Les Arcs is a group of purpose-built ski villages above Bourg-Saint-Maurice, in the upper Tarentaise valley in Savoie. Together with Peisey-Vallandry it has about 200 km of pistes, and the Vanoise Express cable car links it to La Plagne to form Paradiski, with about 425 km in total. About 70% of the slopes are above 2,000 m, and the top of the ski area, the Aiguille Rouge, is 3,226 m.
What sets Les Arcs apart is how easy it is to reach without a car. A funicular runs from right beside Bourg-Saint-Maurice railway station up to Arc 1600 in about 7 minutes, and free shuttles take you on to the other villages. That makes it one of the easiest big resorts to reach by train at short notice.
Les Arcs ski area: four villages and 200 km of pistes
The resort is spread across one mountainside, with four ski villages at different heights:
- Arc 1600, the original village, set in the trees and linked to Bourg-Saint-Maurice station by the funicular.
- Arc 1800, the biggest, with the widest choice of shops, restaurants and accommodation.
- Arc 1950, a compact, car-free village of upmarket apartments.
- Arc 2000, the highest, closest to the Aiguille Rouge and the steepest terrain.
The lift system ties them together, so you can ski from one village to the next during the day. Lower down, the runs drop through the trees to Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger, and from Peisey-Vallandry the Vanoise Express crosses the valley to La Plagne.
Skiing in Les Arcs for beginners
There are gentle learning areas close to each village, so beginners don’t need to go far. New this season, the Beginner Pass, sold on site only, gives access to specific beginner areas with progressive courses on quieter slopes.
Skiing in Les Arcs for intermediates
Intermediates get a big, varied area. Wide, open runs above Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 suit sunny days, and tree-lined runs towards Peisey-Vallandry, Villaroger and Arc 1600 are the place to be when the light is flat. With an Essential pass, La Plagne is a cable car ride away.
Skiing in Les Arcs for experts
Les Arcs has a strong reputation with expert skiers and freeriders. The Aiguille Rouge is the headline, but the high terrain around Arc 2000 has plenty of steep, challenging skiing too. There’s serious off-piste from the top, including couloirs on the north-east face of the Aiguille Rouge that need a rope and ice axe. Hire a guide.
The Aiguille Rouge: Les Arcs’ famous descent
At 3,226 m, the Aiguille Rouge is the highest point in the Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry ski area. You reach it by cable car. The classic run goes from the summit all the way down to Villaroger at 1,200 m: about 7 km with more than 2,000 m of vertical drop. It starts as a black run on high, glaciated slopes, then eases into gentler pistes, and the final section runs through the forest.
It’s one of the great long runs of the Alps, but the top is high and exposed, and it can close in strong wind or poor visibility. Pick a clear, calm day and check that the cable car is running before you head over.
Snow in Les Arcs and the 2026/27 season
For 2026/27, the Les Arcs lifts are scheduled to run from 12 December 2026 to 24 April 2027. The Vanoise Express to La Plagne runs from 12 December 2026 to 17 April 2027, so the full Paradiski area closes a week before Les Arcs itself.
With 70% of the slopes above 2,000 m and a top station at 3,226 m, Les Arcs is a reasonable bet early and late in the season. The lowest runs, to Villaroger and Peisey-Vallandry, are the first to suffer in a warm spell. The main downside is the start date: Les Arcs opens later than many big French resorts, so don’t plan an early-December trip here.
Is Les Arcs good for a last-minute ski trip?
Yes, especially if you’re travelling by train. The funicular takes you from beside the station to the slopes at Arc 1600 in about 7 minutes, with no transfer to book. Geneva and Lyon airports are each about 2 hours 30 minutes away. And the high slopes around Arc 2000 and the Aiguille Rouge give you a good chance of decent snow when lower resorts are struggling.
The resort also offers 15% off lift passes for the first week, from 12 to 18 December 2026, and the last week, from 17 to 24 April 2027. Then find a place to stay in Les Arcs.
Les Arcs lift passes
Les Arcs has several pass types. A few things worth knowing:
- The Classic Pass covers Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry, plus the funicular.
- The Essential Pass covers the whole of Paradiski, including La Plagne, plus the funicular, 14 express lanes and a free half-day from 12.30 pm the day before your pass starts.
- Children under 5 ski free. Ages 5 to 12 and 65 to 74 pay a reduced rate, with proof of age.
- Beginner Pass: new this season, sold on site only.
- Train travellers get a free return funicular ticket.
Après-ski and things to do in Les Arcs
La Folie Douce Les Arcs - Paradiski opens on 12 December and is the liveliest après spot on the mountain. In the villages, Arc 1800 has the most bars and restaurants, and Arc 1950 has entertainment in the village. In December, the Les Arcs Première package combines accommodation, a ski pass and a film festival pass.
Off the slopes:
- Luge 1800, a 900 m sledge run through the forest from the Villards gondola, and the Luge 2000 for ages 12 and over.
- A swimming pool in Arc 1800, with a free entry included in Essential and Premium passes.
- A zip line, snowshoeing and First Tracks sessions on the pistes.
Who Les Arcs suits, and who it doesn’t
- Great for: strong skiers and freeriders, families in Arc 1800 and Arc 1950, intermediates who want Paradiski on one pass, and anyone who wants to arrive by train.
- Think twice if: you want a traditional alpine village (Les Arcs was purpose-built), or you’re planning an early-December trip, as the season starts on 12 December.
Travelling with children? Read Les Arcs with kids.
How to get to Les Arcs
Driving to Les Arcs
Take the A43 motorway to Albertville, then the N90 up the Tarentaise valley past Moûtiers to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, and the mountain road up to the villages. Saturdays in peak weeks can be very slow, so check Savoie Route before you leave.
From 1 November to 31 March, you need winter tyres, snow chains or snow socks, even if you only drive as far as Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Online bookings only cover a limited number of covered spaces. Outdoor car parks are first come, first served. Many people park in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and take the funicular.
By train and funicular
Bourg-Saint-Maurice has direct trains, including OUIGO services. The funicular leaves from beside the station and reaches Arc 1600 in about 7 minutes. In winter it’s free with a train ticket. Last departures are at 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday and 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Free shuttles run from the top station to Arc 1800, 1950 and 2000. After the last funicular, you’ll need a taxi, so book ahead.
Nearest airports
Geneva and Lyon are each about 2 hours 30 minutes away. Options include a train from Lyon, a taxi, a private car or a shuttle, all best booked in advance.
