Les Arcs is well known as a child and family friendly resort and you will find a wealth of things to do that will keep everyone happy. In Plan Peisey you can find Le Pré Jeannot fun zone for children. Either after skiing or during the day, they can ride on a rubber ring (cost is €3 to hire for the day), on skis or on snowboards.
Arbre Aventure
Swing through the trees high above the mountains on a circuit of zip lines, monkey bridges , ladders and ropes. You can travel through the forest without touching the floor, safely strapped into a harness and attached to a secure safety line. These eco-friendly adventure parks are created around the trees without damaging them in any way and can be dismantled if necessary, leaving the forest as though untouched. There is an 'arbre aventure' park in Arc 1800.
Arc Aventures
Operating throughout both the summer and winter seasons Arc Aventures offers a wide range of outdoor activities to children aged between 8 and 16 years. Kids with a sense of adventure will get a real kick from rafting down the Isere River, flying through the trees on aerial swings, rock climbing and more. Groups are split according to age and ability so everyone can have a go under the supervision of instructors.
Archery
Practice your Robin of Sherwood skills in a tranquil alpine setting. Beginners can learn from scratch and those with more experience can put their skills to the test with a variety of courses. Rosuel National Park has archery facilities and children from the age of 8 years can learn how to fire an arrow with the Club des Sports.
Canyoning
A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day!
You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course. Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous.
Hydrospeed is an alternative to rafting where you shoot down the river on a kind of inflatable body-board. Half-in half-out of the water you are closer to the action and guaranteed a soaking!
Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons. There are a number of local companies that offer guided descents down the waterways of the Tarentaise.
Les Arcs offers a number of organised entertainments for children throughout the summer. Highlights include sporting demonstrations, street entertainment, folk shows and traditional festivals. Welcome evenings are scheduled throughout the week at the Tourist Office to present forthcoming attractions and entertainments.
The Les Arcs Club des Sports also offers a wide range of sporting opportunities for children of all ages to get involved in.
Les Arcs has three cinemas: one at Place du Soleil in 1600, one at Le Charvet in 1800 and another at Place Haute in 2000; there is also Le Savoie in Bourg Saint Maurice. They all show the latest French and international films.
If you want to see an English-language film find out beforehand whether it is being shown in French, English (version originale) or with subtitles (sous-titres). Watching a film with subtitles can be a great way to learn a few new French phrases - their usefulness will depend entirely on the kind of film you are watching though!
Situated at the top of the Transarc gondola in Arc 2000, the “Grotte de Glace” is quite an extraordinary place to visit. Dozens of sculptors from all over Europe spend a week here at the start of each season, carving wonderfully exotic figures out of the snow and ice. The theme of the caves changes each year but has included the Terracotta Army, Attila the Hun and Chinese dragons, all expertly fashioned by hand. Although still cold inside, the caves tend to hold a fairly constant temperature and can provide welcome relief from the wind and snow outside. Even if you’ve been before, they are definitely worth the €4 entrance fee (€3 for children). See here for further details.
Horse Riding
There are two riding stables nearby; the Centre Equestre la Cavale in Les Arcs and the Centre Equestre Ranch El Colorado in Bourg Saint Maurice. The woodlands and mountain pastures of the Parc National de Vanoise is a beautiful place to go for a quiet pony trek or something a bit more adventurous.
Husky Sledding (traineaux a chiens)
At Peisey Nancroix you can be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs, driving them along forest paths. After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start (you shout "mush!"), and strict instructions not to let go of the sled if it turns over (the dogs would disappear for hours...), you set off following the guide’s team. Your huskies want to keep up with their doggy mates, so the next hour is a breathless scramble to keep the sled upright, trying to control the speed downhill, and hanging on for dear life when you tear around corners. Going uphill you have to help push the sled, so this is hard physical work. 2 – 12 year olds can spend a morning discovering the Rousel Valley in a cart pulled by 4 husky dogs.
If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work! Either way it is an exhilarating experience – you can call +33 (0) 4 79 07 87 52 for information and reservations.
Ice Skating
Les Arcs has two outdoor ice rinks, one in Fôret du Beauchet 1800 and the other in Place Haute 2000.
La Fer a Cheval (Horse Drawn Sled)
If the idea of seeing beautiful Alpine scenery without exerting yourself appeals to you, then this is definitely the way to do it. You can ride for an hour at a sedate pace through the heart of the Nordic Ski area sitting comfortably in a sled drawn by a strapping horse, snuggled under a warm hairy blanket. This gentle pastime is not for the speed demons, but will suit those who have not necessarily come to the Les Arcs area to ski. Wear something warm and bring someone to snuggle with!
Tel +33 (0) 479 07 90 88
Paragliding ('Parapente')
Paragliding is a truly amazing experience and what better place to try it than in the stunning surroundings of Les Arcs.
