Discover the latest Les Arcs snow conditions So it’s nearing the end of the winter season in Les Arcs – and what a fantastic season it’s been! Christmas and New Year delivered major snowfall, setting us up for a brilliant holiday season that carried through into January. Regular snowfalls followed, culminating in a huge dump at the end of the month, making for incredible conditions during the school half-term holidays. Despite some warmer spells at the start of March, the snow held up well on the lower slopes and up high it has been fabulous throughout. We have received frequent snow top-ups, ensuring excellent skiing right through to now and it looks like the last few weeks of the season are going to be great. The next few days look like a mix of weather conditions. It’s currently snowing hard over 1,500m and is due to continue snowing all day. Since yesterday and through today, it looks like we'll have well over 1 metre of fresh snow! It’s feeling cooler with a snow line down at 2,000 to 2,500 metres from Friday. You will likely find fresh powder above these heights. This current heavy snowfall is due to a retour d’Est; an easterly flow that typically only occurs once to three times per winter. It happens when a low-pressure system deepens over the Gulf of Genoa, creating a disturbance that draws moist air from the Mediterranean. This air is pulled in from the east by strong, counter-clockwise winds and is pushed up over the mountains. As it rises, it cools quickly and releases significant snowfall, as is happening now! The sun will break through for a time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday giving some sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures to ski on all that fresh snow for a great Easter holiday weekend. There will be a light to gentle breeze and you can expect fabulous spring skiing conditions.  Check out the Easter events and end-of-season parties coming up in the next couple of weeks on the slopes and in town. There are many exciting events to look forward to this summer in Les Arcs, check out our events calendar for more details.Summer is a fabulous time to be in the mountains for hiking, biking, climbing and relaxing. White water rafting, lake swimming and much more. Check our website for ideas and where to stay. If you head to the bottom of this page, you can see live forecasts, lift status, links to webcams and above for real time photos from Les Arcs. Beginning again next winter season we will be updating this snow report page every Thursday, so check back in with us to see how the pistes are doing and what you can expect from the snow forecast each week. If you are in Les Arcs during the year, remember to tag us in your social posts #SeeLes Arcs so we can share your pics! SeeLesArcs.com is a SeeTheWorld destination Resorts have been shut with transport severely affected. The weather is now clearing with resorts opening some slopes. UPDATED The authorities are urging caution as a 27-year-old British man died in Val Thorens in France on Thursday after being swept away by an avalanche was at the side of a road at the lower side of the town when he was struck by the avalanche that carried him 15m down the slope He was taken to hospital in Grenoble with cardiorespiratory failure “Our thoughts are with the family,” said the mayor of the commune of Belleville that’s the first thing that comes to mind “It happened in rather exceptional weather conditions “Proceedings are now underway to determine the more precise circumstances of the accident.” A spokesperson for the UK’s foreign office said: “We supporting the family of a British man who died in France and are in contact with the local authorities.” The clear up is now underway across the areas in the western Alps affected by the recent snowstorm and some slopes are opening to skiers and snowboarders Here was the picture in Les Arcs in France first thing on Friday morning as the sun returned And once the lifts opened the slopes were near perfect though there is risk of avalanche off piste and the authorities are urging people to stay to the marked runs The risk of avalanche is at Level 4 in Les Arcs and many other ski areas in France meaning there is a “high” chance of avalanches “Conditions are great on piste in Les Arcs after all-night grooming,” said PlanetSKI reader, Richard Sinclair, from SNO “All lower and mid station lifts and trails are open with just a few at the top expected to open later “Avalanche risk has reduced from level 5 to  level 4 and blasting can be heard as ski patrol continues to scythe higher areas and ridge line between Arcs 2000 and Peisey Vallandry then back out in the hope the top lifts to Aiguille Rouge and Grand Col open after lunch.” It’s a similar scene in neighbouring La Plagne “Due to the unprecedented amount of snow the lifts are just opening in Mont Chavin,” said PlanetSKI reader “There was a lot of blasting this morning plus we heard helicopters overhead where they were checking the power cables “Several trees had fallen and until the all clear was given skiers waited patiently to grab their turns.” There have been record-breaking amounts of April snow with more than 2m falling in places Tignes in France was cut off at the height of the storm with people urged to stay indoors Hence the huge lift queue as seen at Palafour lift in Tignes in Le Lac The Swiss resort of Zermatt was at the heart of the storm and it’s rail and road links have been closed with power cuts in the town Here is the updated situation on Friday morning from the resort where things are far from back to normal: •⁠ ⁠The Visp – Zermatt railway line will remain safely closed until 3.00 pm On site •⁠ ⁠Stay at home despite the good weather •⁠ ⁠The facilities of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG and the Gornergrat Bahn will remain closed today Power/Electricty •⁠ ⁠The power supply remains interrupted until further notice the EWZ will temporarily switch to island operation on a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood basis as long as power is available then west side of the village towards Zermatterhof Each accommodation should be connected to the power supply for at least two hours Please observe the rules of behaviour described this island operation can be maintained for a longer period of time Coop and Denner have been open since 8.00 am •⁠ ⁠The Zermatt Tourism emergency meeting point has been in operation since 8.00 a.m. the emergency meeting point in the Triftbachhalle since 9.00 a.m and the emergency meeting point of the municipality is open 24 hours a day mobile phones can be charged in the Triftbachhalle in the same way as yesterday Please bring your own battery-powered device Hot water will also be available in the Triftbachhalle from 9.00 am Please bring your own container/thermos flask Wiesti) will be taken up during the day on a neighbourhood basis to ensure waste disposal •⁠ ⁠Older people are welcome to go to the old people’s home •⁠ ⁠A food bank will again be set up in the Triftbachhalle this evening between 18.00 and 20.00 •⁠ ⁠The ATMs at Migros and Denner are in operation The information from Zermatt was sent to us by PlanetSKI reader, Ed Mannix from Matterhorn Chalets. “The sun is out and it’s looking beautiful again in Zermatt,” said Ed The Swiss resort of Verbier saw more than 1m fall And here’s a time-lapse video of the 1m falling A post shared by Guidezone (@guidezone.co) Looks like Christmas but it’s 18th April! Beautiful conditions in Switzerland’s 4 Vallées resorts pic.twitter.com/L0tQThAoS3 — Valais Dude (@ValaisDude) April 18, 2025 There remains a ‘high’ risk of avalanche in parts of the Swiss Alps with a ‘considerable’ risk’ in many of the other ski areas in the country Image c/o Swiss Institute for Snow & Avalanche Research At lower altitudes there has been torrential rain with flooding Power outages were reported in 37 of the 74 municipalities in the Aosta Valley in Italy The heavy rain in north-west Italy saw rivers burst their banks A 92-year-old man has drowned after flooding in his home at Monteu da Po near Turin For skiers and snowboarders there should be some superb Easter snow conditions in resorts over the weekend Parts of some resorts will be closed due to the danger of avalanche access roads will need to be cleared and made safe while some Easter ski events have been hit The Mega Bell Course event in La Plagne has been cancelled a massive snowfall completely disrupted our organization forcing us to make a difficult decision: cancel the Mega Bell Course,” said La Plagne receiving so much snow might seem like a godsend especially given the sunshine forecast for Saturday we’re facing such a massive snowfall in less than 24 hours that the ski area had to be closed today and until further notice this exceptional situation for mid-April deprives us of the logistical conditions to prepare and shape the events safely with the forecast thaw and heavy snow in many areas the priority will remain securing the ski area.” In Chamonix the Aiguille du Midi cable car will open “We would like to draw the attention of off-piste skiers to the exceptional conditions in the high mountains: over 2 meters of snow with a high snowpack density and an avalanche risk estimated at 4/5,” said the resort “Skiers will not be allowed on the Aiguille du Midi for their own safety.” and visitors must therefore respect the slopes that may be closed and use marked and secured trails,” said Les2Alpes The transport system in Switzerland and northern Italy has been severely impacted Rail traffic across the region ground to a halt on Zermatt was cut off with power cuts as we reported earlier “We’ve never experienced anything like yesterday and tonight,” said one visitor to Zermatt on social media on Thursday “We’ve been without electricity since last night “Things we take for granted are suddenly a luxury.” The Eurocity rail connection from Switzerland to Milan was suspended after flooding on the Italian side with no public transport links between the Valais and northern Italy Authorities in Ticino in Italy closed the road into the Bavona Valley while several other mountain passes and local roads were impassable due to snow — Mürren Lover (@Murrenlover) April 17, 2025 Back in France here’s the forecast in the Val d’Isere area from Henry’s Avalanche Talk: SUN 20th: A brief spell of snow flurries down to 1800 m in the morning MON 21st & TUES 22nd: Cloudy and cool for the time of year It is one of the biggest late-season storms in recent years with well over 1.5m in places and the snow is still coming down It looks like it will turn out to be the biggest snowstorm of the season Zermatt in Switzerland has been at the heart of the storm – it remains closed and cut off to the outside world with rail and road links shut PlanetSKI reader, Ed Mannix from Matterhorn Chalets has sent us the following official update from the Swiss resort on Thursday: There will be no electricity until further notice The next situation assessment will take place on Friday at 8:00 AM Access to Zermatt via road and rail is currently not possible Please inform arriving guests not to travel for the time being Departing guests should not be sent to the train station The road between Zermatt and Täsch remains closed The next situation assessment is scheduled for Friday at 8:00 AM Authorities are in contact with the local energy providers The train line between Visp and Zermatt will remain closed for the rest of the day The next situation update will be Friday at 8:00 AM The avalanche danger level is currently 4+ The following 18 hotels will gradually be connected to emergency power: We kindly ask these 18 establishments to show solidarity and also provide meals or hospitality to external guests street lighting around transformer stations in the village will remain on overnight The Zermatt Tourism Info Point is open today until 6:00 PM The municipal Info Point is open until 8:00 PM today 1,000 portions of vegetable soup with bread will be distributed to residents in the Triftbachhalle By the time the storm passes it is forecast up to 2m may have fallen in many places 2m has already fallen above Chamonix in France “Following the snowfall of the last few hours we are currently measuring more than 2 meters of heavy snow at the summit of the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 m,” said a statement from the resort on Thursday afternoon “Given the dangerous nature of the snowpack in the high mountains in consultation with the municipality of Chamonix to open the Aiguille du Midi cable car to pedestrians only in order to significantly reduce the risk of accidents on the Vallée Blanche route “Skiers will not be allowed on the Aiguille du Midi for their own safety.” The Simplon Pass and Grand St-Bernard Pass that link Switzerland and Italy have been shut in both directions due to deep snow There are multiple road and rail closures in parts of Switzerland and people are being advised to stay at home The high altitude resort of Tignes in France has seen some of the largest falls with the resort closed and access roads shut In Tignes people are now being told to stay indoors There is a Level 5 risk of avalanche (Very High) in some French resorts where the storm has hit In Switzerland many areas have a Level 4 risk (High) Image c/o Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research Zermatt and Saas-Fee have seen some of the largest falls In Zermatt more than 1m has fallen at the village level The images have been sent to us from Ed Mannix at Matterhorn Chalets The access railway line to Zermatt has been closed with some power cuts The electricity went back on at 14.55 though is now off again for many There are similar conditions across large parts of the western Alps is on her way to La Plagne and reports that some roads are closed with fallen trees blocking access and others are threatening to do so,” said a statement from La Plagne traffic is currently very dangerous and we recommend that you temporarily postpone all your travels.” In AIME 2000 there is a  travel ban on public and private roads The heavy snow has led to the cancellation this weekend of the Mega Bell Course event in La Plagne forcing us to make a difficult decision: cancel the Mega Bell Course “The teams’ priority remains securing the ski area and access points temporarily cut off by falling trees,” added the resort “This potentially historic storm is a highly complex one an amalgam of disturbances of both Atlantic and Mediterranean origin,” said Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk “It is broadly affecting the western Alps with some hotspots seeing exceptional and potentially even record-breaking snowfalls “One such area is the far south-east of the French Savoie where 48-hour snowfall totals (at high altitude) could be in the 1.5m to 2m range (or potentially more) in the likes of Val Cenis Bonneval-sur-Arc and Val d’Isère (Pisaillas side) “Other hotspots include high border areas between Zermatt and the Simplon Pass the risk of avalanche has become critical in these areas – already at 5/5 this morning in Val d’Isère where the entire ski area is closed at the time of writing with schools also closed and the road to Bourg-Saint-Maurice temporarily cut off but more generally in the western Italian Alps the further north and east you are in the Alps with much of Austria and eastern Switzerland staying mostly dry.” Some are already talking of it being one of the largest storms in recent memory — Valais Dude (@ValaisDude) April 17, 2025 The weather  is set to clear for the Easter weekend when there should be some stunning conditions “After a relatively poor snow season the N French Alps (along the Italian border) the W Italian Alps and parts of the W Swiss Alps are currently receiving record-breaking amounts of fresh snow!” said Henry Schniewind from Henry’s Avalanche Talk Once the lifts re-open the authorities are urging extreme caution off piste Here is a statement from the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research: “We urge everyone to exercise the utmost caution: everyone’s responsibility is essential to avoid tragedies.” It’s been dry and warm for much of April A pair of spring storms are bringing fresh snow to parts of the Alps this week Some are predicting it may be the biggest snowfall of the season Zermatt and Saas-Fee in Switzerland are forecast to do well with the Swiss resort of Verbier also seeing some decent falls The Italian resort of Cervinia and the resorts in the Monte Rosa region are now seeing significant snowfall There is already a Level 4 risk of avalanche in parts of the Swiss Alps This is the warning from The Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research from Wednesday Image c/o The Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research Val d’Isere and Chamonix in France are also experiencing heavy falls of snow “Quite a lot of snow in Tignes this afternoon with more expected tonight and tomorrow,” said David on Wednesday PlanetSKI will be in La Plagne this weekend and we’ll be updating you on the snow in the Paradiski area We will also have a reporter in neighbouring Les Arcs who will keep us updated Those skiing this Easter weekend at the high-altitude resorts should be in for a late season treat At lower altitudes rain will fall and there will be risk of flooding The first storm has already arrived and another storm is then due towards the end of the week “This storm will be a highly complex amalgam of disturbances of both Atlantic and Mediterranean origin,” said Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk. “It will broadly hit the western Italian Alps hardest but with intense precipitation spilling over certain border areas especially into the Zermatt/Saas-Fee regions in Switzerland but also affecting French ski resorts near the border from Isola 2000 all the way up to Val Cenis and Val d’Isère/Tignes “The rain/snow limit will be highly variable generally starting above 2000m but falling to 1500m or lower under the more intense precipitation “At altitude the risk of avalanche will become critical in some of the areas mentioned above with the risk of flooding and landslides increasing lower down the less precipitation there will be.” It has been quiet on the slopes in recent days in resorts across the Alps with Easter falling late this year — Valais Dude (@ValaisDude) April 14, 2025 The Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research reports that the winter of 2024/25 ranks among the ten mildest winters since measurements began in 1864 And lets not forget Andorra in the Pyrenees that has also seen some fresh snow: Do check back for the latest as we track the snowfall… money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site For the Spirit of the Mountains – PlanetSKI: Number One for ski news Content copyright © 2025, PlanetSKI Ltd. | Privacy policy | Terms & Conditions He was reportedly standing still at the time of the collision and suffered a broken leg before being transported from the slopes to a local hospital which may have been triggered by a snowboarder above After an emergency response that included dog teams and members of the gendarmerie the young skier was airlifted to a hospital The rest of the boy’s family was unharmed From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers A festive day of skiing turned to heartbreak in Les Arcs on Christmas Day when a 14-year-old boy lost his life in an off-piste avalanche The tragedy unfolded in the Aiguille Rouge sector near Arc 2000 a part of the renowned ski resort in the Savoie region the family of French vacationers was skiing off the marked trails when the avalanche struck in the early afternoon who was not wearing an avalanche transceiver A local ski instructor spotted the avalanche and alerted emergency services including ski patrollers and two avalanche dog units rescuers located the teenager by spotting his skis A helicopter from the High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM) Despite more than an hour of resuscitation efforts the boy was pronounced dead shortly after 5 p.m The avalanche danger in Les Arcs was classified as a risk level of 3 out of 5 on the European avalanche danger scale the avalanche risk in Les Arcs was at level 4 It is believed that the avalanche was triggered by a skier uphill above the area where the family was skiing received support from high-mountain rescue teams and were later directed to a psychological assistance unit is one of Europe’s premier ski