Les Arcs 2020/21

A snowHead

Welcome to the new season thread for Les Arcs 2020 -2021. I will admit to having lifted a lot of this information from the thread for the previous season so I thank Snowcrazy for his original hard work in collating most of this.

I hope as many people as possible contribute to this thread. The more info we share the better it is for everyone. Happy reading and hope you all have a good season.

The new season dates are as follows.

LES ARCS / PEISEY-VALLANDRY SKIING AREA OPENING
from 12/12/2020 to 30/04/2020

Given the difficult times we are experiencing at the moment here’s a link to the UK Government advice on travelling to France:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france

I’m also including a direct link to the page where the resort is outlining their commitments to keeping people safe this winter:

https://en.lesarcs.com/news/our-7-commitments-to-take-care-of-you-this-winter.html

Here are most of the basic links to things you need to know to start planning your winter breaks.

Here is the main link to the Les Arcs web page. https://en.lesarcs.com/

Here is the main link for Peisey Vallandry web page. https://en.peisey-vallandry.com/winter

Here is the main Link to the La Plagne web page. http://winter.la-plagne.com/ski.html

Ski passes with discounts are on sale via the web page. Use this link.

https://www.lesarcs-peiseyvallandry.ski/en/ or https://en.lesarcs.com/ski/skipasses.html

For short stays you can get a discount online 10%, but you must buy the pass before 31/10/2018.

For season passes you get a discount online 20% as long as you buy before the 30/11/2018.

Ski a la Carte: For those that only ski sometimes this might be of interest. Average 15% discount per day. https://www.skialacarte.fr/FrontOffice/les-arcs

For all those that like following the Webcams.

https://en.lesarcs.com/webcams.html

http://app1.webcam-hd.com/lesarcs

http://www.arc1950.com/en/live-from-the-village-webcams-weather.html

For the weather and snow reports. http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-montagne/les-arcs-bourg-st-maurice/73700

For Insurance, always good to have a local French get 'Get Off the Mountain' cover:

For short stay visitors, the Carre Neige Daily Insurance is really cheap (you can buy it with your lift pass) and does the same job as Carte Neige for season pass holders. Cost approx. 2.80 euro per day. http://carreneige.com/accueil.en.html

Even if you have other Travel Insurance. I also always get the Season Carte Neige Insurance. It makes sure you will be rescued wherever you are skiing 'On and Off piste with or without a guide' and gives some money for the local Les Arcs Ski Cub. Cost approx. 75.00 euro for season.

Online purchase: http://www2.ffs.fr/carteneige/online Further info here: http://www.ffs.fr/federation/licence-carte-neige/garanties-dassurance

Here are the details in English. https://ffs.verspieren.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IN_carte_neige_license_2016-2017.pdf (waiting for update.)

and also further details in French https://ffs.verspieren.com/je-suis-un-licencie/garanties-dassurances/

You can also take a look at the Les Arcs Winter facebook page where Snowcrazy posts loads of other stuff in English that you might find interesting plus his photos and video from round the Paradiski area. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/

If you have any questions about Les Arcs or the Paradiski area, please post your question here. There are quite a few members who have spent a lot of time in the area and so will be able to help with most queries

SKI SCHOOLs etc. This was put together by Snowcrazy last year for those interested in getting ski lessons, race training or freeride coaching. The list is very diverse so should cover all abilities old and young.

IMO The best schools are AIM or New Gen. If you can get one of their guys for small groups or Private lessons the kids should have fun. They will run a programme to suit the needs of your kids and are normally flexible about times etc. But not as cheap as ESF or the other French schools. They are both English run so NO language problems.

For Race Training you only really have the ESF training programme. There is now a strong ESF club group in Arc 1800 and a smaller group that sometimes runs in Arc 1600. Outside the school holiday periods we might have to run something ourselves for those interested as none of the schools are very keen to do so unless we have at least 6 in a group. Otherwise it get's very expensive. If you have youngsters interested in Race training then it might be worth you sending me a PM here or over on the Les Arcs Winter facebook page and we can try and put a group together as we have done in the past with our own Private English speaking Race Trainer.

For Freeriding any of the Mountain Guides are OK, but for the best coaching for the youngsters, maybe UPCA or one of the Teen groups with a Ski school might be better. Although again you MUST check that they have an English speaking Instructor for the youngsters. Likewise for this activity. If you get in touch by PM here or on the Les Arcs winter facebook page we can try and put a group together as we have done in the past with our own Private English speaking Freeride Coach.

