The majority of things to do in Les Arcs relate to being outdoors, and whilst there are many organised activities, getting out there is mainly what it is about - at a leisurely pace or at warp speed, it's up to you. Here are some our suggestions for enjoying an Alpine summer in Les Arcs.
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.
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.
For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking on one of the many nearby glaciers; the Aiguille Rouge glacier and the Glacier du Geay to name but two. The breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses make this an incredible adventure. There are a number of glacial hikes, of varying difficulty, in this region of the Alps. Most mountain guiding companies will run organised excursions to the most accessible. To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article.
Golf
Les Arcs Golf Course offers something for every standard of player with the stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc in the distance. Open every day from 24th June to 10th September, the Les Arcs Golf Club hosts a number of competitions and events throughout the summer.
For the more experienced player there is the 18 hole par 70 Le Chantel course; open to FFG members only and with a minimum handicap of 35, booking in advance is recommended.
For those who prefer a more leisurely game there is the 9 hole par 27 Le Beauchet course; no minimum handicap or tee off time is needed. Both courses are in Arc 1800 and have spectacular views of the mountains.
Les Arcs also has 3 putting greens, 50 practice bays and 2 training bunkers where you can take your first swing. Or if you fancy brushing up your skills with a few lessons, the prestigious David Leadbetter Golf Academy runs 3 and 5 day courses in Les Arcs.
Hiking & Walking
Whether your idea of walking in the mountains is a gentle ramble or a three day hike, Les Arcs has something for you. The valley has hundreds of kilometres of beautiful, marked walking trails and maps and trail guides are available from the Tourist Office. To reach the higher trails you can buy a Pedestrian Lift Pass; from a higher elevation you can see the most spectacular views. For the more adventurous, try longer hikes into the Vanoise National Park, perhaps staying overnight in a refuge. The local Mountain Guides Office offer guided group walks, walks on a glacier, and private, longer trips.
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.
Hot Air Ballooning (Vol en Montgolfiere)
Hot air ballooning looks serene, but there are moments of excitement; once the creaking wicker basket rises off the ground you are uncomfortably reminded that you are suspended hundreds of metres above the ground in a small twig structure! The views are stunning, and as you glide over the forests you may see deer and other animals normally hidden from view. The pilot controls the height but the wind determines which direction you take, so the flight can take anything from one to two hours, depending on when a suitable landing site comes into view.
There are a number of local companies that can arrange your ballooning trip.
Mountain Biking (MTB / VTT)
Les Arcs and La Plagne are two of the best downhill mountain biking sites in Europe. The riding is challenging, the views are spectacular and the long tracks just keep on flowing! Probably a resort best suited to intermediate/advanced riders, you’ll find plenty of demanding technical trails and steep downhill plummets. (NB: In French, mountain biking is called VTT. (Vélo tout-terrain!)) ... see "Les Arcs Mountain Biking" for more
Panoramic Helicopter Tours
Sit back and admire the mountains from even higher up! Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies or some mountain guide companies. Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snowcapped mountain tops, glaciers and alpine forests of the Paradiski.
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
Rock Climbing
Les Arcs has plenty of rock and more than 6700m of vertical climb for you to tackle under your own steam or under the watchful eye of a guide. Some 'top spots' to head for are:
Falaise d'Arc (2000-2050m) - 11 routes, graded from 4b-6a
Falaise de Rochefleur (1620m) - 10 'official' routes and 9 'unofficial' but fairly easy routes, graded from 3b-6c
Pont Baudin Petit Dalle (1550m) - 18 routes, graded from 4a-6b
Pont Baudin Grande Dalle (1590m) - 19 routes, graded from 5b-7a+
Bloc de Ceris (1370m) - over 20 large boulders with a multitude of routes from 3-7b
There is also an indoor climbing wall in Arc 1950.
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.
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