Les Arcs 1950 - anyone been to La Village? Skiing??

A snowHead

Sorry to post another request about resorts, but looked through the past posts and no-one has asked it (that I can tell)
We are now looking into going France over Andorra around beginning of Feb. Been looking into Les Arcs 1950 (the new village thats been built). Its quite expensive - £150 more on a SC board than we paid for Italy on a HB basis. But I was wandering if it was worth paying extra. There seem to be loads of runs and the bobsleigh in La Plagne is swaying me towards it). The village sounds v nice with fireworks advertised on some nights. Looks very picturesque in Thomson brochure, but just wandering what it is really like if you have been there. Or should we go for a slightly cheaper resort like Flaine, where there seems to be less to do but cost is less.
thanks for help

A snowHead

I'm afraid I don't know about the new area at 1950 as it wasn't built when we went to Les Arcs. However I'd recommend a visit to the Les Arcs ski area if you haven't been before. It has a good variety of runs, with some pretty tree lined reds in the area between arc 1800 and Peisy. I think the most challenging runs were above Arc 2000 but it is going back some years so I can't remember the runs in detail.

The village area does sound nice and I'd be tempted to give it a try. We stayed in Arc 1800 at Hotel Du Golf (with Thompson) and that was a good base. There are cheaper self catering apartments in Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 if you don't want to pay the higher price for the 1950 Village.

If you live in the South East I'd recommend taking the Eurostar there. The transfer from Bourg St Maurice station to Les Arcs is very quick.

I hope somebody with more recent experience of Les Arcs will come on this thread soon!

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

Jon Ford, For general info on the les arcs domain incl. runs etc then this thread should be helpful, although I think the bar/restaurant bits are now probably starting to get a little out of date..
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=53223

As to staying in 1950 I will confess to not having done so, but the places are supposed to be a bit smarter than the average french rental. It is also very easy to get in/out of the village (more pole in/out than ski in / out) but it's not very far to push. Reasonable number of bars/restaurants and the only 'village' supermarket that was open throughout the day a couple of seasons ago - also one with larget champagne stocks which might tell you a little more about the 'positioning' of 1950 village.

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I spent the season in Les Arcs, and the ski area is great. Very extensive in its own right, with some fantastic tree-lined runs (a couple of which are up there as my favourites ever). Its obviously linked with La Plagne too, but if I tell you that in my whole season I only went over to La Plagne 3 times, it tells you how good Les Arcs is that I didn't feel I needed to!

Le Village is very much a chocolate-box resort. You can ski through the centre of it and, although brand new, it has a real traditional charm to it. There's often little events going on in the village too. The accommodation is high end, hence the increased prices. You can find cheaper accom in Les Arcs, as snowymum, says. Some of it is OK (Hotel du Golf in 1800, La Cachette in 1600 are solid 3 star hotels, unspectacular but nice enough). I don't rate much of the hotel accommodation in 2000 though, Aiguille Rouge in particular is very 70s and orange!

If you fancy the bobsleigh, bear in mind it'll take you just over an hour to get there, and the same back. You could ski over there I guess, but its a hike from the slopes to the bob run. And you'd still have to get back, bobsleigh is only open in the late afternoon / evening, so you couldn't ski back. Worth bearing in mind.

If money isn't an object then you'll have a lovely time in Le Village. If you can forego the 4 star accommodation and go for something lower in quality to save a few quid, then there are still plenty of choices to you. Definitely a great ski area to try, and that's the most important thing.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Completely agree with Dav's description - although it's a little too disney chocolate box for my taste.

Worth noting is that the restaurants, bars etc - although nice are all quite expensive too. The gondala works up to 2000 until about 11ish each evening though, and there are buses to the other Arc resorts, so you aren't too tied to 1950 in the evenings.

One thing to bear in mind if any of you are beginners, is that the beginners slope at 1950 is very small and only really suitable for children. So, beginners either have to get on the gondela to Arc 2000 for lessons or struggle down quite a steep blue to get to the nearest chair.

