Les Arc 1950 Ski Holidays
"Arc 1950 is the perfect mix of high-alitude, extensive slopes, with a convenient ski in/ski out resort, that has been built in a tradtional and charming Alpine style."
Calum Crichton, Senior Sales Consultant
Arc 1950 is the perfect ski destination for families or those looking for a laid back ski holiday. The village is 100% car free with doorstep skiing.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly French ski resort, you’ll feel completely at home in Les Arc 1950.
In terms of accessibility, safety and fun, it’s fantastic – the village is 100% car-free, with ski-in, ski-out convenience and the stunning slopes of Paradiski, the world’s second-largest ski area, on your doorstep.
Skiing and snowboarding is totally thrilling at the gateway to France’s Vanoise National Park, below Aiguille Rouge and facing Mont Blanc. But Arc 1950’s charms extend beyond its pistes and powder – it offers a wide choice of comfortable self-catering family apartments, a range of cafes, restaurants and après-ski attractions and plenty of activities on and off the slopes for children of all ages.
A purpose-built ski resort, it’s the newest of the Les Arcs ski resort destinations in the Savoie area of the French Alps, and was originally designed in the Savoie area of the French Alps, and was originally designed and built by the Canadian developer who created Winter Park, Copper Mountain and Whistler in North America.
By seamlessly fusing the natural beauty of the location with the mod cons of snow-sure skiing a snowball’s throw from your door, Arc 1950 has fast become a favourite destination of snowsports enthusiasts from all over the world.
Whether your kids are first-time skiers, you’re holidaying with a group of intermediate friends or are a highly skilled solo powder hound, the well-appointed accommodation, fantastic facilities, prime ski conditions and ambient atmosphere of Les Arcs 1950 are hard to beat. Read on to find out more about this five-star French ski resort.
Arc 1950 Mountain Facts
Towering at an incredible 3,226m, the Aiguille Rouge (aka the Red Needle) is the highest point in Les Arcs. The slopes here are easy to get to via cable car, so you won’t have to walk for miles in your ski boots to reach some of the best runs. They’re also a go-to spot for fresh powder when the snow starts to get a bit slushy on runs that sit under the mountain sun later in the season.
With the resort height sitting at 1,950m, slopes reaching 3,225m and 200km of pistes across the entire ski area, you’re never short on epic runs to explore! As long as you don’t mind heights, there’s a viewing platform on the terrace at the top of the Varet cable car that offers Insta-worthy panoramic views of Mont Blanc, the Alpine chain and the Villaroger Nature Reserve. Trust us when we say you’ll need to pinch yourself to make sure they’re real!
Snow conditions in Arc 1950
Thanks to its relatively high altitude, Arc 1950 benefits from pretty reliable snow conditions throughout the winter.
The northeast-facing slopes are sheltered and shaded, which helps keep the pow buttery-soft and fluffy (just the way we like it!). And with most of the slopes above 2,000m, the pistes are as snow-sure as it can get. The Aiguille Rogue has a small glacier (Glacier du Varet) that always has fresh snow, too – even during the warmer months.
But don’t just take our word for it. Snowsports meteorology site Weather to Ski has cited Arc 1950 as being “very snow-sure” and awarded the resort a perfect 5/5!
Why ski in Arc 1950?
With access to a network of 425km of runs, several snow-sure slopes above 2,000m and all the facilities you could want, Arc 1950 is arguably one of the best places for a ski holiday in France.
- The diverse and challenging terrain makes it a firm favourite with skiers of all levels and abilities. Here are a few of Erna Low’s top reasons to go skiing at Arc 1950.
- The Marmottes chairlift and Varet gondola link Arc 1950 to the wider Les Arcs area, offering access to an incredible selection of slopes that cater to every skill level. The wide, open runs at the nearby resort of Arc 2000 are super easy to get to and are suited to beginners wanting to build up their confidence at a slower pace.
