Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How we make money
Les Arcs is one of our favourite resorts for a mixed group. We stayed in Arc 1800 in February 2026 with a group of very different abilities, and we are going back in February 2027. This guide covers what you need to know to plan your own trip, including how to get there by train from Paris and the one mistake we would never make again.
Les Arcs at a glance
| Ski area | About 200 km of pistes in Les Arcs itself, and around 425 km across the linked Paradiski area with La Plagne |
| Altitude | Villages from about 1,600 to 2,000 metres; skiing up to 3,226 metres on the Aiguille Rouge |
| Villages | Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, Arc 2000, plus Peisey-Vallandry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the valley |
| Nearest train station | Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with a funicular up to Arc 1600 |
| Airports | Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon or Grenoble, or fly to Paris and take the train |
| Adult 6 day Paradiski pass, 2026/27 (approx.) | €412 |
| Best for | Mixed ability groups, families, anyone who wants to travel by train |
Figures from Les Arcs’ published statistics and the 2026/27 lift pass prices listed by Alti Mag. Always check the official Les Arcs website before you book.
Why we like Les Arcs
The thing we loved most was how well it worked for a group of mixed abilities. There are safe, enjoyable runs for every level, so the stronger skiers could head off and explore while the less confident members of the group stayed happy on cruisy blues, and everyone could meet up for lunch without anyone feeling held back.
The ski area is big enough for keen skiers too. Les Arcs is linked to La Plagne by the Vanoise Express cable car, which turns it into the Paradiski area, one of the largest in the Alps. At the top, the Aiguille Rouge reaches 3,226 metres, with a long descent of around seven kilometres down towards the village of Villaroger for those who are up to it.
Which village to stay in
Les Arcs is not one village but several, built at different heights and linked by lifts and buses. Each has a different feel:
| Village | What it is like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Arc 1600 | The original village, quiet, with gentle slopes. The funicular from Bourg-Saint-Maurice arrives here. | Families who want calm; train travellers |
| Arc 1800 | The largest village, with the most shops, restaurants and evening life, including La Folie Douce. | Families and groups who want everything close by |
| Arc 1950 | A modern, car free village with short walks to the slopes. | Convenience, if your budget stretches |
| Arc 2000 | The highest village, more exposed, closest to the steeper skiing. | Confident skiers |
| Peisey-Vallandry | A more traditional village on the edge of the area, near the Vanoise Express. | A quieter, more authentic stay |
We stayed at Résidence Le Thuria in Les Villards, part of Arc 1800, in a self catered two bedroom apartment booked through a holiday rental site. It suited us well: plenty of choice for food and a lively feel without being far from the slopes. For more on choosing accommodation, see our guide to where to stay on a ski holiday.
Comparing the four quarters of Arc 1800? See our guide to where to stay in Arc 1800.
Where to book
These are affiliate links: if you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Look for somewhere close to the lifts or ski school, and check whether bed linen, towels and final cleaning are included in the price. The searches below open with February half term 2027 dates as an example. Change the dates and group size to match your own trip.
Vrbo: holiday apartments in Arc 1800
We have used Vrbo for self catered apartments on our own trips.
Expedia: hotels and apartment residences in Arc 1800
Useful if you would rather have a hotel, or want to compare residences with a reception and services.
Skiworld: chalet and hotel packages in Les Arcs
Packages with flights and transfers, if you would rather not book separately.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Getting to Les Arcs
Les Arcs is one of the easiest big resorts to reach without a car. The town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice at the bottom of the valley has a mainline railway station, and right next to it is the Arc en Ciel funicular, which climbs to Arc 1600 in about seven minutes. From there, resort buses connect the villages. According to the rail travel site Seat 61, the funicular is free if you show your train ticket.
Plane and train via Paris
If you are flying from a regional UK airport such as Manchester, a good way to do it is to fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle on the Friday evening, stay the night near the airport, and take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice on the Saturday. Trains leave from the airport’s own TGV station at Terminal 2. The journey generally takes around 6 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours, usually with two changes. Typical routes include:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle → Lyon Part-Dieu → Chambéry → Bourg-Saint-Maurice. From Chambéry the line continues through Albertville, Moûtiers and Aime-la-Plagne.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle → Valence TGV → Montmélian → Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
Times and connections change with each timetable, so check your exact route on SNCF Connect before you book. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the funicular takes you up to Arc 1600, and you will need onward transport, such as a resort bus or taxi, to reach Arc 1800.
