New Novice Area & Gondola Makes Les Arcs A Beginner’s Paradise

Les Arcs has cemented itself as the go to resort for beginners and mixed ability groups with the opening of a new progression area at the top of the new gondola in the Vallandry sector of the ski area. 

The ‘Step by Step Progression Area’ allows skiers and snowboarders to improve by offering three progressive sectors next to each other: ‘first time on skis’, ‘first turns’ (with its own draglift) and ‘first descents’ on the Pitchouns Forest run. The three steps can be found at the top of the brand new 10-seater Vallandry gondola, which replaces the old Vallandry chairlift. The new gondola will take skiers from the bottom of the slopes to an altitude of 2138 metres in just six minutes. 

This new area in Vallandry complements a similar Step by Step Progression area in Arc 1800, reaffirming Les Arcs’ desire to offer a ski area that is accessible to as many people as possible and which allows people to easily learn to ski or snowboard. 

What else is new for winter 2021-22

NEW Vallandry Gondola – panoramic terrace & Mountain Animal Museum 

As well as the new progression area, the new Vallandry gondola offers the perfect places for skiers and non-skiers to meet with a stunning panoramic terrace and unusual ‘relaxation area’ exhibiting traditional objects and local plants. 

On the upper floor of the relaxation area there is a Mountain Animal Museum, presenting thirty species of local fauna. The unique museum has been created in conjunction with the Vanoise National Park. A fun way of learning more about the local biodiversity and the best way of preserving it. Entry to the Mountain Animal Museum is free. 

NEW Les Arcs’ Zipline

Les Arcs’ Zipline is THE new attraction of the winter. The Zipline, which passes over the

old Flying Kilometre run which held the world speed skiing record for many years (251.40 km/hr, Simone

Orgone’s performance, 2006), will make it possible to reach speeds of 130 km/hr, on your own or on a dual ride. Price: 55€ / descent (Or one descent included in the Premium Pass / - 50% reduction with the Essential Pass).

NEW Bear Lodge 

UK tour operator VIP Ski is opening a large, high-end residence just next to Arc 1950 this winter. Set right on the slopes, Bear Lodge has 30 hotel rooms and 12 luxury suites. Each suite has its own living and dining room plus superb views of the mountains. A host service is included. There is also a wellness area, swimming pool, cinema, games room, lounge & bar, plus ski shop. vip-chalets.com/resorts/arc-1950

NEW Travelski Express Ski Train

The ski train service from London to the French Alps is back for winter 2021-22, meaning that once again Les Arcs can be reach directly from London by train. The new Travelski Express service will arrive into Bourg Saint Maurice each Saturday morning during the ski season, after departing London on Friday night. Upon arrival in Bourg, it is a simple 7-minute journey by funicular to Arc 1600, meaning skiers can be on the slopes the very same morning. 

At the heart of Les Arcs 

Sustainability 

As well as being one of the few French ski resorts accessible by train, Les Arcs prides itself on leading the way in terms of sustainability. In 2020, Les Arcs was awarded the ‘Flocon Vert’ label and now continues to work on becoming a model of a sustainable tourism destination. Some of the work the resort is doing at present includes: A ‘drink local’ campaign, encouraging skiers to drink tap water and not bottled water, encouraging local business owners to become more responsible, trail cleaning days, solar panels on several lifts and a BirdSki programme aimed at protecting the black grouse population. Les Arcs also has the objective of self-producing 25% of the electricity consumed by the area. (More detailed information can be found in the press pack).

Architecture 

Les Arcs’ architecture has once again been thrust into the spotlight following a major exhibition about Les Arcs’ creator & designer Charlotte Perriand at the London Design Museum this summer. The creation of Les Arcs played a considerable role in the radical transformation of mountain architecture and the resort has now been given the label of “Remarkable 20th Century Architecture” by the French Ministry of Culture. 

Visitors can discover Les Arcs’ architecture on guided tours. There are three options: a ‘Classic Architecture Tour’ on foot with a guide, a ‘Ski Architecture Tour’ with a guide and ski instructor or a ‘Zoom in on the Architecture Tour’ with a guide and photographer. 

Winter 2021-22 Events

• La Première Montée des Arcs 4 December 2021, Les Arcs is inviting skiers to enjoy the early snow before everyone else arrives. Skiers can climb up using skins on their skis and enjoy first tracks with mountain guides before the lifts open  
• Les Arcs European Film Festival 11-18 December 2021. The Les Arcs European Film Festival is a major cultural event and aims to further develop the diversity of the European film industry. Hundreds of films will be shown at locations across the resort in addition to concerts, DJ set and special events. For 2021 ‘Alpine Cinema’ is theme of the Festival. www.lesarcs-filmfest.com 
• Electronic Peak Festival 14 – 18 March 2022. An environmentally-invested festival combining eclectic music and sporting and artistic performances
• Les Arcs Feel Good Village April 2022. A pop up eco-village at over 2000m altitude, with environmentally responsible brands, experiences and positive encounters.  
• Les Arcs Funi Climb April 2022. A running race where the idea is to run from Bourg Saint Maurice up to Les Arcs (4km & 810m of elevation gain), taking the funicular back down