Les Arcs

Im going to Les Arcs (Arcs 2000), on the 6th Jan for a week.
Has anyone been there this time of year, and whats it like?
Also will the snow be any good at this time of year?

Your comments are welcome!

Ash79

Les Arcs is a superb ski area with top skiing for just about everyone...

Early January is a great time to be there - the slopes will be very quiet and you'll probably find you have runs to yourself quite often.

Usually the snow is good all over, especially on the Aiguille Rouge (over 3,000 metres and some of the best skiing in France IMO), but as we all know the snows are late showing, so far...

Fingers crossed and a couple of big storms in the next three weeks will sort it out - nothing forecast at the moment though. The weather is set to cool considerably so they'll be able to preserve what there is and use the snow cannons effectively.

Top tip for Les Arcs - don't miss the "Tart Huts" in several places on the mountain; mouth-watering slabs of savoury and sweet tarts that are just the job if you don't want to waste valuable skiing time by sitting in a restaurant! 8)

Make sure you pack your thermals, Les Arcs 2000 is north facing and in Jan uary you won't see the sun until about 11.00 and it'll be gone by 15.00 so it can get mighty cold. It's also a blot on the landscape but Les Arcs has IMO the best piste skiing of any mega station in France. Worth skiing down to Villaroger, if there's enough snow, to lunch at La Ferme

Thanks powder and david!
I will make a note of you comments especially the 'Tart Huts and La Ferme'
they sound wonderful, you have both made me look forward to my trip even more now! I can wait!!

Anyone esle who has any other comments to my original post would be greatly appreciated!

By the way, this may sound stupid, Power and Dave, but what does 'IMO' mean? Im still learning this net lingo!

Cheers again guys!!

Ash79 :D

Ash79 wrote: and La Ferme

Ooooh, La Ferme... mmm, well worth the excursion. David is right to mention the runs down to Villaroger - although a bit bleak and cold in January they are always much less crowded as a result, and also hold the snow well.

You'll have this side of the mountain to yourself in early January - and this is where you want to be late on a powder day! Do wrap up well though.

The off-piste is good this side too - but stay out of the Combe des Lanchettes (you may see people traversing skier's right a few hundred metres down from the ridge) - it kills people every year despite the name roughly translating as "gully of the avalanches".

On the way down, stop for a warm-up at Henri's restaurant - but be careful; if you get served a coffee or a chocolat chaud by the proprietor it's likely to get a large shot of Genepi (local fire water and not for the faint-hearted when taken neat) added to it just to help "keep you warm"!

Admin

p.s. IMO = In My Opinion :-)

Have to agree with all that has been said, especially the recommendation for La Ferme and Soliet aka Henri's. Although Henri tends to produce the Genepi in seperate glasses these days.

Also I would highly recommend the Restaurant Aiguille Rouge in Villaroger for lunch.

BTW Admin - when were you last there?

CDP wrote:BTW Admin - when were you last there?

Jan 2005 (was actually staying at David's place in La Ros at the time) - and there were no glasses in sight; straight from the bottle... I had a lovely cup of hot Genepi that smelled vaguely like chocolate - I must learn the French for teetotal !!!

Admin wrote: I must learn the French for teetotal !!!

And while your at it could you look up French for Vegetarian?

We will be in Villaroger w/c 31st March, I have made a note to check how Henri and Michel at La Ferme provide the 'give aways'