Les Arcs Events

Wondering what to do this Christmas and New Year? The festive season in the snowy Alps is always magical and every year there is some sort of celebration in resort to mark the occasion. Christmas is a far less commercial event in France than in the UK and so you won’t find things publicised for months in advance - but you can always be sure of a glass of vin chaud (mulled wine), a few carols and perhaps the odd firework or two!

Many of the restaurants will put on a special festive menu with champagne and traditional French dishes, so book in advance if you want to treat yourself to a meal out. Likewise, planning ahead is advised if you have your heart set on ringing in the New Year in a particular bar or club – many of them are ticket-only, so enquire in advance to avoid disappointment!

Les Arcs celebrates Christmas with a torch lit descent of the pistes, a firework display and a visit from Father Christmas in each of the resorts during the week leading up to the 25th.

The New Year is welcomed in each resort with a torch lit descent and a firework display.

To find out exactly what Les Arcs has in store this year have a look at our What’s On Calendar. To get a feel for what Les Arcs nightlife is all about, take a look at our Dining & Going Out Guide.

Every year, the speed and slalom ski Joëring championships take place in Les Arcs. If you don’t know what it is, picture a water skier and a horse….now put the two together on the snow and you have Ski Joëring!

There are generally three parts to the competition: The Giant Slalom, The Slalom and the Speed test. All types of horses can compete in the event, and competitors are judged on a combination of horsemanship, the power of their horse and their precision and speed around the course.

The Columbia Speedflying Pro in Les Arcs is a world class invitational competition that show cases one of the newest and most exciting extreme winter sports. Riders from all over Europe meet in Les Arcs to compete in Speed Cross, a head to head slalom race, and Big Mountain, a peer judged descent that tests skill, bravery, flying and skiing ability. It’s the biggest event of it’s kind, so if you want to watch the best of the best it’s here!!

In honour of the man who co-founded the resort of Les Arcs, locals and visitors join forces in this fun and friendly ski race held in Arc 2000. The Robert Blanc Derby takes place when the pistes have closed, starting from the top of the Transarc gondola lift at 2600m, and finishing in Pré St Esprit (1822m). The aim is to complete the 1000m descent as quickly as possible by your preferred mountain discipline (ski, board, telemark, mono…..)

Over 500 well-wishers come to pay their tributes to Robert (who was sadly killed in an avalanche in 1980) every year by participating in the Derby and the subsequent ceremony.

The event ends in the small village of Pré St Esprit with a buffet of Savoyard specialities. The area is known for its fine sausages (diots), small pasta-like shapes known as crozets and the famous tartiflette, a calorie-laden combo of onions, bacon, potato, cream and reblochon cheese; ideal after a day's exertion in the cold.

Arguably the most spectacular event in the winter sports calendar, the grand final of the speed skiing season returns to its spiritual home in Les Arcs.

Speed skiing is also known as Kilomètre Lancé (“Flying Kilometre”), and consists of travelling as fast as possible along a one kilometre stretch of piste, with the benefit of several hundred metres of near-vertical run-up. Timing is automatic, beginning and ending when the skier is still in motion.

A kamikaze nightmare to some, a heroic pursuit to others, the discipline has been a specialty at Les Arcs since the resort was assigned the event during the Albertville Olympics in 1992. Helmets, poles and suits are designed with minimal air-resistance in mind, and the high-tech equipment enables skiers to reach speeds of up to 250 kilometres an hour.

Fête de la Musique is the celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21st June in cities, towns and villages across France. More than a music festival, the Fête de la Musique is a free event that spills out from the bars and restaurants onto the streets and encompasses every type of music imaginable, from local amateur teen bands to professional classical musicians, from club DJ’s to traditional folk bands.

Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for Culture, the Fete is different from a music festival in that all the concerts and performances are free to the public and none of the artists are paid.

The Fete de la Musique is now celebrated all over the world, where it is more commonly refered to as World Music Day.

Fête de la Musique is one of those certain nights throughout the year when the French authorities waive normal licensing laws, allowing the revelry to continue as long as there are people with the stamina to enjoy it – it is definitely one of the not-to-be-missed events of the summer social calendar!

Since 1973, Les Arcs has been the host of a unique mountain music festival. Every year the event attracts in the region of 15 000 spectators who flock to enjoy the soothing sounds of the 140 international music students that come to perfect their talent. Under the watchful eye of world famous music teachers, the musicians spend the day practicing and then perform free concerts throughout the resort each evening.

The event runs for two weeks and is a great opportunity to enjoy the music of Mozart, Strauss and Cavanna in a wonderful mountain setting.

Every summer France is gripped by the biggest and best cycle race in Europe - Le Tour de France. The Alps have played a large part in the race over the years with the gruelling mountain climbs providing some of the most exciting spectacles of the event. The route changes slightly each year, taking in different towns and villages along the way. Even if the race doesn't pass near to where you are this summer you can guarantee that it will still be avidly watched in bars and cafés around the country with everyone joining in to cheer on the famous yellow jersey! ... see "Le Tour de France" for more

The North Face Ultra Trail Tour du Mont Blanc is a true test of endurance, a combination of pleasure, pain, highs and lows. Over the course of three days, participants cover a total of 155kms, 3 countries, 7 valleys, 71 glaciers and 400 summits, experiencing a difference in altitude of 8500m. The race has a time limit of 45 hours but the current record is a staggering 21 hours and 6 minutes!

The trail begins and ends in Chamonix but you can catch sight of the runners as they pass through Les Houches, Les Contamines, Les Chapieux, Courmayeur, La Fouly, Champex, Trient, Vallorcine and Argentiere.

Every summer Les Arcs hosts the Cyclocoeur - a MTB and cycle competition open to all. With uphill, downhill, and cross country routes available, there is something for everyone enabling you to explore Les Arcs extensive biking trails whilst raising money for disabled people in the area.