What's new in Les Arcs winter 2018/19

For the second year running, the most significant alterations to the landscape of Les Arcs have happened in the Vallée de l’Arc below Arc 1950. Last year, the Pre St Esprit lift was upgraded, lengthened, luxuriated with heated seats and made more accessible through the widening of the eponymous Vallée de l’Arc blue run. This year the changes are even bigger and better.

The tiny, old-school Comborciere lift has been replaced with a modern four-seat chairlift which promises to cut the time it previously took to ascend the mountain in half. Not only will this give quicker access to the original Belvédère, Malgovert and Comborciere runs but also (and this is the REAL big news) the spanking brand-new red run. That’s right, despite Paradiski already being the second largest linked ski area in the World, this season Les Arcs will have a previously unpisted, long and interrupted red run to enjoy! Despite being a momentous addition to the Paradiski piste map which has been (rightly) heralded and promoted as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the new slope has been named 'Le Secret Run' – this is probably because the new piste sweeps through a wide “hidden” valley which has hitherto been a favourite local off-pisting area, rather than an attempt at irony.

At the top of the revamped Comborciere lift, there will be a new “connected” picnic area. Not only will it give you somewhere to pause and enjoy your packed lunch but there will be free WiFi, mobile phone charging terminals and binocular stations to take in the spectacular views (and distract you from your phone). 

The panoramic views from the Aiguille Rouge have always been astonishing. At 3,226 metres you truly feel as though you are stood atop the world. The impressive (and surprisingly near) Mont Blanc aside, you can actually gaze over most of the Alpine peaks to the north, whilst a 180° turn offers you vistas of the unspoilt undulations of the Vanoise National Park, Mont Pourri and Mont Turia. This year sees the inauguration of a true feat of engineering: the Aiguille Rouge footbridge. At 35 metres long and bounded by glass walls, it has been designed to maximise the viewpoints available to both pedestrians and skiers alike, without compromising the serene connection with nature that one feels at such an altitude. The Aiguille Rouge gondola has also received a facelift and it now sports a jazzy red colour scheme. Nice.

This season, you will not need to climb to the highest altitude to get close to the stars. In addition to it being the 50th anniversary of the ski area, this year is the 10th anniversary of the Les Arcs Film Festival. To mark the occasion, the run through Arc 1950 is being dedicated to movie stars who have graced the cinemas of the festivals. The route will be lined with autographed pictures but, unlike Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, you will be able to ski down it. I’m hoping they call it 'The Milky Way' but that’s understandably unlikely.

To mark the golden anniversary this year, there are various installations, events and even promotions. Firstly, a huge clock complete with 19 specially commissioned bells has been installed at the entrance to La Piscine on the Arc 1800 snow front. This is designed to ring elaborately at various occasions. It is definitely fun looking and will periodically make the resort more melodic. Secondly, a number of celebratory events have been scheduled, including a one-off ‘pop-rock’ concert and ski shows throughout February and March. Thirdly, Les Arcs wants to celebrate reaching the big 5-0 with people of the same age. Therefore, anyone who is turning fifty between December 15th 2018 and April 27th 2019 can receive a free Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry day’s ski pass – you essentially get one day free regardless of the length of pass you purchase.

The biggest Club Med resort in Europe is opening in Arc 1600 this winter. Situated adjacent to the Mont Blanc blue run, this new development boasts 433 rooms, three restaurants and excellent proximity to the pistes. Its position above Arc 1600 also affords some incredible views of Mont Blanc and the Tarentaise Valley.

In Arc 1800, the Edenarc complex has a cutting-edge spa debuting this year. Replete with a variety of saunas (including forest, Finnish-style infra-red, salt-crystal and even a theatre sauna directed by a “sauna master”), steam rooms and Japanese onsen-style baths, it promises to be a valuable addition to the super spas of Les Arcs.

The Les Arcs calendar is already chock-full of events in the winter but every year something new gets added to the popular canon. Following last year’s epic early season snowfall, December 8th will see the first edition of La Belle Aventure: an opportunity for ski tourers to make a pre-season expedition to the top of the Col de la Chal before skiing back down to Pre St Esprit for a well-deserved lunch.

Between March 2nd and 9th, we can look forward to Belgian Carnival Week in Les Arcs. British Week is already well-established on the mountain, but the Belgian week is likely to involve fewer Union flags, more Trappist beers and a serious quantity of ‘moules frites’ (steamed mussels served with fries).

Towards the end of the season (April 17th-18th) the Feel Good Village is coming to Les Arcs. At the top of the Col de la Chal, you will be able to enjoy a massage, yoga sessions, herbal tea, feel-good smoothies or, if you can handle it, all of the above.

Yet more improvements have been made to the already pretty impressive snow-making capabilities of the ski area. Additional artificial snow cannons have been installed above Arc 1600, improving coverage of both the Arpette and Belvédère runs. In Villaroger, the Lys blue run has also benefitted from more snow-producing machines for 2018/19.

Electric snowmobile racing is coming to Arc 2000. Designed for children aged between six and 17 years old and running from 15:00 to 19:00 every day (excluding Saturdays), this is a great way to occupy the kids when the pistes start to close.

If you love skiing AND architecture, guided ‘Archi-Ski’ tours will be available in Les Arcs this season. Improve your skiing whilst learning about the innovative and literally ground-breaking grand designs of the Les Arcs resorts. What’s not to like?

Finally, after a successful trial at the Varet gondola lift last year, Paradiski pass holders will have access to ‘priority lanes’ on five of the most popular lifts across Les Arcs. What those exact lifts are, I do not yet know, but I would assume Varet, the Transarc and Arcabulle are strong candidates.

Founded by David Robertson and Mark Gillis in 2004, Action Outdoors will celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2019. Originally inspired by UCPA, a French non-profit organisation providing affordable, all-inclusive adventure sports holidays, they actually became UCPA's official UK partner in 2017. Action Outdoors offers great value ski holidays for everyone, with packages that include everything, from accommodation to lift passes, meals, gear hire and lessons, making it the cheapest way to come skiing to Les Arcs.

Huski began to deliver high-quality, ready-made meals to chalets and apartments last year and they've already become the go-to service for many visitors when organising their self-catered Les Arcs holidays. Much more affordable than a private chef but equally as easy and delicious, Huski's ready meals will now be delivered all over the French Alps. They've also enlarged their range on offer to include fresh Savoyard-inspired meals made daily at their HQ in Bourg St Maurice, plus new brands, expanding their vegan and free-from options, as well as their choices for kids and babies. The ordering process could not be easier, just choose whatever you want for your ski week online and they'll deliver to your accommodation, ready to be heated up in the oven or the microwave.

The Cool Bus are upping their eco-friendly game by purchasing another Tesla Model X to replace one of their diesel-powered Volkswagen Caravelle. Their plan to make airport transfers in the Alps cleaner was put into motion last year when they bought two fully-electric, state-of-the-art, seven-seater Teslas. So far, these have helped reduce their carbon footprint by 30 tonnes and this third electric car will mean that 15% of their distance covered will be carbon-free.