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Resort Guide

Arc 1800

France | Paradiski

Lively ski-in ski-out base in the heart of Paradiski

Arc 1800 is the largest and liveliest village in Les Arcs, perfectly placed for exploring the vast Paradiski ski area. Set at the tree line, it blends wide, sunny slopes with easy access across the whole domain, including to Peisey-Vallandry for access to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express gondola.

With a buzzing atmosphere, ski-in ski-out convenience and plenty going on both on and off the slopes, it’s particularly popular with families and mixed ability groups. From relaxed cruising to activity-packed afternoons, Arc 1800 makes it easy to enjoy the mountains your way.

Arc 1800 Quick Facts

  • Ski area: Paradiski
  • Resort height: 1800m
  • Resort top height: 3226m
  • Km piste: 425
  • Distance from Calais: 610 miles (approx. 9h)
  • Lift pass: ££££
  • No. of slopes: 258
  • Green slopes: 19
  • Blue slopes: 128
  • Red slopes: 77
  • Black slopes: 34
  • Beginners:
  • Intermediate:
  • Expert:
  • Boarders:
Highlights

Direct access to the huge Paradiski ski area and La Plagne

Lively village atmosphere with plenty happening day and night

Excellent for mixed ability groups with varied route options

Family-friendly facilities including bowling alley, sledging slopes and more

Wide sunny slopes with tree-lined runs close to resort

Busy areas and icy spots possible near main lift hubs

Resort

Everything you need to know about Arc 1800

Learn about Arc 1800 beyond the basics, from the skiing to the activities and places to eat and drink. 

  • Ideal for those wanting lively atmosphere and ski convenience

  • Perfect for families and groups with varied interests

  • Busy central areas can feel crowded at peak times but skiers soon disperse

A lively, purpose-built Alpine village

Arc 1800 is the largest and most developed of the Les Arcs villages, with a vibrant feel and plenty going on throughout the day and evening. Built in 1975 on a west-facing slope, it was designed with skiing and convenience in mind, offering quick access to lifts and ski-in ski-out accommodation across much of the village.

The architecture in Arc 1800 is unique and was ground-breaking when the resort opened. Buildings are designed to follow the contours of the mountain and blend subtly into the environment, as well as maximising convenience for visitors. Charlotte Perriand, the architect who coordinated the project, also designed the practical interiors of the original apartments.

The resort is made up of four pedestrianised areas: Charmettoger, Le Charvet, Villard and Le Chantel. Villard forms the central hub, where you’ll find the main shops, restaurants and services, creating a natural meeting point for après-ski and evenings out.

Atmosphere and village life

If you like being right in the middle of the action, Arc 1800 delivers. It has a lively, sociable atmosphere with a good mix of families, couples and groups of friends. There’s always something happening, whether that’s on the slopes, in the village centre or in the bars and restaurants.

Despite its size, the pedestrianised layout keeps things easy to navigate. Free shuttle buses and lifts help you move around between different areas and across the wider Les Arcs villages.

Family-friendly focus

Arc 1800 is well set up for families, with Les Arcs awarded the ‘P’tits Montagnards’ label for its high-quality child-friendly facilities.

Developments like the area just above the snowfront, originally known as Mille 8, have added even more to the experience, creating a central hub with activities, beginner zones and facilities designed for all ages including a swimming pool and dedicated sledging slope. There is also a child-friendly picnic and play area with small wooden cabanes set in a forest and a fun slope winding through them.

  • Huge, high-altitude ski area with excellent snow reliability

  • Ideal for intermediates and mixed ability groups

  • Good advanced terrain and ungroomed Natur’ runs

Beginners

Beginners are well looked after in Arc 1800, with wide nursery slopes in the centre of the resort at the front de neige (snowfront). Free lifts such as the Lapin draglift and magic carpet make it easy to get started without pressure.

The area above the snowfront, originally known as Mille 8, offers dedicated progression zones where first turns and confidence-building happen step by step in a safe, supportive environment. Family-friendly first runs like Les Cabanes and the Pingouins area, which has its own magic carpet, make this an ideal place to head after ski school.

One of the biggest advantages here is that around 90% of the runs leading back into the resort are blue, giving beginners and early intermediates plenty of comfortable skiing as they progress.

Intermediates

Arc 1800 is a standout choice for intermediates, with a huge selection of blue and red runs right on the doorstep. The slopes above the resort are wide, sunny and often tree-lined, making them enjoyable in a range of weather conditions.

In the morning, head up and over to Arc 2000, along Plan Vert to ski beautiful blues, while the slopes above Arc 1800 may be icier. Then finish your day back on this side of the mountain on the blues and reds of the Charmettoger and Derby lifts. Our team love Rhodos (blue) and Belette (red).

The wider Paradiski area adds even more variety, with easy access to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express cable car.

Runs like Malgovert offer quieter descents, while higher areas such as Grand Col provide excellent snow and more varied terrain, keeping things interesting across a full week.

Advanced

Advanced skiers have plenty to explore across Les Arcs, with over 30km of black runs and challenging descents beneath the Aiguille Rouge.

The famous Aiguille Rouge run stretches up to 16km, offering a long, varied descent with significant vertical drop. The area also has ungroomed Natur’ runs, like the Robert Blanc (named after one of the resort’s founders), that offer a challenge.

Off-piste is another highlight, particularly around the glacier area. Conditions can be excellent, but this terrain is serious, so skiing with a guide is essential.

Mountain fun zones

The area above the snowfront has themed runs through the forest, tobogganing, freestyle areas and even late-day skiing until 7.30pm at selected periods.

Snowparks such as SPARK between Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 provide well-developed freestyle areas, while snowcross zones add more variety for those looking to mix things up.

