Located in the heart of the Alps, Les Arcs is a benchmark ski resort. Five villages at different altitudes welcome you to the valley: Arc 2000, Arc 1950, Arc 1800, Arc 1600 and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Part of the Paradiski ski area, Les Arcs is one of France's top resorts. For your winter sports holiday, discover the 15 must-do activities in Les Arcs in winter.
1- Downhill skiing or snowboarding
From Les Arcs, you'll have direct access to the 425kms of pistes in the Paradiski area, culminating at an altitude of 3226m. This immense playground is the second largest linked ski area in the world. Here you'll find 260 ski slopes, ideal for downhill skiing or snowboarding, with views of Mont Blanc. What's more, the three resorts are linked by the Vanoise Express, one of the world's largest cable cars.
Petit Futé tip you can rent your ski equipment now. Go directly to our partner's website and benefit from a 10% discount with our code petitfuteski.
2- What to do in Les Arcs in winter? Tobogganing
Tobogganing in Les Arcs isn't just for kids! Take advantage of the toboggan runs of this major ski resort in Savoie to spend some quality time with the family, or to recapture your childhood memories. Access to the sledging areas is just as easy for pedestrians as it is for skiers. You'll find a 900m-long first run at Arc 1800, and a 3km-long second at Arc 2000. Guaranteed thrills.
Good to know the ski area has its own mobile application, Paradiski YUGE, ideal for finding your way around, booking activities or buying passes.
3- Discover the famous Aiguille Rouge
Take advantage of your stay in Les Arcs to reach the summits. From Arc 2000, take the Varet gondola. This will take you to the famous Aiguille Rouge cable car. Take a break at the panoramic Le Varet terrace at 2700m for a picnic and a view over the valley. The summit of theAiguille Rouge rises to 3226m. Up there, you'll find the Passerelle de l'Aiguille Rouge, offering panoramic views of the Vanoise National Park.
Petit Futé tip tip: book your stay in Les Arcs now directly on our partner's website.
4- Snowshoeing
Discover the incredible landscapes of this Alpine valley on a snowshoe hike. Savoie is full of magnificent hiking trails. Many of the region's ski schools offer supervised snowshoe hikes, so you can discover the surrounding countryside on a sporty outing. If you have your own equipment and would like to take to the trails on your own, don't hesitate to visit the tourist office for more information.
Activities to book discover the snow-covered landscapes of Les Arcs and Beaufortain on this snowshoe hike with a professional guide. You can book this activity directly here.
5- Visit the Les Arcs igloo village
Spend an unusual evening in the largest igloo village in the French Alps. This 250m² themed village made entirely of snow and ice is perched at an altitude of over 2000m. Several activities are available. You can visit the ice cave during the day, or enjoy an evening fondue in the igloo. For the more adventurous, treat yourself to a night in an unusual accommodation. Your night in the igloo includes fondue for dinner. When you wake up, you'll enjoy an impressive view of the resort from the village's panoramic terrace.
6- What to do in Les Arcs in winter? Cross-country skiing
In Les Arcs, you'll find trails dedicated to cross-country skiing. Head to the Peisey-Vallandry Nordic site, where 43km of trails await you. You can practice cross-country skiing or skating. Trails range in difficulty from green to black. From Arc 1800, the shuttle bus to the Nordic site is free.
Read the article les Arcs is one of France's 10 most popular ski resorts.
7- Take a zip-line descent
Take advantage of your stay in Les Arcs to enjoy the thrill of a zip-line descent. Departing from the Varet gondola at an altitude of 2,680m, the Aiguille Rouge zip line takes you down 1,800m of the valley. The zip line can reach speeds of 130km/h, and will take you close to the Olympic Flame at Arc 2000. You can choose to go down alone or in pairs, and in a seated or lying position.
The activity to book in the Paradiski area, you can also enjoy a zip-line descent from La Plagne, facing Mont-Blanc. Book your activity here.
8- Ski touring
Feel like a real mountaineer when you try ski touring. Ski touring consists of exploring the steep slopes of the Alps on special skis, equipped with "sealskins" for the ascent. Once you've reached the top, all you have to do is remove the famous skins and enjoy the descent, just like downhill skiing.
The activity to book : book your guided ski tour right here in the Haute Tarentaise, near Val d'Isère.
9- Relax at the pool
In winter, there are two water sports facilities in Les Arcs: the swimming pool at Arc 1800 and the water sports center at Bourg-Saint-Maurice. At Arc 1800, the pool is accompanied by a fitness area and a wellness area with hammams and saunas, ideal for relaxing after a day on the slopes. The water sports center, meanwhile, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Here you'll find two indoor pools, group activities and classes, and a large outdoor area with a relaxation pool.
