Les Arcs is made up of seven primarily purpose-built villages which are each very different. For the most part they lack the charm of a traditional alpine village, although Les Arcs 1950 is the exception to that. And they are jam-packed with reasonably priced self-catering apartments meaning it’s possible to have a relatively cheap ski break here. This is our ultimate ski guide to Les Arcs 1950.
Table of Contents
About Les Arcs 1950, France
*AD / This post contains affiliate links and I may also have been compensated or gifted in this post. To read more please see my Disclosure Policy.
Les Arcs 1950 is a very special resort.
It is set out as a classic village where you can easily ski in and out of the hotels, but it is also completely car-free.
Ingeniously there’s a massive car park underneath Les Arcs 1950 meaning you can park up and forget about the cars.
And when you’re visiting with children it’s wonderful not to have to worry about cars coming around the corner.
The village is a little way from the other resorts and all the better for it. It feels somewhat exclusive and filled with families all enjoying great skiing and a really sociable village atmosphere.
On check-in day, Saturday, they bring out the inflatables so that the children can play. And they stay all day so you can have a chance to enjoy them in the early evening too.
What to do in Les Arcs 1950
There are numerous activities both on and off the snow for children. Here are some of our favourites.
Skiing
This is probably why you’re considering a trip to Les Arcs and the skiing here is great.
With easy access to the slopes across all the resorts, there’s excellent skiing for all levels of experience.
The whole Paradiski area regularly is awarded top marks for variety of ski and the layout and lots of good snow reliability.
One great element of staying in Les Arcs 1950 is that you can buy a lift pass to give you access to the 425km of Paradiski slopes.
For kids the ski school, Spirit offers lessons for all ages and all levels of skier.
Our oldest two children took beginner skiing lessons here for two mornings and whilst it felt a little chaotic at the beginning they enjoyed it.
There were 10 children per instructor and whilst it wasn’t the most fun experience in terms of activities, games etc it was very functional. And they picked up the basic skills they needed in order to progress.
It would have helped for them to have done a whole week’s course I think.
Sledging
You can buy or rent sledges from a number of shops in Les Arcs 1950. But it’s also worth asking at your hotel as ours had some that had been left by previous guests that we could borrow.
It was great to pull the children through the resort on the sledges and they loved it.
Once the ski runs close they’re a great spot to take the sledges out for some fun.
Other activities
Many hotels in Les Arcs 1950 have other facilities including saunas and swimming pools which are free to use during the day.
Our hotel had great sauna facilities and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool which was popular with families. This was really wonderful to swim outside when it was snowing.
There’s also a spa in Les Arcs 1950 which we didn’t get to use this time but which offers packages for the whole family.
There’s a really lovely village atmosphere to Les Arcs 1950. Every day you will find there are activities designed to bring the whole village together.
These include free mulled wine, or live music while you toboggan on the lower slopes around the village once the skiing has finished for the day.
It’s also really easy to get down to Les Arcs 1800 from 1950. We took the free shuttle bus down one afternoon (you have to change at 1600) and had a great time in Mille8.
Mille8 is an area with lots of different activities including swimming, finding a massive snowball and tobogganing down a fast and fun route free from skiers. It’s a brilliant area for activities.
Where to eat
Brasserie Le 1950
We had a great meal at Brasserie Le 1950 which is set in to the Radisson Hotel in Les Arcs 1950.
They are happy to adapt the menu meaning I had a great risotto without the French sausage. And the children enjoyed big dishes of pasta and vegetables.
It’s an ideal spot for a more formal meal in a traditional French restaurant.
Melli’s Snacks
Melli’s Snacks is one of the most affordable restaurants in Les Arcs 1950. It serves up frites (€3), crepes (€2.50) and burgers.
Seats are outside on wooden tables.
Self Catering
There’s a great little supermarket in the centre that is really well priced. It has everything you need for a self-catering break here.
There’s also a lovely little patisserie which we may have frequented daily.
Where to stay in Les Arcs 1950
Premium Residence Arc 1950
We loved this hotel with its spacious self-catering apartments and on-site swimming pools.
Pierre & Vacance’s Premier Residence Le Village is the perfect ski home from home.
Find out more at our review of Premium Residence Arc 1950 here.
Getting to Les Arcs 1950
We flew into Geneva Airport and then took a transfer from there to Les Arcs.
You can also take the Eurostar to Bourg-St-Maurice and then get a ride up to Les Arcs 1950, using the local shuttle bus services.