destinations The resort features over 260 miles of interconnected slopes which descends more than 6,500 feet to the village of Villaroger but the allure of its off-piste areas can pose significant risks particularly when avalanche danger is moderate to high Statistics highlight the hazards associated with off-piste skiing avalanches cause an average of 30 fatalities per year with most incidents occurring in areas rated at risk levels 3 or 4 Experts urge skiers to equip themselves with essential safety gear and to check daily avalanche bulletins before venturing off marked trails repeatedly issued warnings after the recent snowfalls to stay on groomed and marked slopes stressing that the snow cover was unstable and warning that slab avalanches were likely as the fresh snow had not bonded with the underlying ground Many European ski resorts have seen around 1 meter (3 feet) of snow in the days leading up to Christmas By 2024-12-03T09:59:00+00:00 and Ivan Ostrochovský’s The Spring are among 13 feature projects in post-production selected for the 2024 Les Arcs Film Festival Work in Progress session The strand is designed to help the films find international sales agents The projects will be presented to industry professionals on Sunday December 15 as part of the Industry Village (December 14-17) at the 16th edition of the festival (December 14-21) Kosovo-born German filmmaker Visar Morina will pitch his third feature Hatixhe And Shaban about a family living in a village in rural Kosovo who lose their farm and are forced to move to the city to earn a living. Morina’s Babai (Father) won best director at Karlovy Vary in 2015 and his 2020 follow-up Exil won the Heart of Sarajevo for best film at Sarajevo. Hatixhe And Shaban is produced by Morina’s company Vicky Bane Marakova’s second feature is set in the spring of 1981 and follows the titular Perla a painter who has to return to communist Czechoslovakia to settle an old debt It is produced by Austria’s Golden Girls Film and Slovakia’s Hailstone following Ukraine War hybrid drama-documentary Photophobia which won the Europa Cinemas Label award after its Venice Days premiere The duo previously directed Berlin award-winning Velvet Terrorists with Peter Kerekes in 2013 As part of a 2024 festival-wide focus on Iceland Ugla Hauksdottir’s The Fires will screen out of competition The debut feature centres on a volcanologist caught between a love affair that may destroy her family and an eruption that threatens the capital city It is produced by Iceland’s Netop Film and Poland’s Madants and Bankside Films is handling international sales The Work in Progress selection committee received 151 project submissions The proportion is reflected in the final selection that includes four films directed by women and nine from male directors The projects in competition will vie for three awards including the €10,000 TitraFilm award for image the €6,000 Alphapanda audience engagement award for digital film marketing and the €10,000 22D music award for score composition The festival’s Revelation female film composer award launched with Sacem and the Lab Femmes du Cinema in 2022 will go to Audrey Ismaël whose credits include Agathe Riedinger’s Cannes Competition feature Wild Diamond and Julien Colonna’s Un Certain Regard first feature The Kingdom A Light That Never Goes Out* (Fin-Nor)Dir: Lauri-Matti ParppeiProd co: Made Arru* (Nor-Swe-Fin)Dir: Elle Sofe SaraProd co: STÆR A Second Life (Fr)Dir: Laurent SlamaProd co: 21Juin Cinema  First Zone* (Neth)Dir: Thom LunshofProd co: Makaki Productions  A Youth In The Backland* (Fr-Ger-Switz)Dir: Maxence VoiseuxProd co: Alter Ego Production Hatixhe And Shaban (Ger-Kos-Slo-Alb-N.Mac-Bel)Dir: Visar MorinaProd co: Vicky Bane Perla* (Aus-Slo)Dir: Alexandra MakarováProd co: Golden Girls Film Reedland* (Neth-Bel)Dir: Sven BresserProd co: Viking Film Strange River* (Sp-Ger)Dir: Jaume Claret MuxartProd co: ZuZú Cinema Solomamma* (Nor-Den-Lett-Lith-Fin)Dir: Janicke AskevoldProd co: Bacon Pictures Oslo The Boy With The Light Blue Eyes* (Greece-Cyp-Mac-Cro-Ser-Rom-US)Dir: Thanasis NeofotistosProd co: Argonauts Productions S.A. The Spring* (Slo-Czech-Hun)Dir: Ivan OstrochovskyProd co: Punkchart films The Fires (Ice-Pol)Dir: Ugla HauksdottirProd co: Netop Film Kosovan story ‘Hatixhe And Shaban’ and Germany’s ‘Babette’ draw praise Floor Van der Meulen’s ‘Happy Days’ received the Eurimages Co-production Development Award EXCLUSIVE: Film shoots in Dublin and Dundalk this summer Oscar winner proposing federal tax incentives ‘Ish’ and ‘Learning To Breathe Under Water’ will also feature Screen International is the essential resource for the international film industry access to the Screen International archive and supplements including Stars of Tomorrow and World of Locations Site powered by Webvision Cloud The main draw for people coming to Les Arcs in winter is there’s a whole host of other activities to do in Les Arcs in the summer.  Whether you're just looking for something to do when the lifts close or you simply don't ski we promise you you'll have no time to get bored here Les Arcs is an outdoor activities paradise The Alpine town and its surrounding mountains offer hundreds of things to do for every ability and every age Some activities are perfect for solo travellers while others are more suited to romantic couples Families and groups will also find a wide range of things to do in Les Arcs from outdoor fun to bad weather indoor activities there is something for everyone in Les Arcs Below are our three favourite activities in Les Arcs but there are plenty more to choose from Check out the selection of things to do below for some holiday inspiration – you'll see that there are plenty of alternatives to skiing and snowboarding in Les Arcs Skiing and snowboarding are probably the most popular activities in the Paradiski downhill skiing and snowboarding only – there's a whole host of activities that involve boards strapped onto your feet including ski touring and split boarding There's much more than just skiing and snowboarding in Les Arcs in the winter The Paradiski mountains are the perfect setting to go snowshoeing and husky dog sledging whilst the ice skating rinks in Les Arcs town centre will keep the whole family entertained The Paradiski trails and bike parks attract hundreds of enduro and downhill biking aficionados every summer Almost 180km of trails meander through lush forests to reach stunning mountaintops with breathtaking views.  the Paradiski pistes turn into meadows and deep-forested trails to explore on foot From easy valley strolls to gruelling trail running ascents and descents everyone can explore the Les Arcs valley's beautiful sunny landscapes Les Arcs is a great place to go rock climbing for both beginners and experienced climbers Experienced climbers can tackle the mountain side rock and enjoy the fantastic views (just make sure you have all the right gear and safety equipment) For beginners there are a number of adventure companies or mountain guides who can take you out on your first climb and show you the 'ropes' Learn all the techniques and skills in the safe hands of a well-trained mountain guide Climbing is also a great activity for all the family just check with the guide beforehand what their minimum age is If climbing up sheer rock on the end of a piece of rope sounds a bit scary then Via Ferrata climbing offers an element of security that still allows beginners to enjoy the achievement of having scaled a mountain This form of climbing was invented by Italian soldiers in the Dolomites who used it to enable them to scale vertiginous faces easily and quickly These days it is a popular sport that makes the thrill of mountain climbing more accessible to children beginners and those who want a bit more security when they climb Following marked routes through the mountains you are helped along by steps bridges and ladders whilst being roped up for extra safety Suitable for adults and children over the age of eight guides can be arranged on request and there are a number of adventure companies who can organise your Via Ferrata experience The area of Les Arcs is perfect for a relaxed day out You can visit one of the "alpages" or high mountain pastures and learn how they make the famous Alpine cheeses An artisan and local produce market takes place every Wednesday at Bourg St Maurice during the summer There is a traditional Saturday market selling local produce all year round There is a museum dedicated to minerals in Bourg St Maurice where you can learn about the ancient profession of "cristallier".  The Maison de la Pomme in the small village of Chal-Hauteville-Gondon shows the importance of the humble apple in the local economy.  You can also visit the coffee roasting workshop "L'Or Vert" in Bourg St Maurice or a dairy specialised in Gruyère cheese in the Colombières area with varying terrain and fantastic views it is perfect for mountain biking enthusiasts of all levels Whether you enjoy a leisurely cycle around some of the lower level trails or a day's hardcore downhill mountain is more your ‘thang’ Les Arcs definitely has something to suit all tastes mountain biking is called VTT (Vélo Tout-Terrain!) Riding in the Alps is much more demanding than your favourite local route back in the UK To gain the most from your riding in the area it goes without saying you need to have a reasonable level of fitness You do not need to be a super man or woman but the ability to ride comfortably for up to three to four hours in the UK should see you enjoy the mountain routes but with its super-wide wheels it's at home on the snow as much as on the beach there are now electric fat bikes with in-built motors which make the experience a whole lot easier There are numerous lakes and rivers around Les Arcs where you can fish From natural lakes to the beautiful reservoir of Arc 2000 you must ensure that you have the correct fishing permit and are aware of the local fishing regulations There is a gym in Bourg St Maurice with a wide range of fitness classes and another one in the Aquatic Centre in Arc 1800 A number of hotels also have their own facilities to keep you trim while you're on holiday Whether you like to take a dip indoors or outdoors you'll be able to find somewhere to go for a swim in Les Arcs lots of chalets and apartments have their own swimming facilities however there are also municipal swimming baths that you can visit which often come free with your lift pass purchase.  Mille 8 in Arc 1800 has a large aquatic and fitness centre where you can go for a swim either indoors or outdoors water-jets and a river splash area for the kids to enjoy There is also an outdoor municipal pool down in Bourg St Maurice The sports centre at Les Arcs has an outdoor sports court where you can play basketball Facilities to play football are available at the multi-activity sports outdoor court in the sports centre at Les Arcs Sit back and admire the mountains from even higher up Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snowcapped mountain tops If you’ve never tried paragliding before then Les Arcs is a great place to learn how to fly Known as “parapenting” in France and Switzerland there are a great number of clubs and organisations in the area whose sole purpose is give you the experience of flying From the heights of the mountain tops you can glide down to the bottom of the valley on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor who manoeuvres the parachute whilst you enjoys the ride and fantastic views.  warm day when the thermals will keep you airborne for longer At the gateway to the Parc de la Vanoise is the 60-hectare Golf des Arcs offering a choice of two excellent courses surrounded by the fantastic mountain views Plus a driving range and putting greens.  There are mini-golf courses at Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 There are a few places in and around Les Arcs where you can enjoy horse riding Learn the techniques to safely ride a horse soak up the beautiful mountain views and enjoy the scenery all on horseback Visit the horses in Bourg Saint Maurice for something different to do in winter or summer In winter you can try Ski Joering which involves being pulled along on skis behind a horse or take a horse drawn sleigh ride or just come and visit the farm There are a couple of places to go bowling in Les Arcs It's a good thing to do if the weather turns bad or if you've got non-skiers or a larger group to entertain Catch the latest films and releases in Les Arcs on your winter or summer holiday. Some cinemas open their doors early on a bad weather day otherwise you'll find most screenings in the evenings Look out for VOST for English speaking films lift-assisted downhill skiing and snowboarding aren't the only things you can do in Les Arcs while having a pair of skis or a board strapped to your feet Whether it's going up the pistes that most people normally ski down or tackling a backcountry route ski touring and split boarding allow you to get off the beaten path while working a sweat up the slopes private instructors and companies can show you around or Enjoying the thrill of being on the pistes need not escape you if you're less mobile or have special physical needs Resorts all over the Alps offer equipment and fully qualified guides to help you get the most out of your experience or would like to try there will be at least one ski school or activity company in Les Arcs that offers this service Heli-skiing is not permitted in France but there are a couple of companies in Les Arcs offering panoramic helicopter rides that include heliskiing They pick you up in resort and take you over the border into Italy or Switzerland from where you will ski down accompanied by a mountain guide but definitely a once in a lifetime experience Télémarking is a form of downhill skiing where you are only attached to the binding at the toe so you have to lunge and bring your heel upwards Talk to one of the ski schools or private instructors who can teach you how to télémark and take you out on excursions using this technique Modern winter biathlon is a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting that tests not only fitness but also patience and control In Les Arcs you can try your hand at this Olympic sport If you like cross-country skiing but want to add another challenge then biathlon is the perfect way to escape into the natural quiet surrounding mountains and then shoot stuff The idea behind speed riding is to combine the sensations of skiing and paragliding into one activity and then descend off-piste sections of the mountain using a mini-wing to enable you to access areas that you might not normally go Learning and having fun with speed riding comes very fast as long as you are a competent skier – you need to be able to ski red pistes with confidence in any type of snow.  Snowshoeing or, as the French call them, "raquettes à neige", is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions and a wonderful way for non-skiers to explore the mountains in and around Les Arcs. Either set out on your own or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and discover the hidden parts of the ski area The trails will take you to places from where you can enjoy stunning views clamp on your crampons and go hiking on one of the many nearby glaciers: the Glacier de la Chiaupe and the Glacier du Varet The breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses make this an incredible adventure Most mountain guiding companies and adventure companies will run organised excursions to the most accessible Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work so booking at least 48 hours in advance is a must They run from early December to the end of April (snow-permitting).  There's an outdoor ice skating rink in Les Arcs 2000 which is perfect for children and families and those who just want to enjoy the beautiful mountain views whilst playing around on some skates It's typically open from mid December to the third week of April If you thought toboganning or sledging was just for kids it can be fun for the whole family and especially in Les Arcs at the Rodeo Park and Mille 8.  There is also a luge track in Mille 8 in Arc 1800 - take the new Les Villards telecabine to get to the start of the toboggan track and set off on a 900m downhill run with alternating banked turns and forest sections The experience is enhanced by a light show sound system and the track finishes in a tunnel with video projections If it is calm and relaxation you are after then head to a luxury day spa or book in for massage therapies and beauty treatments A day spa is also the perfect activity when the weather turns You can keep warm and revive aching muscles in saunas steam rooms and jacuzzis or take a refreshing dip in a swimming pool Tennis is a great way to get the legs moving and to enjoy the sunny summer weather You can play a friendly game or have a lesson whatever you choose to do it's a great way to have fun with friends and family Open during the summer season there are tennis courts and training walls in Les Arcs Lessons are usually available in groups or privately Perfect as a family outing you can hire a court and when tiredness hits you can enjoy some refreshments and snacks at the tennis club or café There is a badminton court in Les Arcs sports centre There are three squash courts in the centre of Arc 1800 Nestled in the heart of Arc 1800, Mille8 is full of activities for everybody, from a freestyle park to a beginners area and a fantastic new swimming and spa complex a freestyle park complete with modules and snow sculptures a snow garden for little ones with igloos and play area and a large swimming and fitness centre with spa facilities The only features that have an entry fee are the luge track and swimming complex - everything else is included in your lift pass and everyone is guaranteed to leave with a big smile on their face Adventure parks are designed for children and adults to play exercise and have fun in the natural mountain surroundings Enjoy the thrills of more than 32 courses created in the trees trees and activities will be a great day for children and adults alike With all the protective gear provided and safety information given you can head out and enjoy the wilderness Qualified guides will be around the course throughout to make sure you are safe and having as much fun as possible Different courses and tracks can be tried and tested each one with a varying level of difficulty There are courses designed for children only and tracks for juniors and adults to enjoy In the summer months Les Arcs is an Alpine mecca for walking and hiking in the beautiful alpine mountains As the snow melts and the sun begins to shine the mountains make an excellent place to head out on a hike or walk Walking is the perfect activity for groups Pick from a number of routes ranging in difficulty from easy child friendly walks to challenging day long hikes Along the way enjoy the fantastic mountain views beautiful scenery and wildlife that is normally hidden in the winter months.  Check out our walking and hiking guide for more details on hiking in Les Arcs There are a number of companies who can take you mountaineering in both summer and winter private instructors and activity companies There are 20km of winter walking trails in Les Arcs which you can either enjoy by yourselves or on a guided walk with one of the activity companies. Take a look at the snowshoe map for their locations A pair of walking poles will come in handy for extra balance on icy patches and for checking snow depth before you go striding forth!  