Les Arcs riding guide - World Snowboard Guide

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Freeriding

Freeriders: it's all here and it's all good! If there is fresh snow on the ground, you can be guaranteed an amazing day through trees in Peisey or above 1600, off cornices in 2000, or just straightlining anything all day long.

The area off the Trans Arc cablecar gives access to some great off-piste riding.

Freestylers

Freestylers might not see a lot of jumps on first arrival, and in truth, there arent many natural jumps, but the best area is in Peisey, 2000 and high above 1800. The hits on an area known as Les Clocherets are also worth a visit.

If youre into manmade jumps, then you should head to the Apocalypse Park which has green, red or black runs. It also has a good selection of rails and a strange boardcross thing called the 'boarder gliss'.

The park is not well maintained, however things are getting better.

Pistes

If you like to stick to the piste then youre in luck. Les Arcs is blessed with amazingly well-groomed, wide open pistes. They're generally crowd-free, well most of the time, especially the higher grade runs. Les Arcs' piste lends itself perfectly for big slashing turns. The Mont Blanc piste on 1600 is ideal for intermediate carvers, and the Belette and Myrtille runs are good for advanced riders who can handle a board at speed.

Beginners

Beginners are sorted here and it shouldn't be long before you're riding all over the place, aided by the quality of the piste and the fact that most areas are connected by fairly easy trails and lifts. There are a lot of drag lifts, so expect a bit of embarrassment as you fall off after the first two yards.

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to May
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 76
Cable cars: 1
Gondolas: 3
Chair lifts: 30
Drag lifts: 40
Other lifts: 1 Funicular, 1 Telebenne
Max people per hour: 68,000
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 121
Total ride area: 241km
Longest run: 7km

Top lift: 3226m
Vertical drop: 2026m
First lift: 1200m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 50%
Red runs: 33%
Black runs: 17%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
Les Arcs:
1 Day pass 38 euros
6 Day pass 181 euros
Paradiski:
6 Day pass 220 euros
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 5m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 25%

Facilities

Night Riding: : 3 slopes lit, and it's free !!
Arc 1600 - Tue & Thurs on the Combettes chair till 7pm
Arc 1800 - Tue & Thurs on the Carreley & Chantel chairs 'til 7pm
Arc 1950-Arc 2000 tues & thurs on the Marmottes chairlift until 9 pm.