The resort
Les Arcs is a group of villages named by altitude: Arc 1600, the 1968 original and now a designated 20th-Century Heritage Site; Arc 1800, the biggest, itself four pedestrian villages (Charvet, Villards, Chantel, Charmettoger); Arc 1950, the newest; and Arc 2000, the highest base, with Bourg-Saint-Maurice down at 850 m as the year-round valley base.
The skiing
The home area with Peisey-Vallandry runs to 200 km, 70% of it above 2,000 m, topping out on the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m: its cable car, above the Varet gondola from Arc 2000, serves the summit and a long descent. Through Peisey-Vallandry, the Vanoise Express crosses to La Plagne in four minutes, opening the full Paradiski 425 km.
Snow & weather
The higher bowl around Arc 2000 often stays colder than the runs toward Arc 1600 and the valley. Compare the seasonal pattern in °C and °F on the Les Arcs snow and weather page.
Lessons & ski schools
Les Arcs has ski schools across its different village levels. Choose a course at the level where you will stay, or check the morning connection carefully if another meeting point works better for your group.
Passes
The lift company sells three tiers: Classic (the local Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry area), Essential (full Paradiski plus activity discounts) and Premium (Paradiski with activities included). The official shop is lesarcs-peiseyvallandry.com.
Where to stay
Pick your Arc: 1600 for quiet and the funicular, 1800 for the fullest village life and the Mille8 leisure area, 1950 for a car-free base, 2000 for high ski-in, ski-out accommodation. Bourg-Saint-Maurice offers rail access and a town setting, with a morning funicular journey to the slopes.
Getting there
TGV, OUIGO and the winter Travelski Night Express run to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with connections from London, Belgium and the Netherlands, and the funicular climbs to Arc 1600 in 7 minutes: free round trip with a train ticket in winter, with shuttles on to the other Arcs. Drivers climb from Bourg-Saint-Maurice; winter tires or chains apply (November 1 to March 31).
Beyond the pistes
The Aiguille Rouge zipline from the top of the Varet gondola reaches 130 km/h, solo or in tandem; Mille8 at Arc 1800 bundles the pool, wellness and play areas; and toboggan runs descend at 1800 (from the Villards gondola) and Arc 2000. Bourg-Saint-Maurice has further restaurants and shops in the valley.
Who it suits
Les Arcs gives rail travelers a direct route from the station to the mountain. The Aiguille Rouge adds steeper skiing above the high villages; compare Peisey-Vallandry if you prefer a traditional village within the same area.
Quick answers
Which Arc should you stay in? By number: Arc 1600 is the quiet 1968 original (and the funicular arrival); 1800 is the biggest, with four pedestrian villages and the Mille8 leisure area; 1950 is a car-free purpose-built village; 2000 is a high ski-in ski-out base under the Aiguille Rouge. Bourg-Saint-Maurice, at 850 m, is the valley town for rail access and value.
Is Les Arcs linked to La Plagne? Yes: through Peisey-Vallandry, where the double-deck Vanoise Express cable car crosses to the La Plagne side in four minutes. Together they are Paradiski: 425 km, 70% of it above 2,000 m.
How do you get to Les Arcs without a car? Travel by train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then take the funicular to Arc 1600. Resort shuttles connect the other village levels. Check seasonal rail schedules, the final connection and current funicular ticket conditions before buying travel.