I'm looking forward a week enjoying all that Paradiski has to offer the first week of January 2020.
We will be staying in Arc 1800 at the hotel Mercure, which I read is currently undergoing some renovations. I've only seen a couple pictures so far but the renovations look promising! If anyone has some insider details I'd love to hear what's going on there.
Regarding our group, there are 4 of us. I would consider my wife and I to be intermediate skiers, though I have a bit more control which allows me to take on the occasional (wide and well-groomed) black run. We also have an advanced snowboarder who generally doesn't back down from any runs, though I don't think he has boarded anywhere quite like this before. And our last has only been skiing once before as a kid, so definitely beginner.
I'm curious what tips/advice ones who have been here would offer... We've skied Colorado, Iceland, and various places in the eastern US, so I'm not sure what exactly to expect in comparison from French Alps skiing. For example, if I can pretty confidently ski any blue run in Colorado does that mean I can handle most reds in Les Arcs/Plagne? Is there a good area in 1800 to teach a beginner in the group, or specific runs to hit as he progresses?
Also any suggestions related to Apres or other things to do around Les Arcs, particular Arc 1800 would be much appreciated!! Restaurants, bars, grocery, shops, activities, I wanna hear it all
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Hi, I pretty much learned to ski in Les Arcs. Was my first ever time on a mountain. I'm going back again this year and staying the same Hotel as you. Will be very interested in your report when you've been! From there at the bottom of the Charmetogger, there are plenty of easy blue runs that a beginner can navigate all the way over 1800, 1600 and Vallandry. The ones that traverse the mountain are the better ones for beginners; Belvedere, Traversee, etc. In fact from the top of the mountain at the Arpette chair, you can take a nice leisurely blue all the way down through the trees to the bottom of the Grizzly in Vallandry, where you can enjoy an awesome burger or pizza in Bar Mont Blanc (we love that place).
If you head over the mountain into the 2000 bowl, from the top of Arpette, "plan" is an easy blue that takes you to the middle of the bowl; follow signs for the Varet bubble, and then you can do the full vallee d'larc blue all the way to the bottom, which is also fine for beginners. There are some steep bits, but they're wide, so anyone who can snow-plough reasonably will be OK (its what I was doing in my first year!). Also over in 2000 plan-vert is nice. Its wide, and perfect for perfecting your parallel. Starting at the top of the Arcabulle / Transarc, you have to ski a very small bit of a red (Grand renard), and then the start of the blue is quite steep, but once you've got down that initial bit I found it very quiet and great for beginners.
Blues to avoid - Mont Blanc can be steep and icy. I remember that being quite terrifying first time. Col de la chal over in 2000 has a boring flat bit that you'll need to pole across and the boarder will hate you. Plan des eaux over there can also get icy for a beginner. Also don't make the mistake my group did at the top of the bois de l'ours / arpette chair. We meant to take the blue Arpette run down to 1800, but ended up taking a wrong turn and they sent me down the second half of Clair Blanc Also - don't be fooled into trying the blues over in Villaroger; they are flat at best and uphill at worst.
You intermediates will lap up the reds above vallandry; they're all super-fun.
For Apres, the Arpette bar (mid-way down the Arpette blue above 1600/1800 near the snowpark) gets very noisy as the afternoon wears on. Dancing on tables and the lot. I've always been catered and with small children so didn't really experience the Apres much, but you can't miss all the activity around Arpette!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@LesMiz, welcome to Snowheads.
I think you've picked one of the best locations in France for the mix of skills / people you state. It's a great place to locate yourselves with so many options regarding all of your questions.
The area is literally covered with usable piste without any real fear of getting anyone stuck in regards to ability, it's all so well connected with many options wherever you are on the mountain. Also a, just get stuck in and enjoy it, attitude there.
Friendly feel, good lift options, reasonable sized village, not huge but enough food shopping options. No showstoppers of any kind really, I always look forward to going there.
@LesMiz, welcome to snowHeads. In addition to what @yllen has said there are a number of more clearly defined Green pistes above the centre of Arc 1800 this year which will be good for beginners. The resort is particularly good for mixed groups as there are many places where blue and red runs can be used as alternatives and they intersect on the way down.
Be aware that most of the Black runs are ungroomed as indicated by 'Natur' on the piste map.
Apres wise there's a good variety of bars and restaurants in 1800 and (new this year) La Folie Douce immediately above the centre of 1800 which will be more accessible to beginners than the Arpette as it's next door to a gondola lift which runs until 1900 (but likely to be pricey).
