193 km
1200 m - 3226 m
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Test report Les Arcs (Paradiski)
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Les Arcs (Paradiski)
Total result: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Test Les Arcs (Paradiski)
The review Les Arcs (Paradiski) was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Les Arcs (Paradiski)
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Les Arc offers approx. 200 km of slopes and is a large ski resort in the Savoyer Alps with beautiful and diversified mountain scenery.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
2026 m (Valley 1200 m - Mountain 3226 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
51
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
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Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
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Les Arcs offers suitable possibilities for every skill level. Beginners and enjoyment skiers prefer the wide forest runs on the Northwestern slope in the direction of the low lying villages or the high alpine slopes along the Arcabulle chair lift. The best carving runs are located beneath the Le Derby chair lift on Grand Col. Advanced skiers will find their challenges on the steep and partially unprepared mogul slopes surrounding the Aiguille Rouge.
Runs/slopes
Total 193 km
Easy
98.5 km
(51 %)Intermediate
58 km
(30 %)Difficult
36.5 km
(19 %)
Longest run
7 km
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Speed measurement course offered
You can access almost all of the runs in Les Arc with chair lifts and gondola lifts. There is a good balance between detachable (rapid) chair lifts and the somewhat older type of lifts. You almost have to search for t-bars lifts in Les Arcs. There are some j-bar lifts in the lower areas for the purpose of practice, but these most not necessarily be used in order to access the entire ski resort. Beginners can also comfortably access the blue runs near the villages using chair lifts or gondolas. There are also 16 rope tows located on the ascending parts of the connection slopes throughout the ski resort. The connection to the La Plagne ski resort is via a two-story cable car with a 200 person capacity (Vanoise Express).
Number of ski lifts
51
Total capacity
79956 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
52.1 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
1
2
5
28
15
Additional
2
3
The majority of the Les Arcs ski resort is located at an altitude of over 1600 m. The lower regions are completely equipped with snow cannons.
Worth knowing
- Glacier ski resort
- Artificial snow-making
70 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Photos
The slope preparation is satisfactory.
Many km of slopes remain unprepared, especially when there is new snow - to the powder lovers' delight.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
For day guests, the valley station of the Arc en Ciel funicular in Bourg Saint Maurice is especially suitable as an entrance point. No steep, winding roads must be conquered. The city is connected to the transportation network via well-built roads. Paved parking lots are available directly at the valley station. The train brings guests from Arc 1600 to the ski resort within 10 minutes.
Access via N90 Schnellstraße Albertville-Moûtiers, Ende Schnellstraße Höhe Moûtiers
- Funiculaire Arc en Ciel (Bourg-Saint-Maurice), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 28 km · approx. 28 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, well-developed
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Trail map and overview maps:
The foldable trail map is clearly designed, labeled in great detail and sufficiently large. They are available at all valley stations and information points for free. Attractions, ski huts, restrooms, information points and rescue stations are well indicated. When the direction of the slope is not clear, there are also small arrows indicating the direction of the slope.
The foldable trail map is clearly designed, labeled in great detail and sufficiently large. They are available at all valley stations and information points for free. Attractions, ski huts, restrooms, information points and rescue stations are well indicated. When the direction of the slope is not clear, there are also small arrows indicating the direction of the slope.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
Especially on the Northwestern slope of the ski resort, it is sometimes difficult to orient yourself between the many parallel running slopes to the different villages at the foot of Les Arcs. An exemplary sign-posting system provides assistance: all intersections and turn-offs are uniformly sign-posted with names and difficulty levels of the slopes as well as the lifts and villages that can be accessed. The signs are clearly designed and not easily overlooked. The name of the particular slope is also posted on slope border poles in regular intervals. Large information boards are found at all major intersections of the ski resort with green and red lights indicating the opening status of the lifts and runs.
Especially on the Northwestern slope of the ski resort, it is sometimes difficult to orient yourself between the many parallel running slopes to the different villages at the foot of Les Arcs. An exemplary sign-posting system provides assistance: all intersections and turn-offs are uniformly sign-posted with names and difficulty levels of the slopes as well as the lifts and villages that can be accessed. The signs are clearly designed and not easily overlooked. The name of the particular slope is also posted on slope border poles in regular intervals. Large information boards are found at all major intersections of the ski resort with green and red lights indicating the opening status of the lifts and runs.
The sanitary facilities, lifts and restaurants are consistently maintained. You must take your garbage home with you though because there are few waste disposal possibilities in the resort.
Les Arcs is very easy to access from the the surrounding villages. You can usually reach the ski lifts by foot. There are some bus lines circulating between the villages and the resort. There are ski buses in Bourg Saint Maurice. The valley station of the funicular is directly accessible by train.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- Train connection
Bourg Saint Maurice - from the SNCF train station, there is a tunnel leading directly to the valley station of the Arc en Ciel funicular. - Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
At most of the lifts and cable cars, there is sufficient lift personnel who are happy to help guests who are boarding and exiting the lifts. The employees at the ticket desks are very helpful.
There are many large and small ski huts distributed throughout the ski resort. You can find small and charming huts especially on the runs leading to Peisey-Vallandry and Arc 1600 and 1800. There is also a large offering in the villages, which can be directly accessed from the slopes. A tip for picnickers: there are wooden benches located at nice locations where you can enjoy your picnic. A particularly nice view can be enjoyed from the benches surrounding the des Arpette mountain station and on Col des Frettes. There are protected areas provided at the des Marmotte valley station for when the weather is bad.
