Getting around guide

There are two local buses which are free and are timetabled to intersect with the funicular at Arc 1600.

The first goes to Arc 1800, making a series of stops on the way to Les Villards on the far side of the resort, before returning. 

The second services Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. When the first funicular arrives at Arc 1600 the first bus departs, when the last funicular of the day arrives, the last bus leaves.

It's also possible to get the free shuttle from Peisey-Vallandry to Les Villards in Arc 1800. This navette runs much less frequently than the ones above: in general terms, you cannot catch a bus when the ski lifts are open. 

These shuttles run in the evening in either direction opening up the possibility of dinner and dancing in another resort village. (Check the timetable before travelling).

The Peisey-Vallandry side has some local free shuttles which operate throughout the day between various points in Plan Peisey, Vallandry, Peisey village, Nancroix and the Nordic Area at Pont Baudin (for cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, dog-sledding and various other things). 

Find out more about the local buses.

Not strictly a ‘train’, but a funicular that runs regularly between Bourg St Maurice train station (at 840m altitude) and Arc 1600, stopping at two intermediary stations: La Grange and Montrigon. (Check the timetable as not every one stops at Montrigon and on the way down only a handful stop at either station).

In the morning the first funicular is 07:30, long before the ski lifts open, with the last one in both directions at 21:00 (until 23:00 on Thursdays). This allows people staying in Bourg St Maurice the chance to enjoy some on-mountain après-ski, and those staying in the higher resorts to do some post-piste shopping in the valley.

Check the timetable before travelling.

Les Arcs is a car-free resort. If you have driven to Les Arcs either in your own vehicle or a hire car this gives you another option for travelling between the villages. 

There is outside parking in Arc 1600, Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger. 

There is also car parking in Arc 1800 (including indoor ones), with the two covered car parks in Arc 2000. 

The Arc 1950 car park is pay-only.

Of course, even a short journey can mean clearing half a metre of snow from the roof before you get started, so be prepared.

Travelling by taxi is not the cheapest option for getting around, but may be necessary if you're going on a night out in another village.

All of the resorts have local taxis and it's always best to book ahead.

Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 are fairly close by car, so should only involve around a 15 minute journey at most. 

If you travel from these villages to Bourg St Maurice it takes at least half an hour. 

Getting from either Peisey-Vallandry or Villaroger to the other Les Arcs resorts entails first going to Bourg St Maurice. At best, this will take around 30 minutes from either place.

If you're skiing to the other side of Paradiski try to avoid getting stranded in La Plagne as it will take at least an hour to get back to most Les Arcs resorts. Also, you may have to wait around for an available taxi.

Villaroger

It's worth mentioning that Villaroger is the least accessible of the Les Arcs villages, by any means. After the ski lifts have closed, the best option for leaving the village is driving yourself or taking a taxi to Bourg St Maurice and then connecting to other villages from there.

Road biking

As Les Arcs is often the setting for some of the most gruelling sections of the Tour de France race, it's not really the place to pootle around on two wheels unless you're serious about it. 

In winter we wouldn't recommend using a bike at all, and in summer you'll need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy cycling these road routes. Find our more in our cycling guide.

Mountain biking

All the Les Arcs villages are interlinked via mountain bike trails making it a popular summer destination. There's a world class downhill course, miles and miles of back country tracks and a freestyle park to explore. Find out more on our mountain biking guide.

Although there are a variety of pleasant walks in the Les Arcs area during the summer, in the winter only a couple of the resorts are linked by navigable footpaths. 

Plan Peisey to Vallandry

It's easy to walk between Plan Peisey and Vallandry however, due to a slight difference in altitude you will have to walk uphill in at least one direction (unless you get the free bus).

Vallandry to Arc 1800

This is via a road which only opens to buses during the ski season and takes approximately 45 minutes. If starting in Vallandry, take the pathway up from behind the ski school early-learner slope to avoid unnecessary walking around the winding roads. Going from Arc 1800 to Vallandry can be a little quicker as it's slightly downhill all the way.

Arc 1950 to 2000

You can walk from Arc 1950 to Arc 2000, it's not far, but it's much easier to take the Cabriolet lift.

There is no easy way of getting between Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and Arc 1950 or 2000 by foot. Do not take the main roads between resorts as the proliferation of cars travelling up to 90km/hour makes this very dangerous indeed.

Take the lifts

Even if you're not a very confident skier, or do not ski at all, it's still possible to take some of the lifts both up and down the hill to travel between the resorts. 

If you do not already have a ski pass you will need to buy a pedestrian pass; there are various types available, from a single trip to six full days access.

You can travel between Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 by using both the Transarc cable-car and the Arcabulle covered chairlift. Be aware that there is a walk from the bottom of the latter to the centre of Arc 2000 that some may find challenging. Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 are connected by the free Cabriolet gondola lift.

In winter unless you have good snow boots (and, often, even if you do) it may be worth investing in a pair of over-shoe “grippers” for walking around the resorts. These act like studs for your feet, giving increased purchase on snow and ice. These can be bought from most sports and ski hire shops in the resort villages.

If you're not carrying luggage and aren't travelling around with non-skiers or small children, if you've an intermediate level and above the easiest way to move around in daytime is by skiing or snowboarding. 

A quick assessment of the piste lift map will give you a number of options for traversing from one side of Les Arcs to the other.

If you hold a full Paradiski ski pass you can also take the Vanoise Express from Plan Peisey to La Plagne. However, make sure you know when the last lift returns to Les Arcs, and give yourself plenty of time to catch it, as getting back from La Plagne can involve a costly taxi trip if you are stranded on the wrong side of the valley.

It's always worth checking the most expedient way of returning to your “home” resort and the relevant last lift times to avoid unnecessary schlepping at the end of the day with ski-weary legs.