There are a number of paragliding schools in the area that offer tandem flights, where you take to the skies accompanied by an instructor. Taking off is easy, you simply run (in summer) or point your skis/snowboard (in winter) downhill and as you gain speed the parachute lifts you into the air. Whilst this may seem a little scary, once you are in the air the views and tranquility combine into a truly amazing feeling. The instructor will control where you go, aiming to catch thermals which will keep you airborne for longer. When you are coming back to earth, the landing is also very gentle and no more of an impact than jumping off a step.
... see "Les Arcs for Paragliding" for more
Snowshoe Walking ('Raquette à Neige')
Strap lightweight plastic snowshoes to your feet, and walk effortlessly through deep snow. If you haven't tried it before and don't want to go it alone the majority of ski schools and some independent instructors offer a range of snow shoe or ‘raquette a neige’ outings. Join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the valley. The must-do expedition for keen walkers is the ‘Hors Trace en Tarentaise’ (Off the Beaten Track in Tarentaise). This is a three-day accompanied trek through the untracked snow and untouched corners of the Tarentaise backcountry. Along the way the guides will share their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the mountains.
For a less extreme experience there are also a number of themed 2 hour or half-day outings on which you will leave the beaten track to follow animal footprints, discover mountain flora and fauna and learn the history of the valley.
Further down the valley in Peisey-Nancroix, you will find the Nordic Centre, situated on the vast plateau at the entrance of the Vanoise National Park. This beautiful setting also has paths for walkers, snowshoe trails and toboggan routes or you could try your hand at cross country skiing. The countryside here is totally unspoilt and home to plenty exciting wildlife such as ibex, chamois, golden eagles and bearded vultures!
This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions, or for non-skiers. Snowshoes and ski poles are provided on most guided outings; if you are heading out independently you can hire the equipment from most sport shops.
Summer Activity Club
There are so many things for kids to do in Les Arcs throughout the summer that sometimes the only way to make the most of it is to enrol them in a summer club! The Les Arcs Club des Sports, based in Arc 1800, offers a huge array of activities for children of all ages.
Starting with the very young they offer a special nursery for 1-3 year olds with mini-trampoline, singing & music, arts & crafts, tobogganing and more to keep your little ones fully entertained. The Club Mini takes children between 3 and 6 years old for a range of activities including mountain rambles, picnics, swimming, judo, trampoline, painting and mini golf. For children aged from 6 years up to 17 the Club des Jeunes has more challenging sporting activities such as circus skills, tennis, water sports and mountain discovery; the Club des Jeunes is split into smaller age categories so that children are with others their own age.
Cards can be purchased for half-days, full days or the whole week.
Swimming
Apart from the many mountain lakes and streams which can provide a refreshing dip in the summer, there is also a large swimming pool in Arc 1800. The pool is part of the sports centre complex and has a swimming pool, spa pool, children's paddling pool, waterslide and snack bar.
There is also a large swimming complex in nearby Bourg Saint Maurice, which comprises an indoor pool, a 50m outdoor pool, a 25m indoor/outdoor pool with a removeable roof and 3 diving boards.
Tennis & Squash
Les Arcs offers a grand total of 30 tennis courts as well as the services of the Nastase Academy. You can take a one-off refresher lesson, sign up for a course or enter one of the many tournaments that take place. Children from the age of 5 can also join in, with special lessons tailored to their needs.
For those of you who really like to build up a sweat there are squash courts at the Sports Centre in Arc 1800.
White Water Rafting
If you haven't experienced this before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do!
Les Arcs has a number of trained guides who will let you experience some of the best white water rafting available in the Alps. From the middle of May until September, the Haut Isere river flows furiously, fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town. There are various options available from a 3 hour adrenaline rush to a full days excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint.
Winter Walking Trails
The Les Arcs valley offers many specially prepared walking trails linking the various villages; these beautiful trails are a wonderful way of exploring the valley in peace and quiet.
Pick up a free map from the Tourist Office and head into the mountains on foot. Some of the walks are circular, for others you will need to return via bus or ski lift. Many of the ski lifts are also open to pedestrians at a discounted rate, so why not break up the walk with lunch at a high-altitude mountain restaurant?
Further down the valley in Peisey-Nancroix, you will find the Nordic Centre, situated on the vast plateau at the entrance of the Vanoise National Park. This beautiful setting also has paths for walkers, snowshoe trails and toboggan routes or you could try your hand at cross country skiing. The countryside here is totally unspoilt and home to plenty of exciting wildlife such as ibex, chamois, golden eagles and bearded vultures!
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set out as conditions can change rapidly in the mountains.
You do not need any particular equipment, just a pair of sturdy boots and layers of warm clothing that you can take off or put on as necessary. A pair of walking poles will come in handy for extra balance on icy patches and for checking snow depth before you go striding forth! Top tip: buy ‘grippers’ for your walking boots to prevent slipping, all of this can be bought from most local Sport Shops.
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