Les Arcs
Ski-Areas > Northern Alps > Savoie (73) > Tarentaise > Les Arcs
Contents
- History
- Les Arcs Off Piste
- Travel
- Accomodation
- Restaurants and Bars
- Shopping
- Guides and Instructors
- Useful Information
Description
The ski resort of Les Arcs is situated in the Tarentaise area of the Savoie department in the Northern Alps region. Its high speed funicular whisks skiers from the international rail terminus at Bourg St Maurice to the base of the pistes in Arc 1600 in just 7 minutes! Since 2003 it has been part of the Paradiski ski domain linked by a giant double decker cable car with neighbouring la Plagne. The lift served area extends from 1660 metres to the 3226 metres Aiguille Rouge. Including la Plagne there is a total of 420 km of lift served runs, les Arcs proper has over 200km of runs. There are 20 km of cross country trails. The resort features a snowpark.
Surveys of skiers at les Arcs reveals that they like perfect pistes, and this is what you will find, a selection of wide and well prepared pistes. The resort has two centres, 1600 and 1800 on one side of the mountain with Arc 2000 and the "Disneyesque" 1950 in a separate valley. Les Arcs has a modern outlook to snowsports. Local instructor Régis Rolland popularised the snowboard in France with the Apocalypse Snow series of films made in the resort in the early 1980s.
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| Webcam view of Les Arcs 1800 valley from lesarcsnet |
History
Created in the 60s by Robert Blanc? and Roger Godino? to accommodate the growing number of skiers, les Arcs has a unique and modern architecture designed by Denis Pradelle? who had earlier worked on Flaine and Courchevel. The wood clad buildings have large south facing bay windows and despite a modern design they blend in with the mountain and trees. From the slopes the resort is all but invisible. Blanc, a guide at Courchevel but a native of Hauteville Gondon, had remembered the immense valleys and peaks from his childhood days guarding a flock of sheep. In 1968 a hotel and apartment opened their doors, 12 years later Blanc died in an avalanche.
Travel
Nearest Airport(s): Chambèry (120km), Geneva (170km), Grenoble St Geoirs (190km), Lyon Saint Exupéry (200km)
Road: Autoroute Lyon / Albertville : A43 et A430 - from Geneva : N201 (Cruseilles) then A41 to Chambéry, then A43 and A430 to Albertville, then N90 to Moutiers/Tarentaise
Rail: Bourg Saint-Maurice (TGV) then Monorail link to Arc 1600. Bus transfers to other Arc areas.
Accomodation
http://www.SnowChateaux.co.uk SnowChateaux is a fabulous 18th century traditional alpine ski chalet waiting for you, with sumptuous cuisine, roaring open fireplace, enthusiastic hosts & sauna to greet you after a rewarding day in World class Les Arcs
"by far our best group ski chalet holiday yet!" Matt Wiggett, 03/2007
Email us on info@snowchateaux.co.uk or call 0800 066 4996 for availability and prices. Visit http://www.SnowChateaux.co.uk for more information.
SNOWeSCAPE offer well appointed, tastefully furnished and fully equipped appartments in the heart of Bourg St Maurice but within easy walking distances of the TGV station with direct services to London and Paris as well as the funicular railway to Les Arcs 1600 with access to the linked la Plagne ski area.
Bruce Rogers told us: "I've used the Hostellerie du Petit St. Bernard several times now. Absolutely superb food (I really mean this) at about 60 € pppn demi-pension (half board) during the winter season. Oh and a 15% reduction off your lift pass. Basic, old but clean rooms with en-suite, those to the rear have a view of the mountain up to Les Arcs.
It's about 15 minutes walk (or three minutes drive if you're as lazy as me) to the Funicular which takes you straight up to 1600. We usually to reckon on skiing the first run down within 30 minutes of leaving the hotel, which ain't bad.
OK, evenings in Bourg are not the social highlight you may want, but there are at least a few bars etc. Depends what you're after, really."
http://www.chaletarc.co.uk Hostel accommodation in Nancroix which is at 1450 metres in the valley separating Les Arcs and La Plagne. Linked to the lift system via a free bus (5 min trip) runs half hourly. A number of off piste routes from both Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne end at Nancroix.
Restaurants and Bars
Arc 1600
Cafe Sol, l'Arselle (night club)
Arc 1800
Chez Mathieu (techno), l'Ambiante (techno), la Santa Line
Arc 2000
Red Rock Cafe, la Bolèe (pizzeria)
Ski School
Arc Adventures, Arc 1800. Off piste groups every day, groups of 4 - 6. Ski de Rando and Heliskiing.
Shopping
We don't all ski 24/7, if there are shops: ski, fashion or bookstores you think people should know about mention them here.
Guides and Instructors
Philippe Deslandes (Guide)
We did a some off-piste with Philippe in les Arcs. He works for the ski school in Arc 1800. Originally from Paris he has been guiding for some 15 years. Very friendly guy with advice on ski style and mountain awareness. We also went out to the Refuge du Ruitor on his day off when he was collecting snow samples for the EDF.
Bureau des Guides de Bourg-St-Maurice / Les Arcs
Villard Dessus
73700 Seez
Tel 04 79 07 59 78
email: ph.deslandes@online.fr
Useful Information
Mountain Rescue: 04 79 07 85 66
email: lesarcs@lesarcs.com
Lesarcsnet
Lesarcsnet.com has information about the resort including listings, snow reports, webcams, getting to and staying in les Arcs both summer and winter.
Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger are part of the les Arcs ski domain and offer a village type atmosphere.
Category: Ski Areas
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Page last modified on August 17, 2007, at 10:17 PM
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