Les Arc skiing is great though and, wherever you go, I'm sure that you'll have a great time!!

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Hi, thanks for all replies. Was youtub'ing Les Arcs all last night and really want to go now. The wife has promised we would be eating in as restaurants are xpensive (compared to previous resorts we have skiid) (although I am sure she will blag one meal out!) The terrain park and that waterslide thing has sold it for me. If we decide not to go Les Arcs, are there other resorts with that sort of feature? Only been to basic resorts in past (Bulgaria, Lapland and Passo Ton) and they dont offer anything liek that, nor the amount of runs! Really want to go, but need to weigh up cost of it all. Thanks again. If anyone has reviews of the place, please continue to post

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

Jon Ford, the waterslide probably won't be open at the beginning of February; it is a late-season activity. The snow park above Arc 1600 is lots of fun, with a good range of features from little things for freestyle beginners to big kickers, boxes and rails (plus the occasional airbag day) for more experienced freestyle skiers. A new toboggan course opened last season, above Arc 2000, which looks like a lot of fun.

After all it is free

Jon Ford, if you're looking for self-catering in Les Arcs but maybe a bit cheaper than 1950, have a look at the Alpages de Chantel. They're higher end apartments located just above Arc 1800, and there's a free shuttle bus which goes down into resort every 20 minutes. There a 2 different blocks, if you request to be in Alpages 1 there is a bar, restaurant and ski hire shop all on-site. And it's almost slopeside, so pretty much ski-in ski-out.

Getting around Les Arcs is fairly easy, free resort buses run between the villages up until 9.30 - 10.00 at night, so you can still visit 1950 without staying there if you wanted to. Also, Alpages de chantel is right next to the floodlight skiing piste, always a nice touch.

Jon Ford,

I have been to Les Arcs 4 times, I feel the same as Dav, above, the last 2 times I did not get the full Paradiski lift pass as there is so much variety in Les Arcs. I have stopped in the Augille Rouge twice in 2000 and I thought it offered very good value for money with arguably one of the best locations for skiing in Les Arcs. This did give us the opportunity to sample 1950 in the evening, now to be fair both times it was end of Jan so quietish week. The menu's outside the restaurants made me go Shocked

and we had a few beers in the bars and it was like a ghost town. It all feels a bit manufactured if you know what I mean, but I am sure kids would love it during the day.

Les Arcs is my fauvorite French resort out of all the massifs, but I think there are far better value places to stay than 1950. You have even said you will be doing the cooking, you could stop in a reasonable half board hotel/chalet for the price of an apartment in 1950.

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thanks Dav. Will look into. Would love to go Les Arcs as everyone said its great skiing (heard 2011 season was poor snow, but most places had poor snow fall this year) Shame the Waterslide thing wont be open - that would be great (may have to go again a month later!!) Will google the Alpages de Chantel now - thanks again

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Jon Ford, I have an apartment in Alpage du Chantel. Follow the link in my signature if you're interested.

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fair point Kel - prefer to ski than fall on my face water-skiing. Thans for offer rob, but always go with Tour Operator for skiing to make sure I get there!

You know it makes sense.

I have also been to www.skivillaroger.com bit off the beaten track, but far superior and personal than anything s major tour op could offer and you could probably bring it in at the same cost if not if not cheaper.

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

Hi, we stayed in the Radisson owned apartments in 1950, 3/4 years ago - very nice 3 bed duplex apartment for reasonable money. 1950 was good, but nightlife was fairly limited although enough places to go if you are just looking for quiet time. Restaurants were fairly pricey, but not as bad as some places I have seen. Very child friendly resort in that it's pedestrianised. As others here have said, the ski area is amazing - you definitely won't be disappointed with that Smile

It's easy access is a major bonus point. Hope you enjoy the hol wherever you decide.

A snowHead

Jon Ford Mrs MA & I didn't stay in 1950 but thought it was absolutely fantastic when we skied down to it.

Although all of the other Arcs are decent enough in terms of access to the skiing and facilities (though Arc 1600 is rather limited for bars/restaurants), 1950 is in another league for ambience and general niceness. IMO if you don't stay there, you'll wish you had once you see it.

