Les Arcs Ski Holidays

Published: 19/03/2018 14:56

Whiterides pick up and drop off thousands of guests across many ski resorts in the Tarentaise Valley, from Courchevel to Tignes and Val d'Isere.

We can, however, offer a lot of advice on Les Arcs ski holidays, as this is where we are based.

We regularly visit the resorts of Les Arcs which consist of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Les Arcs 1600, Les Arcs 1800, Les Arcs 1950, Les Arcs 2000 and Peisey-Vallandry.

For a ski holiday, Les Arcs is a great resort. It has something for everyone - from the young to the old, daring to timid, beginner to expert skiers and snowboarders alike.

Before we begin, a quick tip on how to pronounce Les Arcs. Firstly, do not say the last s on Arcs. Secondly, try to roll the s of Les and a of Arcs. So you say it something like "Lezarc". Voila!

A closer look at the resorts of Les Arcs

Each resort in Les Arcs offers good amenities such as a supermarket, ski shops, ski hire, restaurants, bars, boulangeries, nurseries and a collection of ski schools.

So once you have arrived in resort there is not much need to leave.

Each offer very different skiing opportunities. Intermediate/advanced skiers have access to the whole area, and will not get bored during the ski holiday. We can guarantee it.

Let's take a closer look at each of the Les Arcs resorts.

Les Arcs 2000

Les Arcs 2000 is the highest of the Les Arcs ski resorts.

Ski in, ski out accommodation can even be found on the mountain side, from which you can step out of the apartment and ski off.

With easy access the Aiguille Rouge peak at 3226m, Les Arcs 2000 is a great place for keen skiers with a passion for heights. There is a famous 7km run from Aiguille Rouge to the small town of Villaroger, a two thousand metre vertical decent.

A collection of shops, bars and restaurants can be found here, although there is not a huge night scene. A taxi could be an option to the neighbouring resort of Les Arcs 1950.

2000 does now boasts the first 5-star hotel and restaurant in Les Arcs, named the Taj-i Mah. We recommend booking if you would like to eat in the restaurant. Here you will also find a spa.

Click here to see all businesses located in Les Arcs 2000.

Les Arcs 1950

Les Arcs 1950 is a ski-in/ski-out resort, where no vehicles are allowed in the centre. It is a great resort for families.

1950 was purpose built for skiing - making some effort to resembling US and Canadian resorts.

It is a complete "village on the snow" with hotels, restaurants and shops plus a beautify spa all in one place and just seconds from the piste.

1950 has a wonderful central square where you will find fun daytime and evening activities for the whole family.

The square is surrounded by bars and restaurants, which are open all day and in the evening.

Les Arcs 1800

Les Arcs 1800 is the largest of the Les Arcs holiday resorts. It is made up of 4 pedestrian villages, each with direct access to the snow.

With a vast array of wide, long and open pistes Les Arcs 1800 is great for all abilities.

Skiing and snowboarding is just the start!

The new Mille8 activity centre includes a swimming pool, spa, a luge (with coloured lights at night), an enchanted forest which both children and adults can ski through and a video wall. All surrounded by a wealth of skiing.

There are a huge number of self-catered apartments and larger tour operators based in Les Arcs 1800, giving you a large choice for your Les Arcs ski holiday accommodation.

There are a great number of shops, restaurants, coffee places, bars and even a discotheque, so no one is left out!

Find out more about Mille 8 in Les Arcs 1800

Les Arcs 1600

Les Arcs 1600 is smaller resort, based at the top of the funicular, which is a mountain train giving it's passengers direct access to Bourg Saint Maurice.

1600 has lots of shops, bars and restaurants and is another lovely resort for families and couples. It may be a small, purpose built ski resort, but it offers access to hidden trails and quiet pistes that are slightly off the beaten track.

It is easy to get lost among the trees in this beautiful wooded area, but don't worry you will pop out of the forest and wind your way back to 1600 in the end!

Bourg Saint Maurice

Bourg Saint Maurice is the last large town before you access Sainte Foye, Tignes, Val d'Isere and the resorts of Les Arcs.

It is considered part of Les Arcs as the Funicular train will take you to Les Arcs 1600 in 7 minutes. It is a good base if you wanted to travel during your stay. Tignes is 40 minutes drive, and of course Whiterides can take groups.

The Funicular departs from Bourg every 20 minutes between 7.30 and 20.00 (21.00 on Saturdays) throughout the winter.

Bourg Saint Maurice has everything you would expect from a large town, so it is not your typical ski resort.

