Les Arcs is a ski resort in France with 200 km of pistes and 54 lifts. Skiing reaches up to 3 226 m above sea level and the village sits at 1 600 m. Accommodation with lift pass included can be booked directly, you arrange your own travel there.
Les Arcs is one of the most versatile ski resorts in the French Alps, located in the Tarentaise valley with skiing from 1,200 to 3,226 metres on Aiguille Rouge. The resort is part of the Paradiski system, which together with La Plagne offers 425km of pistes. A ski holiday in Les Arcs suits sporty skiers looking for varied terrain and long descents.
The resort consists of four villages: Arc 1600, Arc 1800 (the largest), Arc 1950 (the newest and most luxurious) and Arc 2000 (the highest situated). Arc 1950 opened in 2003 and is built in traditional Savoyard style with a car-free centre, ski-in/ski-out access and a high standard of service. It's one of the most thoughtfully designed new-build ski villages in the Alps.
The legendary descent from Aiguille Rouge (3,226m) down to Villaroger (1,200m) offers over 2,000 metres of vertical drop and 7km of continuous skiing. It's one of the longest descents in the Alps and an experience every skier should try at least once. Les Arcs is also known as the birthplace of speed skiing.
The terrain in Les Arcs offers excellent freeriding, with wide-open, unmarked slopes above the treeline. The area around Aiguille Rouge and Col de la Chal is popular among off-piste enthusiasts. Snow reliability is good thanks to the north-facing orientation and high peak altitude.
Ready to book a ski holiday in Les Arcs? Find accommodation with lift pass included in the price. You arrange your own travel there.
Book a ski holiday in Les ArcsPistes and lifts in Les Arcs
Les Arcs has 200km of its own pistes and 54 lifts, with access to the Paradiski area's 425km via the Vanoise Express cable car across to La Plagne. The descent from Aiguille Rouge (3,226m) to Villaroger (1,200m) gives a vertical drop of 2,026 metres. The piste profile leans towards red and black runs, making Les Arcs appealing to sporty skiers. Off-piste skiing below the treeline is among the best in the region.
Piste map for Les Arcs
The map downloads as an image file. On your iPhone it lands in the Files app. Tap the icon at the bottom of the address bar to open the map straight away.On your iPad it lands in the Files app. Tap the icon at the top right of the address bar to open the map straight away.On your phone it lands in the Downloads folder. Tap the download notification that appears to open the map straight away.The file lands in the Downloads folder. You can also look for the icon at the top right of the screen and open the map from there.
Best time to travel to Les Arcs
December to April, with the best conditions in January and February. The north-facing slopes hold the snow well. March brings excellent spring skiing at the higher elevations, and the peak of Aiguille Rouge has reliable snow well into the season.
How to get to Les Arcs
You arrange your own travel, and many drive their own car. Taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone and arriving at Calais, it's roughly 1 151 km to Les Arcs, around 11,7 hours of pure driving time through France. Remember that studded tyres are banned in France and Germany.
Les Arcs is suitable for
Suitable to some extent
⭐ Excellent choice
Limited selection
Good snow reliability
Read more about ski holidays
Ready to book? Choose from accommodation in different price ranges. Lift pass is included in the price, you arrange your own travel there.
See prices for ski holidays in Les ArcsFrequently asked questions about Les Arcs
Arc 1950 is the newest and most luxurious, with a car-free centre and ski-in/ski-out access. Arc 1800 is the largest, with the most amenities and the best value for money. Arc 2000 sits highest, with the best snow reliability and closest access to Aiguille Rouge. Arc 1600 is the quietest and is reached directly by cable car from Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
The descent from Aiguille Rouge (3,226m) to Villaroger (1,200m) is around 7km long, with a vertical drop of 2,026 metres. It's one of the longest continuous descents in the Alps. It's classified as red with black sections and suits intermediate to advanced skiers.
Yes, Les Arcs is one of the best freeriding destinations in the French Alps. The areas around Aiguille Rouge and Col de la Chal offer wide-open slopes above the treeline with reliable snow. Guided freeride tours are available for various skill levels.
Les Arcs and La Plagne are connected by the Vanoise Express cable car. With the Paradiski lift pass, you get access to a total of 425km of pistes across both areas.
