Sign up to our regular newsletter here...
_boardersunset_BPatte.jpg)
Accommodation in the seven main villages varies quite widely, and your choice of village is very much dependent on what type of accommodation you want, and what kind of priorities you have. Transport between neighbouring villages is generally good. A free shuttle bus service runs between Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. If you want to take full advantage of the Paradiski ski area, the best place to stay in Les Arcs is Plan Peisey, which is the departure point of the Vanoise Express cable car, a massive double-decker carrying up to 200 skiers between Les Arcs and La Plagne in just four minutes.Meeting people:
Seventy3 chalets in Plan Peisey is ideal for solo travellers... or groups who want to meet other like-minded individuals.
Luxury:
The Grand Paradiso is a 3-star hotel but is locally accepted as 4-star.
Services:
If you’re new to the area or fancy going off-piste the Aiguille Rouge will provide free ski guiding.
Friendly service:
Beguin hotel has been recommended as a ‘fantastic hotel with patient and friendly staff and superb food’.
Children:
Cachette is a nice hotel and usually full of other kid’s to keep your brood entertained.
Apartments:
The Ruitor apartments, set among trees between Villards (Arc 1800) and Charmettoger are reported to be ‘excellent in all respects’
Les Arcs 2000
Les Arcs 2000 is a purpose-built resort and probably the ugliest in Les Arcs although it does offer good skiing access. Being mainly a purpose built resort means that the slopes are well laid out and moving around is generally quick and easy with no major queues. A high percentage of runs are above 2000m which means that you can stay high when necessary. The Glacier du Varet guarantees snow, though the height of Les Arcs makes the snow record reliable anyway.
Les Arcs 2000 is the quietest of the villages for nightlife but still offers restaurants for the chalet host's night off. There are nurseries and ski schools for children as well as adults at all heights of Les Arcs.
Les Arcs 1950
The village of Les Arcs 1950 has been designed and built in a manner sympathetic to the mountains around a traffic-free cobbled square. There is a luxury mixture of ski accommodation available, with almost exclusively 4-star hotels and self-catering apartments. The ski apartments are generally more spacious and furnished to a much higher standard than is usual in French ski resorts. There are eight restaurants, two bars and a nightclub as well as a good selection of shops and boutiques, including several food shops and a mini-market if you are self-catering, and three equipment hire shops. The only ski school here is Spirit 1950.
Les Arcs 1800
1800 is the largest village in the resort and made up of three sections: Charvet which has a pedestrianised shopping arcade, Villards, with two shopping areas and Charmettoger, which is full of wood clad buildings nestling among the trees. The accommodation in Charvet and Villards are large, mainly self-catering apartments.
There are plenty of shops and cafés in each village of Les Arcs 1800, and with over 30 restaurants to choose and numerous bars, this is the village to base yourself in if nightlife is your thing.
Les Arcs 1600
Arcs 1600 was the original village of Les Arcs, and has been open for almost 40 ski seasons. Situated at the top of funicular railway from Bourg St Maurice, it is a great choice if you arrive by either daytime or overnight train. The majority of accommodation here is in self-catered apartments and there are a couple of 2* hotels and a 3* one. Quite a lot of the accommodation is ski-in, ski-out. Arcs 1600 is set in the trees and has a friendly, small scale atmosphere and enjoys views along the Tarentaise Valley and towards Mont Blanc. There is a free shuttle bus services that runs between the higher villages. The central area is particularly good for families as it is uncrowded, compact and set on even ground.
Plan Peisey (1650m)
This village has probably got the best selection of catered ski chalets run by British tour operators, as well as a reasonable selection of self-catering apartments. Plan Peisey is the arrival and departure point for the Vanoise Express cable car that links the ski resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs to form the massive Paradiski ski area. Skiing and snowboarding access from here is superb.
The Plan Peisey nightlife is limited to just a few bars and restaurants, but you can still savour the local cuisine here, or enjoy an alfresco lunch, or an apres-ski drink. If you are after more choice, there is a bit more going on in Vallandry.
Vallandry (1600m)
The accommodation here is mainly in apartments, although there are a few catered ski chalets and hotels. Vallandry is in a great position within the Les Arcs ski area and overlooks the Tarentaise valley. The village provides all the usual services of a modern ski resort and there is also plenty of space for children to play safely thus making it a good destination for a family ski holiday. It is an easy walk between Vallandry and Plan Peisey, taking 10-15 minutes, and often the two villages are referred to collectively as Peisey-Vallandry. The local Navette shuttle bus service also runs between the two villages.
Peisey Nancroix (1350m)
The old village of Peisey Nancroix is a rustic and peaceful traditional village, allowing a relaxing winter holiday away from the bigger villages and ski resorts. It has ski apartments and catered ski chalets and childcare is available with Ski Beat in Plan Peisey. Access to the slopes is via the "bucket" or "yoghurt pot" lift out of the village up to Plan Peisey where the local ESF ski school meets. Skiing and snowboarding access is excellent from here. There is a fast 6-seater chairlift that runs from the middle of Plan Peisey as well as the Vanoise Express that links les Arcs with La Plagne. There is one hire shop in the village.
www.skilesarcs.co.uk
Hotels
Hotels tend to be the more luxurious option, often with welcome facilities such as steam rooms, swimming pools and on-site bars (although check out the luxury chalet operators too). They are often the best option for short breaks but at peak times even they may demand a minimum stay of one week.
Self-catering
If you prefer to be your own boss then you should think about self-catered accommodation. You have to be fairly organised to shop and cook after a full day on the slopes and eating out every night can add up, although take-aways are an option, and you have the chance to check out some of the local restaurants too.
