When you plan a trip to Les Arcs, the first question is almost always the same: where should we stay? Les Arcs is not a resort with one single centre, but several villages stacked at different altitudes, each with its own atmosphere. Choosing the right sector really changes your holiday: the way to the slopes, the evenings, how easy it is with children.
At Performance Ski School we teach in the four main sectors (Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000), and our instructor comes to your hotel or apartment. This is how we describe them to our clients.
The ski area in a nutshell
Les Arcs is part of Paradiski, one of the largest ski areas in the world, linked to La Plagne by the Vanoise Express. The ski area stretches from 1,600 to over 3,200 metres. For more detail on each village, you can also read our page on the Les Arcs sectors.
Arc 1600: the historic village
This is the first village built in Les Arcs, at the foot of the funicular that goes straight up from Bourg-Saint-Maurice train station. If you arrive by train, it is the easiest to reach: you do not need a car to get up to the resort.
The atmosphere is friendly and family-oriented, on a human scale. It is a good choice for a relaxed trip, with children, or for a first stay in Les Arcs.
Arc 1800: the biggest and liveliest
This is the largest and most lively village: shops, restaurants, resort entertainment. You can ski "ski-in" across a large part of the area, meaning you start skiing straight from your accommodation.
If you want real resort life in the evening and plenty of choice for eating out, this is the sector to look at first.
Arc 1950: the modern village
Arc 1950 is a modern resort village, designed from the start for ski-in access, with a reinterpreted Savoyard style and contemporary comfort. Its central position in the ski area makes it a handy starting point for reaching the other sectors.
It is often the choice of families and groups who want the comfort and convenience of a recent village.
Arc 2000: closest to the high slopes
This is the highest village in the ski area, right in the middle of the slopes, with immediate access to the highest terrain. It is also the starting point of the legendary Aiguille Rouge descent, one of the biggest skiable vertical drops in Europe, which ends at Villaroger.
If you are a confident skier and want to be as close as possible to the snow and the altitude, Arc 2000 is the obvious choice.
Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger: the authentic side
Two more villages complete the area. Peisey-Vallandry is a traditional Savoyard village, linked to the Les Arcs and La Plagne ski areas through Paradiski: wooden chalets and mountain calm. Villaroger is the wildest and least built-up, at the bottom of the valley. They suit those who prefer quiet to nightlife.
How to choose: four questions
- How are you arriving? By train, Arc 1600 is the simplest thanks to the funicular from the station. By car, every sector is accessible.
- What is your level? Beginner or family with children: choose a village where it is easy to get your skis on and go back. Confident skier: a higher sector brings you closer to the big descents.
- What atmosphere do you want? Lively (Arc 1800), family-friendly (Arc 1600), practical and recent (Arc 1950), high-altitude (Arc 2000), authentic and quiet (Peisey-Vallandry, Villaroger).
- Do you want to move around the ski area? The area is huge: a private lesson is also a good way to discover several sectors with someone who knows the slopes.
And for ski lessons?
Whichever sector you pick, our instructor can meet you where you are: at your hotel, your apartment or straight on the slopes, and the meeting point can even change every day. You will find the details on our private lessons page, and you can book online in a few clicks by choosing your sector.
Still undecided? Get in touch: we are happy to advise you.