Top tips to get the most out your ski holiday to Les Arcs

With half term now in full swing and lots of our clients already out for their ski holiday to Les Arcs, Louise shares some valuable tips and seasonnaire secrets for the best way to enjoy the slopes!

• The morning sun shines on the runs of Villaroger and the Col de la Chal area of Arc 2000, so, on a sunny day, head to these areas first to enjoy the warmth of the sun and first tracks bathed in sunlight.
• If the clouds close in and the visibility is poor, head for the trees.   The fantastic tree lined runs of Vallandry are well protected from the elements and the trees provide a great contrast in flat light.
• To avoid the queues in the busy weeks, ski through lunchtime (12-2pm).   You will almost have the runs to yourselves, even on the busiest of weeks and you avoid overcrowded restaurants.
• Avoid the ski school start times (9am and 2.30pm in February) on the lifts out of the villages.  Villards in Arc 1800 rarely has queues and is right next to the very popular Transarc.
• Try and include a Saturday in your ski holiday to enjoy empty runs.
• There are free lifts in all of the resorts on a Saturday and Sunday.   They are:  Pierre Blanche in Arc 1600,  Chantel  in Arc 1800 and St Jacques in Arc 2000.  These are great for beginners or to get a few runs in on your first day without spending out on a full day pass.  Beginners can continue to use these lifts after the weekend with a points card.  Each trip will cost 1 point at 3.50€ a point.  Cards can be bought with 1, 5, 10 points for use on any day in your holiday.
• If any lifts have to close in poor weather (usually those giving access to the other side of the mountain), use the buses.  There is a free bus service running every 20 minutes between the resorts giving you easy access to the whole mountain wherever you are staying.  Often it will be completely different weather on the other side of the mountain and you can still access sheltered tree runs even if the linking lifts are closed.