What better way to get away from it all, in the middle of winter, than to take advantage of the activities and the exceptional setting offered by the Alps, to breathe a sigh of relief in the middle of the marathon leading up to the summer holidays.
Les Arcs, in the French department of Savoie, is a destination with five high altitude sites and five different atmospheres to satisfy all your desires. Every season, this large mountain village attracts 69% of its visitors from France and 31% from other countries, who come for the charm of its Savoyard architecture, the first ski slopes at your feet, top-of-the-range services, car-free pedestrian streets, pretty shops, varied restaurants and lively bars. Les Arcs, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, offers the ideal setting and services to make the most of your holiday. And it all starts with access.
TABLE OF CONTENTS :
| ACCESS & TRANSPORT
Choosing Les Arcs means choosing a resort that is easily accessible by funicular from Bourg St Maurice station. Direct or connecting TGV trains arrive at Bourg Saint Maurice from Paris Gare de Lyon, Nantes, Rennes, Lyon Part-Dieu, Brussels, Amsterdam and London Saint Pancras. Once in Bourg St Maurice, all you have to do is walk to the funicular at the end of the platforms. And I have to admit, it’s very pleasant to get to Les Arcs 1600 in just 7 minutes from Bourg St Maurice, with the funicular running every 20 minutes. (from 7.30am to 8pm). Imagine, 7 minutes for a difference in altitude of 800 metres! A real luxury when you consider how difficult it is to get to the resorts at the height of the season, with the traffic jams, the tiredness of the road, the chains you have to put on when going uphill in case of snow and the cost of a week’s parking!
What’s more, a decree has just been passed making it compulsory, from 2020 onwards, to be equipped with snow or 4-season tyres if you want to climb to higher altitudes in the Alps in winter. Tired of seeing ill-equipped tourists trying to get up to the resorts and blocking traffic, the region has passed legislation. Expensive equipment is therefore imperative, adding to the cost of your stay. So think about the train, your ecological impact and the comfort it will bring you. Once you arrive at Les Arcs 1600, you can use the free shuttle buses to the resorts of Les Arcs 1800, 1950 and 2000 (from 7.30am to 8pm) and the ” Le Cabriolet ” cable car (from 8.30am to 11.30pm).
Here’s some more information about the train journey we made with ouisncf:
- There is a seasonal offer for 2019 (weekends from mid-December to March)
- There is a departure from Paris to Moutiers and/or Bourg-st-Maurice every 45 minutes on average during the 5 weekends of the winter holidays.
- Price for a Paris-Bourg Saint Maurice: 49€/p/Time 5h
- We tried their on-board breakfast and lunch, and to be honest, congratulations to the new chef who was able to prepare some great dishes, for a very reasonable price for a menu, around 12€/p
- The seats are very comfortable and spacious in first class (if you book in advance, first class prices are sometimes very affordable).
- Don’t forget the family tariff, click here
- You can take your surfboard or skis with you on the train
| THE STATIONS
Les Arcs consists of 4 resorts (Arcs 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000) created in 1968 (Arcs 1600). This first resort and Arcs 1800 were designed by the architect Charlotte Pierrand, who was strongly inspired by the Le Corbusier style. The aim was to rationalise the cost of construction, while at the same time aiming to accommodate as many people as possible in the mountains. The idea was to use as little land as possible in the mountains in order to preserve nature, while offering housing that respects individuality. In concrete terms, the result is flats with terraces that are not overlooked and open out onto the mountains, car-free villages, modern, compact homes incorporating modular solutions such as foldaway sofa beds and wall-hung toilets. An avant-garde vision in itself. Since then, Les Arcs has never ceased to innovate, constantly striving to improve its service.
That’s how the resort of Les Arcs 1950 came into being in 2003. A modern resort inspired by Canadian resorts, where you can even do your shopping on skis (or almost). It’s a top-of-the-range resort, with a maximum number of shops and services shared between the shopkeepers themselves and the flat owners. It’s a functional resort, adapted to the slopes and fully integrated into the mountain landscape. It also offers a number of activities such as biathlon, snowball fights and snake gliss.
