Les Arcs

The Les Arcs ski resort is part of Paradiski, one of the largest ski areas in France, with 425 km of pistes. The ski area around Les Arcs is very varied. Fans of wide skiways and of black pistes that demand excellent technique and plenty of courage will all find something to match their skills and tastes. For years, experienced skiers have been drawn by the famous descent from the Aiguille Rouge, one of the longest in Europe, and by the KL ("kilometre lance") piste, also on the slopes of the Aiguille Rouge: a speed skiing record slope in the form of an extremely steep, narrow gully. Depending on the snow cover, you can ski on the Glacier du Varet in July and August. Les Arcs attracts snowboarders in large numbers. There is excellent off-piste terrain on the slopes of the Grand Col, among other places, and boarders can also let loose in the snow parks. Les Arcs often hosts a range of sports competitions, some of them very prestigious. Les Arcs holds the P’tits Montagnards label, awarded by the Ski Club of France to ski resorts that specialise in holidays for families with children. Besides lots of activities on and off the slopes, this means slopes and lifts designed specially for children, as well as professional care and instruction in ski schools and ski kindergartens. The resort's range of sports away from skiing is very varied. Les Arcs has good sports and leisure facilities (including fitness centres, tennis courts, squash courts, indoor pools and an ice rink). You can also go paragliding or on snowshoe trips. Les Arcs is really four different villages, each with its own atmosphere. The lowest, Arc 1600, is popular with families with children. The largest and most popular is Arc 1800, which particularly attracts young people who enjoy lively evenings after skiing. Higher up is Arc 1950, a new Alpine village built from scratch and opened recently (in the 2003/2004 season), with superb views of the Mont Blanc massif. The highest ski village, Arc 2000, mainly attracts experienced, sporty skiers who value direct access to the slopes, demanding pistes and beautiful views. Free ski buses provide efficient connections between the Les Arcs villages. Of the four, Arc 1800, which stays lively until late at night, has the widest choice of evening entertainment. LES ARCS / Bourg Saint Maurice also means: Eurostar and Thalys right through to Bourg Saint Maurice. A free bus to the "funiculaire" (the Alpine metro), which takes you up to Arc Pierre Blanche in 7 minutes. In January, a train with sleeping accommodation from Madrid to Bourg St Maurice. A winter full of special-offer weeks: from 16 to 23 December 2006 "after work, friends week" (€195 per person: accommodation plus a 6-day ski pass for les Arcs). January: "Grand ski" from 6 to 13 January 2007 (accommodation plus a 6-day ski pass for Paradiski), "Discover my resort" from 13 to 20 January 2007 (€215 per person, package), "relax" skiing from 24 to 31 March (€229 per person, package); "Learn to ski for free" from 6 to 13 January and from 13 to 20 January 2007, completely free skiing for the first 100 registered children under 6 (equipment, ski pass, ski lessons). New for winter 2006/2007: * The "l‘Arcabulle" chairlift, a detachable 6-seater (starting just above the Les Plagnettes lift), at Arc 2000. More comfort and greater capacity towards the "transarc" (Arcabulle 300 people per hour plus Plagnettes 2,800 people per hour). * The "Les Sources de Marie" residence in Arcs 1950 with 110 apartments, run by the operator Radisson SAS. * Arc 1800: the new "Le Belmond" residence, managed by Pierre & Vacances. From the events calendar: * 27 to 28 January 2007: French Ski-Joëring Championships * 5 to 9 March 2007: La Freeride Les Arcs * April 2007: Speed Skiing World Championships. LES ARCS/Bourg Saint Maurice also means: Eurostar and Thalys right through to Bourg Saint Maurice. A free bus to the "funiculaire" station (the Alpine metro), which takes you up to Arc Pierre Blanche in 7 minutes. In January, a train with sleeping cars from Madrid to Bourg St.Maurice. A winter full of special-offer weeks: * 16 to 23 December 2006 "after work, friends week" (€195 per person: accommodation plus a 6-day ski pass for les Arcs) * 6 to 13 January 2007 "Grand ski" (accommodation plus a 6-day ski pass for Paradiski) * 13 to 20 January 2007 "Discover my resort" (€215 per person, package) * 24 to 31 March 2007 "ski relax" (€229 per person, package) * 6 to 13 January 2007 and 13 to 20 January 2007 "Learn to ski for free", free lessons for the first 100 registered children under 6 (equipment, ski pass, ski lessons).