Top Tip: Buy ‘grippers’ for your walking boots to prevent slipping all of this can be bought from most local sport shops Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set out as conditions can change rapidly in the mountains If you haven't experienced white water rafting before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do the Dranse river flows furiously as it is fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town There are various options available from a three-hour adrenaline rush to a full day excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint Kayaking is a fun watersport that can be enjoyed as a team or on your own paddlers face forward and have a double bladed paddle It's a versatile sport that you can enjoy on rivers You can take your inflatable or plastic kayak and make your way down the water Using the double bladed paddle you can control the speed direction and enjoy the experience and wonderful views in your own time A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day You will make your way along rivers and rapids using the river bed as a natural obstacle course but anyone over the age of about eight can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades splash into pools and ride the river rapids You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually unless they are booked onto a children's activity course anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons There are a number of adventure companies that offer guided descents down the local waterways Hydrospeeding is one of the newer 'extreme' water sports to hit the market A fun and exhilarating way to get yourselves down a river using a large float be ready to cling on for dear life as you send yourself hurtling down the rapids This activity is a little more demanding physically than rafting or canoe rafting but allows you to discover the unique sensation of surfing down white water rivers no need to be a professional diver or swimmer you just have to be smart at using the water movements There's plenty of protection from the icy water elements as you'll be given a wetsuit Guides will brief you with a safety demonstration at the beginning and there’s a vehicle to meet you at the end of the rapids that will shuttle you back to your starting destination Stand up paddleboarding is becoming increasingly popular it's a great way to enjoy the mountain scenery and get away from the summer heat There are a number of watersports centres in Les Arcs offering paddleboarding indicating “considerable” danger By 2024-12-16T19:58:00+00:00 the professional platform of Les Arcs Film Festival handed out 14 awards at its 16th edition on Monday Winners included Floor Van der Meulen’s Happy Days recipient of the €20,000 Eurimages co-production development award in the coproduction village Happy Days follows a grandmother who risks burnout in trying to care for her grandchildren The film has €101,000 of a projected €2.6m budget in place and is aiming for a late 2025 shoot ahead of a summer 2026 delivery The jury praised “a character rarely seen onscreen but omnipresent in our societies We appreciated the unique and internationally-oriented directorial vision as well as the creative development strategy of the team.” Anastasiia Solonevych’s Ukraine war drama 30 Days Of Summer received a special Eurimages co-production development award as part of the measures adopted by the Eurimages fund in support of the Ukrainian film industry 30 Days Of Summer follows a Ukrainian refugee who takes a job as an interpreter at a military camp where she reunites with her estranged stepsister The €1.8m budget film has €20,000 in place with a projected August 2026 shoot date for 2027 delivery Winners in the Work in Progress section for feature films in post-production without sales representation included Thom Lunshof’s Dutch feature First Zone a post-apocalyptic drama in which a woman fights her way back home It took the €10,000 post-production services award for image and/or sound the director succeeds in creating a film that resonates with the contemporary while maintaining a timeless universal expressive force,” wrote the jury with the film in the edit ahead of a Q1 2025 delivery With music again prominent in the Les Arcs industry programme Janicke Askevold’s Solomamma took the 22D Music award consisting of €5,000 in-kind and €5,000 executive production service Les Arcs Industry Village closes on Tuesday having welcomed around 700 attendees for its 2024 edition.  The festival runs until December 21 Ciclic Talent Village Award – Made In Mud (Sp) dir Talent Village Special Mention – Silk (Den) dir Eurimages Co-production Development Award – Happy Days (Neth) dir Eurimages Co-production Development Special Award – 30 Days Of Summer (Ukr) dir ArteKino International Award – Rosa Candida (Fr) dir Alphapanda Audience Engagement Award – Strange River (Sp-Ger) dir a Youth In The Backland (Fr-Ger-Switz) dir 22D Music Award – Solomamma (Nor-Den-Lat-Lith-Fin) dir Kari Ulfsson of Sensor (Iceland) for Seven BalconiesArthur Cohen of Elementary (Fr) for Grizzly Revelation Female Film Composer Award – Audrey Ismael Coprocity Development Award – Stink Eye (Col-Sp) dir Cristina Sanchez SalamancaSpecial mention – A White House (It-Fr) dir Company’s latest foray into genre will open theatrically on October 10 Bookmark this page to keep track of all the latest festival dates CAD $90,000 in cash and prizes presented at Friday’s ceremony in Toronto How do you find your way around whilst you're here We've put together this handy guide on the best way to get around so you can get to all the key places with a number of different attractions throughout its many resort villages.  There are two local buses which are free and are timetabled to intersect with the funicular at Arc 1600 making a series of stops on the way to Les Villards on the far side of the resort When the first funicular arrives at Arc 1600 the first bus departs when the last funicular of the day arrives It's also possible to get the free shuttle from Peisey-Vallandry to Les Villards in Arc 1800 This navette runs much less frequently than the ones above: in general terms you cannot catch a bus when the ski lifts are open.  These shuttles run in the evening in either direction opening up the possibility of dinner and dancing in another resort village The Peisey-Vallandry side has some local free shuttles which operate throughout the day between various points in Plan Peisey Nancroix and the Nordic Area at Pont Baudin (for cross-country skiing dog-sledding and various other things).  Find out more about the local buses but a funicular that runs regularly between Bourg St Maurice train station (at 840m altitude) and Arc 1600 stopping at two intermediary stations: La Grange and Montrigon (Check the timetable as not every one stops at Montrigon and on the way down only a handful stop at either station) In the morning the first funicular is 07:30 with the last one in both directions at 21:00 (until 23:00 on Thursdays) This allows people staying in Bourg St Maurice the chance to enjoy some on-mountain après-ski and those staying in the higher resorts to do some post-piste shopping in the valley Check the timetable before travelling Les Arcs is a car-free resort. If you have driven to Les Arcs either in your own vehicle or a hire car this gives you another option for travelling between the villages.  There is outside parking in Arc 1600 There is also car parking in Arc 1800 (including indoor ones) with the two covered car parks in Arc 2000.  even a short journey can mean clearing half a metre of snow from the roof before you get started Travelling by taxi is not the cheapest option for getting around but may be necessary if you're going on a night out in another village All of the resorts have local taxis and it's always best to book ahead Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 are fairly close by car so should only involve around a 15 minute journey at most.  If you travel from these villages to Bourg St Maurice it takes at least half an hour.  Getting from either Peisey-Vallandry or Villaroger to the other Les Arcs resorts entails first going to Bourg St Maurice this will take around 30 minutes from either place If you're skiing to the other side of Paradiski try to avoid getting stranded in La Plagne as it will take at least an hour to get back to most Les Arcs resorts you may have to wait around for an available taxi It's worth mentioning that Villaroger is the least accessible of the Les Arcs villages, by any means. After the ski lifts have closed, the best option for leaving the village is driving yourself or taking a taxi to Bourg St Maurice and then connecting to other villages from there As Les Arcs is often the setting for some of the most gruelling sections of the Tour de France race it's not really the place to pootle around on two wheels unless you're serious about it.  In winter we wouldn't recommend using a bike at all, and in summer you'll need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy cycling these road routes. Find our more in our cycling guide All the Les Arcs villages are interlinked via mountain bike trails making it a popular summer destination. There's a world class downhill course, miles and miles of back country tracks and a freestyle park to explore. Find out more on our mountain biking guide Although there are a variety of pleasant walks in the Les Arcs area during the summer in the winter only a couple of the resorts are linked by navigable footpaths.  It's easy to walk between Plan Peisey and Vallandry however due to a slight difference in altitude you will have to walk uphill in at least one direction (unless you get the free bus) This is via a road which only opens to buses during the ski season and takes approximately 45 minutes take the pathway up from behind the ski school early-learner slope to avoid unnecessary walking around the winding roads Going from Arc 1800 to Vallandry can be a little quicker as it's slightly downhill all the way but it's much easier to take the Cabriolet lift There is no easy way of getting between Arc 1600 Do not take the main roads between resorts as the proliferation of cars travelling up to 90km/hour makes this very dangerous indeed it's still possible to take some of the lifts both up and down the hill to travel between the resorts.  If you do not already have a ski pass you will need to buy a pedestrian pass; there are various types available from a single trip to six full days access You can travel between Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 by using both the Transarc cable-car and the Arcabulle covered chairlift Be aware that there is a walk from the bottom of the latter to the centre of Arc 2000 that some may find challenging Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 are connected by the free Cabriolet gondola lift In winter unless you have good snow boots (and, often, even if you do) it may be worth investing in a pair of over-shoe “grippers” for walking around the resorts. These act like studs for your feet, giving increased purchase on snow and ice. These can be bought from most sports and ski hire shops in the resort villages If you're not carrying luggage and aren't travelling around with non-skiers or small children if you've an intermediate level and above the easiest way to move around in daytime is by skiing or snowboarding.  A quick assessment of the piste lift map will give you a number of options for traversing from one side of Les Arcs to the other It's always worth checking the most expedient way of returning to your “home” resort and the relevant last lift times to avoid unnecessary schlepping at the end of the day with ski-weary legs so wrap up warm and get outside to find new year adventures January is the quietest part of the main winter season in resort Although the lifts have been open for a few weeks this often feels like the ‘real’ start of the winter season it's normally the first month of the year before the snow begins to arrive in earnest opening up every area and turning the mountainside into an access-all-areas playground for snowsports enthusiasts January generally brings a huge quantity of snow The quiet conditions on the mountain don’t translate to quiet nights in the town. There are fewer families and more adult visitors, meaning it can be easier to get a table at a restaurant, and the bars are buzzing with plenty of live music and party nights to keep you entertained whilst you warm your hands on a glass of vin chaud Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout January There is regular snowfall - on average 12 days - and subzero temperatures keep it nice and fresh In January the average daytime temperatures generally fall between a high of-1°C and a low of -9ºC Freeride weekThis qualifying week for The Freeride World Tour will see some of the best up-and-coming freeride skiers and snowboarders in town for Freeride Week trying to rack up points to get them into the main event In Arc 1950 the events take place on the Robert Blanc face Launch Pad freestyle competitionLaunch Pad is a big air freestyle competition in the snow park above Arc 1600 / Arc 1800 Featuring some of France’s top skiers and snowboarders including at least one big air world champion the first day is an all-day practice session whilst the second features a morning of qualifying rounds it is a must-see event to kick off the new year. At time of writing this event date had not been confirmed we like to get out into the mountains on our skis and snowboards as much as possible If you visit the resort in January you can buy a lift pass and join one of the local ski schools' many ski or snowboard lessons taking place around the resort At this time of the season we are looking forward to some live music sessions whether from local bands or even one of the open mike nights and jam sessions that the local bars often hold there's definitely somewhere you can 'entertain' the crowds Of course, that's if we've made it home from one of the many après-ski events taking place. In addition to the regular afternoon on-pistes parties (like WTF and Neon at La Folie Douce above Arc 1800) there are some big events that light up specific resorts throughout the month These may be the headliners but there is always something going on in the Les Arcs resorts with welcome drinks a usual feature of the villages’ snow fronts on a Sunday evening You can go cross-country ski joëring pulled by a horse have a snowball fight or do a little night skiing Check out our events calendar for more ideas but the ski lifts are open and Christmas is on the horizon This month sees the start of the winter season and there will obviously also be lots of festive celebrations including a visit from a certain Papa Noël most things in December revolve around the last two weeks of the month schools break up and travellers from near and far descend on the valley from parades to special Christmas menus and New Year's blowouts Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December It's generally rather cold here in December the second-coldest month of the year after January with temperatures averaging from -8°C to 0°C This is at least partially due to the long nights although with Les Arcs being near to the South of France even on the shortest day of the year the sun rises at approximately 08:00 with sunset just after 17:00 This is certainly the time to pack your thermal underwear.  Whilst there will be snow up the mountains But more than 70% of Les Arcs ski slopes are situated above 2,000m therefore 'up there' it's always colder and snowier and with regular snowfall throughout the month - an average of 12 snow days - the chance of serious powder days is high And the new snow often comes during the night but it's worth bringing low-light goggles in case of reduced visibility One great thing about December is the fact that the snow base just keeps growing week after week with the low temperatures ensuring practically no melt-off here are a few festive facts that make the French Santa Claus a little different: Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues ‘lobster-pots’ and gondolas all work that little bit harder Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays: December is a magical time of year to come to visit Book your holiday now and enjoy Christmas in the snow the inescapable DJ of the French clubbing scene Show followed by the traditional torchlight descent and fireworks Les Arcs wouldn't be the resort it is without a good dose of après-ski to end the day There is no shortage of places to go for a few drinks and some live music after a day on the mountain Whether you prefer to soak up the late afternoon sun with a quiet glass of French wine or dance on the tables in your ski boots Les Arcs has plenty of great spots when the lifts shut for the day Les Arcs has plenty of spots opening their doors to welcome you off the pistes If you want to get things started whilst still up the mountain, head to L’Arpette bar and restaurant situated near the snow park and Arpette lifts it's a great spot for lunch but when Happy Hour kicks in and the DJ begins pumping out those tunes If you really want to spend a night on the pistes book one of their weekly soirées where you are fed raclette before totally getting your dance on everyone straps their skis/snowboards on and heads back to their respective resorts by torchlight As is a visit to Folie Douce for their infamous après live music performers with aerial spectaculars from the in-house team Accessible to all either on skis or by the Gondola Villards In the Villards area is Jungle Café, a popular choice in Arcs 1800 with its jungle themed interior and murals on the walls It's a pretty cheap place to drink and is open all day until 01:00 mostly locals and/or seasonnaires and they serve tasty food all day long.  Also in the Villards area (near to the Red Bar) is more of a French style establishment and a true après ski bar - L'Ambiente Bar You can sample one of their tasty cocktails or have a game of darts in a lively but equally chilled atmosphere.  Although not as big as 1800, Arc 1950 is also very lively and has a good choice of bars Up the mountain you'll find The Mont Blanc Bar, located right at the top of Vallandry close to the Grizzly chairlift It's accessible from the piste so you can stop off for après without wasting time getting changed There is a large terrace facing over towards La Plagne where you can catch the last rays of the day The bar is open late and often has live music and DJ sets with specific nights such as Drum n Bass and the bar also has a pool table and Sky Sports This is not the place to come if you are looking for somewhere with more of a French feel but it is still well worth a visit La Belles Pintes is a large Irish pub which has a sophisticated feel during the day turning into a lively boozer of an evening There's plenty of seating and it's the perfect place for pint and a chat with friends A more cosy place for après that serves a wide variety of wines and beers from around the world is George’s Wine Bar but it's very relaxed and convivial.  For something really unique visit a bar within an igloo Head down to near the bottom of the Arcabulle lift and you'll find Village Igloo bar carved out of ice adjoining a grotto of ice sculptures It’s not the cheapest place to go for a drink but it's certainly unusual and insta-worthy!  Red Rock Café is also worth a try if you want an early dinner with your après The American-themed café has good food which is also reasonably-priced Has a number of bar-restaurants which offer a more chilled out après experience.  At the bottom of the little Parchey lift is the wonderfully welcoming La Vache great for an après ski cocktail and dinner afterwards.  characteristically French bar with a stunning view which is good for a sneaky aperitif (or digestif if you have already eaten) If you're looking for some late night fun you're in luck there are several bars and clubs that stay open until the early hours of the morning For a big night out in Vallandry the main options are Le Mojo, down the steps below the Vallandry lift where you'll find a stylish cocktail bar which spruced up and fed before you enjoy discounted prices on their drinks For something a little more refined in Arc 1600 Panoramic Bar is towards the funicular and is good for a beer and even better for food Abreuvoir Bar regularly have live music play endless hypnotic videos of epic skiing and even have karaoke nights.  As it gets later in Arc 1950 head to Chalet De Luigi, the bar is open until 02:00 and is generally lively plus it has Club 1950 downstairs replete with dance floor.  O’Chaud Lounge Bar is great if you want to “throw some shapes” During the ski season they have regular live music well known DJ's and are generally pumping out electronica until 03:00 El Latino Loco is a restaurant/bar/nightclub on the fifth floor of the Residence Aiguille Rouge in Arc 2000 It's one of Les Arcs’ hottest nightspots after dark music and dancing until after 04:00.  Red Hot Saloon is probably the biggest bar in resort with a good-sized dance floor They have regular live music throughout the season persuasive drinks deals and partying happens late into the night.  