 Poster: A snowHead
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Indeed it does look good but I never get excited about any snow before December.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi!
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I am considering Les Arcs with UCPA around 18th April 2026. This would be my first time skiing and I'm going solo- is that too late in the year? It is the last date offered.
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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?
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| johnE wrote: |
| Indeed it does look good but I never get excited about any snow before December. |
I try to contain my excitement when I see early snow. It's not an indication of anything in terms ski conditions at the start of the season. In 2012 or 2013 I was skiing in Tignes in early November when we had a couple of big snowstorms. It was thigh deep on the Grand Motte, and 30cm or more down at 1800m. Everyone was massively excited for the upcoming season, but weather turned mild and dry through until late December, so when the main season started the pistes were thin and scratchy, off-piste not in play.
Having said that, the webcams do look very pretty, although the guys working on the new structure at Col de la Chal might not be quite so enamoured!
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| Riaa2311 wrote: |
Hi!
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I am considering Les Arcs with UCPA around 18th April 2026. This would be my first time skiing and I'm going solo- is that too late in the year? It is the last date offered. |
Earlier in the season would give a better chance of good snow coverage, if you are able to move dates. That's the last week of the season and the resort will definitely start to wind down, some of the shops and restaurants will have closed, so it won't be the same experience as a few weeks earlier. In a typical year, there will be enough snow, and the resort will work hard to ensure key pistes remain open, including nursery slopes and some of the easier pistes. With the warmer temperatures of late April the snow conditions will be less than ideal, with soft, heavy snow in the afternoons, and probably quite icy conditions first thing after an overnight freeze. This will be a bit more like hard work, for beginners as much as everyone else, but certainly skiable. There is a slim chance of very poor snow conditions if the weather has been unseasonably warm through March and April. I've skied Les Arcs a lot during April, and only once in 20+ years has there not really been enough snow around Arc 1600/1800 to have any significant skiing (which meant schlepping over the Arc 2000 at the start of the day, which is a pain if you're a beginner). On the other hand, the last three or four seasons have seen plenty of fresh snow in the final couple of weeks of the season, offering some of the most enjoyable days. You never can forecast how good or bad it will be.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Riaa2311, It is late, but I've skied that week a couple times in the past and always had a good week's skiing from Arc1600. On one occasion we couldn't ski back to 1600 as there was no snow that low (it was the last day of the season and many people were having barbeques and partying), but it wasn't really a problem as we just got the navette back from Arc 2000. The navette stops just outside the UCPA building. The snow at 2000 was actually good. It was a very warm week. If the conditions are poor the instructors will use the navette to get to the snow at Arc2000.
As someone who learnt to ski very late in the season the hardpack in the morning and slush in the afternoon was not a problem. Others worry about this more but as a beginner who knew no better it was actually wonderful.
I may or may not be in Arc1600 that week if I'm free.
Be careful, sunburn can be a real problem.
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@Riaa2311, why did you choose that week?
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| Layne wrote: |
| @Riaa2311, why did you choose that week? |
The only options remaining with Action Outdoors (the organizer) are Les Contamines in March, and Les Arcs on 11th and 18th April. (7 days for all)
I asked about 18th April to be prepared for the worst case in case 11th April sells out.
The French provider UCPA has more options, but the transportation is not as smooth.
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| Quote: |
The French provider UCPA has more options, but the transportation is not as smooth.
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Travel to Les Arcs is usually quite easy but gets much harder come April when many airlines severley cut back their flights to Geneva and hoik their prices. Even so changing in Amsterdam is usually quite straightforward.
My normal routes are:
1/ Load the car up and drive. This is what we will do at Christmas but this is very expensive and tiring if travelling alone.
2/ Get a flight from Birmingham to Geneva then get the train to Bourg st Maurice and funicular from there to 1600 (the navette will take you to UCPA)
3/ Fly from Luton if the Birmingham flights have ceased and then hire a car. Once again this is expensive if travelling solo.
