There’s something about proper, powdery snow. Not the kind we get in the UK where it’s exciting for a day before turning to slush. But the brilliant, thick snow and the sunshine and bright days that accompany it. And that’s certainly what you get in the Paradiski region of the Alps. We took a ski trip to Les Arcs 1950 with kids, France to find out everything the area had to offer.
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About Les Arcs 1950
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We stayed in Les Arcs 1950 which is a really pretty Alpine-style village. It looks like it’s been around for decades but was actually only built in 2003.
The village is constructed around a central square where three streets meet and everything is easy to wander to. Whether you’re visiting the hotels or the cafes, restaurants, boulangerie and ski slopes.
How we found our ski trip to Les Arcs
The children loved playing in the snow wherever we went. And the grown-ups loved the sociable atmosphere in the centre.
Here, some nights mulled wine is served for free, and families can toboggan on the slopes as the sun sets, once the skiing has finished for the day.
It’s car-free so perfect for a walk about without worrying about where little ones wander. Except for looking out for skiers coming around the corner.
It felt like such a lovely, accessible and friendly little town and great for first-time skiers as well as the more experienced.
We loved the views from Les Arcs, looking down over the majestic and formidable Mont Blanc.
Where we stayed on our ski trip to Les Arcs
We stayed in a wonderful Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Le Village Les Arcs 1950 apartment which had all the space and warmth to relax at the end of a day on the snow.
We loved the views over the mountains from all the rooms.
I couldn’t resist popping down to the little Patisserie to pick up French pastries each morning for breakfast.
So delicious and a great way to start the day by eating a few croissants and looking out at the Alps from our lounge.
Skiing in Les Arcs
Of course the main reason to be here is to ski and enjoy the snow, and our children took ski lessons at the Spirit ski school. The children enjoyed these but they probably would have benefited from a full week there rather than a couple of lessons.
I think when you’re starting off skiing it helps to have a good week of lessons.
Other activities
We also took a trip down to Les Arcs 1800 and the brilliant area of Mille 8 where we ascended in the cable car and tobogganed our way down in the endless sunshine.
We swam in pools at the centre of the ski runs, with amazing views over the mountains.
And created giant snowballs (ok, so maybe this was one they made earlier).
We loved our trip to Les Arcs and my eight-year-old has already asked if we can return every year.
Our days of mountain air and snowy surroundings in Paradiski were reviving and invigorating.
Skiing is a world we are relatively new to and I can honestly say that Les Arcs is a wonderfully welcoming spot for families.
We made a video of our trip to Les Arcs and don’t forget to check out our bumper post on skiing with kids including lots more resort reviews, tips and trip reports.
A video off our ski trip to Les Arcs
Lucky you having such good weather, there’s nothing like a successful ski trip.
It looks like a great place for a family ski trip – and that giant snowball is amazing!
Lovely photos, the French Alps look so beautiful! I have never been skiing, knowing my luck I will probably break my leg 🙂
Oh that looks like a fab place. We have never been on a family ski trip!
This looks great – this has been the only thing I’ve read that has made me quite fancy a skiing trip!
I’d love to take my family skiing – I used to work in a ski resort. Love the pools that overlook the slopes.
That goes to the top of our family winter list!
In the video: were those black bit on the piste rocks sticking through? And did you have a fall at the end of the run?
Hehe that snowball picture is brilliant! I wish we got snow like that here.
Now I would love this but the wife hates snow!
I have always wanted to learn to ski .. however i am so uncoordinated i would probably end up in A&E .. is it acceptable to go to this resort and just enjoy the stunning scenery?
We’ve been to Les Arcs too! Before children, though. It’s good to know it’s a good place for families too – maybe we’ll make it there one year.
I love snow but I’ve never had the urge to go skiing. It looks lovely there 🙂
What a beautiful resort, such a lovely photos – stunning views. And OMG at that snowball!!!!
that looks amazing , wish I could ski
It looks absolutely serene, but I really really hate snow x
What a beautiful looking place, I can’t believe how blue the sky looks in some of the pictures. x
I really want to take ours skiing, hopefully next year. I love it myself although its been a very long time since I did it
I have never wanted to go anywhere cold for a holiday! But this sounds amazing & the photos too. Perfect – Added to my holiday bucket list.
Thanks for sharing hun
Charlotte x
It looks wonderful. I miss white winters and fun in the snow.
Simply stunning pics. Now THAT is some snowball!
I really miss skiing and can’t wait to take my girls one day but we are restricted to school holidays and therefore it’s so much more difficult to organise. A fabulous result and an awesome snowball!
I would totally love to learn to Ski, however i tend to be very clumsy and uncoordinated so fear i would spend more time in A&E than on the slopes .. however that pool could have my name on it! .. gorgeous!
This place looks like a great place to take family skiing. I am after our next ski destination, will definitely pop this on my list!
wow what an experience would love to travel to places like this and try their foods and different way of living x
Seriously loving all these pics! What a perfect place to bring the kids. Just like a storybook town! Added to bucketlist! I’ll get the Little to see this too and see what he thinks xx
Thanks Christa – it’s a great place for kids and such beautiful scenery. You can’t beat the Alps in the snow 🙂 x
Looks like a great place to travel to. The croissants looked amazing too 😉
I love skiing – we go a lot so have blogged a fair bit about it. Never been to Les Arcs though. The village looks lovely and that swimming pool awesome!! What a fab trip. So glad your children enjoyed it too. It’s such a great family activity to do #globalkids