Advanced ski areas in Les Arcs

Advanced skiing in Les Arcs

Head to the Aiguille Rouge cable car and the genuinely challenging skiing to be found on the Varet glacier, high above Arcs 2000. 

Varet glacier
Up here you'll find the longest run in resort, a breathtaking black that goes all the way down to Villaroger - 7km long and over 2,000m of vertical drop. The initial drop-in at the top is pretty steep, and following windy conditions can be very sheer. If you don't fancy it in those conditions, follow Arandelières 2 as it wends its way down the upper section; both runs converge on the Glacier du Varet, which is broad, open, steep and largely north-facing. 

The black and red runs and the bounteous off-piste possibilities in the Aiguille Rouge area will keep even the most energetic skier or snowboarder entertained. However, to make the most of the terrain up here a mountain guide is recommended as the area is glaciated and there are also some expansive cliff faces to be avoided.

If speed is your thing then the Aiguille Rouge-Varet area is also home to Les Arcs "Kilometre Lancé" or "Flying Kilometre" piste. Whilst you can't do this piste unsupervised, it is possible to put yourself against the clock through the Les Arcs Club des Sports, who can also provide you with all the necessary safety equipment. You will often see the pro-speed skiers in their futuristic space suits training on this piste, attaining speeds of over 200km/h.

Ecureuils 
Over the other side is this black run with the steepest section at the bottom. An ideal 'starter' run, the more difficult mogul part can be avoided by taking a steep, but still significantly easier, turn towards Plan Peisey. 

Fond Blanc is the perfect finisher black run, as it's short, sharp and sweet. Running straight off the ridge you can pick up some serious speed before joining a blue run above the snowpark. 

Red runs in Les Arcs

Some great red runs to consider are Belette, Myrtille and Malgovert. 
Belette can be very fast, literally dropping off the Traversée (blue), starting very steep then levelling off gradually. The lower section ends with a gradient increase that gives an additional boost. 

Myrtilles is a tree run down the Vallandry that is fast and wide with sweeping corners and consistent gradient. 

Malgovert off the Comborciere chair is one the piste-bashers leave well alone, and consequently includes a number of obstacles. After an initial flat (snowboarders beware), the piste traces a rather eccentric route down to the Mont Blanc blue run and Arc 1600. When visibility is poor we'd recommend avoiding this run, as its twists and turns are easily missed. 

Cachette
Over in Arc 1600 it's surprisingly steep, broad and thus invites carving enthusiasts. 

Aigle cuts through the woods above Vallandry ending at the Grizzly lift. A favourite run of ours, it's never too steep or too flat, the piste is wide and the trees aid visibility in flat light. The pisteurs also ensure the slope remains in tip top condition even late in the season. 

Those of you with springs in your legs will no doubt love pounding the bumps of the Dou de l'Homme piste, or perhaps explore the fabulous off-piste through the Nancroix forest.

Even though La Plagne has a reputation for being a slightly easier resort in terms of piste riding, there are actually 17 black runs mostly around the Aime 2000 / Biolley area and on the Glacier Bellecôte. 

The Glacier de la Chiaupe
More commonly known as the Bellecôte glacier, there are a couple of great blacks that are graded 'Natur' - meaning they remain unpisted throughout the season. 

Le Rochu and Bellecôte are definitely worth trying in any snow conditions, and if there is fresh snow then there is plenty more to enjoy in between the pistes. The mogul field at the top of the Traversée chair can be seen for miles, the moguls are that big and the field itself is roughly 200m long – a real leg burner and challenge for the advanced skier.

Mont de la Guerre 
The longest and probably the most satisfying of red runs in the whole resort, snaking its way along a narrow path accessed from Les Verdons by taking the blue run, Bozelet. A third of the way down you'll find a sign for Mont de la Guerre, take a right here, hold your speed for the long traverse as the run meanders along the top of the mountain on a narrow pathway before finally opening onto a gloriously wide piste. The views over Les Trois Vallées, Bozel, Courchevel, Champagny-en-Vanoise, La Grande Casse and Pralognan la Vanoise are spectacular. Unfortunately because this run terminates at Champagny, one of the lowest points in La Plagne, it's often closed at the beginning and end of the season. However, if it's open when you're here, you really should include this run in your plans, it's the stuff of memories.

Kamikaze
Also in the same sector the run drops sharply towards Champagny on a gradient that would make it a black in other resorts, but it soon mellows, and there are numerous off-piste options either side delivering glorious powder runs in the right conditions. 

The Biolley sector
Home to some of La Plagne's toughest in-bounds terrain, plus numerous ‘natur’ off-piste itineraries on the far side of the bowl. The pitch here is very prone to sliding and you'll definitely need a guide for heading off-piste. There are several different blacks (Étroits, Morbleu, Les Coqs and Palsembleu) with Étroits being the longest and the most challenging of the selection. If you were to get Les Étroits and the Morbleu first tracks, you may find yourself walking out at the bottom as they both come out on a track that follows the river along the valley floor to the Adrets chair.

For those who want to stick to the pistes, from the top of the Becoin chair follow the flow off Pavane, then Golf into the Emile Allais piste. The path at the top is quite shallow (it's a blue), but the run soon starts to pitch as you drop over onto the La Roche side of the mountain. It's the perfect run for more advanced snowboarders and skiers to let rip with wide, arching turns, and you can really gun it down this piste after a fresh dump. 

Mogul madness
From Les Verdons if you like the bumps and feeling the burn there is a piste called Ski des Bosses, which means 'ski the moguls', and it's always in great condition. There are also big bumps and moguls to be found on the Verdon Sud.

Montchavin/Les Coches 
Across the other side of the area there are a couple of ‘natur’ black and red runs which may be short, but provide a steep gradient on which to play.