As winter begins to take hold in Les Arcs, take a look at what's new in town and on the slopes.
What’s new this winter in Les Arcs
From the ski area to what's fresh in the resort
From a faster new gondola to an enchanted forest ski trail, Les Arcs is introducing plenty of new things to discover for winter 2026-2027. There are new places to eat and drink, a candlelit concert experience and opportunities to get behind the scenes of mountain life. Here’s what to look out for on your next ski holiday.
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On the slopes
A new gondola connects Peisey-Nancroix and Plan Peisey
One of the biggest changes to the ski area this winter is the arrival of the new Télévillage gondola, replacing the much-loved red Lonzagne cabins after 43 years of service.
The new 10-person gondola connects Peisey-Nancroix with Plan Peisey in just three minutes and 20 seconds, with capacity for up to 900 people per hour. It’s a more comfortable and efficient way to get around, meaning less time waiting and more time exploring the slopes.
Discover an enchanted forest on the Mélèza trail
If you’re skiing with children or simply enjoy a playful run through the trees, head to Peisey-Vallandry to discover the newly transformed Mélèza Forest.
Previously known as the Pitchouns trail, this family-friendly run has been given a magical new theme. As you wind your way through the forest, look out for pinecone-shaped huts, totem poles, hidden characters and little surprises along the way. Mélèza, the guardian fairy, watches over the trail, while a new picnic area gives you the chance to stop and enjoy the surroundings.
It’s a lovely addition if you’re looking for something a little different from skiing from one lift to the next, particularly if you have younger skiers in tow.
Find a quieter way back to the villages
Les Arcs is also introducing new Easy Ski routes, designed to help beginners and less confident skiers make their way back to the villages using quieter pistes wherever possible.
If you’re still building your confidence on the mountain, these routes offer a useful way to navigate the ski area while avoiding some of the busier descents. They’re also part of a wider push to make skiing more comfortable and safer for everyone sharing the slopes.
Stop for a mountain-view picnic
If you’re exploring the Villaroger sector this winter, look out for four new panoramic wooden huts at the top of the gondola. Designed for groups of six to ten people, they’re ideal for a sheltered picnic or a breather between runs, with beautiful views across the surrounding peaks. Built using locally sourced timber, they’re designed to sit naturally within the mountain landscape.
A new bistro with a quirky twist
There’s a new spot to add to your lunchtime plans in Arc 2000. Le Poul-Over is a slopeside bistro where you can settle in for a bite to eat with the mountains as your backdrop. The quirky detail? It has its own chicken coop, making this a slightly different sort of mountain stop.
More space to find your ski legs
If you’re learning to ski, or helping little ones build their confidence, Les Arcs is introducing three dedicated progression zones with gentler slopes where you can practise at your own pace. The aim is to give beginners more space to develop their skills away from the busiest routes, making those first turns a little less daunting.
In resort
Find your new favourite table
There are two new addresses to add to your dining list this winter, whether you’re after comforting French cooking or something special to sip after skiing.
La Belle Cocotte, Bourg-Saint-Maurice
If you like your mountain meals hearty and full of flavour, make a beeline for La Belle Cocotte in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Run by Thomas in the kitchen and Stéphanie front of house, this new restaurant takes inspiration from traditional French family cooking, with generous dishes designed for lingering over.
La Descente, Arc 1800
For something a little more celebratory, head to La Descente, a new wine and Champagne bar in Arc 1800. The creation of Clémence Vautrain and her partner Gauthier, both winegrowers from the Champagne region, you’ll find a carefully selected collection from producers they’ve discovered on their travels through the vineyards.
It’s a new spot for sharing a glass with friends after the lifts close, discovering unfamiliar wines and enjoying a change from the usual après-ski routine.
Go behind the scenes with the mountain patrol
Ever wondered what happens on the mountain before the first skiers arrive? This winter, you’ll have new opportunities to find out through the Ski Patrol Academy and weekly First Tracks experiences.
These behind-the-scenes sessions offer a closer look at the work involved in preparing the ski area for the day, from piste preparation and safety operations to the work of the ski patrol teams. It’s a chance to discover the people and processes that make your time on the slopes possible.
If you’re curious about the technical side of skiing or simply want to understand more about life behind the scenes, it’s a different way to experience the resort.
Discover how the resort makes snow
Snowmaking is another part of mountain life you can explore this winter through Coulisses de la Neige, a weekly snowmaking class held in Arc 2000 on Thursdays.
You’ll learn how the resort’s snowmaking network works, when snow is produced and the role artificial snow plays in managing a modern ski area. It’s an interesting opportunity to understand the technology and decisions behind the pistes you ski each day.
Events
The Les Arcs ski area opens on 12 December 2026 and closes on 24 April 2027. The events calendar will be full to the brim with things to do and see. And there's a few new things on offer, which we think sound pretty special.
Experience Les Arcs by candlelight
Looking for something special to do after dark? Les Arcs is set to become the first ski resort in France to host the internationally renowned Candlelight concert series.
The Centre Bernard Taillefer will be transformed by thousands of candles for two evenings of immersive classical music on 27 December 2026 and 8 January 2027.
It’s an atmospheric alternative to a typical evening in the mountains, whether you’re planning a romantic night out or simply fancy adding a cultural experience to your ski holiday.
Take a fresh look at the forest
Les Arcs is also putting the spotlight on the natural environment with a new exhibition at La Passerelle, created in collaboration with the French National Forest Office (ONF).
Following the principles of the resort’s Code de la Montagne, the exhibition explores forests, biodiversity and habitat conservation, helping you understand more about the woodland that shapes the surrounding landscape.
There’s also a new opportunity to support forest conservation when paying for your purchases at the mountain resort’s checkout counters and self-service tills. You can round up your bill by €1 to contribute to the ONF’s Agir pour la forêt programme, with the programme’s financial partner matching the money collected. It’s a simple way to contribute to protecting the mountain environment during your stay.