10- What to do in Les Arcs in winter? Culinary specialties
An essential part of any winter sports holiday is to sample the local specialities. Don't miss out on the classic dishes we serve after a day on the slopes. Raclette, Savoyard fondue and tartiflette have become a ritual on mountain vacations. Savoie is a land of cheese, so don't hesitate to sample reblochon, tomme des Bauges or Beaufort in abundance. For those with a sweet tooth, rissoles are little turnovers filled with pears, and go wonderfully well with coffee or ice cream.
11- The Museum of Mountain Animals
Learn more about mountain flora and fauna on an outing to the Mountain Animal Museum. Open to skiers and pedestrians alike in summer and winter alike, the museum is a great place to learn about the natural world around you. Located at the top of the Vallandry gondola, the space was created in collaboration with the Parc National de la Vanoise and the Peisey-Vallandry area. You'll also find a relaxation and catering area.
12- Paragliding
When it comes to thrills, Les Arcs has it all. If you'd like to get some height, don't hesitate to take a paragliding flight over the resort. You'll enjoy an incredible view of the valley's snow-covered landscapes, supervised and in complete safety. The resort offers flights for one or two people.
The activity to book in the Paradiski area, you can join this winter paragliding flight at La Plagne, bookable here.
13- All-terrain scooter riding
Riding an electric scooter in winter sports is nothing like riding one in town. Les Arcs ski resort offers rentals of all-terrain electric scooters, for hour-and-a-half rides in the snow. This fun activity, accessible to all, is supervised by a guide who will lead you along the best paths.
The activity to book : book here to book your all-terrain scooter outing in Les Arcs.
14- Admire the Luminous Frescoes
At the arrival of the Varet gondola, this former lift garage has been transformed into an enchanting venue. Since 2022, the Fresques Lumineuses de l'Aiguille Rouge have been offering holidaymakers a unique experience. Stroll through the luminous frescoes on display, twirling on the walls all around you. This sound-and-light exhibition will leave you with a colorful, timeless memory.
15- What to do in Les Arcs in winter? Laser rifle shooting
Follow in the footsteps of a biathlete and try your hand at laser rifle shooting after your skiing session. Located at Place Miravidi in Arc 1800, this activity is a great challenge for families and friends aged 8 and over . You can book your laser rifle shooting session directly at the adventure course chalet.
What to do in Les Arcs in winter when you're not skiing?
If skiing down the slopes isn't your cup of tea, don't panic. There are plenty of off-ski activities available in Les Arcs. Here's a small selection:
- snowshoe hiking. Enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery on snowshoe hikes around the resort.
- climb the Aiguille Rouge. Climb to the top of the mountain on the Aiguille Rouge platform, from where you can enjoy incredible panoramic views of the Alps.
- fresques Lumineuses. Admire this sound and light exhibition and enjoy an enchanting moment with family and friends.
- scootering. Combine business with pleasure on an all-terrain scooter ride around Les Arcs.
What can the family do in Les Arcs in winter?
If you've chosen Les Arcs for your family ski holiday, you'll find plenty of activities to suit all ages. Here are just a few of them:
- Admire the Fresques lumineuses. This immersive light exhibition is perfect for a colorful, timeless family moment.
- Downhill skiing. There are numerous ski schools in the area, ideal for introducing the little ones to the sport.
- Bowling. After a day on the slopes, enjoy a family bowling evening at Les Arcs 1800.
- The Géants de Malgovert playground. This giant playground makes young and old aware of the importance of preserving forests in a playful atmosphere.
Petit Futé tip if you're driving to Les Arcs, don't hesitate to get an electronic toll tag to make your journey easier. You can access subscriptions directly on our partner's website.
What to do in Les Arcs in summer?
A must-see in winter, Les Arcs is also an ideal destination for a mountain vacation in summer. We've put together a selection of off-season activities for you:
- Ride the Aiguille Rouge Tyrolean traverse. Summer or winter, you're guaranteed a thrill with this zip line, which can reach speeds of up to 130km/h. Do it solo or with a partner.
- Hiking or biking. Numerous hiking trails criss-cross the valley, allowing you to enjoy the scenery on foot or by mountain bike.
- White-water sports. Around Les Arcs, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, canyoning and hydrospeed are all available.
- Try your hand at archery. Try your hand at archery in the great outdoors at the Arc 1800 shooting range, one of the finest in France.
