Where to go in the Paradiski for...

The best area for steep and deep runs is the Bellecote glacier. Whilst there are not many runs up there, the ones that are, are well worth the trek and if there is fresh snow then there is plenty more to enjoy in between the pistes. Off the back of the Grand Rochette and Les Verdons there are plenty of steeps to enjoy and again there is easily accessible off piste when the snow is deep.

Head up to Le Biolley and down the blacks Les Étroits, Morbleu, Les Coqs and the Palsembleu. If you were to get Les Étroits and the Morbleu first tracks you may find yourself walking out at the bottom as they both come out on a track that follows the river along the valley floor to the Adrets chair.

Arc 2000 and 1800 tend to be the busiest areas in Les Arcs so if you are looking for quieter areas to ski then head to either Peisey-Vallandry or stay more on the Arc 1600 side. That said, in Peisey-Vallandry try to avoid using La Foret, which is a very shallow and therefore slow, very narrow and extremely busy path.

There seems to always be empty pistes in La Plagne especially in the smaller villages. In Montchavin/Les Coches L’Esselet red is always quiet and then the Route des Bauches which you must take afterwards is equally as deserted. Also, even though it is a main route back to the village of Les Coches, the red called Les Coches is often empty but the snow should be good if you are to do this piste as there are no snow cannons on this run. Over in Montalbert the long, tree-lined blue, the Pravendue is a favourite one where we go to avoid the crowds.

If you want to try the longest run in the world, then get yourself to the top of the Aguille Rouge cable car at Arc 2000. From here you can travel 16km into Villaroger, on the Aguille Rouge black run. At about a third of the way down it changes into a red, but it is still demanding. The only problem with this is the queue to get on the cable car and the busyness of the slopes once the run converts into a red, so have this on your list for the first run of the day.

Or if you love moguls the head to the top of the Comborciere or the Ours black runs. Both of these runs are on the side of the mountain where you would drop in from the 1800 lifts. They are very demanding and steep which means that even with a dump of fresh snow, you’ll need your legs to be ready for the challenge!

From the top of the Comborciere chair lift take the Malgovert run into Arc 1600, often quiet and wonderful after a good dump of snow.

There are many runs in La Plagne that are little gems. Over in Plagne Bellecôte there is one in particular which is a blue called Arnica, accessed by the Colorado chair. It is not an outstanding run for any reason apart from the fact there are loads of little jumps and bankings to play on. A similar run over in Montchavin/Les Coches is the Pierres Blanches blue.

For a blast, try the wide, rolling Les Laines and L’Arpette from the Dos Rond to Plagne Bellecôte - both really fast. Also the big long run of Inversens onto Les Crozats black to the Bauches chair accessed from the top of the Roche de Mio.

Les Arcs is a widely spread resort and restaurants are few and far between in some areas and abundant in others. As in any resort it is good to know where to go and what to expect from a resort. Below are a few suggestions for people who like both quality and value from their food on the slopes whether it be a quick snack or a leisurely three hour lunch! All of the restaurants mentioned are accessible on skis or snowboards but may also be accessed on foot via a telecabine where stated.

Au Pré Gourmand is a large restaurant that uses quality local produce located on the piste near the bottom of the Pré St. Esprit chair lift and also on the road up to Les Arcs 1950 and 2000. The restaurant is cosy inside with a big traditional fire but also has a large terrace where you can eat when the weather permits. There are two options to choose from for lunch time eating. Expect to pay around €15 for the middle value self service option which consists of different choices of starters, hot and cold main courses and desserts. For the more traditional table service option a medium menu will cost around €23. Desserts here are renowned as they are made by a local Chocolatier.

Les Chalets de L’Arc is located at an altitude of 2200m and is near the resort of Arc 2000, five minutes from the Arcabulle chair lift. The building itself is a beautiful, traditional chalet with a terrace that always has the sun as long as it is shining. Set menus start from €18 but you can chose from a menu of dishes from €10 and there is also a good children’s menu. All bread is made on site in the old style ovens and great pride seems to be taken in all preparation and presentation of the food served here. This is a highly recommended restaurant to visit.

There a few restaurants over towards Villaroger, but two in particular that should be visited while you are there. The first is on the way down to the village on the longest marked run in Europe (7km in total) if you start from the top of the Aigulle Rouge. You may need a break halfway down anyway so a good excuse would be to visit Chalet du Solliet at 1750m. The building is an authentic mountain chalet in an exceptional location with a couple of well positioned terraces and good menus. Again, you can choose from the self service (salads, soups, sausages and polenta, omelettes) or restaurant options (Fondues, Raclettes, Tartiflettes) and there is also an interesting menu with specialities from the South West of France including confit and breast of duck and Foie Gras. In the winter you can only access this restaurant via the piste but it is open and is very popular in summer with walkers and bikers.

The second gem that we found in the Villaroger area is La Ferme, located in the village itself, but which can normally be reached on skis throughout the winter. A short walk is involved from the bottom of the piste but it is worth it for the restaurants rustic charm and the buzz that there is when you walk upstairs during a busy lunchtime period. A particular favourite dish of ours is the rabbit casserole from the self service counter which, although not cheap, is deliciously tasty.

If you are looking for a break from French cuisine then head to the Mont Blanc bar and restaurant in Vallandry which is a lively, English run place, popular with seasonnaires and younger holiday makers. The menu is typically English – think ham, egg and chips, bangers and mash and curry. You can also have an early tapas supper or you can choose to grab a burger or homemade soup from the ‘Snack Shack’ at the back of the hotel bordering the Aigle red run.

For more quick bites like paninis, cups of soups (not Cuppa Soup) and tasty deep pan pizza slices go to the very conveniently placed Le Snack. There is plenty of picnic bench seating with spectacular views across the descending slopes and the valley below, there is also always good music playing and it is cheap and has a cool vibe. This is the perfect ski in/ski out snack bar just above and parallel to the mid-station of the Trans Arc bubble.

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