Ski in Les Arcs

Why ski in Paradiski?

Les Arcs offers a wide range of ski areas and facilities for a day of skiing with friends or a week of skiing with the family.

By staying in Les Arcs during your holiday, you will have access to two of the best ski areas: Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry and Paradiski, which also includes the resort of La Plagne. Here are a few figures that highlight the outstanding qualities of Paradiski:

• The 2nd largest linked ski area in the world.

• 3 Savoie resorts in the French Alps: Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, and La Plagne.

• From 1200 to 3250 metres in altitude

• 425km of pistes

• 264 downhill ski runs, including 12 green, 137 blue, 79 red, and 36 black

• 17 new snow sports facilities: snow parks, boardercross, airbags, etc.

• 153km of cross-country skiing

• Guaranteed snow thanks to 70% of the area being above 2000 metres in altitude

• The largest cable car in the world: The Vanoise Express

• 130 ski lifts including 58 chairlifts, 16 gondolas, 42 drag lifts, 4 cable cars, 1 funicular and 8 conveyors

• 958 snow guns

Skiing for all

An El Dorado for experienced skiers, Les Arcs, delights them with its long, technical runs. However, less experienced skiers have not been forgotten: the resort also has some great surprises in store for them.

Skiers understand that Les Arcs is the perfect destination for an exhilarating skiing experience on steep slopes. They have a wide range of options to choose from, including the tree-lined runs of Arc 1600, the gentle boulevards of Arc 1800, and the challenging red and black pistes of Arc 2000. For those who have mastered the art of skiing, several must-try slopes should not be missed:

• The Robert Blanc black run is not groomed, but it is secured, allowing you to experience the sensations of freeriding safely.

• The black-then-red Aiguille Rouge run is 7 km long and has a vertical drop of 2,026 metres, making it one of the longest in Europe.

• The black Fond Blanc run is for mogul lovers.

• The red Arandelieres run is renowned for its spectacular view from the top of the Aiguille Rouge.

Intermediate skiers will be pleased to know that they can traverse the entire Paradiski ski area using only blue runs, which offer a wealth of options. The biggest challenge will be selecting from the 137 available blue runs. Here are three suggestions to assist them:

• The Plan des Violettes is the highest, easy run in the domain. It's hilly and winds between the trees.

• The Dents du Peigne is ideal for beginners because of its low relief. The descent can be continued with other blue runs that are accessible to all.

• The Charmettoger crosses Arc 1800 up to the forest of Vallandry. It is an ideal configuration to progress in the middle of superb panoramas.

With children

Which resort should you choose when travelling with children? While all resorts offer something suitable for young ones, each caters more specifically to a particular age group.

If you're planning a holiday to Les Arcs with young children who aren't quite ready to hit the slopes, you'll find 'creches' available in the resorts of Arcs 2000 and 1950 to care for them. For children aged three and older, you can opt for ski lessons combined with childcare at the Caribbo's Club in the resorts of Arc 1800, Arc 2000, and Arc 1950.

The Les Arcs ski area features 10 green runs and several designated play areas, providing safe and well-marked terrain suitable for children. The progression courses located in Arc 1800 and Vallandry offer a variety of slopes for beginners to practice their first slides and turns before transitioning to the green runs. The scenic Pitchouns forest and Cabanes areas feature engaging modules designed to help children improve their skills and build confidence on their skis.

For those who prefer sledging over skiing, head to Arc 1800 for a thrilling 900-meter descent in a vibrant and lively atmosphere. If you're over 10 years old, you can also visit Arc 2000 to experience a 3-kilometre-long sledging slope featuring raised bends for an exciting ride!

Other slides

Les Arcs offers all the necessary facilities for freestyle enthusiasts, including a snow park, boardercross, waterslide, and airbag, catering to even the most unique preferences.

Located above Arc 1600, the Apocalypse snow park features modules adapted for both beginners and experienced riders, with three blue, red, and black runs.

The most daring can try to cross a swimming pool on skis or a snowboard at the Water Slide in spring. The objective: reach the other side without getting wet.

The Toboggan will take you high in the air on a buoy before landing on a giant airbag. This attraction is located in the heart of the Arc 1600 resort and is accessible every day from 1 pm until the slopes close.

Many other freestyle facilities await you in the Paradiski area and, in particular, in the resort of La Plagne, where you can find two freestyle zones: The Petit Park for beginners and youngsters and The Gros Park for the more experienced.

Free-ride version

Les Arcs is a renowned destination for free riders, having hosted several stages of the Freeride World Tour. Both the most advanced skiers and those eager to learn about off-piste skiing will find it satisfying here.

In Les Arcs, off-piste skiing poses more significant risks than in any other location. It is essential to be well-supervised by a mountain guide who can lead you to the appropriate routes based on your skill level and current snow conditions. Many of these routes begin at the Aiguille Rouge, which is the highest point in the resort at 3,226 metres, and traverse the Villaroger nature reserve. Additionally, there are off-piste paths in the Comborciere sector and the Malgover forest.

Some famous runs:

• To begin freeriding, head to Arc 1600 at the Deux Têtes ski lifts for an introductory course featuring a 1,200-metre vertical drop and Mont-Blanc for a forest crossing. 

• The Fond Blanc Cirque in Arc 1950 offers several itineraries, ranging from intermediate to very experienced.

• For an exceptional view, head to the Grand Col in Arc 2000, between the Aiguille Rouge and the Mont Pourri, for a descent along the Turia glacier.

• For the more experienced, there is a variety of choices, but among the most famous are the Combe des Lanchettes, the Aiguille Grive, the Couloir de la Pointe du Four, and the Couloir en S.

Nordic version

In the Paradiski area, two major sites dominate the Nordic offering: Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne.

The Peisey-Vallandry Nordic site features 43 km of trails for cross-country skiing and skating. It offers something for everyone, regardless of their skill level, with 13 trails available, including:

• 1 free trail

• 1 green trail (1.1 km Salt Water)

• 4 blue runs: Le Tumelet (0.4 km), Le Vignerand (1.5 km), Les Dzirpes (1.6 km), and La Gouille (6.9 km)

• 4 red runs: The Beaupraz and Pre Envers runs (0.7 km each), Le Cassinet (2 km), and Le Mône (4.1 km)

• 3 black runs: La Culaz (0.7 km), l'Epinerie (1.6 km), Le Pont Romane (3.2 km)

Even more impressive, the La Plagne area boasts 81 km of cross-country trails spread across the resorts of Champagny-en-Vanoise, Plagne-Montalbert, and Montchavin-Les-Coches. This site is primarily aimed at beginners or intermediate cross-country skiers, as 11 out of 14 trails are green or blue.