“Ain’t no Mountain High Enough…” especially when it comes to skiing or snowboarding. I love skiing in new regions and have recently declared a new goal to ski (or hike) the Alps in every country! So, now that I’m living in London it was a no brainer to head to the French Alps. However- I totally think it’s worth the trip if you live further!

Luckily, my boyfriend grew up skiing the French Alps… so naturally I took his lead with planning (thanks babe.) Fortunately for my readers, I’ve got you covered 😉

So What’s Les Arcs?

Les Arcs is a resort within Bourg St. Maurice in French Alps. Located near Paradiski (one of the largest ski areas) &  Mt. Blanc (the highest peak in Europe!) Once you head up the mountain, you will reach Les Arcs’  ski resort & villages (1600, 1800, 1950, and 2000.) Each village offers hotels/apartments, restaurants, bars, and the option to ski on/off the slopes. Super convienent.

When skiing/snowboarding Les Arcs you can also get a pass to ski La Plagne. La Plagne is essentially connected however you  need to pay a separate fee for those lifts & can take a bus or another gondola to that side of the mountain. 

Getting to Les Arcs.

The nearest international airport is Geneva Switzerland, which is approx. 2.3 hr drive away. Once at Geneva, you can get to Les Arcs via: rental car (we had to pay about 50 euro to park for 4 days), private car (best if with a group), or transfer /coach-bus (least expensive) however it’s only available on the weekends. You can also get a train to the  TGV railway station, which will get you to Bourg St. Maurice, however you will then need a car up the mt. which is about a 30 min drive.

We rented a car and the drive wasn’t bad at all. I liked the freedom to stop off to take pictures wherever & we grabbed lunch at Lake Annecy which is so beautiful.  Just beware, there is an annoying amount of round-a-bouts & speed traps (areas they measure your average speed in then send you a ticket in the mail.) That being said, once in Les Arcs you really don’t need the car.

Where to Stay

As mentioned earlier, Les Arcs is a resort with many little villages named after their height in meters: Arcs 1600, 1800, 1950, and 2000. Each village has an array of stores, restaurants, bars, and equipment rental stores. During our visit, we stayed at a friends apartment at Arc 1800 and loved the ease of skiing on and off the mountain.

I saw great listings on Airbnb & on the Les Arcs site. The main site has many different options of accommodations from Hotels, Chalets (homes), and apartments to rent. It’s a good array so you can customize based on your budget.

If you have an apartment, like us, you’ll receive linens however we needed to shop for toiletries and food for the kitchen. You may want to pick up food before you get to the mountain or at the airport if getting in late.  There are local markets but tend to close early and are more expensive on the mountain.

If you choose a hotel,  you’ll have the convenience of  breakfast buffets, ski rentals & storage, and perhaps a pool. My boyfriend has stayed at one of the main hotels, Du Golf, on Arc 1800 and recommends it!

Things to do!

I highly recommend downloading the mountains app: YUGE. The app provides activities, food recommendations & bookings,  can track your daily ski runs & average speed, and get slope condition updates etc. It was VERY helpful!

The main attraction at Les Arcs is of course skiing and snowboarding. This year the season runs from December 15- April 27th. Throughout the season there are many different events, so I recommend checking ahead of time on their website.

If you’re used to skiing/snowboarding in the States, you’ll notice there aren’t many trees to outline the trails rather poles. In addition, the easiest to hardest trails are marked as: Green, Blue, Red, Black. Of course they provide lessons if needed! Even though they speak French, the signs are easy to understand and point you to the correct Arc you’re staying in.

Aside from the stunning views on the slopes, I was really impressed by all the restaurants. On my IG stories I was constantly raving about the food there compared to the cafeteria food served on the mountains in the US. Some of my favorite stops were…

• Bulle Cafe- An Igloo inspired cafe at the bottom of Aiguille Rouge. They have cheese platters, seafood, beverages and very nice outdoor lounge chair space with music.
• Grillette- Delish restaurant on the Grands Melezes blue run. Great views!
• Les Chalet de l’arc- A very cozy French Alps vibe with fireplaces. The restaurant that specializes in Savoyard aka a must for cheese lovers.

Even if you aren’t in to big parties, you MUST check out “La Follie Douche,”  which is a day party on the slopes for all ages. The views, DJ, and energy is amazing! Here’s a video from one of my stories 🙂

 

For those that aren’t into skiing/snowboarding there is still plenty to do! Sledding, shopping, dog sledding, snowshoeing, swimming etc. Here is a link for more ideas.  Apparently summer months are also great for a hiking!

 

 

Additional Tips

• If searching for other airports other than Geneva check out: Lyon, Chambéry and Grenoble nearby. For more info, click here.
• I wouldn’t stay in Bourg St. Maurice- its too far away from the mountain and probably more of a hassle to get around.
• I didn’t notice anywhere that didn’t accept credit cards but there were many ATMs available.
• Get out on the mountain early! They close at 4 pm and don’t offer any night skiing. I find this typical for skiing in Europe.
• I recommend purchasing your equipment rentals ahead of time so you can get a discount.
• Tickets can be bought ahead of time, however I’d wait closer to your departure incase conditions don’t look good that week. Tickets can be bought at all Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry stands which are in each village.
• The very top of Les Arcs is 3226 meters. They offer picture opportunities (you retrieve the pics off the Yuge app) and a cool pier for unique views.
• For those advanced, there is a Snow Park and Ski Racing.
• Although most people in Europe ski, there were a lot of snowboarders.
• Wear a helmet when skiing/snowboarding. You’re dumb not too 🙂
• What to wear on the slopes? It’s all about layering! I wore: Shell coat, snow pants, tights, thermals (turtle neck top/bottom), yoga pants, under armor long sleeve shirt, wool sweater, dickie, head mask, helmet, goggles, gloves, plenty of moisturizer.
• Bring tissues, hand warmers, chapstick and a portable charge on the slopes.
• A Raclette dinner is a must! Essentially you get to melt your own wheel of cheese and scrape it off. They serve it with salads, dried meats and cheese. Not the healthiest but SO yummy.
• If you’re vegan or vegetarian- I’d bring some extra snacks or go shopping. Most meals are meats, cheese, dressed lettuce and a starch.

I really hope this travel guide was helpful! If you’re interested in more trips to the Alps be sure to check out my other blog coming soon: Travel Guide: St.Moritz, Switzerland!