And if you have staying power and are looking for a late night party head along to one of the nightclubs; Club 73 or Le Carré which is slightly more upmarket (and expensive) The Apokalypse is the biggest club in the area and is spread over three floors so you'll find plenty of room for partying until dawn If you're looking for a more civilised evening or have something to celebrate there are several hotel bars in the resort that cater to wine enthusiasts cocktail aficionados and casual drinkers alike Some offer a little snack alongside your choice of beverages ranging from a bowl of nibbles to an entire tapas board drop into Bulles by Champagne in 1600, a minimalist establishment serving Champagne (obviously) by the glass or bottle you'll find the prices are actually fairly reasonable If you're staying in Arc 2000, head to the Taj-I-Mah Hotel Their lounge bar has a large fireplace you can cosy up around whilst you enjoy some live music and the delights of the head barman's cocktail menu In 1800, pay a visit to Les Allobroges Bar in the Altezza Hotel where you can relax with a drink around the central fireplace There are exceptional views and often there is live music playing Live music is not that hard to find in Les Arcs From the smallest bar to the swanky hotel lounges there's always something on. Specific information regarding weekly line ups can be easily found by simply looking at any of the numerous information boards around resort where each of the individual bars will post their weekly programmes and promotions Most of the ones we'd recommend we've already mentioned above so whatever night of the week it is you're bound to find something you can enjoy Keep an eye on our events calendar for all the latest parties and events in Les Arcs Whether buying for the first time or yours has seen better days A helmet is one of the most important pieces of kit you will ever buy Within the last ten to fifteen years there has been a shift in the ski and snowboard industry towards helmet wearing indeed it's rare to see children on the pistes without one.  We know that collisions and falls don't happen every day a helmet is only useful if you actually wear it it's worth getting them involved in the buying process to ensure some compliance with actually wearing it Note: something to be aware of is head shape you may notice it's difficult to find a helmet that fits well (even if the measurements look correct) In this case look for Asian fit ski helmets if you can they're actually designed for rounder head shapes Anon and Smith both make helmets for a rounder head If buying online you'll need to measure yours or your child's head Take a tape measure and wrap around their head one inch above their ears and eyebrows Make note of the measurements in both cm and inches - all manufacturers show sizes in terms of these measurements Note: not all helmet and goggle combinations work together but some websites list which helmets match which goggle brands and you can search for your brand in advance of any online helmet purchases Traditional helmets tend to use EPS (expanded polystyrene) or EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam liners These liners provide a high level of protection but more durable alternatives are emerging You'll see a number of additional technologies in helmet safety when shopping for helmets and they add an often considerable amount to the price Mostly these technologies originated in bike helmet manufacturing but have proven to be easily transferable to the ski and snowboard helmet market Here's some info on what they mean and what they do The rule of thumb here seems to be you should discard your helmet after two to five seasons Generally the EPS foam inside remains intact for up to 30 years but it's the shell that gets degraded and weakened by UV Also worth noting is that a helmet constructed with less durable materials will breakdown faster than a well-made The frequency and severity of falls whilst wearing it will determine its longevity You should immediately replace your helmet if you have any accidents where your helmet was impacted Helmets purchased in a sale are likely to be older models, always check they meet recent minimum safety standards When it comes to hiring a helmet for yourself or your children when you go on your ski holiday You will not know when the helmet was manufactured or how long it's been hired out left rolling around in the boot of someone's car When you're done with your ski holiday you may simply chuck it into your luggage and then into the garage when you get home But a little bit of care on your part can help keep your helmet in tip top condition and ready to go again Whilst there are a number of brands out there making helmets these are the ones that stand out for us as worth looking at: Well we’ve had a huge dump of snow in the last few days here in Les Arcs which has improved the piste quality and made for some great powder skiing there’s a little more to come and then we’re expecting sunshine too Today and tomorrow it will remain cloudy with light snow forecast for Friday into Saturday morning and freezing temperatures staying down at around 1,100m A high-pressure system is likely to pass over the Northern Alps bringing predominantly clear skies and milder temperatures from Sunday Looks like great sunshine skiing days for the early part of next week The freezing level in Les Arcs will rise during the day to around 2,400m and will drop to around 1,300m at night These conditions may lead to a freeze-thaw cycle The earliest sign of any precipitation next week is looking like Thursday and Friday combined with changing temperatures has elevated the avalanche risk The current risk is marked as at 3 out of 5 which is considerable over around 1,800m There has been an increase in avalanche activity up high in the last few days This is likely due to the huge amount of snow that fell quickly on existing layers up to date weather information and advice from the resort This is the final week of quieter slopes before the school holidays begin around Europe from 8th February and continue for the following four weeks. Check out what’s on in February in Les Arcs There will be plenty of activities and events in Les Arcs during February links to webcams and above for real time photos from Les Arcs We will be updating this snow report page every Thursday so check back in with us next week to see how the pistes are doing and what you can expect from the snow forecast for the next seven days We need you! If you're in Les Arcs this week we'll be posting our favourite videos and images here and sharing on our social media and don't forget to tag us in your adventures By 2024-12-19T09:24:00+00:00 a Norwegian feature about a single mother who makes contact with her sperm donor was one of the projects that stood out to attendees at Les Arcs Film Festival’s Industry Village this week.  The film is the directorial debut of Paris-based Norwegian filmmaker Janicke Askevold and stars Lisa Loven Kongsli who starred in Ruben Ostlund’s 2014 feature Force Majeure which filmed in Les Arcs. The Worst Person In The World star Herbet Nordrum co-stars Solomamma is scheduled to finish its edit by the end of January before a hoped-for festival debut in the first half of 2025 Magnus Nygaard Albertsen and Magne Lyngner produce for Norway’s Bacon Pictures “Solomamma has the most impressive clips from the Works in Progress,” said one sales agent “It made clear the key points of the setup co-managing director of UK-based sales firm Reason8 Films said the project “should be able to do well abroad especially considering current interest in Norwegian cinema.” The film won the €10,000 music award from French music rights firm 22D as well as securing 42 meeting requests for just 14 slots – a record at this year’s event – from industry attendees including sales agents “The many great meetings in Les Arcs are opening up exciting opportunities for our project,” said Solomamma producer Rognoy “This is a huge inspiration moving forward.” There were several further projects to catch industry attention among the 39 presented at the Village.  “I loved the look of the Kosovan project Hatixhe And Shaban,” said one festival director, of Visar Morina’s film about a couple forced to move to the Kosovan capital to look for work “Every sequence bristled with tension and unease,” said the executive Krupnov was impressed by Ivan Ostrochovsky’s The Spring in Works in Progress; and a second sales agent praised Franziska Margarete Hoenisch’s Babette in the Co-production Village “The team delivered an excellent presentation with all information needed Organisers of Les Arcs Film Festival’s Industry Village said they are pleased with the event’s continued expansion even as it poses logistical challenges for the alpine event Around 700 industry execs attended the festival this year, up from 650 last year “We know that what makes the market special is the cozy atmosphere so we try to keep it that way,” said Lison Herve “A lot of people want to come; we don’t want to say ‘no’ but we try to still have the possibility of everyone being able to meet everyone.” The Village was the host of a series of networking events including an Icelandic Film Centre dinner that saw market participants share fondue with festival heads while Herve personally waved off coaches full of departing guests on Tuesday’s final day Les Arcs has managed its attendance rise through a budget increase we say ‘we need this budget to organise the festival correctly’ – then we need to find that budget.” said Jeremy Zelnik Les Arcs co-founder and head of professional events This strategy brought increased support this year from the Creative Europe Media programme It also benefitted the festival when approaching private partners with finances split 50/50 between private and public money “It helps us go back to partners and say ‘the event is growing so we need more money’,” says Zelnik of the increased public support An 11-person team works on the Industry Village in the weeks leading up to and during the event with Zelnik and Herve proud of the multi-tasking abilities of their crew They run both the feature film market strands including Works in Progress Talent Village and Co-production Market; and music element that is central to the Industry Village This year’s festival included a concert by Icelandic composer Hogni at 2700m above sea level and the first-ever Works in Progress award for music from 22D.  While still a key end-of-year gathering for the French industry Les Arcs is becoming increasingly European Zelnik highlights most of the key industry prizes were won by European producers from outside of France including Floor van de Meulen’s Dutch project Happy Days “It is important that even if French people really want to come we have a sufficient proportion of Europeans,” says Zelnik Les Arcs remains open to the public during the festival attracting well-off tourists to the slopes – British royal Zara Tindall and her family were spotted in town this year This popularity has led to the Industry Village balancing out across two levels of the resort Where 1950m was previously the main festival hub now market screenings and industry talks also take place at the higher level “The market is becoming one of the most important in Europe,” said Elisa Fernanda Pirir “We can meet sales agents and distributors on a more personal level without the stress Director Thanasis Neofotistos presented debut feature The Boy With The Light Blue Eyes the presentation of the projects was moving the hospitality made us feel welcome and celebrated and the place is majestic,” said Neofotistos “The festival and Industry Village offer a perfectly curated selection of films that have a high artistic quality but also have an audience potential,” said Katarina Tomkova “The relaxed atmosphere and the size of the event is perfect to meet sales agents and distributors and discuss their line-up and strategies for the next year I appreciate the festival’s attention to young talent and the next generation of filmmakers.” The festival has confirmed its dates for next year EXCLUSIVE: Film takes place inside the body of a 10-year-old boy EXCLUSIVE: Film will have world premiere at DOK.fest Munich this month EXCLUSIVE: Paris-based executive will handle sales with focus on co-productions More close this weekend but, some go into May. There’s a few areas open North America – some into July! UPDATED but they’re closing this coming w/end: Hintertux in Austria and Zermatt in Switzerland aim to stay open across the summer PlanetSKI was in Hintertux in the summer a few years back: but do check with the resorts as the timings may change depending on the weather “Snow coverage is now very impressive at altitude in the western Alps for mid-to-late April,” said Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk “Just because there is a lot of new snow this doesn’t mean that it is of good ‘quality’ or that there is a lot of powder around (other than at very high altitude).” It follows the huge snowstorm of last week that saw the biggest snowfall of the season and record-breaking amounts of April snowfall “This storm delivered very ‘heavy’ and ‘wet’ snow from the outset and the strength of the sun means that the benefits of any fresh snow can be very short-lived at this time of year,” added Fraser “Spring conditions therefore remain the order of the day across the Alps and the off-piste remains highly dangerous due to the risk of avalanche healthy again at altitude in the western Alps but universally below par in the eastern Alps “Setting aside the temporary benefits of new snow in some western ski resorts spring snow conditions should be expected… with only high north-facing slopes remaining firm all day long.” Three French ski areas have announced their opening plans in May June and July after the winter season ends on May 4th Les 2 Alpes has the longest season in France and aims to stay open for just over seven months After its ‘official’ winter season ends on May 5th it continues until the 28th May and aims to have 1,000 vertical metres of skiing between 2600m and  3,600m Then for the final six weeks of its season from May 29th to July 6th that terrain will reduce to a 400m vertical at the very top of the slopes on its glacier between 3,600 to 3,200m The resort’s summer snowpark is set to be open from May 5th to July 6th Val d’Isère plans to open for summer skiing on its Pisaillas glacier for four weeks from Saturday June 7th to Sunday July 6th if conditions allow Skiing is possible on three runs located between 3,300m and 2,725m altitudes with another four runs reserved for race team training Neighbouring Tignes hopes to be the last to shut with four weeks of operations planned from 21st June to 20th July The Grande Motte glacier has slopes at an altitude of nearly 3,000 m Up to 20 km of glacier runs are available between 3,456 m and 2,724 m There is also cross-country skiing on the glacier If you are going out to the Alps for some final few turns of the winter then it looks like it could be one of the best ends to a winter ski season in recent years Over in the USA things are drawing to a close too as many resorts shut at the end of the Easter weekend Some resorts in the USA are open into June Mammoth Mountain in California usually offers skiing and snowboarding  into July PlanetSKI visited a couple of years ago after resorts in the Alps had closed The California resort of Palisades Tahoe is due to close on May 26th this year: Resorts in Colorado are also open well into May Jay Peak in Vermont is scheduled to close on May 4th with Mt Bachelor in Oregon set to close on May 26th Further north in Canada some resorts in Alberta are open into May: PlanetSKI reporter Alex Cove is currently in Alberta and will be reporting from Sunshine Village shortly He did three seasons as a ski instructor in the resort and knows a bit about the place UK instructor Alex Cove in Sunshine Village the Blackcomb glacier at Whistler is aiming to be open until May 21st if conditions allow Here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted as the season winds down in Europe and North America Then we’ll be turning our attentions to the Southern Hemisphere… with wonderful spring skiing on great quality snow here in Les Arcs The piste groomers are doing an outstanding job keeping the slopes in great condition quite a challenge given the nightly freeze/thaw cycles It looks like the current settled weather will start to change from Saturday Mild temperatures are expected to continue and it’s unlikely to freeze below 2,500 to 3,000m with up to 20cm of snowfall possible above 2,700m A light to gentle breeze is expected to continue expect some lovely spring skiing conditions The current avalanche risk is moderate at 2 out of 5 above 2,500m Recent strong winds have created unstable wind slabs near ridgelines and bowls which can be triggered by skiers or snowboarders There are also weak layers deeper in the snowpack on steep Take extra care on wind-loaded slopes and north-facing terrain above 2,500m Be sure to check the avalanche warnings in Les Arcs before venturing off-piste Check out the video below from Henry's Avalanche Talk - Tips on safe off-piste spring skiing We have spring ski conditions now and although the pistes are fairly quiet they will be getting busier as the European school holidays for Easter have begun There are plenty of events planned in April in Les Arcs Still time to enjoy some late season skiing, check out - Why come spring skiing in Les Arcs so check back in with us next week to see how the pistes are doing and what you can expect from the snow forecast for the next seven days.We need you!If you're in Les Arcs this week Les Arcs will be aiming to break their own record for the most number of people involved in a torchlit descent this season This was achieved in Les Arcs in 2016 with 2887 skiers This is normally reserved for ski instructors but this time it's different everyone is invited to participate in trying to consolidate Les Arcs place as the World record holders It's free to enter you just need to be a level of 2 star and over There will be shuttle services to return you to the villages of Les Arcs Maurice until 9pm and you can ski back to Peisey-Vallandry on the blue piste La Foret France.Photo: Kristyna Sindelkova/Getty Images Dec 30, 2024French news outlet Ici Paris is reporting that a 44-year-old woman from Savoie died in an avalanche on Saturday 2024.The avalanche occurred in the Saint-Antoine Valley an off-piste area accessible from La Norma Ski Area in France's Haute-Maurienne The large avalanche was measured to be 200 meters wide (656 feet) and ran 600 meters long (1,986 feet) It is not clear at this time if the woman's partner and friend were buried or injured in the slide Our thoughts and condolences are with the friends and family of the deceased.This story will be updated as more information is revealed Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing Feature Films Database Southern Mediterranean films database Scriptwriters European Film Schools Production Companies Distributors International Sales Submit a Film Industry Reports Co-Production Podcast Online Screenwriting Training Course Guided Course for Feature Film Writing Script Analysis Analysis of the potential of your series Cineuropa's Training Catalogue Film Festival Photographs Newsletter Photogalleries EUFCN Location Award Euro Film Fest 27 Times Cinema GoCritic! Advertise on Cineuropa Logos and Banners LES ARCS 2024 Industry Village by Fabien Lemercier 03/12/2024 - Feature films in post-production and in search of international sales agents are set to be showcased in the Alpine festival's Industry Village the selection concocted by Frédéric Boyer (artistic director of the Arcs Film Festival) will consist of 13 films in post-production from which lengthy clips (lasting eight minutes in total) are set to be presented by filmmakers and their producers to international sales agents distributers and festival programmers who are attending the Savoy event one second feature film and four films by established filmmakers will jostle among these 13 titles (selected from among 150 candidates) hailing from 21 countries Icelandic composer Atli Örvarsson and Emmanuel Delétang It’s also worth noting that this year’s Best New Female Film Music Composer Prize (in partnership with Sacem) will be awarded to Audrey Ismaël, whose recent filmography includes Julien Colonna’s The Kingdom [+see also: film reviewtrailerinterview: Julien Colonnafilm profile] A Light That Never Goes Out - Lauri-Matti ParppeiProduction: Made (Finland) Arru - Elle Sofe SaraProduction: STÆR (Norway), Garagefilm International AB (Sweden), It’s Alive Films (Finland) A Second Life - Laurent SlamaProduction: 21Juin Cinéma (France) First Zone - Thom LunshofProduction: Makaki Productions (the Netherlands) Gabin - Maxence VoiseuxProduction: Alter Ego Production (France), AMA FILM (Germany), Rita Productions (Switzerland) Perla [+see also: film reviewtrailerinterview: Alexandra Makarováfilm profile] - Alexandra MakarováProduction: Golden Girls Film (Austria), Hailstone (Slovakia) Reedland - Sven BresserProduction: Viking Film (the Netherlands), A Private View (Belgium) Solomamma - Janicke AskevoldProduction: Bacon Pictures Oslo (Norway), Bacon Pictures Copenhagen (Denmark), Mistrus Media (Latvia), Dansu Films (Lithuania) Strange River - Jaume Claret MuxartProduction: ZuZú Cinema (Spain), Miramemira (Spain) The Spring - Ivan OstrochovskyProduction: Punkchart films (Slovakia), Negativ Film Productions (Czech Republic), Proton Cinema (Hungary), Slovak Television and Radio (Slovakia), Czech Television (Czech Republic) Out of Competition (in partnership with the Icelandic Film Center) The Fires - Ugla HauksdottirProduction: Netop Film (Iceland), Madants (Poland)International sales: Bankside Films Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox 13/12/2024"These days, everyone is staking their bets on attention-grabbing films which can be highly profitable in the arthouse cinema sector" Frédéric Boyer • Artistic director, Les Arcs Film Festival 05/05/2025Cannes 2025 – Marché du Film AFCI runs its second annual Global Film Commission Network Summit at Marché du Film 05/05/2025Cannes 2025 – Marché du Film Indie Sales presents a three-star line-up at Cannes 02/05/2025Cannes 2025 – Marché du Film Be For Films to sell Love Me Tender in Cannes 02/05/2025Cannes 2025/Sponsored Latvia set to shine bright at Cannes, led by Sergei Loznitsa’s competition entry Two Prosecutors 02/05/2025Las Palmas 2025 – MECAS/Awards Manuel Muñoz Rivas and Joana Carro win awards at the eighth MECAS 02/05/2025Cannes 2025 – Marché du Film Playtime to present some high-impact and entrancing trump cards at Cannes Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the most important daily or weekly news on European cinema Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Festivals / Awards Czech Republic Czech Republic’s Anifilm goes sci-fi Distribution / Releases / Exhibitors Europe European Arthouse Cinema Day set to return on 23 November Cannes 2025 Marché du Film HOFF 2025 The Shadow and U Are the Universe win at Estonia’s Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival Crossing Europe 2025 Awards The New Year That Never Came and The Flats crowned at Crossing Europe Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Cannes 2025/Sponsored Las Palmas 2025 MECAS/Awards Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Production / Funding Italy Shooting begins on Walter Fasano’s Nino, a portrait of scoring maestro Nino Rota goEast 2025 Review: My Magical World Market TrendsFOCUSA busy spring festival season awaits the European film industry. Cineuropa will continue to keep its readers up to date with the latest news and market insights, covering the buzziest events, including Cannes, Kraków, Karlovy Vary, Tribeca, Hot Docs, Annecy, Brussels, Munich and many others Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 02/05/2025Slovak crime-thriller Černák becomes the highest-grossing film in domestic cinemasThe second film in the saga about a local mafia boss, directed by Jakub Króner, outgrossed its first part, which dominated Slovak cinemas last year Animation – 30/04/2025Mirko Goran Marijanac • Media sales executive, DeAPlaneta EntertainmentDuring our chat, the exec shared key insights from this year’s Cartoon Next and touched on the current climate for the animation sector Jaśmina Wójcik • Director of King Matt the First The Polish director discusses her approach to taking on a 1920s children’s literary classic in an unexpected way Želimir Žilnik • Director of Eighty Plus The Serbian director discusses his deep suspicion of ideologies in relation to his irresistibly charming latest feature, which follows a man whose life spans three political systems Paulina Jaroszewicz • Distribution and marketing manager, New Horizons Association Cineuropa sat down with the Polish distributor to discuss her company’s strategy as well as the connection between its distribution line-up and BNP Paribas New Horizons Festival’s programme Lorcan Finnegan • Director of The Surfer The Irish filmmaker discusses his mystery-thriller, how he created the character with Nicolas Cage and his approach to the use of colours in the film Privacy Policy The images used on this website have been provided by journalists and are believed to be free of rights if you are the owner of an image used on this website and believe that its use infringes on your copyright We will remove the image in question as soon as possible We have made reasonable efforts to ensure that all images used on this website are used legally and in accordance with copyright laws About us | Contact us | Logos and Banners Mission | Partners | Team | Donations | Terms and conditions “If you look here you can see a deer passed through but the snow has melted,” says Jessica Chelaouchi to my children who are peering at what Deep down the shape of the hoof is intact!” We’ve been snowshoeing in the French Alps for around 15 minutes At some point in recent weeks a doe had jumped down the hill crossed the path we are on and continued on its way into the forests of the Tarentaise Valley “I have found tracks of deer above the tree line, even in January!” says Chelaouchi, a qualified Alpine mountain guide who, armed with a Thermos of chai tea and some crystallised ginger treats for the kids, has led our family into the wilderness near the French ski resort of Les Arcs it seems that property privacy rights are null and void in France – due to laws that are designed to allow people to take shelter from the elements during the winter months This means that vast tracts of land are legally open for a bit of winter traipsing around Over the course of the morning we find fox and boar tracks the tiny prints of a bird and those of a common squirrel while Chelaouchi gives us an education on how animals live in the mountains in winter “They jump from bush to bush in the winter,” Jessica says about the squirrels “as they are brown against the white snow and don’t want to be seen and eaten.” One quintessential aspect of skiing is speed From finding the fastest ski lift up a mountain to whizzing down the slopes traversing down a ski slope leaves little time to contemplate the mountains Snowshoeing in the forests of the French Alps provides just that chance sitting on your bum and sliding down a mountain An activity particularly popular with kids I had travelled with my family to Les Arcs for two reasons: The first was to find a resort that could help the family move on with their skiing and the second was to stay somewhere that offered alternatives to skiing Picking the right ski resort for fledgling skiers or those who are not all at the same level Ski maps can be misleading and even slopes marked as blues can be daunting in parts it can be hard to find the right kinds of slopes for those looking to progress from the easy greens on to moderate blues “I often say to husbands once I finish the lesson ‘Please don’t mess up the work that I’ve done’,” says Sian McLoughlin Sian has lived in the Tarentaise Valley for more than a decade and We’d picked Sian as a ski instructor for a morning lesson for my wife as she was particularly suited to helping skiers who can be nervous about moving onto more difficult slopes “So many people come out in groups and have varying ski levels,” she says “Often people are taken down a red or a black run and it crushes a skier’s confidence.” Les Arcs managed to solve our ski conundrum by providing opportunities for everyone Family members who were still learning the ropes could spend time cruising down forestry blues to the west of the resort towards Vallandry The more experienced skiers could nip up over the ridgeline to try the reds and blacks down from the 3,226m summit Aiguille Rouge the family was ready to take more adventurous routes Almost everywhere the summit of Mont Blanc stares down at you from across the Tarentaise valley occasionally shrouded in a wisp of cloud before reappearing again Basing ourselves at a Pierre & Vacances apartment next to the slopes at Arc 1800 meant that the kids could take a dip in the pool and the other half could head to the steam room or sauna The mountains have all the usual paraphernalia – picnic spots mountain restaurants and cafes – however Les Arcs has differentiated itself by also dotting cultural attractions across the mountainside By transforming a ski gondola garage at the bottom of the Varet Lift into a 3D art space with illuminated murals and a sound and light show it provided respite from skiing for an eight-year-old to dance her way across a giant alpine meadow The space allows people to shelter if the snow comes down as the weather began to close in at the top of the Vallandry lift we headed into a free-to-enter museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Vanoise National Park Les Arcs offers something rare: an invitation to rediscover the mountains on our own terms named after the local stream ‘l’arc,’ meaning ‘water’ in the regional dialect With family-friendly slopes for skiing and other activities like ice skating cultural exhibitions and scenic mountain hikes indulge in a spa day or dine in cosy mountain restaurants and relaxation makes it a perfect year-round destination for families and nature lovers alike Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed By 2024-10-29T10:00:00 Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi named as 2024 ambassador of festival’s talent initiative SIGN IN if you have an account Access premium content Subscribe today If you have an account you can SIGN IN now The Les Arcs European Film Festival is seeking submissions for its Co-Production Village and Work-In-Progress screening session Last year’s festival saw Ireland as the country of focus which featured screenings of 15 Irish films and was attended by talent including Jack Reynor The Co-Production Village (deadline September 30th) will present a selection of 25 European projects in development seeking coproducers and/or financiers to the professionals attending the festival The producers with selected projects are invited to Les Arcs for 3 days to benefit from one-to-one meetings The Work-In-Progress screening session (deadline October 14th) will present extracts from 10 European films in post-production will moderate the session while producers will have the opportunity to introduce their films to the industry professionals attending the screening The festival is held on the Les Arcs Ski Resort in the French Alps from December 12th to 19th Eligibility criteria and links for submission can be seen below animation or documentary with a minimum length of 75 min currently in post-production  - main producer and director must be European - the film should not have any sales agent attached yet If you're new to the slopes it's a good chance that you'll be wanting to try your first kicker or rail soon Freestyle is great fun and if you want to learn there is no better place to head than the Les Arcs snowpark Where to find the snowpark and what's on offer Les Arcs has very firm roots in snowboarding history as a favourite place to ride and is the season destination choice for many of the pros Back in 1981, Regis Rolland (who later began the snowboard manufacturer ‘A’) was given a snowboard to try out and soon began to break new ground in snowboarding styles and tricks Apocalypse snowparkThe Apocalypse Parc lies between Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 next to the snowpark ski lift and has lots to offer ranging from blue level jumps to black kick-rails and a quarter pipe a spine jump and for the really adventurous - a gap jump try the boardercross for both skiers and boarders alike AirbagThey also have a permanent airbag where you can try out your freestyle skills with a guaranteed soft landing Check out the video on this page for a taster of what's on offer.  the 'Mille 8' zone in Arc 1800 is home to swimming pool and spa facilities bar and restaurant, sledging zone freestyle ski and snowboard area and a handful of winter walking trails.  The freestyle zone includes a large number of features for every level of skier and snowboarder The whole area is covered with lights and sound systems and you can tag your photos to appear on the big screens around the zone.  Access is via the Villards gondola and entry is included in the price of your ski pass.  La Plagne is another great place to go if you're a freestyle skier or snowboarder.  It has a huge snowpark that sits above Plagne centre and under the Funicular You can reach it from top of the Colorado lift if you're coming from Plagne centre or from the top of the Blanchets if you're coming from Plagne Bellecôte Riders NationLa Plagne has a whopping 1km long snowpark known as Riders Nation which caters for people of all abilities but that’s not to stop the snowboarders having a go too.  You will find different sized jumps graded in the same way as the pistes - Green these are named according to their level of difficulty and diversity of their obstacles with green being the easiest and black being the hardest - which is big the park splits in two and each branch has a selection of rails and boxes and one also has a wall ride there is no drag lift for the park so you must use the Colorado chairlift from Plagne Centre There are often small competitions in the park for everyone to join in and have a go There is also a picnic area where you can eat your lunch whilst watching people throw themselves off the jumps or you can just listen to the music in the sun HalfpipeDown in Plagne Bellecôte there is a half-pipe which is also open to all There is a chairlift called Blanchets right next to the pipe You can buy a "Pass Park" which will give you access to Riders Nation, the boardercross at Belle Plagne and the halfpipe at Plagne Bellecôte. Between the three, you can expect to find a variety of rails, tables and jumps to keep you busy all day! Take a look at this year's ski pass prices for more information.  Find your way around with piste maps for Les Arcs. Take a look at this year's ski lift pass prices. Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb French ski resorts are still the number one choice for most British snow sports lovers Here's our pick of the finest ski resorts France has to offer Independently researched and written by the Snow Team, sponsored by the experts at Sunweb Got a head for heights? You’ll love Alpe d'Huez, which tops out at 3,300m. It’s the largest resort in the Grand Domaine ski area, which combines Auris-en-Oisans, Huez-en-Oisans, Oz-en Oisans, Vaujany and Villard so it's perfect if you love a base which offers effortless access to neighbouring resorts The resort’s location in the heart of the Grand Domaine area means allows skiers to carve up 249kms of ski runs catering to all skill levels –there are 41 green pistes the areas off the edges of this black run provide some of the best "sidecountry" terrain in Europe This is an incredibly family-friendly ski holiday destination, hence its Famille Plus designation, awarded by France Montagnes, the national tourism marketing body, to resorts best suited to family ski holidays It’s also a brilliant choice for fans of sunny spring skiing – it’s known for its warm Our favourite spot for sun-soaked après ski session Take a look a our full Alpe d’Huez ski resort guide for more details Avoriaz is one of France’s most sustainable ski resorts but it’s not just ticking boxes—in addition to Green Snowflake certification the resort has conducted a massive study into the effects of climate change on snow conditions which it's using to dictate its future plans perched at 1,800m on the edge of a dramatic cliff has always been one of France’s top destinations for skiers and snowboarders It sits at the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area The combination of its high altitude and a 600-kilometre network of runs ensures brilliant snow conditions and the compact design means that you can walk to almost everything—from restaurants to supermarkets— sometimes without ever going outside Avoriaz is also regarded as one of France’s best ski resorts for families and with good reason; kid-friendly features include the tepee-dotted Village des Enfants d’Annie Famose where children and teenagers can come for a wide range of activities There’s plenty for thrill-seekers too though plenty of easily accessible backcountry terrain and one of France's few full half pipes Read our full Avoriaz ski resort guide for more information Huddling in the shadow of the Mont Blanc massif, Chamonix is one of the most famous ski resorts not just in France brilliant glacier skiing and vast array of terrain—including some of the steepest most technical off-piste you'll find anywhere in the Alps In fact, calling Chamonix a ski resort is doing it a bit of a disservice. It's a fully-fledged mountain town with a year-round population of 10,000 people and all the amenities you'd expect to find serving them but the resort around it includes the Aiguille du Midi lift And of course if you're prepared to go mountaineering you can reach the summit of Mont Blanc itself It's not one of the best ski resorts for beginners, but there are learner areas. It's also worth noting that Chamonix is just an hour's drive from Geneva, so if finding a ski resort with a short transfer time is your priority it's worth a look whatever level you're at Find more information on our full Chamonix ski resort guide Courchevel is big, beautiful and luxurious. Méribel might be prettier, and Val Thorens might be higher but when it comes to international reputation this is the most famous ski resort in the vast 3 Vallées ski area Courchevel 1850 is by far the resort’s swankiest village and has long been a favourite of wealthy international guests there are fewer oligarchs on the slopes—but with eight Michelin star restaurants holding an incredible 14 stars between them Courchevel can still cater to those with crazy-expensive tastes It's not all bling and Breitling shops though—the villages further down the mountain at 1300m and La Tania at 1400 offer better value for money and a wider range of family-friendly accommodation Ski here and you’ll get access to the enormous 3 Vallées area and its 600 kilometres of piste but there’s plenty of fantastic terrain in this valley alone intermediate and advanced skiers are all incredibly well catered for The 150 kilometres of runs in the resort itself are easy to access and there are brilliant beginner areas in both Courchevel 1650 and 1850 While it doesn't have the reputation of a Chamonix or a Verbier the off-piste here is pretty good too — when conditions are right the Grand Couloir from the top of the Saulire is amazing Find out more by browsing our Courchevel guide here It might seem perverse including a place with fewer than 500 visitor beds and a single lift on this list of the top French ski resorts resorts don't get much better than La Grave It's among the smallest ski resorts in France, but La Grave nonetheless enjoys an outsized reputation as one of the best places on the planet for freeriding. Think Chamonix, without the crowds, or Jackson Hole it makes up for in the steepness and technicality of its terrain and the decision not to develop it any further is a deliberate one—it's all un-pisted backcountry for brave free skiers to descend in whichever way—and however fast—they see fit.The glaciated peak at the top of the ski resort is La Meije a famously gnarly mountain that was one of the last major summits in the French Alps to be conquered The bulk of the skiable terrain is down the mountain's north face Given the conditions and the available off piste terrain it's little wonder luminaries like the American big mountain pioneer Doug Coombs chose to make their homes here (and it's a mark of this mountain's seriousness that Coombs was killed here a few seasons after setting up shop) read our