Dotted along the Vallée de la Tarentaise are some of the most renowned resorts in the world (Les Trois Vallées with Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens; Paradiski with La Plagne and Les Arcs; and Espace Killy with Tignes and Val-d'Isère), and to an extent all of them can be reached by train, albeit with a taxi or bus transfer for the last leg - with the exception of les Arcs, which you can get to just using the railway. Although you wouldn't go to Les Arcs for traditional Alpine charm, the slopes are pretty good and the resorts not as bad as they are sometimes portrayed. Resorts, for in fact Les Arcs is really five resorts in one, with Bourg at the foot of the area then Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000 above. In 2003 a cable car linked Les Arcs with La Plagne, and the result was to create one of the largest and most impressive ski areas in the world. There is pretty much something for every level of skier and snowboarder here, so make sure you put it on your list of winter sports resorts to get to before you die.
A funicular railway links Arc 1600 to Bourg St Maurice, which is a terminus both for the snow trains and for regular services from Chambery. The funicular lies a few hundred metres beyond the main railway station, next to the shunting yards.
Sky and Rail
The nearest airport to Les Arcs is Chambéry.
Where to Eat and Party in Les Arcs
Try the acclaimed Belliou La Fumee for lunch, below Arc 1950 and opposite the base of the Pré St Esprit chairlift (+33 479 072913). Harder to get to, but well worth the effort, is the fabulous LAncolie near La Plagne (+33 479 079320).
