If you have any resort specific questions, would like to chat to someone who has done a season in Les Arcs or just ask general question on the programs we run in Les Arcs please feel free to contact one of our specialists

Tel: +44 (0)870 478 1031
Email: lesarcs@seasonaires.com

MOUNTAIN DATA TOP LIFT: 3226m   VERT: 1626m   RUNS: 121   LONGEST: 7km BOTTOM LIFT 1600m TERRAIN TO SUIT   EASY 45% INTERMEDIATE 33% ADVANCED 17% EXPERT 5% TERRAIN LEVELS   Yes No 0 1 Yes WEATHER STATS   SNOWFALL 500cm SUNNY DAYS 65% AVG TEMP +15 C

Stats Courtesy of

Official Resort Website: www.lesarcs.com
You can email the hosts direct and ask any questions you have about the resort. Send An Email

Les Arcs is nestled in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps. It is an amazing resort to spend a season - with a huge variety of terrain - for the beginner to the more adventurous off-piste junkies, and it has a decent SnowParc which is improving every year and is host to international events throughout the winter. With the opening of the Vanoise Express which joins Les Arcs with La Plagne, this resort now boasts the largest ski/board area in the Alps, Le Paradiski. The ride across the gorge in the cable-car with 300 others is worth it just for the ride!

Les Arcs is made up of 5 main are. Arc 1600 (for the SnowParc) Arc 1800, (for the best nightlife) recently built Arc 1950(for great shops and restaurants) Arc 2000 (Where you can access the highest point The L’Aiguille Rouge at 3226m) and the Peisey/Vallandry area (great for tree runs). You can access each area easily by the clever network of chairlifts or you can get to your preferred area by the free bus departs from the top of the funiculaire and connects all the areas. This is also a great way to get back to the funiculaire if you’re tired after a hard days riding!

There are lots of other activities to do in Les Arcs as well as skiing/boarding. In Arc 1800 there’s a swimming pool and ice rink, at the top of the Transarc lift there is an ice grotto, you can take a husky ride in Arc 1950, Parapenting with Arc Adventures, Heliskiing into Italy from La Rosiere, night skiing which takes place once a week, and snow-shoeing which is a great with to explore the mountains, you can also do this with Arc Adventures. There is also a cinema in all areas, except Arc 1950 which regularly show voice original films.

Les Arcs is also well-located for day trips to other resorts in the area - including La Plagne, Tignes, Val d'Isere, Sainte Foy, La Rosiere (for heliboarding into Italy!)).

At the base of Les Arcs, Bourg St Maurice is a typical French town and Seasoners can get their fix of French living - with access to all the amenities you would expect from a small town - including a McDonalds!

Bedding and Linen

Basic bedding (pillow, sheet and duvet) is provided in all the packages. You are responsible for washing your linen throughout your stay.

You are required to bring your own towels for your stay - a bath towel and hand towel is sufficient.

Laundry

There are several laundromats in Bourg St Maurice, where you can wash your clothes at a very reasonable rate. The machines next to Super U offer the best value. If you are staying in The Pink House in Bourg, there is a washing machine installed in the house, which you can use free of charge throughout your stay.

Drinking Water

The tap water in Les Arcs is drinkable but occasionally contains French bugs. As with any foreign country it will take a little while to get used to it, so it is advised to drink bottled water. This will cost about .50 euros for a litre bottle.

Electricity

Electricity in France is 220V - you can use all UK appliances safely. You will need a continental adapter, which is available from most good supermarkets, travel stores. This will allow the use of hairdryer, laptops, shaver, stereos, clippers etc.

Telephones

Internet

Wireless interenet access is included with some of the properties (shared acommodation) in Les Arcs. You can bring your laptop and 'plug in' for unlimited internet access throughout the season. There are also several internet cafes, spots in Bourg St Maurice and Les Arcs - including the post office and trendy cafe/bar Bazoom - although it doesn't come cheap at around 1 euro for 10 minutes.

Les Arcs Season Pass

Paradiski Season Pass

Les Arcs has masses of off-piste terrain - for the clinically insane to the more mild and mellow. One thing they have in common is that they are well-guarded and few of the locals will divulge their stashes. Some off-piste gems, like the Valley of The Kings and Heaven have become well known - they are brilliant and stay fresh for a long time.

