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Discover the top Les Arcs bad-weather skiing
When the clouds come in and the light turns flat it can be hard to know where to ski and what to do. The high, open pistes can lack the contrast required for orientation during white out conditions and slope and sky can blur into one.
However, there are certain runs that offer more contrast providing vast amounts of skiing/snowboarding when the flakes are falling.
The trick is to head for the pistes that are tree-lined, as they help provide shelter and definition when everything else seems to be white, definitely avoid the high and open glaciers at all costs. One of the many good things about Les Arcs is that there are plenty of trees especially over towards Peisey-Vallandry, and in Montchavin/Les Coches across the valley in La Plagne.
Keep in mind that the valley itself can be covered in an all-encompassing fog, but the top of the mountains can be bathed in glorious sunshine (check out the webcams to make sure you are not missing out on anything).
Also, if it’s lashing down with rain in the valley, it means it’s snowing up top, giving you the best and freshest powder you’re likely to ski on, and because it’s a bad weather day, chances are, you’ll have the mountain to yourself.
In Les Arcs head to the lower resorts of 1800, 1600, Plan Peisey and Vallandry as the trees line the slopes here and you can enjoy the definition that they give to the pistes. Take some of the long rolling blues through the trees from Les Arcs 1800 to 1600 which you can get to from the top of the Chantel or Les Villards chairlifts.
Or if you prefer to be off-piste in the trees, try either side of the Vanoise Express and stay between 1,950m and 1,300m where the treeline is.
If you're high on the glacier and the weather closes in then stop and pitch up at a restaurant to see if the clouds will pass, but just make sure you have a route back down as sometimes the weather gets worse and not better.
In La Plagne Montalbert you'll find lots of trees lining the pistes making it the perfect place to go out skiing when the weather has closed in. Take the nice and easy gentle blues that cut through the trees making it easier to see the pistes.
As it's slightly lower you might even be lucky and avoid the high cloud that is causing the bad weather.
Rent Skis & Snowboards located on the High Place of Arc 2000, near the Hôtel " Les Mélèzes MMV ", the Office of Tourism, the ice rink, accessible by the mains elevators level 5. Easy access from Arc 1950 with the telecabine call "Cabriolet". 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!
This ski and snowboard store is situated in the Place Centrale close to the ski lesson start point for children. The shop has a great range of ski and snowboard accessories for sale alongside ski and snowboard equipment hire.
This ski hire shop is near to the lift pass office and the ski schools. Benjamin and his team will welcome you to the store and assist you with their technical knowledge and expertise.
With just a few metres between this shop and the ski lifts you will easily be able to collect your equipment and hit the slopes without any stress.
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Les Arcs? Just visit the Skiset Grand Hotel Paradiso store!
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Les Arcs? Just visit the NetSki Le Hameau du Glacier store!
Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or find your way around with piste maps for Les Arcs.
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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