Whatever you decide, for private lessons and free ride coaching you need to act fast. Any of the following Instructors or Ski Schools should provide the youngsters with a good experience, but hurry as the best people get booked up fast.

What I suggest you do now is use the web links I have given you and look at what they offer. Decide what suits your kids and pocket best then either Phone them direct (most speak good English) or email them to ask if they can do what you want for the kids. Otherwise just do the booking online using the forms most sites provide. Do be careful with the ESF and other French Ski Schools too make sure they know you want an ENGLISH speaking Instructor.

Private Ski and Snowboard Instructors.

1) Rob Hutchison Private Instructor Independent (Scottish)

Tel: 00 33 6 22744983

Email. rob.hutchison@sfr.fr

2) Vincent Bammaz. Works for ESF Arc 2000 as Ski Instructor and Mid level Mountain guide. Speaks good English and will give private lessons.

Vincent is very good with those recovering from injury and those needing to improve their level.

Email: VBAMMS@aol.com

Tel: 00 33 6 66 14 15 76

3) Xavier Troubat, Independent, (not qualified), Freerider, Founder of Freeski Academy, Les Arcs. (Speaks some English.)
Free Ride Coaching.

https://www.xaviertroubat.com/

Email: xavier.troubat@orange.fr

Tel: 00 33 6 82 65 98 18

3) Christian Bougnaud Works for ESF as Instructor and also as High Mountain Guide. Speaks good English.

Tel: 00 33 6 15 93 03 17

Email: christianbougnaud@hotmail.com

4) Gilles Broche. Works for ESF as Instructror and also High Mountain Guide. Speaks good English.

Tel: 00 33 6 23 80 54 36

Email. gilles.broche.guide@gmail.com

5) Pascal Arpin. High Mountain Guide. Speaks English.

http://www.pascal-arpin.fr/

Tel: 00 33 6 10 48 44 95

(if anyone else finds a good Instructor they would like to recommend. Please do let me have the contact or add the details themselves to the thread.)

Snowsports Schools in and around Les Arcs.

1) AIM snowsports school

Director. John McCarthy (English speaking school, works all over Les Arcs areas)

http://www.ski-aim.com/

Email. info@ski-aim.com

Tel: 00 44 131 618 7210

2) New Generation Snowsports School Peisey Vallandry/ Arc 2000

Managers. John Thomas Peisey Vallandry / Davide La Porta Arc 2000 (English Speaking School, works all over Les Arcs areas).

www.skinewgen.com

Email: For more info and bookings by email complete online request form and click send.

Tel: 00 33 4 79 01 03 18

Tel: 00 44 1462 674 000

3) ESF Les Arcs 1600 (You need to ask for English speaking Instructor.)

Good for Race Training using the new Cachette Race piste in Arc 1600. If you want them to do this, be warned groups are mostly in French unless you take a private coach. Also has private lessons and group lessons.

https://www.esfarcs1600.com/teens

Email: info@esfarcs1600.com

Tel: 00 33 4 79 07 43 09

4) ESF Les Arcs 1800 (You need to ask for English speaking Instructor.)

Good for Race coaching using mainly the Arc 1800 race stade, but also Arc 1600 race piste when Arc 1800 piste not ready.

https://www.ski-school-arc1800.co.uk/teens

Email: contact@esfarc1800.com

Tel: 00 33 4 79 07 40 31

There are also ESF Ski Schools in Arc 2000 Tel: 00 33 4 79 07 47 52, Arcs 1950 Tel: 00 33 4 79 08 24 19 , Villaroger, Peisey Vallandry.

5) ESF UK OFFICE. For info on all ESF schools in all French ski resorts in English.

UK Business Manager: Mark Neville

https://www.esf-uk.co.uk/

enquiries@everyonesawinner.net

Tel UK: 01992 444209

6) Evolution 2 1600/1800 and Spirit 1950 ( you need to ask for English speaking Instructor.)

www.evolution2-lesarcs.com

Email. contact@evolution2-arc1800.com

Tel: 00 33 4 57 15 94 96

Spirit Arc 1950

http://www.spirit1950.com/welcome

E-mail : contact@spirit1950.com

Tel: 00 33 4 79 04 25 72

7) Arc Adventure (Arc 1800, you need to ask for English speaking Instructor.)

www.arc-aventures.com

Email. esi@arc-aventures.com

Tel: 00 33 4 79 07 60 02

8. Ecole de Ski PRIVILEGE, Arc 1800. Independent School. They speak some English.

http://www.ecole-de-ski-les-arcs.com/en_index

Email: Email: For more info and bookings by email complete online request form and click send.

