Bring your children on a ski holiday to Les Arcs
Les Arcs is a family-friendly resort that makes all these things as easy as possible.
Travelling anywhere with children can be challenging, and in a ski resort it can be doubly so with things like lift passes, equipment hire and ski lessons to arrange (never mind hats, gloves, snotty noses and the rest...!).
Here's why we recommend Les Arcs as a family destination.
The choice of hotels and rental accommodation in Les Arcs is constantly improving, offering top quality accommodation with services for families. When you're looking at where to stay, you'll find some hotels and apartments have connected rooms or suites that are great for families. Several hotels and holiday companies offer childcare packages, if you would like some time away from the kids. There are also private nannies / babysitters that you can arrange through your hotel.
Facing Mont Blanc, in the village of Charmettoger, the Pierre & Vacances Le Belmont Residence at Arc 1800 has been refurbished to a high standard, and offers an exceptional panoramic view and snow as far as the eye can see. It has an excellent position on the edge of the forest 500m from the centre of the resort, and 300m from the Les Villards shopping centre and ski lifts. Arc 1800 is a car-free resort.
Located on the hillside of the resort, in Les Arcs 1800, “Les Alpages de Chantel” residence offers a magnificent panorama overlooking the valley, and direct access to the skiing slopes. The two buildings in stone and wood, standing in a forest setting, provide a welcome and restful change of scenery. Home to newly upgraded apartments!
Pierre & Vacances offers you a wonderful ski experience in Arc 1950 through our 8 top-of-the-range residences. A car free village, free from turmoil and nuisance, our residences are built of stone, timber and stone roofing slabs, inspiring desires and well-being while offering comfortable, spacious accommodation. Services include bars, restaurants, free internet connections, individual ski lockers, outdoor pool a fitness room and much, much more.
Nicolas and Dominique welcome you to their hotel, located just 50m from one of the ski lifts and 400m from the “Vanoise express”. With snow cannons serving all of the Vallandry pistes down to the hotel, you can be sure of good skiing conditions back to the hotel throughout the season.
A fully renovated hotel with a contemporary mountain style and fabulous views over the Tarentaise valley.
Les Arcs operates a great free bus service every day throughout the winter season. A fleet of buses operates from 07:00 right through until 21:25, linking together the villages that make up the resort.
Arc 1950 is the most recently built Les Arcs resort, a car-free pedestrianised village with ski-in ski-out accommodation. Ideal for families, it combines modern comfort with alpine charm and offers cafés, restaurants and bars, plus a short walk or gondola to neighbouring Arc 2000 for extra entertainment and facilities.
Plan Peisey and Vallandry are two interconnected villages providing easy access to the Paradiski ski area via the Vanoise Express and local lifts. The villages feature a mix of traditional apartments, hotels and chalets, all in a picturesque, family-friendly setting. Free shuttle buses make getting around simple, while the peaceful atmosphere suits those focused on skiing rather than nightlife.
The largest of the Les Arcs villages, Arc 1800 is made up of four interconnected pedestrianised areas. It offers excellent ski access, a lively atmosphere, a variety of accommodation and plenty of off-slope activities. Ideal for families, groups or couples who want to be at the centre of the action.
At 1,200m Villaroger is the lowest of the mountainside villages in Les Arcs. It's an ideal winter destination for skiers who mostly spend all day on the pistes and appreciate a little tranquillity in the evenings. Situated on north-facing slopes, Villaroger is somewhat shaded and therefore retains snow despite its relatively low altitude. In the summer, the village is well connected to the MTB trails and is an ideal starting point for exploring the Tarentaise valley.
Bourg St Maurice acts as a local hub for events, transport and commerce. It's the year-round beating heart of the Les Arcs area, boasting a train station which not only links to the mountainside resorts by a rapidly-ascending funicular railway but also provides international connections such as the direct rail route to London. There are regular events throughout the year and innumerable places to eat, drink and shop.
Arc 2000 is the highest village in Les Arcs, offering unbeatable access to snow-sure slopes and the Aiguille Rouge freeride area. Compact yet efficient, it provides large self-catering apartments and chalets with ski-in ski-out convenience. The village is quieter at night, ideal for those prioritising skiing and mountain activities.
There are lots of beginner areas easily accessible from all of the villages, so it's easy to practice with the kids, and there's a generous choice of 135 blue runs to improve their proficiency and build up confidence. Also Les Arcs offers favourable lift pass prices to families, making valuable savings. There's fun for the whole family on the slopes, and you'll find sledging at the Rodeo Park and Mille8 - you can hire sledges and helmets in resort from one of the ski hire shops.
And as a resort popular with families you are guaranteed an excellent range of skis and snowboards for all ages of children in the shops throughout the resort. The ski techs will help you all find what you need from beginner skis set up to the top of the range gear.
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Les Arcs? Just visit the Skiset Front de Neige store!
Found right at the heart of the Arc 1950 Village, this ski and snowboard rental shop is situated just next to the Spirit Ski School in the pedestrianised centre.
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your first skiing day.
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Les Arcs? Just visit the Skiset Aiguille Grive store!
This ski hire shop is next to the lift pass office, the ski school and tourist office.
