Les Arcs Celebrates 50 Years Of Adventure
This winter sees Les Arcs start the celebration of it’s 50th birthday, with the resort hosting a full year of events to mark the anniversary.
When three pioneers came together to embark on a project to build a winter sports resort from scratch, it would have been hard to imagine what Les Arcs offers today, lift accessed skiing and winter sports holidays in a car-free, high altitude position in the heart of the French Alps.
In 2018-19 Les Arcs offers 425km of runs suitable for a range of abilities, with pistes starting at 3250m as part of the Paradiski area. The area compromises of five villages all with their own personality and style . Arc 2000, Arc 1950, Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 (which are all car-free) as well as Bourg St Maurice. The ski area, which is again under a ‘snow guarantee’, will be open from 15th December 2018 until 27th April 2019.
Les Arcs continues to be famous for its unique architecture, which preserves the mountain environment by taking up as little space as possible. When the architects were dreaming up the resort over 50 years ago, they decided that the accommodation was to be designed differently to traditional lodgings and respect the nature and natural forms of the mountains. These buildings are now classed as ‘20th Century Heritage’ by the French Ministry of Culture.
During its 50th year, here is what’s new and what is back by popular demand in Les Arcs for the 2018/19 winter season:les villages des Arcs.
WHAT’S NEW – WINTER 2018-19
The Alps’ largest Club Med opens in Arc 1600
This winter Club Med will open its biggest and most impressive Alpine offering in Arc 1600. Club Med Les Arcs Panorama takes its name from the panoramic view if offers of Mont Blanc, and it is a premium 4 Trident resort, but with a 5 Trident part. It will offer 433 rooms as well as three gourmet eating areas and a top quality wellbeing area.
Aiguille Rouge Footbridge
This season will see the unveiling of a new footbridge located at 3226m in the Aiguille Rouge area. The bridge will allow skiers, pedestrians and children the chance to admire the panorama and exceptional views from the top of Les Arcs. The bridge is 35 metres long with glass walls at each of the overhanging areas, giving views of the Alpine chain on one side and the Villaroger Nature Reserve on the other side.
‘Archi Ski’ Architecture Tour
In addition to the classic ‘Zoom in Architecture’ tours that have been running in recent years in Les Arcs, for winter 2018-19, there is the new ‘Archi Ski’ tour where you discover Les Arcs’ classified architecture, specifically looking at the buildings’ integration into the mountain slopes. The tours take place with a ski instructor and architecture specialist.
Nama Springs Spa
Nama Springs is the new wellness centre, which has been created in Edenarc’s 5 star residence in Arc 1800. More than a traditional spa, Nama Springs has developed the concept of a bath house in the tradition of the Japanese Onsens. There is a series of water-based rituals; a sensorial insulation pool, a salt crystal sauna, an infrared Sauna, an Indian hammam, a forest sauna and a series of sensorial showers.
Feel Good Village – 17th & 18th April
This winter Les Arcs is organising two days of well being and ‘looking after yourself’ activities at Col de la Chal at 2700m. You can enjoy head- foot-hand massages, yoga sessions, gentle gym sessions, workshops on ‘how to let go’ and healthy smoothie and herbal tea stands.
Electric snowmobiling for kids
This winter in Arc 2000 kids will be able to enjoy electric snowmobile racing. Open every day from 3pm until 7pm (expect Saturday), this activity will drive all the little thrill seekers crazy! For children from 6-17 years old.
Back by popular demand
The Les Arcs Snow Guarantee
With 70% of the ski area situated at over 2000 metres and rising to 3226 metres, Les Arcs has a formidable natural asset for ensuring great skiing from December and right through to the end of April. Les Arcs also boasts an ultra-efficient and ultra-modern snow-making network which can take over when the winter is not generous. For the second season, Les Arcs offers a real “Snow Guarantee”, because if the resort cannot offer skiing in Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry ski area, the resort will change ski passes for another week during the same ski season (not during school holiday weeks).
WINTER 2018 /19 EVENTS
The Great Adventure
8 December 2018
This year Les Arcs is inviting it loyal guests to a pre-opening to enjoy the early snow before everyone else arrives. Skiers can climb up using skins on their skis and enjoy first tracks on the virgin snow in Vallee de l’Arc.
Les Arcs European Film Festival
15-22 December 2018
The 10th edition of the Les Arcs European Film Festival. After an opening night at the factory that houses the snow-making equipment. Over 120 films will be shown at locations across the resort in addition to concerts, DJ set and ski competitions. For 2018, Polish film is the theme of the Festival.
Santa’s Calling
24 December 2018
On Christmas Eve in Les Arcs, Santa can deliver Christmas presents to your hotel, chalet or apartment – a treat that all children will love.
The service can by requested directly at Les Arcs Tourist Office.
Big Up & Down
25-27 January 2019
The ski touring contest that combines all the different ski touring practices. Three events and original experiences to enjoy. Supported by famous skier Enak Gavaggio from Team Les Arcs.
Arc 1950 Freeride Week
28 January-03 February 2019
The only French stage of the Free Ride World Qualifier for the FWQ 4* category, this event brings together the world’s best riders and the discipline’s rising stars in the FWQ 2* and FWQ 3* competition.
Star Trail
22 March 2019
An 11 km trail running race on snow with 700m of elevation gain.
European Gay Ski Week
23–30 March 2019
European Gay Ski week is truly international and attended by upwards of 800 people from all over the world each year. This year’s addition promises to be one of the biggest yet, with parties, DJs and a week of festivities.