There is also lots of fresh powder to be found without straying far from the piste, inlcuding some great tree runs in Vallandry and 1600. Not forgetting the infamous 69 - the perfect spot for building kickers and practising your big airs, in the same spot where the Bristish pros practise.

For the adventurous the steep and scary ride off the top of the Augille Rouge, and the cliffs around the Duex Tetes in 1600 make for some amazing riding.

Anything off the Aguille Rouge and above Villaroger is in National Park - you'll need a Chicken Pass to enter (available by attending a local wildlife course at 1600). If you get caught there without one, it's a 100 euro fine - and the pistuers are always up for the challange of chasing you to give it to you!

Valley of the Kings is a lovely powder run that takes in every feature you can imagine. Drop in from a 10ft cornice into a steep, untracked coulouir, to get spat out into a huge half-bowl about 800m wide. Throw your first powder turn and charge down the bowl - as it mellows it narrows and splits, bear left into the trees. Just when you reach a flat section roller after roller hits you, boosting you into the air. As the trees run out, cut in and make a beeline for the shed. Fly over the corrugated roof - more air! A few more tree turns before you make it back onto the piste for a short ride back to the lift. Nice.

There are lots of options on offer for a big night out in-resort in Les Arcs - for those who want to keep their snowboarding boots on all night!

Red Hot Saloon is the liveliest bar with live bands, a big dance floor and lots of drink specials on offer! They have a great end-of-season party too for seasonaires.

Benjy's and Ambiente are other good seasonaire hangouts with karaoke nights and stripper nights on offer.

Jungle Cafe is a chilled getaway from the punters with good food, and local chat.

Apocalypse is open til 4am - for those who just don't want to go home!

Nightlife in Bourg is also growing and a bar-crawl around the town now includes at least 5 stops at some good local and fun bars along the way.

The Spot Bar is the local's favourite, and who can blame it  - with home-made Genepi thrown down your neck whenever the occasion calls for it!

Bazoom - is a lively trendy bar/cafe with a pool table, and local DJs spinning their sets - good artwork displays too - and lots of young hot things to be found here!

Not forgetting L' Impasse  which makes for an interesting, if somewhat surreal end to the night....dance it away!

Obviously, everyone has different ideas on what their budget is. Here is a guide to how much things cost if you are staying in Les Arcs.

If you stay in accommodation in Bourg St Maurice, you benefit from out-of-resort prices, and access to local supermarkets for well-priced goodies.

We have had people spend as little as £600 throughout their 5-month season (including buying a new snowboard!) - so it can be done, even if you're on a tight budget! An average spend for a season is around £1000 - £1200.

For example:

Eating out at a restaurant                         8 euros - 20 euros per person

Cook your own English Breakfast each day  Up to 2 euros a day

Panini, Chocolate bar, drink                      5 - 10 euros per day

A crate of 24 bottles of beer                     5 -8 euros

Flights

Trains 

Car/Ferry

There are several budget ferry companies offering very competitive rates from ports in the UK to France.

Accident Protocol

We hope that nothing will happen and no one will get sick, but we would be silly not to prepare for an incident. Your host will have to hand your insurance details and will ready to help should something go worng. All Seasonaires complete a medical information form and provide emergency contact numbers and names, via their 'My Season' control panel.

Hospital

The hospital in Bourg St Maurice is well-staffed and is a reputable specialist centre. It has its own helipad and chopper for the ride down the mountain if needed. Obviously, it deals with a large number of ski/board-induced injuries and is well-equipped to handle most cases.

Cost

As everyone MUST have full medical insurance, you will be covered for all hospital costs. You may incur some costs if medicines are prescribed on leaving the hospital, which can be claimed throgh insurance later. If you visit a medical centre in Les Arcs resort, you will need to pay for your treatment up-front and claim for this through your insurance. Any costs for returning home early, or losing your holiday can be claimed through your insurance company.

We recommend that everyone carry their insurance card/details with them always, and your resort host will have your information to hand also.

First Aid Kits

It is advisable to bring your own first aid kit, although there will be one available. The standard treat-at-home requirments are: plasters, steri strips, steri wipes, Arnica cream (you will have bruises), Lemsip, painkillers.

The supermarkets in Bourg and local pharmacies will also have these items available.