A snowHead

Kel, Do I know you? Should I know you?

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

Guvnor, R u Jonny !! Puzzled

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went there last year and are going back this year loved it

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Jon Ford, don't go to Flaine

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Jon Ford, If you can afford the cost, stay in Arc 1950. I know all the stations well and the ski in / ski out is the best here. But eating out is not cheap. You do have Arc 2000 connected by a gondala until 11pm and there are cheaper options in the higher station 5min away. Plus more bars, clubs, bowling etc. For a family group this is better than Arc 1800. If you want to party then you are still better off in Arc 1800 area.

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cheers all. Booked the 1950 accom yesterday - wish I was going next week though. Ski holidays have suddently become my favourite type over beach hols. Cant wait to go - keep reading about the resort and watching the utube vids over & over. Bring on Feb 2012

After all it is free

pam w,

WOW alltough you did not quote me directly that is copied from my post

I was simply suggesting that the OP was obviouslly on a budget pam w are you a a Jim Davidson fan Laughing

Its 2011 we have to be PC ypu know even on snowHead

's

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Good work Jon, you'll have a great time.

Make sure you pop into George Brown's wine bar; it's best venue in 1950 for a beer / bottle of red, and George is a cracking guy. And also head up to 2000 and pop into Whistlers Dream for a pint or two during Apres, and if you fancy a pizza, that's the place to go.

As for the skiing, you're in an ideal spot to head right up to the top of the Aiguille Rouge and ski all the way down to Villaroger; 2km of vertical descent and a 7km ski down, an absolutely brilliant run. And if you do it on a clear day the views from the top are absolutely spectacular.

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Jon Ford, enjoy your trip. As Dav says, Georges, it is the best place in town - it is the unofficial 'watering hole' of the Owners Association, and since 75% or more of us are British / Irish , you will always find someone in there who knows and loves the resort.

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cheers Dav & Arctic. Will deff pop into there. Is there an easy way to get to the SuperU in St Maurice from 1950? (cheaper than the 1950 Spar) If you have any more tips, send them over. Cant wait now snowHead

You know it makes sense.

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

Jon Ford, how are you travelling to Les Arcs? - If getting the train to BsM then taxi to 1950 then, what we usually do is get them to stop at the Super U on the way and fill up. If driving from airports, then obviously it's easy. If with a TO, then you'll need to buy a few beers in Georges and get someone with a car to give you a lift! - as Kel says, the bus and funicular is possible, but will lose you significant skiing time.

Generally tho, the stuff in the 1950 spar is only eyewatering if you are buying from the "British" counter, or insist on branded OJ or cereals - if you bring your own Pringles plus tonic water, and the gin bottle from the duty free (if via Geneva...) and then get the rest in 1950 sure, you'll be a few quid down, but not enough to make it worth losing slope-time.

quick edit - having popped off with half a post written and then Dav put some stuff in!

2000 is NOT a cheaper supermarket - and certainly not as good quality or choice! The restaurants and ski hire shops OTOH... Laughing

A snowHead

thanks again. I know its over 6months, but Im making notes of it all. Im really xicited about this one. having only been Passo Tonale, Bulgaria and Lapland, its gonna be my first major resort. Already made a list of what to include on the holiday video (work is quiet at the moment!!)
Was thinking going Super U on the saturday, but if xpensive on the Funnicular, I wont bother and hit the spar. We are not bothered about british brands etc. Thanks again for the info - I know its ages away, but really appreciate it (Arctic - Like your comment re: the gin - hope it works the same way with the JD)