Tel: 00 33 4 79 07 23 38

9) UPCA Les Arcs

https://www.ucpa-vacances.com/centre/france/les-arcs/ or https://www.ucpa.co.uk/ (All in English)

UCPA - Arc 1600 - 73700 Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Tél. : 04 79 07 07 50 - Fax : 04 79 07 79 89
Courriel : arcs@ucpa.asso.fr

10) Also use this link for other ski schools in the Les Arcs areas.

https://en.lesarcs.com/ski-school-instructor.html

High Five Snowboarding School (in all Les Arcs areas).

Tel: 00 33 6 09 05 87 21

Email: hello@highfivesnowboarding.com

https://www.highfivesnowboarding.com/

Bureau des Guides des Arcs (High Mountain Guides Office for Les Arcs Area and the Paradiski domain.)

http://www.guidesdesarcs.com/en

Email: info@guidesdesarcs.com

Tel: 00 33 6 58 16 07 94 between 18.00 and 19.00hrs

Links for Airport Transfer companies:

https://3sixtytransfers.com

https://www.bensbus.co.uk/

http://snow-drone.com/shared-transfers/

http://www.mountainrides.co.uk/

http://whiterides.co.uk/

http://spiralcab.com/

http://mountainsunfrance.com/specialoffers/15010/

https://www.simply-transfers.net/

http://www.thecoolbus.co.uk/

https://www.skiidygonzales.com/ (Including Les Arcs transfers now.)

http://www.taxibourgsaintmaurice.com/

Links to Hotels for stop off on the way Les Arcs. Very varied in standard and distance from Les Arcs.

1) It as an overnight stop - 20-30 mins from Geneva.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1790465-d565825-Reviews-Hotel_Rey-Saint_Blaise_Haute_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

2) About 5 mins before Bourg on the RHS Clean, cheap, does 1 night stands

http://www.autantic.fr/english/

Personal recommendations for great places to eat around the area:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g562740-d17635667-Reviews-Le_Kozy-Bourg_Saint_Maurice_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g562740-d10487786-Reviews-Cherry_Garden-Bourg_Saint_Maurice_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1118194-d5890744-Reviews-B_K_M_Bar_King_Mad-Les_Arcs_Bourg_Saint_Maurice_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g616137-d7645854-Reviews-Bar_Mont_Blanc-Vallandry_Peisey_Vallandry_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1118194-d1331110-Reviews-Belliou_La_Fumee-Les_Arcs_Bourg_Saint_Maurice_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1118194-d2502458-Reviews-La_Cabane_des_Neiges-Les_Arcs_Bourg_Saint_Maurice_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1118194-d9747773-Reviews-Bulle_Cafe_Les_Arcs-Les_Arcs_Bourg_Saint_Maurice_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g562740-d2026233-Reviews-Le_Petit_Resto-Bourg_Saint_Maurice_Savoie_Auvergne_Rhone_Alpes.html

Other Interesting Links:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/oct/14/villaroger-les-arcs-redevelop-green-ski-resort-france-french-alps

http://www.sg-architecte.com/portfolio_page/villaroger/

http://www.sg-architecte.com/portfolio_page/laiguille-rouge/

I HOPE YOU HAVE FOUND THESE LINKS HELPFUL!

A snowHead

Excellent - just what i was after Smile

Just wondering if anyone knows the situation on season pass's. Im going to get one, but im wondering if there's an option for a refund, if you never make it to the slopes due to covid etc.. so you've never used the pass at all - anyone know - im going to email the ticket office as well Smile

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

"..In order to offer you the greatest possible flexibility for the organisation of your stay, we offer you the possibility to modify or cancel your ski pass order online at no cost up to 48 hours before your first day of skiing..."

That's from the Les Arcs website : after first use though, not sure what might happen regarding a Season Pass...

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Thanks, like a dog cocking his leg, I'm making my mark...lets be positive. Looking forward to some great boarding this year.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Thanks

something to get excited about booking the pass Smile

You'll need to Register first of course.