- Beginners can also enjoy a decent selection of confidence-building blue runs like the Vallée de l'Arc, which winds through incredible Alpine scenery and allows you to take in the magic of the Arc 1950 ski resort. Take the Bois de l'Ours chairlift to reach other beginner-friendly blues.
- Confident intermediates should make a beeline for the Arandeliéres – a long red run that begins at the top of the Aiguille Rouge and offers stunning views of Mont Blanc before descending to Arc 1950. When you get back to the ski resort centre, you can enjoy a few cheeky après beers or a hot chocolate – something Arc 1950 is well-known for!
- Advanced skiers have more than 40 red and 17 black runs to choose from, all of which offer snow-sure conditions due to their location above 2,000m. If you're after a challenge, take the cable car up the Varet Glacier for some phenomenal skiing down a 7km black piste to Villaroger – a 2,000m drop! There are also several black runs and outstanding off-piste areas on Grand Col and Aiguille Rouge.
Snowboarding in Arc 1950
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With a perpetually maintained snow park and a selection of incredible slopes for riders of all levels and abilities, keen snowboarders will be in their element in Arc 1950. Here are a few highlights.
- Arc 1950 offers something for everyone. Not only is the resort set next to a scenic 60m waterfall, but nearby Arc 1800 (which is only a short bus ride away) is renowned for its table-stomping après-ski. Plus, if you’re travelling with the little ones, Arc 2000 is an excellent place to book snowboard lessons for kids. There are also tonnes of wide and quiet beginner-friendly slopes for newbies and less confident intermediate snowboarders at Vallandry.
- The absolute highlight for any snowboarder has to be Les Arcs Snowpark. Covering an impressive 7.5 hectares, you’ll find plenty for beginners and advanced snowboarders alike, including three pistes, woops, 4 lines of kickers, a box, a jump, a mini-pipe and a shred line with hip, rail and transfer. Phew, that’s a lot to explore!
- Fun fact: Les Arcs is where pioneering snowboarder Regis Rolland filmed his slightly bonkers 1983 movie Apocalypse Snow, which saw a band of evil monoskiers attempt to capture a “snow surfer” to steal the secrets of skiing.
All ski resort accommodation in Arc 1950
Arc 1950 has some of the best self-catered and chalet-style apartments for skiers looking for comfort, flexibility, and a dash of luxury. The village is made up of modern, alpine-style residences with cosy interiors, full kitchens, and easy access to slopes right from your door.
All Ski Resort Accommodation in Arc 1950
Ski Holidays in Arc 1950
Aprés Ski in Arc 1950
Though Arc 1950 is known for being a lower-key, family-friendly resort, there are still some brilliant bars and restaurants that offer a great night out once you’ve had your fill of the slopes. Here are a few of Erna Low’s top picks.
- Sizzling steak hotplates and French culinary delights are sure to hit the spot after an exhausting day on the hill, and that’s exactly what’s on the menu at La Vache Rouge. We highly recommend trying the tartiflette – you can thank us later!
- Be sure to make your way to Village Igloo if you’re after an after-hours experience that is the definition of magical. This one-of-a-kind, dome-shaped venue is carved out of solid ice! It’s a working hotel with an ice grotto, ice statues, comfy bedrooms, a bar, a restaurant and a dancefloor that’s perfect for making shapes at the end of a tiring day.
- O’Chaud is the spot if partying into the early hours sounds like your idea of fun. It serves up a great selection of cocktails, wines and spirits alongside electronic music, renowned DJs and musicians. Basically, all the ingredients that make for the best kind of après-ski action.
- Plain and simple: Les Belles Pintes is the best place in town to enjoy some proper Irish craic as you refuel after a full day on the hill. Expect a warm welcome and a raucous atmosphere.