16 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Mountain hut tip
-
Blanche Murée
On the Rêches slope at the Charmettoger chair lift
In the idyllic, small Blanche Murée hut located in the forest, traditional and simple meals from the region are served. The beautiful view from the terrace invites you to relax when the weather is nice.
Photos
There are bars, umbrella bars and restaurants located in all of the villages of Les Arcs. In some of the villages, there are also clubs. The small city of Bourg Saint Maurice offers a particularly lively nightlife.
Photos
From the well-priced holiday apartment to the wellness hotel - there is something for everyone in the 8 villages of Les Arcs. In many of the villages, there are also wellness spas and cosmetic salons. There is a public swimming pool located in the Bourg Saint Maurice. You must search for the mountain village charm though. This is mainly found in Villaroger and on the border of Arc 1600.
Ski-in/Ski-out
Almost all accommodations have direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Arc 1600
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort)
Guest beds 33000 - Arc 1800
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Arc 1950
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Arc 2000
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Bourg Saint Maurice
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km
Guest beds 2250 - Peisey-Vallandry
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort)
Guest beds 12000 - Villaroger
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
There are comprehensive offerings for families in all of the villages of the resort. Each has its own children's area at the bottom of the slopes and ski schools with suitable childcare options are everywhere. There is even full-day childcare for infants as of 4 months in many of the villages. Children and parents can attempt their first steps in the snow together on the short valley lifts. The accommodations are always nearby.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Child friendly access to lifts
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
- Nursery
- Mascot (PiouPiou, der Pinguin der ESF)
Special tips for children
-
Arc 2000 children's area
The children's area in Arc 2000 is near the village, snow reliable and well-padded. Childcare and children's ski school is offered in cooperation with the Ecole de Ski francaise (ESF). There children are cared for in three age groups between 4 months and 12 years. They participate in ski school and are given lunch.
Photos
Les Arc provides wide and manageable slopes for beginners that are located in the lower areas of the resort near the villages as well as at the higher altitudes surrounding Arc 2000. All of the slopes are comfortably accessible with chair lifts. There are also short lifts and runs with snow-making capability surrounding the villages for the very first steps on skis. If the entire ski resort seems too large, you can also purchase a ski pass for parts of the resort. There are separate ski passes for the Peisey-Vallandry, Arc 1600/1800 and Arc 2000/Villaroger areas. The people movers in Arc 2000 are free for use by beginners. The slopes on Aiguille Rouge are taboo for beginners.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Free practice lift/ beginner lift
Ski schools on-site
- ESF Arc 2000
- Evolution 2 - Arc 2000
- Spirit 1950 - Evolution 2
- Arc Aventures - Arc 1800
- ESF Arc 1800
- Privilège Arc 1800
- ESF Arc 1600
- Darentasia - Bourg-Saint-Maurice
- Initial Snow - Bourg-Saint-Maurice
- Moniteurs indépendants
- Bureau des Guides des Arcs - Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Offers guided touring, off-piste courses and ice climbing courses
Photos
Good skiers will find many challenges in Les Arcs. Whether steep and long slopes, mogul slopes or ski routes - the selection is large. A large portion of the runs are indicated as natural slopes - this means that they are not groomed. In addition to the normal slopes, there is also a lot of room for exploring the easily accessible deep snow areas. The most difficult slopes are located beneath the Varet gondola. The Lanches, Dou de l'Homme and Crêtes slopes really combine to form one long mogul slope. You can choose your own route to the gondola. From the entrance of the slope until all the way to Arc 2000, there is no way to exit the moguls - for this reason, only few inexperienced mogul riders attempt the run and you will enjoy a free choice for your ski line.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
- very many mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 193 km
Difficult
36.5 km
(19 %)Most difficult run
-
Lanches, Crêtes, Dou de l'Homme · Length 2 km · Altitude difference 550 m
The three black runs beneath the Varet gondola are something for very experienced skiers. They are all steep, unprepared and extremely bumpy. The Lanches is a bit less skied and often has a soft layer of snow. You can view the slopes well from the gondola and can consider if you really want to attempt them or if you'd rather take the red slope instead.
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
There is a funpark and two boarder-cross courses available for snowboarders (and skiers) in Les Arcs. A small boarder-cross course is located at the 2300 chair lift. A somewhat larger facility with two difficulty levels is accessible from Col de la Chal. They are all are more moderate in level however.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- few runs with ascent
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- FreestylePark Les Arcs
The funpark is located above Arc 1600 between the Clochert and Arpette chair lifts. It is equipped with its own t-bar lift.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Superpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Boardercross
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 40 km
The valley between Les Arcs and La Plagne belongs completely to the cross-country sport. The entrance to the cross-country area is found behind Nancroix in Pont Baudin. The free ski buses circulate here from Peisey-Vallandry. There is also a cross-country centre with lockers, restrooms and a parking lot. The trails are located on the border of the Vanoise National Park. There is also an easily accessible high altitude trail above Arc 1800 at the Charmettoger chair lift.
Photos
Conclusion
Diversified slope offering for all difficulty levels, very appealing landscape, very snow secure, well-placed connection slopes and well-thought out and uniform orientation concept, connection to La Plagne, all villages have direct access to the slopes, many ski schools
Slope grooming is not always perfect, often a lot of loose snow on the runs, many red slopes are very steep and could be problematic for beginners, some older chair lifts, many large apartment blocks, lunch break at some lifts
Test Report issued on 2012-01-10
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