Les Arcs for half term 20/21.
Always wanted to do this part of the mountain. Having done Tignes, VT, La Plagne, Flaine, Morzine on the French side.
We tend to drive Friday and stay low, get up early and use change day to acquaint ourselves with the slopes.
We’re boarders that like cruising blues and lips and have been enjoying off piste powder fields.
We tend to rent an apartment, ski in/out, eat out, drink beer and coke. Netflix and fall fast asleep.
1800 is lively, 1950 is luxury and 2000 is ugly... I’m keen on smaller lift queues which over half term may be wishful thinking.
So, do we Airbnb? Booking.com? Local accommodation site?
Any comments welcome.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

In usual years I'd say you'd be very lucky to find small lift queues during half term, but who know what's going to happen this season. Personally I'd recommend 1800 as there are thousands of self catering apartments and there is sufficient uplift by various routes out of the main village to mean that providing you miss real peak times the queues aren't too horrendous. Just do a google search for apartments in 1800 are you are sure to find something to suit. Once you've found an apartment which you think will do take a look at the village map on the Les Arcs website to gauge how ski in/out it is but honestly you'll never really be much more than a short walk from the slopes where ever you decide upon.

After all it is free

I follow where @thefatcontroller leads... and put down the Roll marker.
Whether we get out this season is dependent on so many factors - I am soooo hoping to, since we missed both Easter and the summer visits this year. But whatever will be will be.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

@johnE, of course you are right, I'd forgotten about those blocks.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@Arctic Roll, out of interest what are your and others plans for this season, I mean have you actually booked transport or accommodation (where applicable) or are people waiting to see how things pan out. We booked back in March for the 1st week in Feb and I for one am desperately hoping it goes ahead. Especially as I was due to fly out to Turkey for a week of sun a week tomorrow, but given last night's announcement that may not happen now.

snow reports

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

@wills_h, So our planning is straightforward:We have blocked our apartment out for 2 weeks over Christmas and 2 weeks at the end of January/early Febuary and that is that. We have made no bookings for the tunnel but will drive out. Though nominally 14 day trips we will proably drive out on a Monday and return on a Friday. Everything is still flexible (with the exception of my joints).

We were and still are thinking about a "decorating" trip towards the end of the this month via plane but I don't think this will happen.

With the lack of bookings on the apartment we may actually be out there quite a bit more , but we'll wait and see

Our ski club have booked a trip to Les Arcs at the end of Feb. I hope they can get out there safely - they were rather mauled in Ischl last year with several members becoming ill.

A snowHead

Quarantining on return not an issue for me or the wife but kids not keen on being off from school.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@wills_h, As with @thefatcontroller, need to confirm our weeks with our lessor by 15th Oct.

Have Eurotunnel tickets from (cancelled) summer visit to use up - valid until end of year (unless we move them again, which apparently we can do) so may reserve the week before Christmas* and drive down.
Have Eurostar & SNCF tickets from (cancelled) Easter visit, good for a year so may reserve a fortnight at Easter. Will see if we can avoid changing in Paris though - maybe more complex London- Lille - Lyons - Bourg option.

So yes, we're thinking we will go - if only to clear out the flour weevils from the owners' cupboard - but it's obviously all down to insurers and governments.

*No harm travelling back on Boxing day this year: it's not like the "rule of 6" is going to allow major family gatherings, and anyway self-isolate may be a blessing in disguise? Smile

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Speaking of insurance I came across a company called Battleface that will still provide insurance even when the FCO recommends against all but essential travel, not sure whether they do winter sports policies though.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

As far as I can tell, there should be no problem using Carre/Carte Neige insurance, unless someone knows different?

You'll need to Register first of course.

In which case could one use Battleface for travel insurance and then Carre/Carte Neige for winter sports cover?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

Definitely want insurance on the hill.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@ecureuil, thanks, good point.

@johnE, yes, for a December trip.

snow reports

@wills_h, Thanks for getting this started. I have been a bit busy with other stuff so pleased someone kicked this off. One thing I did just notice. It would be worth you editing the first post where you copied all the stuff from my previous seasons. Some dates need correcting and links need checking.

Here is my latest update.