4/ Option often used by my son in April. Fly from Birmingham, change in Amsterdam to Geneva then train from there.
5/ Option used by friend living near London. Eurostar to Paris, train to Chambery, train to Bourg st. Maurice then funicular. There are lots of posts here about how to do this.
All methods need some research but are actually quite easy to implement once planned.
ps I thought transportation was when you were sent to Australia as punishment.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Riaa2311, given it's you first time skiing I wouldn't sweat it. There will be enough snow/slopes for you.
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I'm flying out on December 9th to Geneva (from Leeds, via Amsterdam) in time for the season's opening; starting to get a little excited by the prospect of another season !
Given the fire at Les Glieres, BsM, over the summer, I'm expecting accommodation to be at a premium for those who prefer - like me - to be staying in the town. Many apartments which were rented out for part or all of the season are now out of commission, and those owners who ski all season may be seeking rentals, so the pressure's on.
The good news is that last season the Funi ran pretty much to order during busy times, alleviating the old-style scrum which sometimes occurred, so BsM is a great location to be based.
After the first week's skiing, I'll be returning to the UK for a family Christmas before returning on January 2nd for several weeks' full-on skiing.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The new Villaroger gondola starting testing last week. Hopefully that means they are on track for operating normally from the opening day of the season.
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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.
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Getting ready to book our trains at Easter as the timetables have been released. The plan is to get the train into Paris on the Friday and then make our way to Les Arcs on the Saturday.
I joked to Mr. O that we could get the 0745 train from Paris as that gets us into BSM at just before 1300, and we can ski Saturday afternoon as we have the Essentials pass.
He said that he and the kids will be happy to sleep in and get the lunchtime train, but I should go for it, and he'll meet me there at teatime.
I've got my own skis now, so I'll leave the suitcases with him and the kids, and it'll just be me and my kit. Planning on jumping on the funicular, then changing into ski gear once at 1600. I've never used the funicular, I presume this is doable as people come up from Bourg that way? Will ski to Edenarc with my backpack (ski bag is slimline and will squish down) and see if I can leave it there for the rest of the afternoon.
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@Owlette, yep - you get to go up the funi for free if you've arrived by train too. From the train platform you can walk up the stairs to the bridge over the funi, only a few mins walk.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Owlette, the funicular is worth the ride on its own. Enjoy it. If I’m around we’ll look after you in 1600
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Fab! We usually get a taxi up from the station as we can’t be bothered with the funi plus two buses with our cases, but arriving ready to ski is another matter.
John, it’ll be Saturday 4th April, be great to see you both. We’re there for the whole week.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Out of interest, what would a taxi from Bourg up to 1950 cost for 2 people and luggage?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| doddles wrote: |
| Out of interest, what would a taxi from Bourg up to 1950 cost for 2 people and luggage? |
I often recommend Taxi Aarthur for transfers from Bourg up to Les Arcs. You can see their pricing here. Up to Arc 1950 ranges from €100 for 2 people, to €150 for 8 people.
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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?
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Thank you.
We're considering taking the train from GVA to Bourg and then a taxi rather than the bus all the way. More comfortable, and less chance of catching a winter bug riding on a packed bus for 4 hours, which would be a downer on our ski trip.
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@doddles, Have you looked at train schedules from GVA to Bourg? I know @johnE sometimes does that journey so he can advise from personal experience, but whenever I’ve looked at taking the train it takes a long time and involved at least a couple of changes of train along the way. Depending on how many in your group, car hire might be an option?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Yes, I've checked the timetables on sncf. We actually did this for the return journey last January.
The train itself involves 2 changes - one in Geneva, which is straightforward (and far less hassle than dealing with the Saturday crowds around the coaches at GVA). And one in Chambery, which is easy enough. Trip time from Geneva (city, not airport) to Bourg is 3:20.
Then keen to avoid the long walk to the funicular, then the walk/wait for the coach up to 1950.
