A fine resort in its own right and linked by the world's largest cable car to La Plagne to form Europe’s third largest ski area, the "Paradiski". Only the 3 Valleys and the Portes du Soleil are bigger.

Les Arcs now has 4 main purpose-built centres named according to their height. Arc 1600, (linked to Bourg St Maurice by funicular) was the original resort, but nearby 1800 is the main hub. Both are typical purpose-built developments, but blend well into the tree-lined hillside and are relatively easy on the eye. Further round the mountain are Peisey- Vallandry , rapidly developing and now merged resort bases where the Vanoise Express cable car links Les Arcs with Montchavin- Les Coches, outposts of the huge La Plagne area. Despite being an integral part of the ski area, Peisey-Vallandry are not part of Les Arcs as such and market themselves separately. The remaining two resort centres, 1950 and 2000 are in a different valley. Arc 2000 could at best be described as functional though a number of British-run tour operator chalets have sprung up in recent years and few places are more convenient or snowsure. Just below 2000 is 1950 , the newest and most appealing development, consisting mostly of apartments.

Nightlife is generally low key but 1800 can be lively in high season with plenty of bars - the Red Hot Saloon is the liveliest - and 2 nightclubs as well as daily jazz at the Hotel du Golf . With its rapid development, a choice of bars is now emerging in Vallandry - try The Flying Squirrel - but elsewhere options are still limited, especially in 2000.

The Skiing

Les Arcs offers something for everyone with a huge variety of slopes and, unusually for a high French resort, lots of easily accessible tree skiing. Continued investment in new lifts keeps queuing to a minimum, and moving between the different sectors is straight forward. Experts will be drawn to the Aiguille Rouge with its many blacks, most of which are heavily mogulled. There are also some fabulous off-piste opportunities away from the lifts down towards Villaroger. The whole area is an intermediate's paradise with a choice of wooded runs in Peisey-Vallandry or more open terrain in other sectors, particularly Arc 2000 which often has the best snow. For stronger intermediates the wonderful 7 km descent from the Aiguille Rouge is not to be missed - one of the finest runs in the Alps. Keen skiers will also want to explore the vast La Plagne area, now accessible via the new "Vanoise Express" cable car that links the two domains. Complete beginners will benefit from free lifts in all the main resort centres with the gentlest terrain around Arc 2000.

For a French resort, Les Arc has a excellent choice of mountain restaurants . One favourite is the simple but charming Ferme at the bottom of the long and beautiful descent to Le Pres.