Time for a winter update. The ski passes are now on sale. Prices have increased again and you must now pay extra to have the summer pass included. Is the season pass still good value in these uncertain times. I am not sure. You must decide for yourself. Increased prices again with covid restrictions in place make this hard to decide. To get the season pass discount, you must buy before end of November.

For shorter stays the discounted passes are for sale until end of October. You also have the Ski a la Carte option. Something worth considering!

https://www.skialacarte.fr/FrontOffice/les-arcs

For more details of lift pass prices please visit the Les Arcs web page.

https://www.lesarcs-peiseyvallandry.ski/en/

Also regarding the Carte Neige or Carrie neige on snow insurance. It needs to be checked that with the changes to UK status. This can still be used. As John mentioned. For UK, it was tied to EHIC.

Here is the link to Battleface. This is normally for people that travel to conflict areas or other more adventure based trips plus they state that they do not cover some aspects of your trip under covid conditions. Worth reading the small print. Not sure of the costs as we use in-house cover for work. https://www.battleface.com/?fbclid=IwAR2uZaKEy94VvTs1MEGwMzrmPahfqIDpr7aasC4zawaXuioAVYVtF5MHRb4 (edited updated).

There is fresh snow on the hills and it looks very nice, but is far to early to take much notice. But it is pleasant although cold. More rain and snow forecast over the next few days.

More to follow as news is released. I hope we get to enjoy the winter!

https://en.lesarcs.com/webcams.html

I’ve booked flights into Geneva from the 14th-21st Dec (Mon-Mon). Ideally we’d just make a decision on which resort to go to the week before depending on conditions but as the 20th and 21st fall on the Christmas week it could make finding accommodation tricky so I’m trying to sort something now.
I’m eyeing up Les Arcs but staying down in Bourg with the logic of:
Larger apartments for your money which as the apres will be limited to the apartment will be appreciated.
Flexibility on apartments offering Mon-Mon rental and have found some already covering our dates.
We’re self catering so access to the supermarkets is a plus.
The apartments I’ve seen in Bourg allow you to cancel right up to the day before which is a massive plus in the current environment which I’ve not found for the resort ones.

We’re all snowboarders so a 5 min walk to the funicular is no problem and have stayed in places like Mayrhofen before where you need to get up the mountain from the town everyday.

Any real downsides to staying down in Bourg? I assume the funicular is resistant to weather closures so we’re not stuck down in Bourg after a heavy dump of snow. They’ve not released the funicular timetable yet but what time does it generally stop running in the afternoon?

Thanks

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

Just a comment to - i was checking switzerland, and you have to self isolate for 10 days on entry - im not sure of anymore details than that, i booked a flight to lyon in the hope that doesnt involve that! although it could all change and all that !

A snowHead

@Andy_Mac, Good point (I assume about Geneva airport). Like you I am not sure what the transitting rules are. It would be good if you could directly enter France instead of the long queue at Swiss passport control and that hundred metres from leaving the customs area to the car hire desk.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Yeah - also flights to lyon are pretty cheap, think there usually more expensive which is why i've always gone via Geneva - i got business for £97 plus some avios - only going business as im going for a month, and will have more bags - plus hear weird things about economy people getting bumped, but business not, although that might be on flights like to australia. But £97 isn't to bad

You need to Login to know who's really who.

@Andy_Mac, You have done very well. The cheepest I could find was £189, ecconomy, changing in Amsterdam.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

was BA out of heathrow - probably the only advantage of living in london.....

You'll need to Register first of course.

@Andy_Mac, BA used to fly from Birmingham to Lyon at a reasnoble price, but then they changed to what should be renamed "London Airlines". It has been a very long time since I have used them. Now almost every flight apart from some useful ones to Geneva and oddly, Krackov, require changing planes in either Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt. I have loads of avios, but just don't appear to be able to use them.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

@johnE, @Andy_Mac, you don’t have to quarantine in Switzerland if you are not staying but just transiting through. See
https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/20201948/index.html

Relevant bit:

You raise a good point about Geneva airport. Currently the information on the airport website is

“People in transit, that is to say, who only enter Switzerland to cross it with the intention and the possibility of continuing their journey directly to another country, are not subject to quarantine. Therefore, whether they go through the French sector or the International sector, they can reach France without restrictions.”

Of course who knows where we’ll be in December.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Ah fairshout guys - good news Smile

I didn't read long enough lol

Help!!

Les Arcs 2020/21

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