Les Arcs

Set in the trees overlooking the Vanoise national park, Les Arcs is a wonderful resort if you are looking for a calmer skiing experience. The skiing is excellent with a wide variety of terrain to suit all tastes and abilities. The resort is actually made up of four separate purpose built villages with the UCPA centre located on the outskirts of the original village of 1600. The resort is very accessible with a direct funicular railway from Bourg St Maurice (served by the snow train and coach) which takes just 7 minutes. As long as nightlife isn’t a key consideration Les Arcs is well worth a look.

Ski Area

The ski area in Les Arcs is a good size with 200km of piste serviced by 77 lifts which are modern, fast and comfortable. The skiing is very varied with lots of pistes for all abilities. Intermediate/advanced skiers are particularly well catered for with a large number of challenging reds and motorway blues. The off piste is also excellent and again varied with everything from tree skiing to cliff drops and steeps. Les Arcs has its very own speed run on which a number of world records have been set and for a small fee you can give it a go yourself albeit from a slightly safer height!

Town Centre

The villages of Les Arcs are all purpose built and while certainly not charming alpine villages, they are not an eyesore either. In recent years a considerable investment has gone into revamping the centres and it has had a noticeable effect. Les Arc has a reputation for being a friendly resort and there is a very relaxed atmosphere throughout. The centres have largely been designed with skier convenience in mind and all are ski in ski out, getting between resorts is easy by bus, ski or foot. None of the villages has a particularly lively nightlife although there are, of course,  some great bars dotted around.

UCPA Centre

The Les Arcs UCPA is one of their biggest and most impressive centres with a capacity of 500 people in four person rooms. It is located next to a piste and could not be more of a ski in ski out centre! The centre has all the usual UCPA facilities including 3 dining rooms, 3 separate bars, a TV room and a nightclub. It almost has a student union feel due the size and layout. The centre is about 15 minutes walk from town but most people tend to stay on site. The centre has a very friendly and vibrant atmosphere and with its large capacity, nightclub and bars is generally a much more exciting après ski venue than town!

LES ARCS OVERVIEW

Pros

  • Stunning location overlooking the Vanoise national park
  • Huge skiable area
  • Fast modern lifts
  • Friendly atmosphere
  • Ski in ski out location

Cons

  • Quiet nightlife
  • Centre is 15 minutes from town centre
  • Not the prettiest resort
UCPA Les Arcs Center
UCPA Les Arcs Resort

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LES ARCS FACTS

Best For: Relaxed skiing
Resort Charm:
Centre Comfort:
Nightlife:
Nearest Airport: Geneva (192km), Chambery (104km)
Coach Available:
Fun Fact: A funicular from Bour St Maurice takes just 7 minutes
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Testimonials

Read what our clients say about us

  • Describing the UCPA is difficult. Not because there is a lack of adjectives to adequately convey the amount of fun you’ll have while you are there, the friendliness of the instructors, the quality of the food...
    Mark D
  • Action Outdoors set up a personal group page and as a group leader, I did’t have to worry about taking everyone’s payments. Each group member is responsible to pay their own way through the group page directly to Action Outdoors. Win!
    Asim A
  • There is always a range of ages, nationalities, mixtures of solo travellers, couples, groups etc. We have booked as a group of 6, a group of 36 (no joke) and even just me and my boyfriend – it works for all.
    Anna R
  • There is always such a friendly and open atmosphere and the nights provide a great opportunity to meet new people. Making new friends from all over the world is a virtual certainty and for me personally, this was the...
    Richard J
  • UCPA is a unique and brilliant experience, I would not describe it as a hotel but also not hostel it is somewhere in-between. Its a place where meeting people and making friends...
    Peter E
  • The UCPA has its own bar which is slightly cheaper than anywhere else in the resort. It has a pool table, comfy seats and a good atmosphere. 
    Ron H
  • The food is great and there is tons of it from breakfast, lunch, snack time (after your day on the slopes) and dinner in the evening. My favourite meal this year was on the Thursday evening when it was...
    Peter E
  • The food offers great variety, choice (several options each night), quantity (as much as you want) and quality is decent.  Cheese and yoghurts coming out of your ears, packed lunch option, afternoon tea and cake and you can drink your own wine at din...
    Anna R
    

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