Ski holidays in Les Arcs - France

Ski holidays in Les Arcs - Les Arcs ski area is one of the world's largest with one of the biggest verticals and has an excellent variety of terrain. Although the vertical between the top of the Aiguille Rouge and the bottom of Les Arc's own skiing is broken by the need for a lift ascent half way down, it is possible to make a spectacular descent of over 2000m from the same point to the neighbouring village of Villaroger, the lowest point on the circuit at 1200m. The ski area takes in glacier skiing, wooded slopes and above tree-line bowls - in short pretty well all imaginable conditions.

The terrain will suit all levels of skier with Arc 1600 based in thickly wooded terrain, surrounded by largely gentle trails through the trees, and both 1800 and 2000 located at the treeline with wide open sunny slopes above. Beginners can benefit from tuition using the famous ski evolutif graduated ski method. All of the centres have gently sloping meadows directly beside them for the first few runs. Intermediates, as with all 'super ski areas' can perhaps get the maximum enjoyment of all, being able to tackle most of the slopes. Most will even cope with the red down from the imposing Aiguille Rouge, the highest point of the ski area where the cable car broadcasts a recorded announcement (one you're ascending) advising that the terrain is not safe for inexperienced skiers.

Much of the terrain is long fast motorway cruising, although there is more variety than at many comparable resorts.

Experts have plenty to keep them happy including extensive off-piste terrain. The legendary 7km (4.5) mile long black from the top of the Aiguille Rouge down to Villaroger is one of the world's longest and covers the world's biggest vertical for a run of this grading, a full 2000 metres.

Plenty other challenges including mogul runs like the Dou d'Homme. The increasingly frequented off-piste route from La Plagne to Les Arcs is a great excursion returning via the Nancroix forest.

The Vanoise Express cable car, which departs from Peisey Vallandry, takes 200 people at a time (120 on the lower deck, 80 on the upper one) over to La Plagne and the joint Paradiski area in just four minutes. For cross-country skiers there are three 5km long loops, one by each resort.

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