I can't comment on the refreshment to the Mercure other than I would anticipate that they're changing the toilets as there was a toilet in the skip outside the other day when we went past.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@LesMiz, I'll be in Les Arcs upto the Jan 2nd if you would like to be shown around.
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though I have a bit more control which allows me to take on the occasional (wide and well-groomed) black run.
Occaisionally a black piste such as Combourciere will be bashed, but that is so rare that many people argue that it has never been done. Oddly the only black that gets regularly bashed (ie a couple times a season) is Bosses. All the others are left as nature intended them.
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For example, if I can pretty confidently ski any blue run in Colorado does that mean I can handle most reds in Les Arcs/Plagne?
I've only skied in North America a couple times and not Colorado but my reccolection is blues match to blues pretty well. There are some tough reds in Les Arcs, such as the top of Claire Blanc so take it easy at the start and take either the gentler reds in the Vallandy or those going down to 1800 such as Golf and Vagere which are usually bashed.
@Alastair, There was a lot more in the skip when we went past a couple days later. They are getting on with the refurbishment.
Thank you all for the friendly welcomes and detailed responses!
@yllen, I'll definitely be posting some info about the renovated hotel and conditions after our trip. That's a lot of great options to ease our beginner into different runs, as well as some to maybe help him avoid at first. We'll have 6 and a half days on the slopes though so I'm hoping he'll be cruising after a few days!
@ski3, It's good to hear that! I chose Les Arcs because of the great variety and the ability to explore. Plus I imagine our boarder will probably go off on his own at times to explore all over Paradiski.
@Alastair, I noticed the addition of greens pretty recently which definitely makes things simple. Yeah I probably will be avoiding black runs there for that reason, I can handle the steepness but only when it's wide and predictable. Do you think there are any reds that I should be cautious of, or should those all be good to go? And yes I just saw the information for La Folie Douce, I'm not opposed to a champagne shower And at Mercure the big thing I was happy to learn about was an indoor pool and sauna, before the reno it was only an outdoor pool.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@johnE, thanks for the info! I'll probably be avoiding blacks for the most part unless I get a lot of chances to practice my off-piste skiing.
Ah okay, so you believe the reds in Les Arcs are closer to North American blacks than blues? In Iceland I found that their red slopes were pretty comparable to NA blues and their blues like NA greens. I know they employ the same general rating system as most of Europe, but then again that's probably quite different from the Alps.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@LesMiz, the only red to be really cautious of which occurs to me is Clair Blanc, but you don't need me to tell you that as you'll see it before you try it. Very easy to avoid as the issue is apparent at the top and there are plenty of other ways down.
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Alastair wrote:
@LesMiz, the only red to be really cautious of which occurs to me is Clair Blanc
Looked at a video, it definitely looks like a bumpy ride!
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johnE wrote:
Oddly the only black that gets regularly bashed (ie a couple times a season) is Bosses. All the others are left as nature intended them.
There is one Black which is fairly regularly bashed which is the Aiguile Rouge run down to Villaroger. There is a short section of Red which is left unbashed but you can dodge round it. The section which looks dodgy on the piste map is certainly easier than you would expect and easier than Clair Blanc. However, it's quite a long run and fairly steep at the start.
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@Alastair, Oh yes I forgot that the aiguille is a black. I tend to think of it as red.
@LesMiz, Other reds to be a bit wary of are Trolles from the top of the transarcs telecabine, which like Claire Blanc can have some big bumps at the start, Grand Col where there can be a steepish narrow bumpy section about 3/4 of the way down and, though @Alastair disagrees, secret which can get a bit smooth and polished. Malgovert used to be a very interesting red, but has now been reclassified as black. It is still interesting. http://youtube.com/v/KiCzRQLE2Rs
On his 4th day of skiing I escorted my nepthew on a sightseeing trip around Les Arcs. His started at 2000 , but you could just as easily start at the transarc.
From 2000 down to the combourciere lift, along belverdere to the transarc, up the transarc and down the blue back to 2000. It took all afternoon and could be extended with a cruise down mont blanc to 1600 and return up cachette.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@johnE, perhaps we can do Malgovert this season together sometime - there have been warnings on this forum which have rather put me off but I'm up for it if there's someone around to pick me up if it all goes wrong. Otherwise, I feel confident that @rob@rar will always be up for it .
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I've always liked Malgovert, took family (two kids 11 & 14) through there last season, youngest took it slowly in the bumps but ok.
I can see why they've signalled it black now if they have had historical experience of rescue hotspot there and to prevent the cautious starting in there and struggling. Think that's reasonable to give fair warning of assessment to mixed groups.
