Sun, Ski and Snow in Les Arcs this week

Springtime is a wonderful time to go skiing. The days are longer, the sun brings genuine warmth and you benefit from all the snow that has been laid hitherto in the season. Although the weather is a little warmer than normal for mid-March, this year’s excellent snow coverage means the pistes are running nicely regardless, especially above 2000 metres.

Where the top layer has frozen overnight, or the piste remains in tree-lined shade during the day, there can be harder patches but mostly the snow is softening gently when subject to the sunshine, making riding conditions quite pleasant. By the end of the day, the lower slopes can be a little slushy; this is most noticeable in Peisey-Vallandry which faces eastwards and gets the late-day sun.

Beginner runs
When getting started skiing or snowboarding it is easiest with consistent conditions, you can then concentrate on what you are doing, rather than the snow beneath your feet. The high-level beginners’ zones above the Peisey and Vallandry chairlifts are two such areas; serviced by the Cabri and Flocon button drag-lifts these tranquil runs sit above 2000 metres and are always well-groomed.

Learning at altitude means you can also benefit from the spectacular views and uninterrupted sunshine. When you are ready to take “the next step” the nearby 2300 lift provides easy access to the wide Grive blue run, which is also consistent and fairly quick (depending on the line you take) at present.

Arc 2000 also has some great areas for newer riders. The section around the St Jacques lift is running consistently, although the top of the Myrtilles run was subject to a tiny, and less-steep, diversion last time I was on it. Any of the “Plan” runs (Plan, Plan Vert, Plan des Eaux) are a good option for consistent, low-incline riding. There is very little slushiness inside the Arc 2000 bowl, although the bottom section of Edelweiss (towards the Comborcière and Pre Saint Esprit lifts) is not at smooth-running as previously.

Intermediate fun
For those of you used to changing conditions, it is perfect weather for exploring all sides of the Les Arcs ski area. The long days and clement conditions also make going over to the other side of Paradiski, La Plagne, a good option for a day on the slopes. As is typically in mid- to late- March, this week there have been fewer holidaymakers overall meaning that, regardless of which run you are taking, there tends to be less traffic. However, with the current exceptional weather, the same cannot be said for the bar terraces...

In terms of specific pistes, the Grand Renard red run from the Col de la Chal is running beautifully from top to bottom and is a less-followed route in the lower sector. The most consistently quick red runs are in the Arc 2000 bowl, as they are closer to the freezing level.

Towards Peisey-Vallandry, Belette is very quick at the start of the day, although the bottom part leading into Plan Bois (blue) has begun to degrade a little. Also in that direction, Ours (red) is running nicely, with the adjacent Ourson being significantly harder due to the shade. The snow tends to be softer below 2000 metres, so the runs into Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 are generally slushier but, fortunately, still pretty good and not too sticky overall.

Expert
As usual, Aiguille Rouge is an absolute joy. The glacier is not too hard and there are only a few small stones appearing on the twisty, mountainside section once it splits from Arandelières. The Droset black run which starts underneath the lift of the same name is closed and for very good reason; where it crosses the road there is genuinely not enough snow to ski on.

Cretes and Ours (from Arpette) are also closed, but Lanches and Dou de l’Homme are still going concerns if you like steep rides. You can also jump off the Aiguille Rouge piste onto the Génépi piste, but approach slowly because the entrance is quite small and easy to miss.