A very cosy resort, respectful of the local architecture and animated by numerous events throughout the year. It is linked to the Arcs 2000 resort, where we stayed.
| THE SKI AREA
The ” Paradiski ” ski area was created in 2003, combining the resort with its neighbour, La Plagne, to create a 425km ski area (the 2nd largest in the world). In Les Arcs, there’s rarely a shortage of snow, as 70% of the resort is at an altitude of over 2,000m and 28% of the runs are equipped with artificial snow (mainly at the lower altitudes). Les Arcs also boasts 2 peaks over 3,000 metres high, with the Aiguille Rouge reaching 3,226 metres. From the top, you can descend 2,000 metres over 7km on what is the second-longest ski run in Europe. The trail begins in an exceptional setting, with views of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps and the Jura Massif, and ends in a setting of pine trees. The view is vertiginous and the 360-degree panorama is breathtaking. For those who don’t feel like going down the black run that awaits you at the top, you can do as I did and take the red cable car to and from the top. At the top, a 35-metre footbridge has been installed so that everyone can contemplate the landscape.
Les Arcs offers an unrivalled variety of itineraries for all levels. There’s skiing in the forest, free riding, beginners’ slopes at altitude and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc – I think Paradiski lives up to its name! For a beginner like me (who has become an intermediate thanks to Jacques’ good advice), I have to admit that I’ve been won over by this resort because it has varied, accessible slopes and I’ve really enjoyed skiing and having fun. My favourite run is without a doubt the one at Peisey Vallandry: the fox and weasel run with all its beautiful snow-covered fir trees! You just have to walk along the slopes near the Snow Park to find it!
At Les Arcs, the emphasis is increasingly on experience, and you can enjoy the slopes with complete peace of mind thanks to the YUGE application. For example, you can create your own itinerary according to your level or the queues at the various chairlifts &##x1f6a0;. You can also set yourself challenges with friends, like on the slalom run, where you can measure yourself against other skiers or snowboarders, compare your times and watch videos of your runs. Now isn’t that just great? In any case, it’s something Antoine really enjoys, and he can already see himself coming back to challenge his friends!
Les Arcs is constantly investing to renovate its ski lifts. There are now covered picnic areas in case of bad weather, as well as connected areas at altitude, such as the Comborcière summit with its breathtaking views. Everything is done to put you in the best possible conditions.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION | Les Arcs
- Ski passes:
Ski pass price per day : 52/day
Ski pass prices: 269€/ 6 days
Once you’ve purchased a lift pass, you can take the funicular as long as it’s valid. If you don’t have a lift pass, the one-way fare is 8€ and 14€ return ticket.
Click here for more details on the different offers.
- Ski lessons:
Private lesson 1h with an instructor : From 46€ for one person , 59€ 2 persons
2h private lesson with an instructor: from €92 for one person, €118 for 2 people
Ask for Jacques, the instructor, because he’s a great teacher and a very nice guy! More details on the ESF website
The Station generally opens around mid-December to the end of April, so there’s plenty to enjoy
| ACTIVITIES
Every year, Les Arcs 1950 organises events, games, shows and concerts for families and friends to enjoy. For adults and children, Arc 2000 has a sledge run, the Rodeo Luge, which is 3km long! Apparently it’s a real thrill, with steep and sometimes fast bends, but we arrived too late to try it out! Don’t forget to check the opening and closing times, as it seems to me that the run closes at around 4.30-5pm!
- Rodeo Luge
3 km of pure sensations – Children allowed from 1.25 metres – 1 run 9€ and from 2 runs 6€.
- Snake Gliss
This is a set of sleds, held together to allow several people to slide down like a snake! It’s great fun and has a great feel to it. Ideal for children and parents.
→ Contact Evolution 2
Meet outside the office where the instructor will take you to Arc 2000 for 1 hour of fun. From 15€/person
Watch a short clip from one of the bloggers who was with us, Intrepid Escapes
| ACCOMMODATION
There’s a wide choice of accommodation in the resort. Although this establishment is not our cup of tea, note that a brand new Club Med has just opened in Les Arcs 1600, for those looking for the comfort of this type of service, particularly for a stay with children. The jacuzzi on the terrace and the view over the Tarentaise valley and Mont Blanc are just wow! But we’re more into charming, intimate, cocooning accommodation, so we found what we were looking for between Les Arcs 2000 and 1950.
The accommodation here is largely managed by Pierre & Vacances, with all the services and shops of the Arcs 1950 resort described above. If your budget allows it, enjoy a stay at the Taj-i-Mah hotel. This five-star hotel right in the heart of the resort offers spacious rooms, very modern, comfortable bathrooms with all the necessary kit, cosy communal areas with a lovely real fireplace and a wellness area with a view of the slopes please! We were able to take advantage of the spa every evening after a great day’s skiing. There’s a lovely heated pool for a dip, a fairly large jacuzzi, a relaxation room, a sauna, a hammam and a massage area where you can try out their treatments. Antoine was taken in by the experience and highly recommends it! If you’re feeling motivated and a bit adventurous, do what Marion does after the sauna, which she loves so much…. a little walk in the snow before gradually returning to the sauna. What invigorating happiness!