It's not particularly steep and doesn't warrant a black on that basis, just lots of bumps, sometimes big, that early skills people psychologically falter on.
At least if someone being at the top can make earlier decision now than regret tackling it unaware.
Take your time, it's got great view points over the valley along its right side too and especially good in deep snowfall.
It was absolutely stunning in there last time with all the trees covered in snowfall and glistening in a bright blue clear sky day. Quite magical really.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Alastair, Of course, when do you get back after your christmas break?
Some tips -
Being quick on your feet helps. Be prepred to make rapid changes of direction, but don't worry too much - something will turn up to allow you get your composure back.
If you keep left at the first sharp drop there is a steepish bit that often has some good powder.
Then cross the main bit and go to the right of the main piste - once again good powder in the trees.
Though many people head off into the Malgovert forest from about halfway down and join the mont blanc piste a lot lower down - and in fact dive back into the forest and through to the piste basher garage. be a little careful with your route. You can end up the wrong side of a gully.
Incidently it is a very nice footpath in the summer.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
My husband and I used to ski anything - badly sometimes, but we'd get down. Nowadays we like sticking in our comfort zone and simply racking up huge mileage and Les Arc is fab for that. My fave runs for blues and reds (that are only a tad harder than blue usually) are ones like the Grizzly and I think its called the Aigle down to Villandry. They are fantastic
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Poster: A snowHead
@Lucywuk, For long easy runs Les arcs is really outstanding. Try from the top of the Grand Col to Pre st Espirit or from Col du Chal down to the top Derby (still the only lift named after a East Midlands town) then Bellete and on to the bottom of the Vallandry lift. Both are close to a km vertical.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Quote:
Is there a good area in 1800 to teach a beginner
I'd suggest you organise some lessons for your beginner.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Quote:
Quote:
Is there a good area in 1800 to teach a beginner
I'd suggest you organise some lessons for your beginner.
New post Thu 14 Nov, 19
14:01 Reply with quote
Good point. I thought the OP was talking about them enrolling in group lessons. The instructors will know where to take the class. If they want then to ski with their friends after lessons then the whole area below the midstation of the Transarc is excellent for some out of class practice.
Good point. I thought the OP was talking about them enrolling in group lessons. The instructors will know where to take the class. If they want then to ski with their friends after lessons then the whole area below the midstation of the Transarc is excellent for some out of class practice.
Yeah I've considered lessons, how vital is it to book in advance? I've encouraged them, but I think the only way our beginner will agree is if the first couple outings and my attempts to teach him fail miserably.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Quote:
Yeah I've considered lessons, how vital is it to book in advance? I've encouraged them, but I think the only way our beginner will agree is if the first couple outings and my attempts to teach him fail miserably.
It will be a good idea to book the lessons in advance more to stop the beginner thinking they can do without them rather than there will be no availabilty. One of the best times I have ever had skiing was the absolute beginners classes. The friendships and camaraderie were fantastic. Do it.
It will be a good idea to book the lessons in advance more to stop the beginner thinking they can do without them rather than there will be no availabilty. One of the best times I have ever had skiing was the absolute beginners classes. The friendships and camaraderie were fantastic. Do it.
Any particular schools or instructors that you would recommend?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Arc adventure or ESF.
After all it is free
After all it is free
johnE wrote:
@Alastair, Of course, when do you get back after your christmas break?
Not quite sure at the moment, but I'll let you know!
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[quote="LesMiz"]
johnE wrote:
Quote:
It will be a good idea to book the lessons in advance more to stop the beginner thinking they can do without them rather than there will be no availabilty. One of the best times I have ever had skiing was the absolute beginners classes. The friendships and camaraderie were fantastic. Do it.
Any particular schools or instructors that you would recommend?
On my first time at Les Arcs when I was a total noob (well not total, I could snowplough turn), I got a private lesson for 2 days of my week. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Day 1 was very tiring, frustrating and a bit embarassing snow ploughing all over the place and holding up my much more accomplished friends (and wife). I had the foresight to have booked 2x2hour private lessons before the trip and for me, they were a game changer. I had the lessons on days 2 and 3 - just myself and my wife, and by day 4 I was confidently paralleling down all the blues across the entire mountain. I think I even tried a red before we left. Made it much more enjoyable for everyone as they better skiers were able to go off and do their stuff while I was on lessons, and afterwards, I was much better at not holding them back!
re: specific ski schools, I have used Ski Evolution - they are great. And I've also used Ski NewGen but not in Les Arcs, in Morzine. They were great too. I think NewGen only operate out of Arc2000 though, so you'd have to ski over to them.
