Les Arcs > Reviews (5)

Les Arcs is one of the best known and largest of all French Resorts. It is split into 3 sections Arc 1600 Arc 1800 and Arc 2000. The neumbers refer to the height above sea level in metres. A funicilar railways runs at 20 minute intervals from Bourg St Maurice up to 1600 from where you can connect to the rest of the resort via mainly chairlifts, there is the ocassional tow, but mostly the resort is served with cable cars and chairlifts. 1600 has a good range of bars and shops, and is a good place to relax or sun bathe if the ski-ing is too arduous. . the ski-ing ranges from the easy to the extreme. From the highest point Auiguile Rouge at 3100 m their are a number of potentially tricky black runs, as well as the flying kilometer, a very steep straight down piste on which the speed skiers reach up tp 145 mph. There is lots of off piste if that is your thing, as well as nice red runs down through trees for the more easy going. Restaurants are many and varied, and although some are reasonably priced some are also expensive. Ski hire is reasonable from the shop at the funicular £10 a day, but the ski pass is quite expensive £110 for 6 days.

We stayed in a place called Le Pre which normally has a lift which takes you up into the resort, and you can ski straight
back to the Chalet at night. Unfortunately it had been unseasonably warm and the snow level was at about 1600. Which means a trip to the funicular every morning. It is well worth having your own transport for this eventuality. also it means that a trip further afield to mingle with the beautiful people in Val d'Isere or eat at one of a number of good restaurants is possible.

I would recommend optimum ski www.optimumski.com the chalet I stayed in in Le Pre. A very friendly Chalet with great service

Avoid the sport bar near the Funiculiar in Saint Bourg Maruice I got food posioning from a burger there !