There is a large number of restaurants, shops, large supermarkets, bars and a train station.

The town centre is lovely to visit. All making Bourg Saing Maurice a good base for your Les Arcs ski holiday.

Peisey-Vallandry

4 villages make up this lovely little resort, a hidden gem.

Vallandry and Plan-Peisey are purpose built ski resorts at the bottom of tree lined ski slopes with a small collection of restaurants, shops and bars to access in the evening and for apres-ski.

This area is definitely enough for the young skiers and beginners, as well as those looking to get lost in the numerous trees or find some spectacular off-piste.

There are nurseries in both villages, accessible for both locals and the tourists, which we can highly recommend as Whiterides' uses them regularly for our own little 'future skier'!

Skiers can take the Vanoise lift from Plan-Peisey, and be in La Plagne in less than 10 minutes.

If you are looking for an even more classic and quintessential French Alpine experience Peisey Village or Peisey-Nancroix would appeal.

The small farming village of Peisey, just below Plan-Pesiey and Vallandry, is an all year round village with many local families working the land and, in the winter, grooming the pistes or keeping us safe from harm.

With access to Plan-Peisey by the Lonzagne stand up lift (known to the English as the Lobster Pots), Peisey is a wonderful village to stay in. It is right in the heart of Paradiski and there is quick access to both La Plagne and Les Arcs.

There is a small supermarket, a cheese shop full of local cheeses, a bakery and two restaurant/bars that are well worth a visit.

The tiny village of Nancroix, based right on the edge of the Vanoise National park below the north face of the massive Bellecote Mountain, offers a choice of private chalet companies. Each offer something special and are a bit different to standard, larger ski tour operators.

Find out more about Les Arcs ski resorts:

Les Arcs Ski Holidays with Whitebeam Chalets

We work very closely with Whitebeam Chalets, who are based in Peisey-Nancroix, Les Arcs. They offer two very different catered ski chalets, take care of ski passes and hire - making your Les Arcs ski holiday much more easy!

Whiterides are proud to say we have worked with Whitebeam Chalets from the very beginning, and we always hear great things from people who stay with them.

Chalet Cairn

Whitebeams' flagship, boutique chalet has its own private hot tub and sauna.

Chalet Cairn is based in the small Savoie village of Nancroix just 3 km from the pistes of Vallandry, Les Arcs, to which you are driven each morning.

This stunning chalet spread across 2 floors with 7 en-suite bedrooms.

There is a huge open plan living and dining area and a large terrace area over looking the mountains. It is a real gem in the Alps.

Chalet Cairn sits at the opening to the Vanoise National Park with spectacular views over the Vanoise Park and Bellecote mountain itself.

A four course meal is provided for guests, every evening except one when you get the chance to visit one of the local restaurants.

Prepare yourself for some luxury with Whitebeam Chalets, on your ski holiday in Les Arcs!

Take a closer look at Chalet Cairn

Chalet Bronzier

If you are looking for something traditional and cosy, stay in Whitebeams in their traditional Chalet called Bronzier.

Based in the village of Peisey you are just a 10 minute walk for the Lonzagne lift, known by the English as the "Lobster Pots". These take you up to the snow front in Plan-Peisey, the bottom of the Pesiey lift.

Chalet Bronzier offers 3 floors with 5 bedrooms sleeping up to 14 guests, and a large open plan top floor with kitchen, dining area, lounge and baby foot.

A new addition is the wooden sauna just outside, so be prepared to run through the snow to get some heat!

Chalet Bronzier has a secure ground floor apartment for 5 people, with its own open plan kitchen and living area.

Take a closer look at Chalet Bronzier

What should you look for in your Les Arcs ski holiday accommodation?

It's easy for us to recommend staying with Whitebeam Chalets because we work closely with them.

We've watched them grow into a respectable ski company with nearly 10 years experience in the industry.

Don't just take our word for it! See why staying with Whitebeam in Les Arcs is a good choice for you and your party:

Staff are fully trained each year, meaning a smoothly run Les Arcs ski holiday for you, with people that really know the area. These guys know food, know the chalets and know how to look after their guests.
Whitebeam have are experienced in making guests feel super comfortable.
A continental breakfast, afternoon tea service with freshly baked cakes and a 3 course meal (plus canapes as a treat at Chalet Cairn) are provided.
Little touches like welcome drinks on arrival, beautiful linen, locally sourced wines at dinner and access to games and games consoles shows they really care.

Whitebeam created a cook book last year, which you can purchase by contacting them from their website. In it are the fabulous recipes developed over the years, some are still served at dinner time in the chalets.