Les Arcs is one of the French traffic-free, purpose-built resorts built in the 1960s and 70s, when large apartment blocks were in vogue – its jagged architecture the work of pioneering French designer Charlotte Perriand whose stand-out creations were celebrated in an exhibition at London’s Design Museum in summer 2021. However, the resort divides opinions. Some claim it to be a contemporary masterpiece, while others prefer the traditional chocolate-box charm found in the likes of Austria and Switzerland.
Les Arcs’ slopes are remarkably varied, with plenty to suit all standards from beginner to expert, including some seriously steep ungroomed black runs and plenty of easy cruising. Its ski area is linked to that of neighbouring La Plagne to form the huge Paradiski area. Stay on track with the essential facts from the resort below, and scroll down for our insider guide to a day on the pistes, expert ratings and advice.
For further Les Arcs inspiration, see our guides to the resort's best accommodation , restaurants and après ski . Inside the resort On the slopes Who should go Essential information Split across four bases, the original Arc resort village is 1600, set at the top of the funicular train up from the valley town of Bourg St Maurice, where the first hotel was built in 1968. Then came Arc 1800 a few km across the mountain (and now the biggest village) and Arc 2000, 12km and 20 minutes away from 1600 by shuttle bus.
More recent development has been in more sympa.