© Sam Birch
© Sam Birch
© Sam Birch
The halcyon days of spring in Les Arcs
Sunshine across the snowy slopes of Les Arcs
The last two days have been fantastic. Wednesday night brought an influx of fresh powder and, by Thursday afternoon, the clouds had cleared leaving blues skies and sunshine. Since then, temperatures have begun to rise, bringing summer breezes to the valley and making the mountain a very comfortable environment for both gentle cruising and intense shredding.
No matter how many seasons pass, I am still amazed by the miracle of snowy pistes bathed in balmy spring sunshine. This year, perhaps, the phenomenon is intensified by the incredible depths of snow observable in every resort and at every altitude. The Arpette lift station is still topped with a metre-deep crown of snow and the current thickness of the pistes is practically absurd. With the coverage as it is, the last three weeks of the 2017/2018 ski season should be an absolute joy.
Piste conditions
The arrival of intense periods of sunshine has brought about changeable yet predictable circumstances on-piste. Clear conditions and low overnight temperatures cause the slopes to freeze, making the early morning runs hard and fast. The piste-bashers seem to have been working overtime, as the vast majority of runs (blues, reds and even a couple of blacks) are smooth and mogul-free. This makes picking up and maintaining speed surprisingly simple, as there are very few bumps and uneven patches to negotiate, although slowing down can prove to be more difficult.
The slopes develop throughout the day as exposure to sunlight and rising temperatures generally soften up the snow. This is particularly pronounced on the lower pistes (below 2000m) and any sectors which face the sun as it arcs through the sky. On Peisey-Vallandry’s two main snowfronts, around the Cabri and Flocon beginners’ areas and where there are wide open pistes around Grive (blue), the ground tends to ease up earliest. This can be good news, as softer snow provides better grip and control than hard, flat groomers.
Early birds who are planning to hit more precipitous red and black runs should ensure that their edges are well-sharpened to guarantee decent “bite” in the harder conditions. A couple of the steeper red runs above Arc 1800 (namely Golf and the lower section of Vagere) were especially unforgiving this morning, although they improved throughout the day.
Over the last few days, there have been some minor run closures. This is likely due to increased avalanche risk in particular areas. The entrance to the Fond Blanc and Bois de l’Ours black runs running from L’Arpette peak towards Arc 1600 and Arc 1950 respectively has been blocked off with “ferme” signs. The nearby Lac (red) piste is also currently shut, although Plan (blue) is an adequate alternative for people wishing to ski to the heart of Arc 2000. Towards Peisey-Vallandry, the Bosses (black) run is closed, although I am not sure why, whilst Refuge (also black) from the Grand Col lift is also out of service.
The only slopes which have shut due to a lack of snow are the three runs below the Arc 1600 funicular: Violettes, Granges (both red) and Bois de Saule (blue). The snow has largely receded on that side of the hill up to an altitude of 1400-1500 metres, making progress below that point extremely difficult and not recommended. Over in Villaroger, the predominantly northeastern aspect means that every piste and lift is still accessible.
Lifts
From Combe, which extends a little beyond Peisey Village, to Replat at the bottom of the Lys (blue) run in Villaroger (and everything in between) all the lifts in Les Arcs are currently open. The Aiguille Rouge gondola is continuing to be remarkably popular, with waiting times often above 15 minutes throughout the day. Otherwise, footfall is surprisingly light considering the Easter holidays are occurring in many parts of Europe.
There can be increased traffic around 16:00, with a skiers’ “rush hour” often observable on the main arterial blue routes (Belvedere, Arpette, Traversee, Plan Bois, etc) as holidaymakers head back to their respective villages for a well-deserved après. Overall, access to the ski area is incredibly good, so get out there and make the most of it!