- The hotel
→ From €236 half board and €180 breakfast. These are low season rates, subject to staying 7 nights and therefore benefiting from the Early Booking offer.
- Access to the Spa
Subject to availability: Before 4pm: €25 /After4pm: €35 10 Spa visits before 4pm: €225 10 Spa visits after 4pm: €315For guests not staying at the hotel, access is available for €25.
- Equipment hire
The hotel has a high-quality equipment hire shop in the lobby, where you can hire skis and snowboards. It’s the ideal place to put on warm boots and go skiing straight away, and what’s more, the staff are super friendly!
| OUR LITTLE GOURMET ADDRESSES IN LES ARCS
Discover our three gourmet addresses in Les Arcs with three different atmospheres!
- Le bulle café
This high-altitude restaurant at the top of the Arcabule chairlift is the ideal place for a lunch break. You’ll find more than reasonable prices and a friendly atmosphere nestled in a bubble. You can enjoy a seafood platter for €50 for 2 people, charcuterie and foie gras platters or a delicious pizza for just €10. You might as well say that it’s a gift and rather original! However, watch out for 2 glasses of white wine after lunch… !
- The red cow
Situated in the heart of Les Arcs 1950, this restaurant serves local cuisine with a twist. I recommend you try the boîte de Saint-Revard, a kind of Mont d’Or served with cold meats and potatoes, or a Savoyard fondue. The porcini fondue was a discovery for us and it’s a real killer! Antoine, who is not a big fan of fondue (which he generally finds disgusting), turned his coat to finish our dish, which we hadn’t been able to finish with Céline, my fondue partner &##x1f60a;
- Traditional dinner in a yurt
This is THE atypical outing for you to try. Departing from Les Arcs 1800 on Thursday evenings at 7pm, and subject to prior booking, don’t miss the yurt dinner experience. Organised by Arc Aventure, you’ll set off on a 25-minute snowshoe hike to reach a yurt nestling between the trees. It’s here, by the stove, that you’ll dine. For us, it was an opportunity to taste a traditional polenta accompanied by Diot sausages. A real treat and a real mountain meal! The evening ended with a torchlight procession. A very pleasant return to Kho Lanta.
- The black diamond
This is the gourmet restaurant of the Taj-i-Mah hotel located next to the “Le cabriolet” cable car in Les Arcs 2000. Chef Thierry Van Rillaer is a former member of the 3-star “Comme chez Soi” restaurant in Brussels, and offers simple, tasty cuisine to refuel at the end of the day. A great address!
To go out in the evening, we tried the O’chaud bar. It has a quirky atmosphere, but we had a great time! You can always have a drink or a coffee at the Taj-I-Mah hotel, which has a very cosy atmosphere.
CHIC” SKIWEAR HIRE
To finish off this winter experience, we wanted to tell you about a completely innovative concept that we particularly liked, and that is ski-chic. This young company offers ski clothing hire for men, women and children (aged 8 and over). It’s just the thing for people with ever-growing children or for people who don’t go to winter sports every year (a bit like us). The principle is simple: you choose in advance on their website one of the 3 lifestyle ranges that interest you, then you tell them your weight, colour and clothing sizes. Once you’ve chosen the trousers, jackets, gloves and ski mask, give them your holiday address so that they can deliver your parcel to you when you arrive in the resort. You’ll arrive with a clear head and light luggage! A little tip: I chose my jacket in size M and could barely zip it up. Think about the chunky woollen jumper and the style you want, tailored or loose! There’s a range of prices on offer, with daily rentals starting at €80 a week or €17 a day.
It’s a concept that ensures you’re always at the cutting edge of fashion on the slopes, and an idea that’s also environmentally friendly. Buying clothes that you only wear for a week a year, and which may no longer suit you from one year to the next depending on your tastes or simply because of size problems, isn’t always a very wise choice and doesn’t always make sense. When you consider the cost of a good ski jacket and trousers, it’s a good way of making sure you’re equipped for your holiday!
So now you’ve got all the information you need to prepare for your stay this winter, we’re going to ask you: when are you coming? Because coming to Les Arcs is all about savouring the unique atmosphere of this friendly resort and enjoying the serene ambience that makes you want to come back! So are you ready to discover it?
This article is about our feelings and experiences. This trip was made possible thanks to a collaboration with Ouisncf, Savoie Mont Blanc and the resort of Les Arcs, whom we thank for their invitation and this discovery.