Nordic skiing

Cross-country skiing is available further down the valley in the Peisey-Nancroix nordic area. There are 43km of scenic trails to explore. Tracks are graded like ski slopes from green to black and there are trails for all levels.

  • Wide range of non-ski activities for all ages

  • Strong focus on family-friendly experiences

  • Many activities based around the area above the snowfront

Activities above the snowfront

Just above the snowfront is an area with the heart of Arc 1800’s activity offering, combining skiing with a huge range of experiences in one place. There’s beginner areas, a dedicated sledging slope and fun zones and play areas all designed to keep everyone entertained.

You’ll also find facilities like a swimming pool, wellness area and fitness centre, making it a great place to relax after skiing or take a break during your stay.

Snow-based fun

Beyond skiing, there’s plenty to try on the snow. Toboggan runs, including a 900m track just above Arc 1800, with tunnels, offering a fun alternative for families and groups. A longer 3km track can be found above Arc 2000 at the top of the Arcabulle lift.

Guided snowshoe walks are a great way to see the area differently and learn about the flora and fauna. A 1km self-guided walk along the Sapins marked path from Arc 1800 is a good introduction to snowshoeing.

Additional activities and experiences

Arc 1800 also offers indoor options such as bowling and a cinema.

For something different, there’s paragliding, yoga sessions and scenic terraces where you can soak up views of Mont Blanc. Or try the Escape Game, find information at the tourist office, these family-friendly self-guided treasure hunt style games involve searching for the clues and solving riddles in order to find an activation code. There’s one in Arc 1800, one in Arc 1600 and one in Arc 2000.

  • Wide choice of restaurants across the resort

  • Lively après-ski including the world famous Folie Douce

  • Good range of shops and essential services

Restaurants and mountain dining

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Arc 1800 and across the wider Paradiski area. There’s a mix of casual spots and more traditional Alpine restaurants both in resort and on the mountain. Arpette is a great option on the slopes in Arc 1800. For great pizza and classic bistro dishes, try Voga Goga, at the top of the Dahu gondola by our popular Edenarc property.

Whether you’re stopping for lunch on the slopes or heading out for dinner in the village, there’s plenty of variety to keep things interesting across your stay.

Bars and après-ski

Arc 1800 has a lively après-ski scene, with options ranging from relaxed drinks to more energetic venues.

The famous Folie Douce après bar is just above Arc 1800, it brings a well-known mountain party atmosphere to the resort, combining music, dining and entertainment on the slopes and into the early evening. Their Petite Cuisine canteen offers great value lunch options.

Shops and amenities

The resort is well equipped with all the essentials, including supermarkets, bakeries, ski hire shops and a wide selection of boutiques. Each area of Arc 1800 has its own set of amenities, which adds up to a good amount across all the four areas.

From practical needs to souvenirs and gifts, everything is easy to access within the pedestrianised village.

Location

Les Arcs is one of the easiest resorts to access by train. Regular services from Paris and the Eurostar Snow train from London (via Lille) arrive into Bourg Saint Maurice. At the end of the platform you'll find the funicular to Arc 1600, which is completely electric, it whisks you up to Arc 1600 in just 7 minutes. From there you can take a inter-resort shuttle bus up to Arc 1800. 

Arc 1800 resort PDF maps

Arc 1800 location map

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Arc 1800

Is Arc 1800 a good ski resort for beginners? plus icon minus icon

Yes, Arc 1800 is well suited to beginners, with dedicated nursery slopes in the centre, free lifts for first-timers and progression areas just above the snowfront. The high number of blue runs returning to resort also helps build confidence quickly.

Is Arc 1800 good for intermediate skiers? plus icon minus icon

Arc 1800 is particularly strong for intermediates, with wide blue and red runs directly above the resort and access to the wider Paradiski area for even more variety.

How large is the ski area at Arc 1800? plus icon minus icon

Arc 1800 sits within the Paradiski ski area, one of the largest in Europe with 425km of slopes, linking Les Arcs and La Plagne via the Vanoise Express cable car.

What is the altitude range in Paradiski? plus icon minus icon

The Paradiski area ranges from around 1,200m to 3,250m, with over 70% of slopes above 2,000m, helping ensure reliable snow conditions.

Are lift passes in Arc 1800 available to pre-book? plus icon minus icon

Yes, lift passes can be pre-booked with us. Options such as the Essential Pass include access to the full Paradiski area (so you can ski over to La Plagne) but they also offer additional benefits like an extra afternoon skiing the day before your pass is due to start, activity discounts and priority lift lanes so even if you don't think you'll venture to the other side of the valley, they are worth considering. In most cases, we'll pop your lift passes in the post to you with your travel documents, so it's ready when you arrive.

Can I pre-book ski hire in Arc 1800? plus icon minus icon

Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us for your stay in Arc 1800. This helps you avoid queues and ensures your equipment is available when you arrive in resort.

Is Arc 1800 suitable for families? plus icon minus icon

Absolutely. With dedicated beginner areas, activity hubs like the area above the snowfront, with family-friendly play areas and fun slopes, activities like sledging and good ski schools, it’s a great choice for families.

Is Arc 1800 a lively resort? plus icon minus icon

Yes, Arc 1800 is the liveliest of the Les Arcs villages, offering a busy atmosphere both on and off the slopes, with plenty of activities, bars and restaurants.

Can you ski to La Plagne from Arc 1800? plus icon minus icon

Yes, you can access La Plagne via the Vanoise Express cable car, which connects the two sides of the Paradiski area in just a few minutes. From Arc 1800, ski down to Peisey-Vallandry, which is where the cable car leaves from.

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