December in Les Arcs: What's on and weather

What are the weather and snow conditions like?

It's generally rather cold here in December. It is, on average, 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, leaving plenty of time for skiing. This is certainly the time to pack your thermal underwear. 

Whilst there will be snow up the mountains, a white Christmas is never a guarantee. 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.

Opening parties

Practically every bar and club will have an elaborate opening night, often with live music and DJs, sometimes with deals on drinks and food. If, like a lot of people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, especially during the festive season, you can hit up any of a number of local après-ski sessions. Down at the bottom of the slopes you'll find a range of eateries and bars offering great music, delicious food and happy hours. For late-night entertainment, the clubs hold special nights on most days of the week.

New Year's Eve

Always a big night, the area is full of revellers popping Champagne corks. The restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket-only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see the New Year in, make sure you've planned ahead.

Ski Schools in Les Arcs

Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Fortunately, the Paradiski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. From mid-month the draglifts, chairlifts, ‘lobster-pots’ and gondolas all work that little bit harder.

Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:

• group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early, so make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment
• if you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15
• ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break
• avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service
• seek out the peripheral areas - avoid the busy main ski areas
• get off-piste - competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry

Winter Things To Do in Les Arcs

Family fun

Christmas is synonymous with the school holidays. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes, the Paradiski puts on a show for them. There are lots of activities to keep the little ones entertained on and off the mountain. 

There's also sporting activities for those with or without children, such as ski touring and night skiing under the floodlights. 

December events in Les Arcs

Christmas in Les Arcs

With so many families visiting Paradiski for the festive season, there is a real child-like excitement as the big day draws ever closer, and usually there's an opportunity to spot the main man himself meeting and greeting people. When the streets lights are turned on it's hard to ignore that Christmas is nearly here.