If you drive you can park your car in the underground car park underneath the resort for a charge.
Costs –
Here are some of the costs around town for various activities, services and products to give you an idea (correct as of 2015).
Ski costs:
Kid’s ski hire (skis, helmet & boots) – €9 per half day Kid’s ski lessons – €109 a week for a morning of ski lessons or €49 for a single morning.
In the shop:
6 eggs €3.69 large bag crisps – €2.15 medium ready to cook pizza – €4.35
In the restaurants:
Sugar crepe – €2.50 (Meli’s Snack) Croissant – €0.95 (bakery) Pizza – €12 (Nonna’s Pizzeria)
What my children say about skiing in Les Arcs, France
1. What was your favourite thing about our trip to Les Arcs?
N (8) – Skiing – I liked going on the lift where you have to hold on and it pulls you up the mountain {or very slight hill!} so you can ski down again.
T (6) – I loved going swimming in that indoor and outdoor pool {part of the Pierre & Vacances accommodation we were staying in}.
2. And T, what did you think about the skiing?
T (6) – It was ok but there was a pull along thing you had to hold on to and it pulled you along and then you had to ski and I thought I was going to ski down the mountain by accident. I do think it’s quite amazing that I actually got to ski though.
3. What other activity did you enjoy?
N (8) – I liked going tobogganing {in Mille 8, part of Les Arcs 1800}. I loved when all of the snow was flying in our faces because we were going so fast.
T (6) – I really liked the sledging. I liked going down the mountain when I went on with daddy and we didn’t bump into anyone even though we went really fast, it was really fun.
4. Did you prefer Les Arcs 1950 or Les Arcs 1800?
N (8) – I preferred 1800 because they had a giant snowball and lots of different slopes. There was lots more going on there.
T (6) – I liked the top bit {Les Arcs 1950} because I liked the swimming pool. And it was easier to walk all around.
5. What did you think of our accommodation? (we stayed in a Pierre & Vacances apartment in Les Arcs 1950)
N (8) – I loved the swimming pool there. And I like the apartment as there was lots of space to relax.
T (6) – It was really good, the beds were really comfortable and I liked the little kitchen.
6. Would you like to stay in that apartment again?
N (8) – Yes, definitely, I really want to go back there.
T (6) Yes – and then I can go to the pool again too.
7. Was there anything you didn’t enjoy about the trip?
N (8) – No. Apart from getting there as it took ages.
T (6) – I did like the skiing a bit but I didn’t like it when I thought I might ski down the mountain.
8. What would you say to other children going to Les Arcs for the first time?
N (8) – I would say make sure you go sledging as well as skiing. It’s really good fun and at the end of the day you can sledge down the hills where the skiiers go.
T (6) – I would say there’s a skiing place there and there’s a really nice hotel where you can get a sledge. You’ll have really good fun.
9. Would you like to go skiing again?
N (8) – Yes and I’d like to go back to Les Arcs to go skiing. I really enjoyed it and want to go again. I would really like to go skiing for the whole week because I think then you get a certificate.
T (6) – Yes, I’d give it a try. Read more about our ski trip to Les Arcs here or check out our ultimate guide to skiing with kids here.
Watch our video below about our time in Les Arcs
Please let us know if there’s anywhere we’re missing that we can add to this review. Or if our reviews help your plans. We love to hear from you.
I always say i want to go skiing with the family but we never get to the point where we book it. My husband went for a week with his friends just before we got married for a “boys only” holiday and i was mega jealous and grumpy that i got left behind! Those hills covered in snow are so dreamy! It looks like a perfect place for a holiday x
Oh this place looks absolutely gorgeous – I want to go! We have an indoor ski slope here in MK and I’m dying to get my kids learning so I can take them x
I’m not a skier but this place looks amazing. Love the sound of the car free aspect too!
I haven’t been skiing for years and I’d absolutely love to take my husband some day…this resort looks awesome! x
Ah I so badly want to go skiing! I haven’t been for years but loved it when I was growing up, we used to go every Xmas. It’s on my list of holidays when Tiger is a bit older, will check this place out! x
We definitely want to go on a family holiday skiing at some point. This place sounds perfect for children. The inflatables on check-in day are a nice touch.
This looks amazing and I love how it is car free for kids. It does look like the perfect place to have a beginners skiing holiday. X
I’ve never been skiing but your posts are wanting me to take wild when he is a little older. I also love things like that car service to take the stress off arriving at your holiday. We did something similar last time we flew and I think it’s the way to go! x