A snowHead

Hi all, just registered today so my first scan through the forum. All looks great and very friendly. I am fairly new to sking too having been for the first time two years ago after 25 years of windsurfing! My new girlfriend has skied since she was small and is very proficient (and luckily very patient). The transferrable skills from windsurfing were only fairly limited I found! Anyway have been for four seperate weeks and stayed at the 1950 Village each time. My girlfriend thinks it is one of the best places she has been to and she has been to a few!
I absolutley loved in and am now hooked on skiing. As others say it is not cheap but the accomadation is great and the atmosphere is excellent. Very Christmassy. (I appreciate that I have not much to compare it to).
The ski in/ out is great and I was able to manage the fairly steep ski in from 2000 after a couple of days of lessons. You can always come down from 2000 in the free gondola from the learning area if you want.The ski out to the lifts is very short and can be snow ploughed all the way down to the first lift if necessary. The long blue down to the bottom lift (Cascades?) is a good warm up at the beginning of the day and again I was able to manage it (after a fashion!)after a couple of days when I went the first time.
I thought the skiing generally was great and for a first timer who is keen to progress there was loads of different runs with lots of good challenges.
Having said that I think we are going to La Rosiere this next season in Les Cimes Blanches apartments. Anyone stayed at those?
Looking forward to lots of useful information and tips!
Cheers

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

krisw123, welcome to snowHeads.

I'm sure there are a few regulars here who have been to Les Cimes Blanches in La Ros so hopefully they can comment on their experience. Might be worth starting a new thread in the "resorts" section which will make it easier for La Ros experts to see your question.

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Thanks, will do.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Hi Krisw. Thanks for comments. always nice to hear another positive comment about Les Arcs. Got a feeling we will e going back over th nxt few years. Cant wait now, but 6months to go. Welcome to Snowheads

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Jon Ford, who did you book with in the end?

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Dav, booked through Thomas Cook, who are using Neilson (or Inghams - get confused between those too). I booked via the shop, and not online. Bigged them up and said they were being very helpful etc - managed to get everything for 2 people for £2k. (flights, tranxs, S/C accom, full lift pass inc Plagne and intermediate ski/boots (thats 2 people in a room planned for 4...if there were 4 of us it would work out a lot cheaper but we had to pay the £300 supplement)
The cheapest I could get it for online was with Neilsons for £2300total, so got a saving of £300 by going instore. Havent booked in a store for years, but will always try that first now I know they can beat the internet snowHead

After all it is free

Jon, just to give you some perspective. Last year's Paradiski lift passes were 249 euros, and ski hire if you bought in resort was around 115 euros I think.

cheers Dav. We paid £236 for the lift pass and £95 for the skis & boots, so not a bad deal. Does the paradiski lift pass also give you 1 day in one of the 3valleys (tignes val D'S etc) 2 brochures say it does but hte Thomas Cook one doesnt mention it, just says full access to Plagne for the 6 days. If so, which would u recommend for the day (was thinking Tignes) and how far are they away/are there transfers??
cheers (part of me wishes was february now...but need to make most of the summer and my hols to tenerife in 2 weeks!)

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Jon, there are 3 three different lift pass types. Local pass (Les Arcs), obviously just for just Les Arcs; Discovery (Decouverte) which is Les Arcs plus any one day of your 6 days in La Plagne; and Area pass (Paradiski) which is all 6 days available for Les Arcs and La Plagne. Last year they went up in price from 209 euros, 229 and 249, so it definitely sounds as if you have the Paradiski.

And yes, the Paradiski (and indeed the Decouverte) pass gives you access to one full day in 3 Valleys AND one full day in Tignes/Val d'Isere. Last year the TOs used to run a transfer service over to Tignes. It was run by Crystal, but the other tour ops could get customers on to it, and cost 25 euros each for a lift there and back. You do have to get in there pretty quickly though, it was always extremely popular. You can of course make your own way there and back but with just two of you a taxi is going to be very expensive, and public transport from 1950 would be a real faff (bus, funicular, bus both ways). Transfer time by minibus to Tignes from 1950 is probably about an hour, about an extra half hour to 3 Valleys (depending which resort of course).

Being as you have a full Paradiski pass, its up to you to decide if you fancy spending the extra. I definitely would advise it though, I think Tignes/VdI is an amazing ski area and being as you get a full day out and are driven there and back for 25 euros, its well worth the money.

Help!!

Les Arcs 1950 - anyone been to La Village? Skiing??

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