Les Arcs - where are the very easy blues?

Les Arcs 'gentle blues' are a bit too much for me.

The left-most chair from Arc 1600 is Mont Blanc. It is lovely up there, but far to steep for a beginner. It took me 4 hours to get down. I end up carrying the ski's more than I have them on my feet. :cry:

The lifts are a bit of an issue for me, I find the unloading platforms pretty steep and I'm anxious about getting off.

Funny enough we're going back to Les Arcs this Xmas, for the 3rd year. I'm still a complete novice. :oops:

I emailed the resort as the website states 11 green slopes at Paradiski (but I'll be buggered if I can find them).
I asked if they could point me in the right direction.

The answered was -

Don't be worried. There is 1 slope and 1 lift for beginners on each resort of La Plagne. And then there are a lot of blue slopes .
Which really tells me sod all. :roll:

Pleaseeeeeee can someone point me in the best direction.

We have skied Les Arcs for a number of years and my children all learnt there but we were over at Arcs 1800 and mianly skied there, 2000 and Vallandry. One thing that might be worth a try is to get the bus to 1800 (free with your lift pass) and take the 3 man lift (Carreley) next to the ESF ski garden. Go left to an area which is supposed to be a quiet area (some morons do bomb through it sometimes) and spend some time going up and down there there getting your confidence up. It does get a bit busy at the time when lessons are finishing and can be a bit firm near the bottom if there hasn't been much snow. There is a purple run (sponsored by the Milka chocolate folks)which you can take to avoid the icy bits.

Once you feel more confortable you can take the Villards lift (head right towards the bubble half way station)and take the blue runs (Villards then Plan Bois)over to Vallandry. Take what was called Plan Bois lift up but I think is now called Derby and ski over at Vallandry. The slopes by the Peudreuse restaurant are very learner friendly and you have a handy spot for the odd vin chaud ot two. There is any easy green run (Maitaz) back to 1800 where you can get the bus back to 1600.

You could also get the bus over to 2000 and take the chairs to and do Plan D'Eaux (I think that is its name - but flat and polling sometimes required). Then get the bus back at the end of the day.

Much appreciated, thank you very much. We've hire a car for a few days so getting between resorts will be (for me) easier than taking the Bus. The drivers don't hang about around them roads.
Going to search ski maps now for the runs and lifts you've suggested.

Once again . Thanks

Over at Arc 2000 the blues from the St Jacques lift (slow chair) are more like greens, had 2 total beginners with me last yaer and they were quite happy learning on those for the early part of the week before taking the Bois De L'ours chair and then cruise down the blue 'plan' run back to Arc 2000 later in the week.

Have a great time whatever you do.

Dave

Am trying to look between Paradiski maps and Les Arcs maps.
Paradiski shows names of lifts(but not all lifts)and Les Arcs doesn't give name of runs.

I'm getting there though.

Thanks for your replies. It looks as though this year the skis will be on my feet a bit more than normal (they are usually in my arms.)

Anita

You clearly love skiing but you do not want to repeat the experience of walking down the mountain. One thing that is particularly hard for beginners is to judge the difficulty of a slopes and it can be really frustrating to find yourself on a slope that you feel is beyond you.

I think the best advise I can give you is to take lessons, whether private or ski school. The instructors will work out your capabilities within about 30 seconds and will bring you on slopes that will test you but which will be within your growing capabilities. Just make sure to pay attention to where he/she brings you so you can return to slopes that you enjoyed when you are skiing on your own. I would be very surprised if you did not find this much more enjoyable than trying to muddle through on your own.

Good luck with it. :wink:

Yes you're right its frustrating to find yourself on a slope that you feel is beyond you.
I had a few lessons last year. Falling over or looking daft, I’m not worried about. :oops:
My fear is heights and being close to where there is a drop. Thats not just on skis, thats anywhere.
I think its these fears that cause me to carry the skis so much.

But I'm better than I was a few years ago. Just needed to find a few slopes that are a bit more suitable for me. And thanks to the above, it looks like this year we're sorted!

Can't wait