There's only 2 of us and the train to Bourg will cost €47 in total, compared to €104 for the bus. So we have €58 to put towards the taxi 
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@doddles, thanks for those timings, let us know how you get on with the transfer this winter. I guess if you have an early enough arrival in to GVA the time it takes for the train isn’t too bad, getting you in to resort at a sensible time.
If you do want to get a taxi from Bourg train station up to Les Arcs you should definitely book ahead of time. It can get fully booked, even outside of school holidays.
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That's great to know - thanks for the recommendation and booking link. After a flight from Perth via LHR, we'll be keen to get to our chalet!
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We use Tarantaise Taxi and to go to 1800 costs us €80 each way for four people plus 2 gigantic cases. They always send a 9 seater for us, so we've plenty of space.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@doddles, long walk to the funi? it's about 5 mins max from the train
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True, I should have worded it better, about 500m if you arrive down near the end of the platform. But that includes some rather steep steps up to the pedestrian bridge to negotiate. If you’ve got a heavy ski bag and other luggage, it’s a pain.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@doddles, Same as @rob@rar, Aarthur taxis are the way to go if taxi-ing. However, according to the Tourist office, they're improving the funi-bus integration this year, as well as opening up late on Fri and Saturday (til 11pm I think?) to allow people to have an evening in Bourg if they want. (Last year was late night Thurs, so a bit of expansion.
To avoid the bridge up and over, - which I agree is a PITA - we tend to try for the front of the train (ie the back before you get to Albertville, where it turn around - @Owlette, you'll want be at the front before Albertville so you are at the back at Bourg and closest to the steps), and then walk on the flat road alongside the station. Or, more usually, stop for a meal and then wander along with the wheelie bags, again without faff of trying to haul them up the stairs.
@doddles, likewise be interested to hear how the train goes from Geneva - my daughter and friends have done in previously, but I'm sure it used to take longer: that seems a much more reasonable transfer time.
Waiting for Wednesday to book our March SNCF legs : already have the December journeys sorted, and the January trip to Cervina via Turin train. Going to hit my Eurostar points targets before Easter!
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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.
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Thanks. My ski bag doesn't have wheels, so I'll be carrying it. I'll only have that and a backpack with my boots etc in. Leaving the suitcases in Paris with Mr. O and the juniors. I'll travel in my base layer leggings as they work as normal leggings, so it'll just be a case of putting my salopettes on top once in 1600.
Currently browsing boot backpacks on Amazon for easy storage of boots/helmet/Kindle for the journey.
I've only ever gone out of the front of the station, as we usually taxi it, so this is a whole new experience for me. I don't mind steps.
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Re: trains from Geneva.
It is not a simple route. First of all you have to get the train from the airport to Cornavin in the centre of Geneva. These trains are frequent and fast.
The best scenario is that you get a train from there to Chambery, wait for a short while at the station (getting lunch or just a coffee) then from the same platform the train to Bourg st Maurice on up the funicular
The worst is that you have to get a bus transfer run by SNCF from Culoz to Aix les Bains then from there to Bourg st Maurice. My son had to take this option once and it was possibly the most convoluted journey to Les Arcs ever. It went: bus to Stoke station, train to Manchester Piccadily, train to Manchester airport, flight to Amsterdam, flight to Geneva, train to Cornavin, train to Culoz, bus to Aix les Bains, train to Bourg st Maurice, funicular to Les Arcs. Mid week towards the end of the season there are not many alternatives. In fact that was the only way it could be done. I think the whole journey from his home to our apartment cost almost £150.
I notice that the trains are much more frequent in the ski season than they are this month but even so you have to check the times carefully. The trainline.com list the schedule and the now very high prices.
They take anything from 4 to 5 hours for the journey.
But a real big advantage is they run every day of the week and on occaisons are the only way to get from Geneva to Les Arcs bar the very expensive taxis.
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You know it makes sense.