Hotels at Paris Charles de Gaulle
These are affiliate links: if you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Expedia: hotels at Charles de Gaulle airport
Set to the Friday night before February half term 2027. Look for a hotel within walking distance of Terminal 2, or with a shuttle to it, so you can reach the TGV station easily in the morning.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
The one thing we would do differently
If your train home leaves Bourg-Saint-Maurice before the funicular starts running, book a taxi down to the station well in advance. We did not. We spent our last evening phoning more than twenty taxi companies, and in the end managed to get one at 4am. It worked out, but it is not how anyone wants to finish a ski holiday. Check the funicular’s first departure for your travel date before you book your train, and if it does not fit, book the taxi at the same time as the train.
Other ways to get there
- Eurostar Snow runs on selected Saturdays in season from London St Pancras, changing in Lille, to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. For 2026/27 it runs outbound from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027.
- Flying to the Alps: Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon and Grenoble all work, with transfer times of roughly two and a half to three hours to Les Arcs, though this can take a lot longer on Saturdays in the school holidays, when the valley roads are busy.
- Driving: possible, but parking in the villages is limited, and winter tyres or snow chains are required in the mountains.
We compare all the options in our guide to getting to the French Alps, and the Geneva route in detail in Geneva airport to Les Arcs.
Every rail route, including the Eurostar ski train, is covered in our guide to getting to Les Arcs by train.
Lift passes
You can buy the Classic pass for Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger, or the Essential or Premium pass for the whole Paradiski area including La Plagne. For 2026/27, six days cost €368 on the Classic pass and €412 on the Essential pass for an adult, or €295 and €330 for children aged 5 to 12 (official prices, checked October 2026). Under 5s ski free and 13 year olds pay the adult price. If some of your group are beginners, or you are unlikely to cross to La Plagne, the Classic pass is the better value, and Classic holders can add a one day Paradiski extension at a ticket office. Our guide to choosing between the Les Arcs and Paradiski passes compares the prices for a family, and our lift pass guide explains how to pay less.
Ski hire and lessons
Every village has hire shops, many belonging to the big chains, and booking online in advance is usually cheaper than walking in. Several ski schools operate in the resort, including the ESF, with groups for young children. In half term, book lessons as early as you can. See our guide to ski hire and lessons.
Comparing hire shops? See ski hire in Arc 1800 compared.
Après ski and La Folie Douce
Arc 1800 is home to La Folie Douce, the lively mountain bar and restaurant known for live music, dancing and a party atmosphere that runs well into the afternoon. It is great fun.
A word of warning for parents of older teenagers: a big day and night at La Folie Douce can mean a very late start on the slopes the next morning. With an 18 year old in our group, we would agree the plan for the next day before anyone heads out.
Who Les Arcs suits
- Mixed ability groups: excellent, with good runs for every level and easy places to meet.
- Families: Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 work well, with gentle slopes and ski schools close by.
- Train travellers: one of the best resorts in the Alps for arriving by rail.
- Keen skiers: the Paradiski area and the Aiguille Rouge will keep you busy for a week.
Comparing resorts? See how Les Arcs stacks up against Avoriaz, Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes in our guide to choosing a ski resort.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get to Les Arcs by train?
Yes. Take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then the funicular up to Arc 1600, about seven minutes, with resort buses or taxis to the other villages. From Paris Charles de Gaulle, the train generally takes around 6 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours, usually with two changes.
Which is the best village in Les Arcs for families?
Arc 1800 has the most facilities and Arc 1600 is quieter with gentle slopes. Both work well for families.
What if my train leaves before the funicular opens?
Book a taxi down to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in advance. Taxis get booked up, especially at the end of a school holiday week.
Is Les Arcs good in February half term?
It was for us. Expect it to be busy, as it is everywhere that week, so book accommodation, lessons and any taxis early. See our February half term guide.