What's new in Les Arcs this winter 2017-18

ESF ski school in Arc 1600 have been making some changes ready for this winter. They've built a new chalet where children will be looked after in between lessons and have taken over the running of the slalom course at La Cachette, where they will be organising competitions for groups or between friends.

CoolBus airport transfers are now offering carbon emission free transfers in not just one, but two fully electric vehicles. The Tesla Model X's are comfortable 7-seater SUV's with substantial luggage space with a range of around 350km. The plan is that the business will keep adding electric vehicles until they've phased out all of their diesel powered vehicles. This winteer you can use this service in Val d’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, La Rosiere, Ste. Foy. Read more about CoolBus going electric in their blog.

Ski school AIM Snowsports will be spreading out this winter, to cover all of the resort villages in Les Arcs, making them the only British run ski school to meet in each of the villages. Their team are expanding too, with up to 6 instructors to cover peak holiday periods and three full time instructors at other times.

They will also be running season-long courses in off-piste education and introductory ski touring, which are open to local Les Arcs residents. Each available Friday, this course will involve some avalanche practise, a short ski tour and an off-piste descent. All abilities of skier are welcome to contact them to discuss their goals. Their aim is to help you achieve yours and they've also been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of excellence for 2017, so you know you're in good hands.

Action Outdoors will be offering speed riding for beginners this winter. Speed Riding combines skiing with paragliding – this means you can ski steep off piste terrain, with features like cliffs and drops, and are able to fly over them whilst travelling fast! There are 23 hours of instruction through the week which will start with learning the basics of launching the speed riding wing and how to control it. By the end of the week you can expect to be making flights that see you travelling through longer and steeper terrain.

Food & drink delivery company Huski, have expanded their footprint this season, from 6 to 14 resorts: Tignes, Val D'Isere, St Foy, La Rosiere, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets & Chatel. They've also improved their food range and now offer 70 dishes for teatime, to canapés, to dinners and desserts. And it's not just the food that's improved; they've improved their wine list working with boutique supplier Le Verre Gourmand and have added a local craft beer range and pre-mixed cocktails from London's Pontoon Cocktails.

Chalet des Neiges are offering guests staying at La Source des Arcs and La Cime des Arcs residences the chance to dine in the restaurants at five star hotel, the Taj-i-Mah. Guests can buy pre-paid cards of different values (€300, €500 or €700) to dine in either of the restaurants at the hotel - subject to availability, on request.

The group have also been busy installing fibre optics to their residences, allowing guests free internet access from this winter, in La Cime des Arcs, Arolles and La Source des Arcs.

My Secret Chef are Les Arcs' best-kept secret. After working in an array of luxury hotels and chalets, Callum and Yasmin now operate an affordable and flexible chalet catering service. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, freshly baked cake and a three-course evening meal all prepared and served at your very own property for three days or more. And they even wash the dishes!

Les Arcs ski area is set to open on 16th December 2017, with neighbouring La Plagne also opening at the same time.

Ski passes are now on sale, so we'll see you soon on the slopes!