Best Mountainside Bars in Les Arcs

This small bar and restaurant above Peisey-Vallandry is very reasonably priced and provides stunning views towards Pont Baudin. It is best accessed from the Grizzly or 2300 chairlifts and is only a minute’s walk up from the top of the Peisey lift. Being so close to the Cabri beginners’ area, it is a good place to meet the less-experienced members of your group. With direct runs back to Peisey, Vallandry and Arc 1800, you can have a cheeky late drink without worrying about missing that crucial last lift.

There is nothing tragic about this huge restaurant just below the top of the Vallandry lift, and the only surreal thing is sunbathing on a thick bed of snow (although I would recommend the deckchairs). The building comprises a restaurant, a bar, a self-service snack bar and a large terrace overlooking the Perdix and Forêt pistes. A large selection of crêpes are advertised in addition to a variety of meals and drinks. Close to the Flocon button lift, this is a great place for new skiers and snowboarders to get some well-deserved rest without leaving the mountain. Like the Peisey lift for Les 3 Saveurs, the Vallandry lift can be used by pedestrians wishing to join their skiing friends at the pub.

Slightly off the beaten track, this smaller (but very popular) bar/restaurant is situated just below the Transarc mid-station, where the Charmettoger blue run heads left. This makes it easy to reach for learners used to the Charmettoger lift. You can also get there by taking Rêches from the top of the Derby lift. The terrace is not as large as some and you can wait a short while for a table during very busy periods.

The lowest of all the bars on this list, it is still a respectable distance from Arc 1800, so predominantly for active skiers and snowboarders. Sat on the edge of the Grands Mélèzes piste, you can quite happily sit out and watch your contemporaries flying past. Les Arcs is a gorgeous area, so none of the views are anything less than beautiful, but Chalet Grillette has one of the less spectacular aspects in this exceptionally-gifted guide. Being only a short ride from the nearest village, it is a good option for a last-minute drink in the late afternoon. Whilst getting back to Arc 1800 is simple, taking the last section of Belvédère, then Forêt, to Vallandry can be a bit of a chore

Probably the best known, the highest and the most easily found of all the on-piste bars, La Crèche is at the top of the Col de la Chal. This means skiers (and pedestrians) can visit straight from Arc 2000 via the Arcabulle and Plagnettes chairlifts, or from Arc 1800 using the Transarc gondola. At the back, a capacious terrace allows magnificent views of the untouched and unpisted side of the Les Arcs ski area. With end-of-day returns possible to almost all of the villages, it is a good option for a “finisher,” especially if you are skiing with people from different resorts.

Right next to the Snow Park, this bar/restaurant has primarily outdoor seating with two main terraces and further seating laid out closer to the Arpette piste. There is normally music playing but the absolutely best thing about L’Altiport is the “entertainment:” the bar is adjacent to both the Water Slide and Big Air Bag, which can provide hours of fun for all the family. Perhaps after a few refreshments, you might even give one a try yourself..

With a restaurant, self-service “canteen,” snack bar and outdoor bar, the Arpette has a lot of choice for food and drink. Although large, it is a fairly typical place. That is until lunchtime is over, the DJ gets on the decks and you can hear the tunes pumping across the mountain. At 3.30pm Happy Hour starts, meaning pints of Peroni for €5, and it is not unusual to see dancing on the terrace, the tables, or any available standing room. Normally the liveliest place in this guide, boasting a real après ski vibe, you can easily get back to both Arc 1600 and 1800, with Vallandry being a bit further along.

Find more bars, restaurants and places to head for apres ski in Les Arcs.