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If you go on the SNCF web site it’s easy to look up the timetable from Geneva. The connections via Chambéry are the ones to aim for. 7-15 minutes to change trains there. Cost, at least on weekends, is very low with discounted tickets.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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1950 and 2000 gurus, what are the restaurants that we cannot miss for evening meals? Staying in 1950 for UK half term so thinking about booking restaurants before travelling as no doubt it'll be horrendously busy. Thanks in advance.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I've only been there once for one week and we mostly ate in. We went one night for a "blow out" meal and Chez Luigi. It was decent, but nothing to write home about.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| wills_h wrote: |
| 1950 and 2000 gurus, what are the restaurants that we cannot miss for evening meals? Staying in 1950 for UK half term so thinking about booking restaurants before travelling as no doubt it'll be horrendously busy. Thanks in advance. |
Tbh.... there not that many. I was there last year and we liked Luigi, you can have a more relaxed bar meal downstairs and you have to book a table up stairs. The decking there is great and you pass it on the way back as you ski into the village
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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?
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IMHO the best restaurant in Les Arcs is in Arc2000, the Taj i Mah. We went once in December 2023. It was wonderful but not cheep. Last Year's menu is available at https://www.hotel-tajimah.com/media/original/5863d2ec0eae2/la-table-du-taj-i-mah-24-25.pdf.
I think I'd go with the 85€ Gourmet menu
MENU DEGUSTATION GOURMET MENU
Amuse-Bouche
Appetizer
***
Tar tare de poissons selon arrivage du jour, algues en condiment
Today’s fish tartare, seaweed seasoning
Ou/Or
Œuf parfait, espuma parfumé à la truffe, matignon de légumes racines
64° egg, truffle-flavoured espuma,
Root vegetables
***
Risotto de belles Gambas,
Jus de crustacé monté au beurre d’estragon
Prawn Risotto, Shellfish jus with tarragon butter
Ou/or
Carré d’agneau de Savoie en croûte d’herbes et d’amandes
Petits légumes glacés, jus parfumé au thym frais
Herb and almond-crusted local lamb c hop,
Glazed baby vegetables, thyme j us
***
Buffet de fromages
Cheese buffet
***
Crème brulée à la Char treuse
Ou/Or
Traditionnelle tar te Bourdaloue aux poires
Traditional Bourdaloue pear tart
The cheese table with dozens of beautiful French cheeses was brilliant when we ate there. I ate so much cheese my cadiologist would have a heart attach.
Of course you'll need some wine to go with it, coffee a gin and tonic to start a brandy to finish. And a kidney to sell to aford it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| doddles wrote: |
Thank you.
We're considering taking the train from GVA to Bourg and then a taxi rather than the bus all the way. More comfortable, and less chance of catching a winter bug riding on a packed bus for 4 hours, which would be a downer on our ski trip. |
The train from Gva to BsM is pretty straightforward! I've done it a few times and am doing it in 3 weeks' time. No problems!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@johnE, that does sound pretty amazing. I am however concerned about how much I'd actually get for one of my kidneys given the likely state of them.
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We're in need of some snow across the Paradiski ...
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@SnowVillan, it’s still only mid November. Any snow we get this time of year is usually gone by early December.
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They are making snow at the bottom of the mont blanc run this morning which seems really early.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@mobileadam, it's about to get really cold and snow on/off for the next week - so makes sense. They may also just be testing the equipment.
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A few of the cannons seem to be running now, or have been running overnight. Might be just clearing the pipes and testing the pumps, but in places the amount of snow that's been made looks a bit more than a test run. As @timlongs said, the 10-day forecast looks colder than average so we're probably close enough to the start of the season for the resort to want to take advantage of conditions to get as much of a base down as possible, adding to the natural snowfall that's coming in. Just over three weeks until opening day and the longterm forecast for the next week or two looks decent enough, so I'm feeling positive about the opening week.
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FAQ