Weekender story from the 2022 SNOW print annual and a lot of north-facing terrain above 2,000m This winter sees the opening of a brand new €26 million (£22 million) gondola to link the Bellecôte glacier to the Roche du Mio area of the resort and will also carry skiers to a restaurant overlooking the famous north face The 11 separate villages that make up La Plagne each have their own character So while it's true that many of the buildings in Plagne Centre are slightly charmless you can find chocolate box chalets too if you head to Plagne 1800 and it feels like a reassessment of its reputation is long overdue—hence its place on this list Check out our full resort review of La Plagne here Les Arcs has a lot going for it from the small self-catered apartments you find in Bourg Saint Maurice (connected by a fast funicular railway) to the newer ski-in ski-out apartments you find in the purpose built Arc 1950 village In terms of terrain Beginners can learn the ropes on the blue runs above Arc 1600 while daredevils can satisfy their need for speed on runs like the knee-burning Villaroger which streaks down the side of the Aiguille Rouge and includes 2,000m of vertical drop over seven kilometres Make a beeline for the north face of the Aiguille Rouge or cruise over to the neighbouring resort La Plagne which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and rip down the north face of the glacier du Bellecôte (Incidentally, if it's the linked area of Les Arcs that appeals to you most, check out our list of the best linked ski areas in Europe.) Les Arcs isn’t just known for having some of the best skiing in France it's also famous for its lively and unpretentious après ski scene The cover bands who ply their trade at the long-serving Red Hot Saloon Bar in Arcs 1800 are always worth checking out Read our full Les Arcs resort guide here Les Deux Alpes sits in the shadow of Europe’s largest skiable glacier and is one of the best ski resorts in France for high altitude skiing It's also a place that's expanding at a rate of knots Since December 2020 the resort has been managed by SATA Group which promised to invest a whopping €290 million over 30 years SATA’s plans involve putting L2A (as it's known) on the map as a four-season destination—bolstering the summer glacier skiing that the resort is famous for with more infrastructure for mountain biking and other activities Recent new improvements  include a major revamp for the nursery slopes at the centre of the resort with the aim of creating fewer pinch points and allowing easier access to ski lifts the resort will open arguably its most visible new addition—a brand new Jandri Express gondola with the old circular cabins replaced by shiny new ones You’ll be spoiled for choice—there are more bars in Les Deux Alpes than you can shake a (ski) stick at Standout venues include the Bistrot Chamois Lodge for its great range of local wines and Smithy’s Tavern for the cocktails (we recommend the Smithy’s Old Fashioned—just don’t blame us when the hangover kicks in) The resort also has a fantastic selection of accommodation, ranging from catered chalets to luxury hotels such as Chalet Mounier, a spa hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Finally, it’s worth noting that this is a resort with a bright future. In addition to the recent investment, it’s believed that it will soon be connected to Alpe d'Huez which is also owned by SATA—although the exact plans have yet to be announced Take a look at our full Les Deux Alpes ski resort guide for more details Méribel is a pretty French ski resort wedged into a forested valley known as Les Allues It was founded in 1938 by the Scottish ski enthusiast Major Peter Lindsay who was looking to create a French alternative to the ski resorts of southern Germany and Austria Although it’s part of the massive 3 Vallées Méribel has plenty to offer in its own right—with 150km of pistes at altitudes of between 1,450m and 1,700m The village has everything you could ever need too Neighbouring Courchevel might be more famous for its fine dining but there's plenty of posh nosh in Méribel where Michelin-starred Chef Laurent Azoulay serves up some seriously creative cuisine The bulk of the development in Méribel town took place after World War II but unlike many of the French resorts built during the post-war skiing boom Méribel had a policy of not allowing modern tower blocks worked closely with Lindsay (who by then had been promoted to Colonel) to ensure that all the buildings would be constructed in the traditional Savoyard style—using wood and stone for the walls While the whole 3 Vallées attract a lot of British skiers Méribel is perhaps the most anglophone of the three But if that's the kind of home away from home vibe you're after Our full Meribel ski resort guide has even more details about the resort Heading south for the first time? Serre Chevalier is a great place to start – it’s got the largest ski area in the Southern French Alps perched just above the pretty mountain town of Briançon (which means even more accommodation to choose from) and nudging up against the spectacular wilderness of the Ecrins national Park No fewer than 59 lifts provide easy access to 82 runs (13 black and there’s rarely any shortage of the soft stuff – 80 per cent of the slopes are higher than 2,000 metres There are even more reasons to visit in winter 2023/24 too starting with the opening of the Pontillas gondola which will link the village of La Salle les Alpes to the Col de Méa area and the expansion of the stunning Grand Hôtel (which was the resort’s first hotel) Investment in low-energy snowmaking technology will create a new network of nursery slopes higher up the mountain although the sustainability doesn’t stop there – Serre Chevalier is investing €26M in efforts to reduce its carbon footprint This involves various reforestation projects the recovery and recycling of old ski lift components when lifts are taken out of service Get the lowdown on this family-friendly resort with our full review of Serre Chevalier For far too long, Tignes has been viewed as the ugly stepsister to Val d'Isère's sparkling Cinderella in the past few years there's been something of a reassessment of this perception Partly this is because Brutalism (the architectural style so beloved of France's ski resort builders in the 70s) is having a bit of a moment and at 2,100m above sea level the village of Tignes Le Lac is as high as ski resorts in France get a title it shares with Val Thorens.As well as being snow sure There are tree runs down near the village of Les Brevieres for when the visibility's bad (along with some excellent off piste terrain) and skiing on the glacier for when it's hot Snowboarders and freestyle skiers will appreciate the full-sized superpipe (one of the few left in Europe) and the playful terrain of the legendary Palafour run (known to locals simply as P4) The accommodation in Tignes is as varied as the ski area A brand new Club Med opened here in early 2023 and the snow tends to be good in the early and late part of the season making thus one of the most popular ski resorts with school groups And while the village might have fewer of the traditional chalets and Michelin starred restaurants that make Val d'Isère so des res Combine the variety of the various separate villages with the consistently good snow conditions and it's easy to see why Tignes is now considered one of the top French ski resorts—whatever the snobs say about its tower blocks Read our full ski resort review of Tignes for the full lowdown As well as being the most modern and least pretentious of the main 3 Valleys resorts Val Thorens is also the highest and most snow sure making it the highest-altitude resort anywhere in the Alps and 99 percent of its slopes are over the 2,000m mark If you're booking an early or late season trip and you're worried about snow coverage Val Tho (as the locals call it) is about a safe as bet as you can get in these climate compromised times capable of carrying hundreds if not thousands of skiers per hour These also offer access to some incredible backcountry terrain and the high altitude means that it's usually cold enough for the snow to stay good several days after a dump The main attraction here though, is the mountain. Wake up in the morning, and you're right there in the thick of it. Which is why Val Tho deserves its place as one of the best ski resorts in France.  Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. The 62-year-old reportedly died on a black slope in Les Arcs resort after a horror collision with another British national I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice French prosecutors have opened an enquiry into the death of a British skier on a notorious black run in the French Alps The 62-year-old woman was involved in “an extremely fast and violent” collision with a 35-year-old on the Aiguille Rouge mountain in Les Arcs on Tuesday The latest fatality is the fifth since 2008 on the toughest slope in a resort that is hugely popular with British skiers and snow boarders. It comes just weeks after a 13-year-old boy died in an avalanche near there on Christmas Day. Neither of those involved in the most recent tragedy have yet been named, but judicial officials confirmed that the investigation was underway. Benoît Bachelet, the Albertville prosecutor, was on Wednesday working with high mountain officers, who were examining the area where the accident happened. An enquiry source told The Independent: “Early indications suggest the woman was coming down the black run on the Aiguille Rouge, and lost control of her skis. “A male skier was perhaps hidden in a gully on the run, and standing still, when he was hit from behind. “The collision was extremely fast and violent, because of the speed of the run, which was on a very well-groomed piste.” The collision happened at around 10.30 on Tuesday morning, in good conditions, said the source. Both of those involved were wearing helmets, and a team from France’s CRS Republican Security Companies was on the scene within minutes, thanks to calls from other skiers. The source added: “The woman was declared dead at around 11.30, as the team were unable to revive her after she lost consciousness. “The man who was hit was evacuated to hospital, and had a broken leg, and was suffering from extreme shock.” A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in France and are in contact with the local authorities.” A spokesperson for Les Arcs said: “Despite the rapid intervention of the ski rescuers, assisted by the Courchevel CRS teams and the emergency doctor, the English victim could not be resuscitated. “The stationary skier, aged 35, was taken to the Arc 2000 medical centre with a fractured tibia-fibula.” A post mortem examination will take place to find the exact cause of the woman’s death. Philippe Janin, the safety director at Les Arcs, confirmed that the black run off the 3226m peak of the Aiguille Rouge could be extremely treacherous. In 2009, another British woman, aged 38 and from London, died in a fall on the piste, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Another fatal fall in an off-piste area nearby saw a snowboarder die on Aiguille Rouge in 2014. More recently, a 13-year-old boy lost his life on Christmas day while skiing with his family on the same mountain. The group had ventured off-piste when an avalanche, thought to have been triggered by a snowboarder above, buried the boy. A ski instructor in the area reportedly alerted authorities, with dog teams among those sent to the scene. Emergency services found the child because his skis were sticking out of the surface of the snow, according to the local reports, and he was airlifted to hospital – but he died later that evening. Some 10 traumatic deaths caused by collisions are recorded on French slopes every year, with up to half of them caused by skiers hitting each other. Les Arcs, in the Savoie department of France, is part of the Paradiski ski area in the Tarentaise Valley. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"iStock-1304804045-2.jpg","description":"Ski station on top of the high mountain in Les Arcs region of Alps with chairlifts and snow peaks on background","caption":"Les Arcs is a popular ski resort located in the Alps Les Arcs is a popular ski resort located in the Alps super skiing and great après-ski - what's not to love The locals' favourite time of the season there are plenty of great reasons to come visit us in spring – here are just a few of them Often the best powder days come in April where an overnight dump is followed by a bluebird day these days make you feel like winter may never end But even if those overnight gifts from the snow gods don't come during your visit every winter the resorts' snow teams spend hours and hours maintaining the snow and this year will be no exception to the hard work the piste teams will put in to ensure the ski areas remain in the best conditions right until the end of the season but the majority of the ski area will be able to provide good conditions If you plan things right you can miss the icy first hour and ski through until after lunch when things get heavy and slushy and it's time to find a bar and under the wonderful warm sunshine there really is no better place to ski just think blissful conditions and bluebird days...and skiing in a t-shirt And once you've done enough runs and underfoot is more slush than snow head to a mountain restaurant and top up your tan Late season deals and offers are in an abundance as the season draws to a close accommodation providers often offer savings so if you hunt around you'll typically find that end of season rates are a different kettle of fish to those peak season weeks Some have even been known to offer free kids lift passes or heavily discounted ski lessons For most lift companies the high season usually ends around early April with the late season running for the following few weeks Tour operators and the lift pass companies usually make some great deals with offers such as free children's passes or free days offered Usually all of these spring deals are web-exclusive so make sure you book online in advance to take full advantage the days will definitely feel a whole lot longer It won’t get dark in resort until after 20:00 After the lifts close, there’s plenty of daylight left which gives you time to stroll around and even take in some of the lovely walking trails and watch the sun gently go down over the mountains Just make sure you've got your headtorch packed for the trip down After the hugely busy month of February, March and April are always much quieter. And, unlike the early part of the season when the resort is gearing up and not all the pistes and lifts are open, in March and April most are open and in operation this can only mean one thing – quieter slopes but as school holidays go this tends to be the quieter of them so don't be put off coming on a spring ski holiday at this time of year And once the kids go back you can expect pretty deserted mountains for the final weeks music festivals and table dancing will take place in late April to provide a fitting send off to a great season or get friendly with the local bar staff to find out where tonight's party is at If you're looking to buy some new equipment the end of the season really is the best time of year to purchase it Virtually every shop in resort will have massive sales as the season draws to a close Discounts of around 50% are a regular occurrence and it really is a buyer's market as the end of season approaches Don’t be afraid to try a bit of haggling either "Spring" into action and book that late-season break. Find ski hire, ski lessons, private instructors, airport transfers and accommodation LES ARCS 2024 Industry Village / Awards 17/12/2024 - Thom Lunshof’s debut feature scooped the TitraFilm Prize while other trophies were won by Jaume Claret Muxart’s Strange Rivers Unspooling within the 16th Les Arcs Film Festival’s Industry Village showcasing 12 feature films in competition has delivered its verdict by way of three prizes The main jury (comprising Beatrice Fiorentino Hrönn Marinósdóttir and Ivo Andrle) awarded the TitraFilm Prize (consisting of 10,000 euros’ worth of post-production services) to First Zone Dutch director Thom Lunshof’s first feature film Written by the filmmaker in league with Sam Dijkstra the story takes us to a future world where the Netherlands are flooded A hardened woman is torn away from her desolate home - a lone wind turbine - by a violent storm she starts to wonder whether the place she once called home still holds any meaning for her… The jury crowned First Zone its winner" for its capacity to transpose present worries into a possible future cinematographic space and while sidestepping the pitfalls of didacticism and the trappings of genre film the director successfully creates a work which resonates with the modern-day whilst also conserving a universal and timeless expressive force." the story follows 15-year-old Dídac who’s cycling along the Danube with his family But something within him begins to change when he meets a mysterious 18-year-old boy.. was awarded to the only documentary presented in the Work in Progress section: Gabin French director Maxence Voiseux’s debut feature film which observes a boy over the course of 10 years who’s torn between family loyalty and his yearning for freedom and who battles to break away from his working-class background in France’s rural North Last but not least, the 22D Music Prize (endowed with 10,000 euros to fund an original film score, and whose jury notably included Icelandic composer Atli Örvarsson, and Fionnuala Jamison who heads up international sales at mk2) was awarded to Solomamma by Norway’s Janicke Askevold Scripted by Jørgen Faerøy Flanes and Mads Stegger the film revolves around 40-year-old Nora who becomes a single mother thanks to a sperm donor setting off a chain reaction with unexpected consequences.. TitraFilm PrizeFirst Zone - Thom LunshofProduction: Marrit Greidanus (Makaki Productions) (the Netherlands) 22D Music PrizeSolomamma - Janicke AskevoldProduction: Bacon Pictures Oslo (Norway), Bacon Pictures Copenhagen (Denmark), Mistrus Media (Latvia), Dansu Films (Lithuania) 19/12/2024Les Arcs 2024 – Industry Village REPORT: Industry Village @ Les Arcs 2024 Time to ski and party at these large scale techno music events in the Alps This first of its kind event brings together numerous artists featuring more than 50 of the world's best acts for a six day festival in the snow plus you can easily access all events on foot if you don't fancy mixing  your skiing with your dancing The US-style resort of Arc 1950 has long been an oddity in the Alps this self-contained village has its charms It’s early April and the snow is falling hard turning the world around me into a winter wonderland I only left the apartment where I’m staying with my family ten minutes ago waiting for my guide and chomping at the bit to make the most of a few hours of freedom while my kids are at ski school I have taken my two kids—now six and ten—on numerous ski holidays I love the fact that they share my passion for the mountains and we get to spend some quality time together as a family But my own levels of pre-trip excitement for our annual Easter jaunt tends not to mirror that of the children The trudge to and from the slopes carrying my own snowboard If we’ve chosen a resort with buses to wait for it really can put a dampener on the whole trip a purpose-built ski village in the French resort of Les Arcs It was created from scratch by the US company Intrawest—now known as the Alterra Mountain Company—and opened fully in 2004 where almost everything from restaurants to rental shops is owned by one company Alterra has since sold up in Les Arcs (although they’re on a march towards world domination elsewhere) but their legacy remains in this traffic-free The snow-covered streets are flanked by a series of architecturally-sympathetic buildings offering American condo-style accommodation for 3,900 guests Arc 1950 packs a huge amount into a tiny and convenient space: there are restaurants all within a few minutes’ walk (or ski) of any of the apartments it sits at the centre of one of the biggest ski areas in the world which unites Les Arcs with neighbouring La Plagne turns up he is as keen as I am to get stuck in “It’s been snowing for a few days,” he tells me this is my first powder day for nearly four years