Facilities in Arc 1950
Arc 1950 has all the holiday-making facilities you could want from a one-stop-shop ski holiday, including ski rental shops, supermarkets, spas, wellness centres and a great selection of lively bars and restaurants for eating out and enjoying a cheeky après beer after an exhausting day on the hill. There are also handy places to pick up or top up your ski pass, should you need it.
Facilities for children in Arc 1950
Seeing as Arc 1950 is one of Les Arcs' top ski resorts for families, it has a range of excellent facilities for little ones both on and off the slopes. Much of the accommodation is child-friendly thanks to its ski-in, ski-out convenience, with easy access to pools, baby equipment and kids' fun areas.
You’ll also find schools offering some of the best ski lessons Les Arcs 1950 has to offer, as well as plenty of childcare options that make the logistics that much simpler.
Why book a ski holiday to Les Arcs with Erna Low?
- Experience and service: Take advantage of the knowledge and trust that comes with a lifetime of ski experience.
- Incredible-value holidays: Save plenty on accommodation, food & drink, lift passes, equipment rentals and more with our ski deals!
- Huge choice of accommodation: From cheap hotels to luxury getaways with amazing facilities, we’ve got something to suit every budget.
- Customisable travel: Our handpicked deals include thousands of options designed to suit your budgets and preferences.
- Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct
Les Arcs ski holiday FAQs
Is Les Arcs a good ski area for beginners?
Beginners will have a great time skiing in Arc 1950. With a large nursery area and several beginner slopes, it’s one of the best places to learn. The resort offers the convenience of doorstep skiing, making it super easy for beginners to access the slopes without having to walk too far in ski boots! If you’re an adventurous beginner looking to build up your confidence, you’ll find several easy blues ideal for mastering the basics at your own pace.
Will experienced skiers enjoy the runs at Arc 1950?
Absolutely! Thanks to its high-altitude slopes and extensive ski area, experienced skiers will find so much to explore and enjoy throughout Arc 1950. While the ski resort is known for catering to families and beginners, experienced skiers seeking a challenge should make a beeline for the legendary off-piste sections and challenging red and black runs on offer throughout the massive Paradiski domain.
How do I travel to Arc 1950?
If you're flying out for your ski holiday in Les Arcs, the closest airports are Chambéry (CMF), Grenoble (GNB), Lyon (LYS) and Geneva (GVA). Geneva is usually the top choice due to having the best connections. Once you've arrived, you can either arrange a transfer or hire a car – the drive to Les Arcs takes around 2-3 hours. For those wanting to avoid the airport chaos on changeover day, another option is to take the Eurostar from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, followed by a 30-minute taxi ride to the resort.
Alternatively, hop on the high-speed funicular that links Bourg to Les Arcs 1600 in just 7 minutes. It’s one of the fastest and most affordable choices, especially with regular free shuttle buses connecting Les Arcs 1600 to the surrounding villages. If you prefer a road trip, driving from Calais is also an option – expect a journey of about 10 hours, covering roughly 980km.
Can I book ski lessons at Arc 1950?
Arc 1950 has several ski schools and independent instructors that offer lessons for all levels. You can book group lessons for you and your mates, private sessions if you’re travelling solo, and even specialised tuition if you want to venture off-piste but haven't got any experience.
What makes a Les Arcs ski holiday good for families?
Arc 1950 is a great ski resort for families. Not only is there a wide range of child-friendly accommodation options with ski-in, ski-out access, but the absence of cars creates a safer environment. In addition, families will love the heated indoor and outdoor pools, huge variety of restaurants, and reputable childcare options.
Is Arc 1950 snow-sure?
Because the resort sits at 1,950m, you’re pretty much guaranteed good snow throughout the winter. Over 70% of the slopes are above 2,000m and the majority of them are northeast-facing, which means they stay out of the mountain sun and the snow stays fresh.
"Arc 1950 is car free with a winding piste that runs through it so there is unbeatable easy access to the skiing. Plenty to do off the slopes too with Deep Nature spa, shops and restaurants."
Jane Bolton, Product Director.