Hire Skis & Snowboards at the Foot of the Vallandry lift easy access for L Orée des Cimes, Hotel Emeraude, Aigle, Michailles, Praz de l ours, Chalets de Bellecote. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
The tuition available in Les Arcs is truly brilliant. You'll find ski schools offer lessons for little ones, even toddlers (three to four year olds) can learn basic skiing in a nursery setting. Some ski schools can also provide lunch options for children, so you can explore the whole area without worrying about rushing back at the start of the afternoon.
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
This ski school offers group snowboard and ski lessons for adults and children in Arc 1600 and 1800.
This ski school offers group snowboard and ski lessons for adults and children.
This British Ski School was set up by John Paul McCarthy, a fully qualified British instructor, who has successfully created a school of like minded, passionate snowsports professionals, who care about promoting safe and enjoyable skiing experiences.
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
When travelling with children, short transfers to resort are a must and Les Arcs has good transport links to the main airports. Geneva airport is two hours 45 minutes away from resort.
Booking with them means your holiday won’t involve the stress of public transport, the cost of private transfers, or the hassle of fitting snow chains on a hire car.
This company offers private transfers from Geneva Airport to Les Arcs. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
A key booking portal for local coach and bus transfers in the French ski resorts. Using this service to coordinate your travel means getting to resort could not be easier.
This company offers private and shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Les Arcs, nearby areas, and resorts across the Alps. With great value fares on all journeys, it’s an easy way to save money.
The team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.
Most restaurants around resort are child-friendly and have a children’s menu, high chairs, and in the majority of the bars, as long as it's not really late families are always made welcome Most places have wifi so you can get online with iPads and games consoles if required - especially useful for keeping the teens who've tagged along occupied.
High in the mountains above Les Arcs, La Folie Douce brings its legendary energy to the slopes, transforming every afternoon into a spectacular celebration. Known for its vibrant mix of music, dance, and performance, this iconic après-ski venue is where the mountain meets the party in true Folie Douce style.
Le 2134 Rooftop Bar is the go-to spot in Arc 2000, offering one of the most impressive panoramic views in the resort. Set above the rooftops, its spacious terrace looks out over the surrounding peaks, creating a breathtaking backdrop for relaxed afternoons and memorable evenings in the mountains.
Perched at an altitude of nineteen hundred and fifty metres in the heart of Les Arcs 1950, Chalet de Luigi is both a bar and restaurant - a true must-visit in the resort. This cosy Savoyard chalet, with its large south-facing terrace of four hundred square metres, sits right next to the Marmottes slope, making it a perfect meeting point for skiers in winter and walkers or hikers in summer.
Right in the heart of Vallandry, Mojo Bar is, as the English say, the place to be! Easily accessible on foot, it’s the perfect spot for anyone who loves a lively après-ski and long, festive evenings.
Perfectly situated opposite the Grizzly Lift in Vallandry, Bar Mont Blanc is a true Les Arcs legend. Famous for its lively atmosphere and unbeatable mountain views, it’s a favourite meeting spot for skiers, snowboarders and mountain enthusiasts. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick drink between runs, catching up with friends, or simply soaking up the scenery, Bar Mont Blanc offers a welcoming, energetic setting that captures the spirit of the mountains and the fun of après-ski life.
Benji’s in Les Arcs 1800 is a lively, no-nonsense spot serving Tex-Mex dishes, juicy steaks and hearty burgers right by the piste. Its sunny terrace is ideal for a relaxed lunch or a refreshing après-ski drink while soaking up the mountain views. With generous portions, a welcoming pub-style atmosphere and a convenient location, Benji’s is a favourite for skiers and snowboarders looking for satisfying food, good drinks and a fun, relaxed vibe in the heart of the resort.
Les Arcs offers families a whole host of activities away from the slopes. These include skidoo rides, helicopter and airplane flights, and ice skating to name but a few.
On the days you don't want to ski, head to the Mille8 complex, boasting an aquafun centre (swimming pool, sauna, steam room, etc). There are cinemas, a natural ice rink, definitely something for all ages. Plus there's husky-dog rides and snow-shoeing if you want to be on the snow but not skiing.
White water rafting is accessible to all who love the natural environment and who are in search of a bit of adventure. These excursions will leave you with some unforgettable memories.
This is a perfect way to discover the charm and serenity of the mountains away from the busy pistes.
This huge 3800m² centre incorporates an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, water jets, bubble beds, massage jets, fitness room with gym and cardio equipment, spa with two steam rooms and two saunas, relaxation room and showers.
A dining experience like no other! A spectacular and unique 180m2 ice grotto, bar, restaurant and mini hotel in Les Arcs, where you'll enjoy a typical Savoyard cheese fondue or aperitif in a unique setting.
This activity is accessible to those comfortable in water, no need to be a professional diver or swimmer, you just have to be smart at using the water movements, obstacles and waves.
This is a perfect way to discover the charm and serenity of the mountains away from the busy pistes.
Find out all about what is happening in Les Arcs and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsEach of the Les Arcs resorts holds a number of events throughout the year. International freestyle and freeride ski competitions, film festivals and snow & music parties take place in the ski area in the winter months, in addition to the usual après-ski parties featuring live bands and DJs. The summer, on the other hand, attracts a number of trail running and cycling competitions, as well as live concerts.
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