But after a quick chairlift chat where Julien tells me about his extensive freeride credentials I ask that he go easy on me for a couple of runs Fast forward two minutes and I find myself sitting in a white out with a 100 km/h wind blowing in my face I navigate my way down the chute and we quickly enter some lovely There’s complete silence other than the muffled sound of the snow falling lies a perfectly pitched forest of untouched whooping my way through the trees and into an open bowl that goes on for what feels like an age Having forced my hand and learned that I can (just about) follow him leading me into pockets of fresh snow for the next few hours it’s one of the best powder days I can remember I’m knackered when it’s time to pick the kids up and I’ve barely scratched the surface of the terrain Les Arcs has to offer each apartment in Arc 1950 has to have access to a hot-tub—the après-ski jacuzzi being akin to a religious rite in the US we head out as a family and discover one of the many events the resort puts on in the bustling main square each week It’s basically a rare opportunity to throw your children down the mountain (in a safe controlled and legal way of course) which proves great fun for adults and kids alike Later in the week there will be ice courses set up for scooter racing Our final day brings blue skies and excellent snow conditions Although we have been on a few runs before her progression over the course of the week means that we are able to plan a route for the morning and ski ‘properly’ for the first time together The area immediately around Arc 1950 is superb for intermediates with modern lifts reaching high enough for you to take your pick of the forgiving blues and reds all the way back down to the village I explain that because I’m on a snowboard I may have to go fast at points but that I will always wait for her at the next turning or slope we encounter a flat section and I speed ahead Stopping at the next slope I look around to see how she’s getting along It’s clear we’re onto the exciting next phase of her skiing we manage to cram in a good number of runs plus a stop at an Igloo café for a mid-morning coffee who’d been similarly impressed with both Libby and her sister and had watched the ski resort develop from the valley up “Arc 1950 was the last resort they built,” he says because it’s very different to the big buildings in the other villages Arc 1800 and Arc 2000.” But after nearly 20 years families especially have come to appreciate its smaller scale because it’s more on the level of family life,” Pierre said kids can play and adults can see them from the balconies—it’s like a small world.” Certainly this “small world” has been a superb base for our family trip The ease of the resort has removed all manner of minor stresses the activities in town have been great—and best of all outdoor hot tubs with views over Mont-Blanc Look out for the dedicated family time slots Launch yourself from the top of the Varet cable car in Peisey Vallandry and hit speeds of up to 130km/h on a 1.8km zipwire descent through the mountains The ride can be done in tandem for some epic parent/child memories—and cool Dad points from the kids Easily accessible in five minutes from the village via the Cabriolet gondola the Luge 2000 has 3,000m of descent and a 400m vertical drop—it’s like toboganning The apartments in Arc 1950 are all ski-in-ski-out and are interconnected, with each having access to an indoor or outdoor pool, spa and, of course, hot tub. They’re comfortable rather than luxurious, but an excellent base for a family trip with well equipped kitchens, decent-sized bedrooms and balconies overlooking the pistes. Jim and his family were hosted by Inghams The kids were taught by Evolution2, who provide private and group lessons in 20 resorts across the Alps and Pyrenees. Jim’s off-piste guiding was booked through Ecole du Ski Francais Jim and family’s ski hire was provided by Ski Set who have shops across the Alps They provide a knowledgeable service in store and huge range of equipment for all ages and abilities take a look at what's new in town and on the slopes From the ski area to what's fresh in the resort Early signs of snowfall here in The Alps are creating much excitement for the upcoming winter season The ski industry here is raring to go and this winter looks like being an exceptionally busy one Les Arcs ski area opens on the 14 December and ski passes are on sale A reminder that from 1 November to 31 March you'll need to have winter tyres on your vehicle (M&S marking OR at least snow chains or socks in the vehicle when driving in the mountain regions in France following a law introduced in November 2021 On the Cabanes trail pass through a giant magnifying glass and enter a magical kingdom of the small creatures that live in the mountains - discover the secrets of insects such as the dragonfly all tucked away on the mini slopes The first phase of the snowpark includes a themed tunnel enhanced start lines and revamped freestyle modules Also plans are in place for this to be a summer destination with summer activities transforming this area The second phase of the Transarc is due in December 2024 which will see the opening of the new Transarc gondola with modern 10 seat cabins and the ability to whisk skiers up to 2,600m in just 13 minutes This structure will house photovoltaic panels to produce its own electricity to run this gondola The goal is to achieve zero emissions by 2030 This winter alone will see a reduction of 83% by using HVO renewable fuel made from waste vegetable oils without palm oil as a substitute for diesel This will be used for the heating of buildings fuel for snow groomers and electricity for ski lifts and snow making etc.Les Arcs' intention is to produce 25% of the resorts' electricity with recyclable energy by 2030 by adding photovoltaic panels to buildings and making hydroelectricity by using the artificial snow networks Take a look at the events calendar for a diverse range of activities from E-mountain biking on snow in the dark to Freeride qualifiers Find more details for these and other events in Les Arcs on our events calendar Then take a look at all that's new in Les Arcs for yourself.. La Folie Douce lights up the slopes of Les Arcs at the winter season closing party One last dance on the tables of the famous Folie Douce get ready to close the season in spectacular style… folie style Located at the top of the Villards cable car it's accessible for both pedestrians and skiers Gondolas are free and operate throughout the event tickets need to be purchased in advance.  Bookings are now available for the Eurostar ski trains for this winter High-speed ski train from UK to the French Alps Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice offers a more eco-friendly way to get to a whole host of ski resorts including Les Arcs Leaving from London St Pancras International on Saturday mornings between December and March Eurostar also offers a generous baggage allowance with each passenger able to bring two suitcases and skis or a snowboard Once in Moûtiers, Aime or Bourg Saint Maurice, you can get a transfer or a bus service to the ski resorts: Return trains leave on Sunday mornings from: Cheaper prices are available in off-peak weeks but expect to pay more for popular times with Christmas and February half term usually selling out within minutes of going on sale.  Tickets are available from the Eurostar website at Eurostar stations or from travel agents. Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb 08/11/2024 - Second feature film projects by Sofia Alaoui Christina Tynkevich and Behrooz Karamizade are all set to enjoy the limelight It’s worth noting that 350 projects were submitted this year Three Icelandic projects will also be in on the action thanks to the focus session dedicated to the country this year For the record, the Industry Village (which includes the Co-Production Village) revealed the participants of the Talent Village’s 7th edition at the end of October (read our news) which will boast Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi as its patron the ever-hotly anticipated Work in Progress selection is due to be announced at the beginning of December 30 Days of Summer - Anastasiia SolonevychProduction: Bosonfilm (Ukraine) All Clear - Christina TynkevichProduction: Evos Film (Ukraine), Fiction Park (Germany) Anemone - Sarah VeltmeyerProduction: Fixy (the Netherlands) Babette - Franziska Margarete HoenischProduction: Studio Zentral (Germany), Tellfilm GmbH (Switzerland), Amour Fou (Austria) Burning Skin - Behrooz KaramizadeProduction: Weydemann Bros. (Germany), Living Pictures Production GbR (Germany) Clara - Agustina MacriProduction: Ginger Film Flanders (Belgium), Maze Pictures (Germany) Discipline - Camille DegeyeProduction: Petit Chaos (France) Just A Kid - Vala ÓmarsdóttirProduction: Ursus Parvus (Iceland), BIND (the Netherlands), Alexandra Film (Estonia) Grizzly - Sophie GalibertProduction: Elementary (France) Happy Days - Floor Van Der MeulenProduction: Keplerfilm (the Netherlands) Rosa Candida - Clara Lemaire AnspachProduction: Haut et Court (France) Seaview - Katarina MoranoProduction: Vertigo (Slovenia), Eclectica (Croatia) Seven Balconies - Erlendur SveinssonProduction: Sensor (Iceland) Tarfaya - Sofia AlaouiProduction: Wrong Films (France), Jiango Films (Morocco), Kwassa Films (Belgium) The Nose - Sophie LinnenbaumProduction: BandenFilm (Germany) Toad - Claire FlowerProduction: Elation Pictures (UK) Until We Find You Name - Vaggelio SoumeliProduction: AMP Filmworks (Cyprus), Graal (Greece) Whale - Helga Rakel RafnsdóttirProduction: Compass Films (Iceland) 03/12/2024Les Arcs 2024 – Industry Village Les Arcs’ Work in Progress section to present 13 titles especially if you're bringing the family Top tips to keep your trip from breaking the bank you can bring the price down with some forward planning and a little insider knowledge Here are our top tips for saving money whilst visiting Les Arcs As with many alpine resorts, Les Arcs has a huge array of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Booking these independently can have significant savings. Many second-home owners will rent their apartments or chalets out during times that they are not using them themselves so you can often find some great deals with them Also bear in mind French property agencies who may be overlooked by non French tourists but have an array of apartments on their books These properties may not always have the most modern of furnishings but can be an ideal base when looking to save a few pennies Equally booking direct with a hotel can provide a saving in most cases. Most hotels will also be happy to provide accommodation away from the standard Saturday to Saturday format that most tour operators use Shorter stays are also available at most hotels Ski passes are an essential but potentially expensive element of every ski holiday It's worth noting when the lift passes go on sale (usually mid-November) and making sure you take advantage of any early-bird offers the lift companies are doing to entice advance sales By being savvy savings can be made simply by booking online at least seven days in advance Gone are the days when booking late meant getting a great deal, the emphasis now is on booking flights as early as you can in order to get good deal As an alternative to flying why not consider travelling by train; you can get a direct train at weekends from the middle of December or everyday into Paris and connect with an SNCF train from Paris to Lyon or Geneva.  If you have booked your own flights and accommodation you will need to get from the airport to the resort. If in a group of up to eight people, a private hired minibus transfer is a good option for saving both time and money and you can get door to door drop offs If you're only in resort for a short break it may prove more economical to hire a car from the airport, but do shop around as all the main rental companies have outlets at Lyon and Geneva airports and some of these can be booked at the same time as your flights with some of the budget airlines Consider hiring a small SUV that will have four-wheel-drive capabilities and double check that the car you hire has all the necessary safety equipment required for driving in the mountains (snow chains If you're not bringing your own gear, you will need to hire skis, a snowboard and/or boots Prices can vary massively according to demand, quality of equipment and location. Sometimes you can get a good package deal from your holiday or accommodation provider, however, the best deals are usually found online when you book in advance Mid-January and mid-March tend to be the cheapest times to ski and generally have good snow You only have to look at any budget airline website to see when the school holidays are as the price hike sticks out like a sore thumb so if you're on a tight budget you should try and avoid these dates the cheapest week of the season is the week straight after New Year; all the schools across Europe are back in term time and most people have used up their holiday allowance If you have to ski during the school holidays, Easter is far cheaper than February, as whilst the UK schools will only be off for a week, the French school holidays are phased and pretty much take up the whole of the month As such although flights outside of the UK school holiday won’t be too expensive accommodation in resort will be at peak prices for the whole of February the queues will be shorter and the slopes less crowded than in the middle of February If you decide to go self-catering most mountain resorts have a couple of reasonably sized supermarkets and convenience stores that will pretty much cater for your every need high altitude convenience does come at a price and if you're travelling by car you can still save a fair bit of money by shopping at home before you leave (just check what you're allowed to bring if travelling from outside Europe - i.e Some savvy travellers do an online shop before they leave and just collect it en route it may be possible to arrange for the driver to make a small supermarket detour obviously this should be arranged in advance and not just sprung on your unsuspecting chauffeur in the arrivals hall Independent travellers often pride themselves on getting better deals than the big holiday companies By booking with a tour operator you can take advantage of their massive buying power and the huge number of beds in resort that they are looking to fill A package holiday through a tour operator will typically include flights so when you add it all up it may be cheaper to book one of these holidays Often tour operators will fly from a wider range of regional airports too tour operators charge a premium during the Christmas and school holidays The UCPA warrants a special mention for value as it's not so well known outside of France This non-profit organisation was set up over 40 years ago to encourage young people to enjoy the outdoors These days they offer great value holidays with meals All you have to add is the cost of getting here By Li Wen my wife and I moved to the Medieval village Les Arcs I’m asking our neighbor where she bought her new refrigerator I tell her I need a store where I can examine appliances in person my initiation to French big-box retail begins Much of the Provençal life that people imagine and that I briefly experienced in my youth two architects looking to refresh after decades of living and working in Los Angeles I’ve discovered that much of the American lifestyle also exists here: expanding suburban housing developments Growing populations need to be housed and filled with competitively priced goods that seemingly only big-box retail There is perhaps a growth logic that escapes borders So we hop into our car and head to our nearest Boulanger The big-box shopping experience here starts on the road as there are few street grids in this part of Provence The rationale for the grid’s continued use in America—providing clean parcels for private development and efficiency for the automobile—did not exist in the days when many of these rustic settlements were built and travel was by horse or foot the American grid is replaced by the roundabout—the logical geometric means to redistribute cars on converging roads of varying angles It also means that one cannot stop at a traffic intersection to look for a store In my search for Boulanger along the feeder road in Puget-sur-Argens it also doesn’t help that the tall pylon signage found in America is noticeably absent Such markers are perhaps rendered useless here by the curved streets that eliminate the grid’s long view corridors are pushed up closer to the road for increased visibility where access to big box retail is provided by signaled traffic intersections for regimented flow access to French big box is a jostling affair of roundabouts Too late—we’ve missed the exit to Boulanger and need to circle around again we encounter secondary roundabouts where we can slow down and get our bearings But the general lack of “front yard” parking in French big boxes due to buildings encroaching upon the street for increased visibility relegates most parking to the “back.” Thus these secondary roundabouts are the “doors” to French big box centers I notice the less-efficient stall patterns the geometric result of planning off a circle do not easily accommodate the angles of stalls and drive aisles frustrating my search for available parking But there is an environmental advantage to the French approach While the grid enlarges one’s perception of a big-box complex’s overall size the more radial arrangement here allows buildings to better adapt their positioning to the varying terrain reducing grading and increasing optimization of land constraints It could almost be an exiled store from a high-end mall its polished image foretells the character of the electronics and appliances within Though the bog-box typology may be utilitarian I feel an attempt here to lend that DNA a contemporary guise Entering through frameless motion-sensored sliding glass doors that open with an almost inaudible hiss I am immediately struck by the seemingly high levels of ambient lighting as opposed to the find-and-exit expediency I feel in American big boxes I can also perceive the overall space; this is a big experience I have come to realize that not all French big boxes offer Boulanger’s experience one cannot help but notice how it is a warehouse for retail with products densely stacked on numerous rows of similar metal racks piled up seemingly to the ceiling dimming the light and requiring rolling stairs to reach the top shelves and that character is maintained throughout Though one can anticipate the scale of choices from the building’s size Variously scaled display systems mark different departments and the presentations are kept at a lower height Large products are often displayed where one can inspect them without having to exert much energy And there is also more space between products thereby avoiding the crammed density in its American peer This French big-box experience is more akin to a large department store than a warehouse In thinking about the differences between American and French big box my mind migrates to how this might reveal the differences between American and French modernity American Modernism initially adhered more to notions of function and honesty preferred to explore more human—and therefore more idiosyncratic—experiences This may explain why the work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe gained a larger foothold in America than that of his Modernist counterpart Modernism was as much a social project as it was an aesthetic one Modernism became stripped of much of its social underpinnings and became codified and rationalized for ease and speed of dissemination This was perhaps due to the vast size of America’s land and market the latter half of Le Corbusier’s architecture portfolio (and Mies’ early European work) reflects a preoccupation with the qualities of scale and maybe even contradiction; more human and less machine And as these two modernist trajectories evolved within a more interconnected world they may have met at the place of spectacle But even here one senses a difference—the American architectural spectacle being more about entertainment One feels this when experiencing the novel forms of Frank Gehry set against the dramatic gestures of Jean Nouvel hinted