Arc 1600
The original resort village, with wooded surroundings and the direct funicular link to the valley. A straightforward base if you expect to use the train.
French Alps · Winter 2026/27 · Travel guide
Les Arcs ski resort guide 2026/27
Les Arcs has four mountain villages above Bourg-Saint-Maurice, and choosing the right one changes how you arrive, where you meet your ski school and which lifts you use. Here is how the resort fits together, from the funicular and shuttle network to the pistes, passes and winter opening dates.
4Mountain villages, plus Bourg-Saint-Maurice
200 kmLes Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry pistes
425 kmTotal connected Paradiski pistes
7 minFunicular to Arc 1600
Jump toStart with the layout
How Les Arcs fits together
The easiest way to understand Les Arcs is to separate the journey to your village from the ski-area connections. The funicular is transport to Arc 1600; the Vanoise Express is a lift connecting the ski areas.
Valley and resort bases
Bourg-Saint-Maurice is the rail town at roughly 850 m. The four mountain villages are Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. Staying in the valley means travelling up before skiing; staying in a mountain village gives you more immediate access to lifts and resort facilities.
Two different mountain connections
The funicular takes around seven minutes to reach Arc 1600, where you can pick up local shuttles. On skis, the Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry area links to La Plagne over the Vanoise Express if your pass includes Paradiski and the crossing is operating.
Arrival and resort connection diagram
Illustrative network · not a geographical mapChoose your village
Where to stay in Les Arcs
All four mountain villages offer ski-area access, but they are not interchangeable. Use the setting and transport connections below to narrow down a suitable base before checking an exact accommodation address.
Arc 1800
The larger centre for shops, restaurants and activities. Its neighbourhoods include Charvet, Villards, Chantel and Charmettoger.
Arc 1950
A compact pedestrian-only village where accommodation, restaurants and the snow front sit close together. Connected to Arc 2000 by the Cabriolet.
Arc 2000
A high mountain base near lifts towards the Aiguille Rouge sector. Useful if your days are focused on the higher pistes.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice
A year-round valley town with the railway station and more ordinary town services. Ski days involve the funicular journey up to Arc 1600.
Check the street, not just the village name. Arc 1800 spans several neighbourhoods, and “ski-in/ski-out” can mean different things from one building to the next. Look up the accommodation entrance, nearest lift, shuttle stop and ski-school meeting point before deciding.
Getting to Les Arcs
Train, road and airport arrivals
However you travel, the last part of the journey depends on whether you are staying in the valley or at one of the four mountain bases.
By train
Travel to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The funicular station is beside the rail station and takes about seven minutes to Arc 1600. In winter, a valid rail ticket entitles travellers to a free return funicular journey under the resort's published scheme.
Official train information ↗By car
Check winter road conditions, permitted snow equipment and your accommodation's parking arrangements. Arc 1950's centre is pedestrianised, so parking and luggage unloading need planning rather than assuming you can drive to the door.
Parking information ↗By airport transfer
Geneva, Lyon Saint-Exupéry, Chambéry and Grenoble are commonly used regional airports. Transfer routes and journey times depend on the airport, road conditions and your destination village; confirm the actual drop-off point.
Transport options ↗Allow for more than the seven-minute ride. That is the funicular journey itself, not the full station-to-accommodation transfer. Add time for your luggage, any queue and the onward connection.
Local transport
Getting between the villages
Les Arcs runs free inter-village shuttle services, while some neighbouring areas also connect by lift. Confirm operating hours, especially for an evening arrival.
Valley connection
Funicular
Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Arc 1600 in approximately seven minutes. It does not climb directly to Arc 1800, 1950 or 2000.
Village connection
Free shuttles
The resort advertises services covering Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000. Stops and frequencies differ, so use the current route for your accommodation.
Upper village connection
Cabriolet
A local lift connects Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 when operating. Do not assume it runs outside published hours.
Useful on changeover day: save the resort shuttle timetable before setting off, particularly if your train or transfer arrives after normal daytime lift operations. Official shuttle and funicular details ↗
Ski area & piste map
200 km at Les Arcs or 425 km across Paradiski?
Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry is a substantial area in its own right. The wider Paradiski domain adds La Plagne, reached over the Vanoise Express from the Peisey-Vallandry side.
What the figures mean
200 km is the Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry area, covered by Classic. 425 km is the total connected Paradiski area when you add La Plagne, covered by Essential and Premium.
The top of the Les Arcs area is Aiguille Rouge at 3,226 m. Beginners will usually get more immediate value from local learning areas than from trying to cover the entire domain.
For a La Plagne day, check the Vanoise Express status and allow enough time to get back before the last connections.
Official Paradiski information ↗Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry200 km
Paradiski total425 km
First days on skis
Look for dedicated beginner learning areas near your village and match your lesson meeting point to your accommodation. Check whether a local beginner pass covers the lifts you need before buying a full-domain pass.
Planning longer ski days
Save the current piste map, check lift opening times and identify a straightforward return route. Aiguille Rouge and La Plagne are very different excursions; treat either as a day to plan, not an automatic detour.
Official ski-area details ↗Winter 2026/27
Les Arcs opening dates
The published closing dates differ: the local Les Arcs area is planned to continue for a week after the wider Paradiski connection ends.
Dates are the resort's published season plan, not a guarantee that every piste or lift will open daily. Snow, weather and operational conditions can affect access.
2026/27 lift passes
Classic, Essential and Premium compared
For a travel guide, the key question is which area you actually plan to ski, not which pass sounds most comprehensive. These are published standard prices for adults aged 13–64.
| Pass | 1 day | 6 days | Ski area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | €71 | €368 | Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry |
| Essential | €78 | €412 | Paradiski, including La Plagne |
| Premium | €91 | €491 | Paradiski plus additional activities and benefits |
Local skiingClassic
Suitable for ski days within Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry without crossing to La Plagne.
Whole linked domainEssential
Includes La Plagne via the Vanoise Express, as well as specified fast lanes and activity benefits.
More included activitiesPremium
Also covers Paradiski, with additional benefits. Check that you would actually use the included activities.
Standard adult rates shown on the official 2026/27 tariff; prices and eligibility may differ during opening/closing periods and for other ages. Essential's arrival-afternoon benefit applies under published qualifying conditions. Check the current official pass terms and prices ↗
Small but useful distinction: Essential is €44 more than Classic for six days at the standard adult rate. If you only want one day in La Plagne, check whether the official one-day Paradiski extension available to Classic holders suits your plans instead.
Families & non-skiers
Make the first morning easier
The most useful family planning detail is usually not the total piste length. It is whether the nursery, ski-school meeting point and the place you are staying are close enough for a calm start.
Ski schools and childcare
The resort lists childcare options for children aged from three months to 12 years, but places, age rules and locations differ by provider. Confirm availability before travel, then check the exact meeting point and how to reach it in ski boots or with a buggy.
Official childcare directory ↗Time off the pistes
Options include winter walking, sledging and the swimming facilities at Arc 1800. Non-skiers may need a pedestrian lift pass for some mountain activities; do not assume a ski lift is free to use on foot.
Pedestrian passes and conditions ↗Before you set off
A practical Les Arcs arrival checklist
Four checks prevent most avoidable confusion on arrival, particularly if you are travelling by train or have a ski-school booking.
- Pin your exact accommodation entrance. Check which Arc and neighbourhood it is in, not just the resort name.
- Save the final transfer route. Find the funicular or car park, correct shuttle stop and current last service.
- Match your pass to the plan. Decide whether you need Les Arcs only or a Paradiski crossing to La Plagne.
- Check the first morning. Confirm equipment hire collection, lesson meeting point and current lift and piste status.
Verified sources
Checked 3 November 2026
Resort layout, transport links, announced 2026/27 dates and pass prices checked against the official resort and lift-company information. Timetables, lift status and tariffs may change.
Article author
Josh Milner
Outdoor Travel Writer & Ski Travel Contributor at Find Cheap Ski Holidays.
Originally published 13 August 2026 · Last updated