ChrisC
Well-known member
Les Arcs
I skied Paradiski: Les Arcs and La Plagne in a single day in April 2018. It was an insane 60k+ vertical foot day that took me to the core zones of each mega resort, but I always felt I needed to give Les Arcs, and in particular Arcs 2000, more attention, since there is so much freeride potential there.
Also, Les Arcs just upgraded the Villaroger 1200m entrance to the complex with a new lodge, parking structure, and gondola. What skier would not want to explore the Aiguille Rouge, 3226m, and take some 2000m/6600 ft vertical laps? There is also a lot of off-piste terrain served by the Aiguille Rouge Cable Car, Varet Gondola, and Grand Col lifts.
And although my objective for the day was to finally ski Sainte Foy, I did not think I needed a full day. Given the sunshine and lack of fresh snow for 4 days, I thought I could see enough of Ste. Foy in the morning, and take advantage of AM Lift Ticket pricing at Les Arcs. Note: Les Arcs sells half-day morning tickets valid until 12:45 PM for around 50 Euros
Paradiski: Les Arcs-La Plagne
Les Arcs - only
Focus: Les Arcs 2000.
Entrance: Villaroiger 1200 m. Marked by X.
I did take one lap over to Arc 1600 to see the new upgrade:
The iconic Transarc Gondola at the Les Arcs ski resort in France underwent a massive, multi-year, multimillion-dollar metamorphosis. Upgrades include a new 10-passenger lift that cuts travel time from 20 to 13 minutes, a mid-station Mineral Gallery, and a panoramic summit terrace
Topo Map
Lots of North-facing terrain in Arcs 2000, but overall the majority of Les Arcs faces W
View of the Ste. Foy ski area (PM destination) from the new Villaroger Gondola. Note: Ste. Foy faces almost due West, and is in morning shade. It was much more preferable skiing E/NE/N - facing Les Arcs.
People were waiting for the Aiguille Rouge Tram before its 9:30 AM official opening. I decided to take a few ski laps off the Varet Gondola instead.
View west to Arcs 1600
Again, the Aiguille Rouge Tram is an impressive lift.
It should likely make the Top 10 important ski lifts in Europe, maybe even the Top 20, since there are so many.
The Grand Col lift serves excellent freeride and expert piste terrain
Plagnettes and Arcabulle HS Lifts.
It takes two high-capacity lifts in order to create moguls in Europe. Needed to warm up in the sun, too!
Note: Les Arcs has a great policy where it will denote expert pistes left in their 'natural' state - yellow on the piste map - allowing some US-style moguls to form. Or just controlled avy access to steep terrain.
Lots of closeups of Aiguille Rouge 3222m (left) and Aiguille de Saint Esprit 3414m (right)
Aiguille Tram (left) and Grand Col lift (center)
Finally, the Aiguille Rogue Tram and 2000m vertical runs!
Summit of Aiguille Rogue
Mont Blanc
Obsessed with Mont Blanc on a clear day!
Of course, Mont Blanc Panorama
Eventually, it was time to ski Aiguille Rogue piste from top-to-bottom. Likely the best high-intermediate-to-expert-groomed piste for pure vertical and scenery! 2000m+/6600ft vertical! Few flats, all downhill-impressive! Conditions were phenomenal, too, thanks to recent snow and deep bases. I was able to make two laps on it; once with freshly groomed conditions, once a little later when some traffic actually improved surfaces in some areas.
Some views across the valley to Ste. Foy
Arriving back at Arcs 2000 from Villaroger base. Looking at Aiguille Grive 2732m
I skied Paradiski: Les Arcs and La Plagne in a single day in April 2018. It was an insane 60k+ vertical foot day that took me to the core zones of each mega resort, but I always felt I needed to give Les Arcs, and in particular Arcs 2000, more attention, since there is so much freeride potential there.
Also, Les Arcs just upgraded the Villaroger 1200m entrance to the complex with a new lodge, parking structure, and gondola. What skier would not want to explore the Aiguille Rouge, 3226m, and take some 2000m/6600 ft vertical laps? There is also a lot of off-piste terrain served by the Aiguille Rouge Cable Car, Varet Gondola, and Grand Col lifts.
And although my objective for the day was to finally ski Sainte Foy, I did not think I needed a full day. Given the sunshine and lack of fresh snow for 4 days, I thought I could see enough of Ste. Foy in the morning, and take advantage of AM Lift Ticket pricing at Les Arcs. Note: Les Arcs sells half-day morning tickets valid until 12:45 PM for around 50 Euros
Paradiski: Les Arcs-La Plagne
Les Arcs - only
Focus: Les Arcs 2000.
Entrance: Villaroiger 1200 m. Marked by X.
I did take one lap over to Arc 1600 to see the new upgrade:
The iconic Transarc Gondola at the Les Arcs ski resort in France underwent a massive, multi-year, multimillion-dollar metamorphosis. Upgrades include a new 10-passenger lift that cuts travel time from 20 to 13 minutes, a mid-station Mineral Gallery, and a panoramic summit terrace
Topo Map
OpenSkiMap.org
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openskimap.org
Lots of North-facing terrain in Arcs 2000, but overall the majority of Les Arcs faces W
View of the Ste. Foy ski area (PM destination) from the new Villaroger Gondola. Note: Ste. Foy faces almost due West, and is in morning shade. It was much more preferable skiing E/NE/N - facing Les Arcs.
People were waiting for the Aiguille Rouge Tram before its 9:30 AM official opening. I decided to take a few ski laps off the Varet Gondola instead.
View west to Arcs 1600
Again, the Aiguille Rouge Tram is an impressive lift.
It should likely make the Top 10 important ski lifts in Europe, maybe even the Top 20, since there are so many.
The Grand Col lift serves excellent freeride and expert piste terrain
Plagnettes and Arcabulle HS Lifts.
It takes two high-capacity lifts in order to create moguls in Europe. Needed to warm up in the sun, too!
Note: Les Arcs has a great policy where it will denote expert pistes left in their 'natural' state - yellow on the piste map - allowing some US-style moguls to form. Or just controlled avy access to steep terrain.
Lots of closeups of Aiguille Rouge 3222m (left) and Aiguille de Saint Esprit 3414m (right)
Aiguille Tram (left) and Grand Col lift (center)
Finally, the Aiguille Rogue Tram and 2000m vertical runs!
Summit of Aiguille Rogue
Mont Blanc
Obsessed with Mont Blanc on a clear day!
Of course, Mont Blanc Panorama
Eventually, it was time to ski Aiguille Rogue piste from top-to-bottom. Likely the best high-intermediate-to-expert-groomed piste for pure vertical and scenery! 2000m+/6600ft vertical! Few flats, all downhill-impressive! Conditions were phenomenal, too, thanks to recent snow and deep bases. I was able to make two laps on it; once with freshly groomed conditions, once a little later when some traffic actually improved surfaces in some areas.
Some views across the valley to Ste. Foy
Arriving back at Arcs 2000 from Villaroger base. Looking at Aiguille Grive 2732m
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