arcs is made up of four modern, purpose-built resorts: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000, each offering direct access to the slopes. Largely pedestrianised and self-contained, they all have their own bars, restaurants, supermarkets and a range of activities. There are also three smaller, traditional villages within the ski area: Plan Peisey, Vallandry and Peisey Nancroix.
Find out all about what is happening in Les Arcs and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsEach of the Les Arcs resorts holds a number of events throughout the year. International freestyle and freeride ski competitions, film festivals and snow & music parties take place in the ski area in the winter months, in addition to the usual après-ski parties featuring live bands and DJs. The summer, on the other hand, attracts a number of trail running and cycling competitions, as well as live concerts.
See allUpcoming EventsLes Arcs is most famous for its top-class skiing and snowboarding but there are plenty of other things to do here throughout the year, from snowsports like snowshoeing and ice skating to summer activities such as mountain biking and cycling. Hikers will love the Vanoise National Park and the Aiguille Rouge mountain with its marked trails and gorgeous views. For those looking for more leisurely pursuits, Mille8 contains swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and a fitness centre.
Les Arcs was the first purpose-built ski resort constructed from scratch in France. Its architects designed bespoke apartment buildings tailored to the skiers' needs, all with ski-in/ski-out access and following environmentally-friendly practices. Inspired by Le Corbusier, they can still be admired nowadays. Also in Les Arcs, the Aiguille Rouge cable car, which takes you up to 3226m, offers wonderful views over the mountains. Down in Bourg St Maurice, there are museums and old forts.
Les Arcs caters for everyone, from the gourmet to the fast-food fan. Each village has its own selection of restaurants serving fondue and raclette, burgers and pizzas as well as excellent traditional French cuisine.
Each of the villages of Les Arcs has its own mix of bars, après-ski venues and places to go for live music. Arc 1800 is probably the liveliest, with late-night/early-morning clubs to complement the bars.
Les Arcs was joined to La Plagne to create the Paradiski area in 2003, giving access to a whopping 425km of pistes. Its high altitude and excellent snow-making facilities guarantee back-to-resort skiing all season long.
Most people come to Les Arcs to ski or snowboard. However, the resort has plenty more to offer including ice skating, snowshoeing, mountain biking, paragliding, hiking, swimming, horse riding and climbing.
Les Arcs comprises of four high-altitude villages – Arc 2000, Arc 1950, Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 – and three lower-lying towns – Plan Peisey, Vallandry and Peisey Nancroix, each with their own character.