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[quote="yllen"]
LesMiz wrote:
johnE wrote:
Quote:
It will be a good idea to book the lessons in advance more to stop the beginner thinking they can do without them rather than there will be no availabilty. One of the best times I have ever had skiing was the absolute beginners classes. The friendships and camaraderie were fantastic. Do it.
Any particular schools or instructors that you would recommend?
On my first time at Les Arcs when I was a total noob (well not total, I could snowplough turn), I got a private lesson for 2 days of my week. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Day 1 was very tiring, frustrating and a bit embarassing snow ploughing all over the place and holding up my much more accomplished friends (and wife). I had the foresight to have booked 2x2hour private lessons before the trip and for me, they were a game changer. I had the lessons on days 2 and 3 - just myself and my wife, and by day 4 I was confidently paralleling down all the blues across the entire mountain. I think I even tried a red before we left. Made it much more enjoyable for everyone as they better skiers were able to go off and do their stuff while I was on lessons, and afterwards, I was much better at not holding them back!
re: specific ski schools, I have used Ski Evolution - they are great. And I've also used Ski NewGen but not in Les Arcs, in Morzine. They were great too. I think NewGen only operate out of Arc2000 though, so you'd have to ski over to them.
That's a good point, I didn't even think about leaving our beginner with an instructor so we can go hit some bigger slopes. With 6 days in total I definitely want him to feel confident for at least the second half.
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Ive loved Les Arcs both times ive been.
First time with my two daughters in their teens and last year for my now son in laws Stag week.
I like the whole place but the runs to Vallandry inc the Renard Blue and the reds through the trees are some of my faves in the whole Alps.
As well as the great apres at Arpette it now has a Folie's opening too.
I have the big trip this year to ADH but will try to get a few days here too
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Yellow Snow wrote:
Ive loved Les Arcs both times ive been.
First time with my two daughters in their teens and last year for my now son in laws Stag week.
I like the whole place but the runs to Vallandry inc the Renard Blue and the reds through the trees are some of my faves in the whole Alps.
As well as the great apres at Arpette it now has a Folie's opening too.
I have the big trip this year to ADH but will try to get a few days here too
I'm happy to hear it's been a positive experience!
Can you ski those runs to Vallandry directly from Arc 1800 or do you need to take a lift or two first?
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
LesMiz wrote:
Can you ski those runs to Vallandry directly from Arc 1800 or do you need to take a lift or two first?
You need to go up first, a couple of lifts to access all of the different runs through the trees above Vallandry and Peisey.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
One lift from 1800.....Transarc to first level, ski across then you are there. Or you can go up higher and access it too.
Links everywhere are good throughout
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Transarc can be queuey. I'd use the charmetogger. Nice new fast wide chair.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
If youre staying up the Edenarc end then you can use the lift there and ski all the way across to pick up the Vallandry runs which is nice. I agree about Charmetogger if the queues on the bubble are a bit pants. You ski past the Transarc
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Early jan there’s not usually massive queues so you have options. Although I prefer chairs to bubbles as I hate taking off my skis. Lol
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@yllen, I wouldn't describe the Charmettoger chair as fast - the Vagere (or as @Yellow Snow says the Carreley, if you're in Edenarc) is faster.
@yllen, I wouldn't describe the Charmettoger chair as fast - the Vagere (or as @Yellow Snow says the Carreley, if you're in Edenarc) is faster.
And neither Vagere, Carreley or TransArc1 allow you to ski the main runs through the trees above Vallandry. You either have to go to the TransArc2 and ski back towards the top of the Derby lift, or take Vagere, Carreley or TransArc1 and ski to the Derby or Vallandry chairlifts and then head up.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@johnE, and I'm clearly being as slow as the lift...
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Alastair, However I would still prefer it to the transarc to the middle station.
Except I would only get off at the mid station if the top section was closed.
I'm racking my brains to try and remember the last tiome I used the transarc. Possibly 30+ days ago.
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Charmetogger would be the most convenient lift as it's right by the hotel Mercure. But it's nice to know our options, especially if the full Transarc lift will provide more Vallandry options.
We're hoping to get over to La Plagne for at least two days.
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@LesMiz
Using Charmetogger will allow you to get to almost all the Vallandry lifts except 2300. Any lift in Vallandry (or Derby before you get there) will get you high enough to get that lift. Really no need to use Transarc
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Also - don't be fooled into trying the blues over in Villaroger; they are flat at best and uphill at worst.
In addition to what 
And at Mercure the big thing I was happy to learn about was an indoor pool and sauna, before the reno it was only an outdoor pool.
