Big Snow Means Big Fun in Les Arcs

The amount of new snow has combined with the cloudy weather to force many lifts (especially at the higher echelons) to close. This has reduced the number of available runs and restricted the usual easy access between the various resorts. These minor problems are completely ameliorated by the fact that there is A LOT of fresh powder snow everywhere, making skiing conditions absolutely gorgeous. When you can ride fresh lines on- and off-piste every day, a handful of runs is more than enough.

Lifts closed at altitude

Before the deluge happened, many of the pistes had become quite hard with sometimes only a very thin layer of the soft stuff as a covering. This was due to a number of factors: traffic, the lack of recent snowfall and fluctuating temperatures. When snow began to fall at the end of last week, it initially struggled to adhere to the sheer pistes, meaning it was scrubbed away by skiers/snowboarders almost immediately. Now there has been significant snowfall, the ski area needs to be carefully managed to ensure the slopes are safe and the risk of avalanche is avoided. This is why some of the higher lifts are closed. The piste-bashers are working ‘round-the-clock to “bed in” the fresh snow on the lower runs. However, as the frequent sounds of avalanche detonations remind us, there will be plenty more to do before the whole of Les Arcs can be re-opened.

In Arc 2000, there is currently no access to the Col de la Chal or the Grand Col. The Varet and Aiguille Rouge gondolas are also closed, as is Bois de l’Ours leading up to L’Arpette peak. This may have seriously restricted the number of available slopes, but there is still plenty of fun to be had. The Arc 2000 bowl is therefore isolated from the other villages at present, so if you want to travel to the other side of the mountain you should take the free shuttle bus.

In Arc 1800, the highest lift you can take is Vagere, as Transarc 2 and Carreley are closed. Providing access to some amazing pistes, this one lift alone should be more than enough for most people: whilst the additional snow makes skiing that much more playful, it also makes it more tiring!

In Peisey-Vallandry the Grizzly and Derby lifts are closed, but there is a huge amount you can enjoy from the lifts available. If you want to get as high as possible, the small “2300” chairlift is running and, from there, you can make fresh lines on the wide sector surrounding the Grive piste for hours. It is still possible to get across to Arc 1800 (and back) via the tree-lined blue runs.

Mont Blanc lift in Arc 1600 is shut, but you can still ride the pistes from the Cachette lift which also allows you to reach Arc 1800 and Peisey-Vallandry beyond.

Villaroger is cut off from the rest of Les Arcs, as the Droset lift is closed, but there is lots of lovely local skiing to be done there.

Where should I go for the best snow?

Honestly, anywhere. At present, there is more than enough fresh snow for everyone, regardless of the altitude limits. With snow falling overnight and throughout the day, practically every run can be on smooth virgin snow. Keep an eye on the automatic lift map signs or our Live Lift Status page to see when new lifts are opening, for the chance to be the first on a new piste. The main thing to do right now is just enjoy the conditions. Because visibility has been poor, it is worth hitting a place you know, or “looping” a lift until you do know it. Wrap up warm and dry to extend your day as much as possible and be aware that your legs will tire more quickly in the soft conditions (especially when you are spending most of your time leaning back or bouncing around in powder moguls).

There is some great off-piste available, off Cachette, Vagere, all the Peisey-Vallandry lifts, but ensure you take the relevant precautions at this early stage: much of the “in-between” off-piste (where you are very close to an existing run) will be accessible and safe, but away from the beaten track it may be less predictable. If in doubt, stick to the pistes, there’s fresh powder there too.

Enjoy.