at when I see all the sans-serif block letters and contemporary graphics that adorn big boxes here or walk into the 10-meter-high entry pavilion at my local Leroy Merlin would be brimming with products to further distract customers with more choices Differences may be as much about what one adds as what one leaves behind But French big-box commerce will remain as long as the search for lower prices continues They are necessary for the many who live here Their back-of-house function contributes to the continuation of the front-of-house Provençal lifestyle While this back-of-house is usually concentrated in areas adjacent to major auto routes for ease of product transport and cheaper land are removed from such spaces to maintain their character and integrity Natural landscape separates the two ecosystems both can continue to coexist here in a state of mutual dependance I’ve discovered that the difference between the “new world” and the “old world” is not that the latter lacks the former Thus I can walk down slate paved paths to my preindustrial village center for fresh daily fare and drive a short distance through a green belt to my nearby Hyper-U and domestic offerings —600 years of time travel in 10 minutes a quality in America provided by its cultural melting pot and laissez-faire economics is counterbalanced in France by aggregated influences over time a history that seems to serve as an additional buttress against the vagaries of the future I have gained an empirical appreciation for how the timeless needs time how that maturity can form a more stable foundation for the arrival of the “new.” Where America chases the “new,” its shorter history and larger land mass providing a tabula rasa for the future in France the “new” cannot help but be just another layer of time its much longer recorded history forming a baseline for merely what comes next Rising high over the vineyards next to the A8 artery are the beginnings of another “bigger box” distribution center There are already almost a dozen in the area—the retail typology of the 21st century Online shopping and deliveries have also become ubiquitous here as reflected in my neighbor’s initial reply And if you live in one of these old villages it’s easier to have your purchases delivered through these narrow winding village streets Convenience and low prices drive a consumer logic that knows no borders But with its buffers of green belts and history France may have enough to find an appropriate balance The numerous signs illustrating historic sites that dot the A-8 reflect France’s rabid protection of its legacy This is done to support national identity and the robust tourist economy these incentives may be enough to form effective safeguards Li Wen is a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture and a former Design Principal at Gensler He presently resides in France as a freelance writer while pursuing other creative endeavors Get smart and engaging news and commentary from architecture and design’s leading minds a Not-For-Profit website dedicated to reconnecting architecture and design to the public There's always a headline grabbing new tech whetting our appetites for the winter Every year new winter gear hits the market and suddenly your goggles whether it's your jacket or just your socks that have seen better days we must also be aware of our responsibility to the planet and there is a definite mantra of 'recycle rent' echoing around the mountains these days The future of the mountains and the winter sports we love are calling Have a read of our guide to what you may (or may not) need this season and our recommendations of some brands doing their best to make our industry more sustainable When it comes to buying your new high tech performance jacket this year forget about whether it's in this year's colours and focus on whether it's made from recycled materials Some brands even suggest that their outdoor gear is so technically advanced that you won't need to replace it any time soon and not bringing out new gear every season has become a trend in itself their collections only changing when a better material or design has been created There are several retailers that rent apparel as well as skis etc and some clothing brands such as Picture Organic even rent their apparel out (currently only available online in France) A good ski or snowboarding jacket is worth every penny your budget allows and if you're a one or two week a year skier it should last you many many years For those of us that live in the mountains a few seasons worth is the best we can hope for A good jacket will protect you from powder A lot of product technology goes into a good jacket and that's why the top brands charge so much The range is vast and there are so many fits features etc designed to suit the many needs of the mountain users Here's a few tips on how to narrow it down: It's always worth trying on in the shops so many retailers do deals on their websites Or if your jacket has another winter in it wait until the sales at the end of the season and pick up a deal so you're all set for next year There are of course numerous snow sports outerwear brands out there and you will see many more that we haven't mentioned here But these are the brands that stand out to us because of their environmental credentials: We're talking about trousers or salopettes/bibs If you do more ski touring than piste riding you may want a looser fit to allow for kickturn action and side-vents for letting out the steam on spring days There is currently a trend for bib-style salopettes like we had in the eighties (for those of us old enough to remember) The cool kids are wearing them very baggy with their jackets worn underneath.. Often an undervalued part of your ensemble choosing the right ski pants is important to keep you dry warm and comfortable all day and in all conditions the things to look out for are very similar.  there are numerous ski/snowboard pants brands out there try them on before you buy if possible and look online for great end of season deals impact shorts or knee pads it's good to take them with you when you go to a store to ensure they fit over these comfortably Here are a couple of brands we think are worth a look in addition to the brands mentioned in the jackets section above: Getting equipped for the mountains requires more than a breathable softshell and a nice backpack Your base layer also needs to be perfectly suited to your needs Comfort is as important as climate-regulating properties and when it comes to base layers and socks The world's highest performing natural fibre merino wool is great at moving moisture away from your skin and dries quickly too due to the fine fibres that make up the material Cool when it's hot and warm when it's not it's itch free and highly sustainable - it breaks down naturally and you can even compost it It also contains natural anti-bacterial properties that protect against odour so you don't need to regularly wash it you can leave your socks out to dry at the end of the day and wear them the next with no smell so look after it and it will look after you When buying any merino based products look for ZQ-certified wool this is wool that meets the gold standard of the New Zealand Merino Company and economic sustainability while safeguarding animal welfare You may question the price tag associated with merino wool but the cost is justified when you look at the high performance this natural fibre repeatedly delivers you'll never regret buying merino wool base layers the role of a mid-layer is to keep you warm by insulating and trapping body heat whilst still being breathable enough to allow moisture to escape without making you feel clammy or cold Worn over your skin-hugging merino base layer and beneath your waterproof outer layer some skiers and snowboarders wear multiple mid-layers depending on their planned activities and that day's weather forecast A mid-layer consists of long-sleeved technical tops soft shells or anything that keeps you warm Adaptable to the conditions and your exertions they can be removed and packed away when things get sweaty and come back out again when you start to cool down You'll find there are multiple options in both synthetic and natural fibres The efficiency of the material to insulate you is important down insulated jackets or synthetic insulated jackets you need only look to the same guys from which you would buy the rest of your gear they will all do excellent mid-layers depending on your needs Whichever fabric you go for look for lightweight packable items that don't compromise on their insulation.  These days with all the tech flying around there's much more to picking the right goggles than meets the eye If you haven't shown any interest in the goggle market in the last few years These days you can get them with magnetic lens-change systems making it easy to swap out lenses when weather suddenly changes some goggles don't even require a second lens because they will adapt automatically to the change in light conditions and some are designed and engineered to fit your face perfectly Always take your helmet along with you when trying on goggles to ensure there is a good fit Something to consider before you go shopping is your budget Some of the models out there can come with a hefty price tag but when it comes to goggles a bigger price tag usually means more tech Once it's established how much you're spending look for some of the features we have listed below to work out which ones you want.  Here's some things to look out for and what they mean: These are some well respected goggle brands that you'll likely come across in your search: Smith Optics: As a leader in optics it's no surprise their goggles are some of the best on the market. They use ChromaPop™ anti-fog lenses that enhance contrast and highlight every feature. If you have a Smith helmet, their goggles offer a seamless integration. SMITH OPTICS website Oakley: Featuring rimless goggles with some of the largest fields of view on the market and extreme peripheral vision, they have a large selection of Prizm lenses, fog resistance and all-day comfort in a variety of colours and sizes. OAKLEY website Anon Optics: This is Burton's eyewear company, producing stylish frames and superior clarity lenses. ANON website Bollé: French brand established in 1888, they first marketed ski goggles in 1960 and have long been known for quality optics for snow, water and everywhere. Their Volt+ lenses are said to offer better clarity and a 30% improvement in colour perception. Some come with flow-tech venting, keeping you fog free all day. BOLLE website Giro: A good entry level brand making affordable goggles that offer good functionality and performance at a reasonable price. Their top of the range models come stacked with features and high end optics, so are worth a look if you've the budget. GIRO website POC: Some of the best freeride goggles out there, these goggles fit with multiple helmets, they do tend to be rather pricey but are jam packed with tech. POC website Scott: A large range of ski goggles in a variety of colours for all conditions, their current range is the culmination of 45 years spent developing the best goggles possible. SCOTT SPORTS website Dragon: Californian eyewear brand known for making a good quality range of goggles, they even make some just for smaller faces, take a look if this is you. They produce everything from entry level goggles to those full of tech, again it all depends on your price point. DRAGON website Depending on whether you live in the mountains all season long or just visit them once or twice a year you may want slightly different things from your choice of gloves or mittens (or even fitten - short for finger mitten) Are your hands always cold and in need of a liner glove Do your hands run hot and need moisture-wicking and a breathable material and if picked incorrectly you'll have freezing hands and numb fingers which will completely ruin your day on the mountain there's surprisingly a lot of technology that goes into keeping your hands warm Also something to consider is the differences for skiers and snowboarders When snowboarding you're more likely to drag your fingers on the surface of the snow so make sure there's an overwrap or overlap If they end with seams at the tip they can be susceptible to abrasion when snowboarding so the gloves need to allow room for this and some like padding on the rear of the hand for protection when carving Here are some brands to look out for when choosing your next pair: Black Diamond - legendary among hardcore skiers for warmth and durability. BLACK DIAMOND website Dakine - offer no-nonsense warmth for season-long use with a friendly price point. DAKINE website Burton - has a range of affordable gloves and mittens, some come with Gore-Tex and liners, it really depends on your budget and what you require from your gloves. BURTON website Reusch - the world's leading traditional glove brand since 1934, they specialise in goalkeeping gloves and multifunctional / winter sports gloves. REUSCH website So besides the technology that's gone into your clothing what's the latest gadget to have on you this year and at least one earbud to listen to your boot inserts then don't forget the latest smart watch Some recent models have map features that show areas that are steep enough to avalanche and heat maps to indicate where popular ski tour routes are For those really serious about their ski gear there is another level above what the likes of you and I would buy This is extreme high performance ski and snowboard gear that will survive most things and then get stuck back together with duct tape when it falls apart This is the gear worn and carried for expeditions by mountain guides and mountaineers inside sealable pockets and reinforced seams These product will also have picked up a few highly respectable awards for technology along the way but keep an eye out because these technologies if proven successful at what they promise to do will always trickle down into the more affordable ranges for the average joe skier and snowboarder So with all this research and investment in apparel technology you could be left wondering what does it all mean and what does it do Here's our guide to a few of the main techs and fabrics you'll read about a lot when looking into buying a new product So if you've decided on what you may need to replace or add to your skiing or snowboarding kit what should you do with your old gear to extend its life and ensure it doesn't just end up in landfill Kids especially grow out of their gear before they've even gotten much wear out of it Repair: most brands will happily repair damage to your kit if it's covered under the warranty and if not some shops run a repair service where you can take your gear and they'll put in a new zip or repair a tear for free or a nominal fee If the waterproofing has gone in your favourite pants or jacket buy some Nikwax and give your clothes another season's worth of wear Rehome: you could sell it repaired (or unrepaired if you make it clear what's wrong with it) on numerous resale websites such as Ebay Or check with your local ski shop if any organisations are looking for used ski gear this is a great option if it's still in good condition and less than about 10 years old Kids skis/snowboards and winter clothing are definitely always worth donating some organisations that put on youth programs don't have the money to buy it and by donating it increases access for everyone to the wonderful winter sports we all love Failing that drop it off at your local charity shop who can benefit from your unwanted items Recycle: many brands take back their clothing when you're done with it and sometimes will even give you a nice discount voucher to spend in-store often making new fibres that will go into making a new product Or turn your old helmet into a hanging planter and make a ski or snowboard bench to sit outside your home and forever remind you of your days on the hill together suffered traumatic shock and died shortly after collision with British man An investigation is under way after a British woman died after a “violent collision” on a ski slope in south-east France. The 62-year-old woman experienced traumatic shock and died shortly after the collision, according to the French news outlet Le Dauphiné Liberé. Ski patrollers, an emergency doctor and teams from Courchevel ski resort were unable to resuscitate her. A 35-year-old man, also said to be a British national, had been stationary on the piste at the time of the incident and suffered a broken leg. He was taken to a hospital in the region, reports said. The incident occurred at the Les Arcs resort in Savoie on Tuesday morning, according to reports. The British woman was skiing on the black slope of the Aiguille Rouge mountain when she hit the man. An investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the incident was under way, the local prosecutor Benoît Bachelet told the AFP news agency. Black runs are very difficult slopes, intended for expert skiers and snowboarders. Both victims were reportedly wearing helmets. According to Domaines Skiables de France, the association that represents ski area operators in France, there are approximately 10 deaths a year on French slopes. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in France and are in touch with the local authorities.” 8th January 2025 | James Cove, Arc1950, Paradiski, France. We are in the high-altitude resort in the Paradiski area in France for our first turns of 2025. Now we are in January the crowds have gone with decent conditions remaining on the higher slopes Some locals have been calling it one of the best starts to a season in a decade though the weather has changed by mid-week with some wildly fluctuating temperatures Here’s my snow report from Tuesday 7th January but conditions were still good at altitude Arc 1950 is a popular resort with the British “The British guests are very important for us,” said the general manager of Arc 1950 the ski area and our altitude where snow is guaranteed.” The UK operator, VIP SKI is one of the main British operators in the resort and we have stayed at its flagship award-winning property There are a host of new initiatives and activities in the resort for this season The Wool Socks Pub in the centre of the village has been completely re-furbished While La Vache Rouge continues to offer a fabulous wine list Outside it also has a Richard Orlinski offering We visited the Richard Orlinski gallery in Paris on the way down to Arc 1950 a few days ago and thoroughly advise a stop-off in the French capital if you are taking the train via Paris See here for our report on the PlanetSKI Paris stop-off: One of the main developments to the area is coming next winter A new 10-seater gondola from Villaroger/Le Pre that gives access to the ski areas above Arc 1950 It is a new back-door way into this part of the Paradiski And will be built above the car park in Le Pre The path of the new lift has already been cleared with trees felled and work starts at the end of this winter for a planned opening for the 2025/26 season It will carry 1,800 people per hour at a speed of 7m per second taking 5 minutes from the bottom at 1,210m to the top at 2,119m It will replace the two old chairlifts that are currently there It will open up the Villaroger area to more skiers wanting to ski the longest ski runsin the area – the 7km run from the top of the Aiguille Rouge down to Villaroger It is expected to transform the sleepy old village with talk of 900 new beds being built at some time in the future others believe it will ruin this quiet corner of the mountains However though the lift is going in shortly any further major developments are likely a long way off “The new lift will not directly affect us here at Arc 1950 with a loss of visitors but rather it will give our guests a new area to explore and enjoy,” said Delphine Prot “We thoroughly welcome it and very much look forward to it.” For me the skiing above Villaroger/Le Pre is an absolute gem with great off piste fabulous tree skiing and an altogether different atmosphere to other parts of the mega ski area of Paradiski PlanetSKI is only in the area for 24-hours but we are very fond of this corner of the Paradiski area In fact my family and I chose to spend Xmas in Les Arcs in 2023 on a private visit Next stop on this French road trip is Sainte Foy See here for more details on Arc 1950