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Split into a cluster of very closely linked villages, Les Arcs is a hugely popular French ski resort which attracts loads of British skiers, thanks in large part to its high-altitude location, which ensures great snow coverage, and vast and varied ski area.
France’s first purpose-built ski resort, Les Arcs has plenty of Christmas charm, with lights, concerts and activities the standard fare as the festive season comes around. It’s also - for the most part and with the exception of Peisey-Vallandry - a car-free resort, ensuring beautiful areas where people can connect and safely celebrate Christmas together, whether watching the live music with a vin chaud or taking in the Christmas Eve fireworks with a hot chocolate.
Les Arcs consists of Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000, while the twin villages of Plan Peisey and Vallandry (1600m altitude) sit on the western border of Les Arcs. Villaroger - Les Arc’s lowest village (1200m altitude) - is on the east.
Right at the base of the mountain is the Alpine town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which is a seven-minute funicular ride from Arc 1600.
READ MORE: If you're set on Christmas in France but fancy somewhere else, then why not try Christmas in Morzine?
Christmas in Les Arcs: Key Information
| What's on | Details |
|---|---|
| Lifts opening date | Second weekend of December |
| Snow depth | 187cm average over the past 10 years |
| Christmas market |
Third weekend in December (Bourg-Saint-Maurice) One week over Christmas (Christmas Village - Arc 1950) |
| Christmas events | 4 |
| Christmas eve | Brass band and grand arrival of Father Christmas |
What’s the snow like in Les Arcs in December?
Les Arcs is one of the most snowsure skiing areas in France. The fact that it opens its doors to the slopes on the second weekend of December (while some cautiously wait for at least another week to preserve snow for Christmas Day) is a surefire sign of Les Arcs’ dependability.
Historic data shows that in December over the last 11 years, Les Arcs has received 39cm of snowfall and 3.2 snow days per week. Meanwhile, over 70% of its runs lie above 2,000m, with the very highest lift taking you above 3,200m to the Aiguille Rouge glacier.
And of course, it goes without mentioning that you can definitely ski on Christmas Day itself in Les Arcs, and the surrounding Paradiski area.
Les Arcs' festive calendar
Les Arcs is a great place to go for Christmas festivities. Here are just some of them:
The Christmas village in Arc 1950
Technically more of an ongoing event, Arc 1950 (the prettiest of all the villages) transforms into a festive wonderland on the weekend preceding Christmas Day. The Village will host a range of events and activities (which we’ll get into below), but it is also an experience in itself to wander around the beautiful lights, grab some food and maybe have a snowball fight if you’re lucky.
Father Christmas traditions
Early on the morning of the 25th in Arc 1600, you might catch a glimpse of Father Christmas (Pere Noël) as he wanders around the streets of the resort. At 4pm though, his elves will begin ringing their bells, signalling the big moment - the beginning of the official arrival of the big man himself.
But before he turns up, there’s a performance from the Ombres Blanches - a group of fairy-like figures on stilts who dazzle the crowds with their lights, glamour and silky costumes.
By 6pm, Pere Noël will make his grand entrance (from the sky!), accompanied by his three elves. He’ll stroll around the place, handing out chocolates, chatting and taking photos with all. You can then follow him up to the Arc 1950 Christmas Village.
This routine is also done on Christmas Eve in Arc 1800 and in Arc 1950 (time unknown).
Ice Night
On December 31st, Bourg-Saint-Maurice (seven-minute funicular from Arc 1600) will host a treasure hunt in the evening, centred around the main Town Hall square. Following this, there is “The Exquisite” musical stroll, which goes on for an hour in the town centre.
New Year's Eve celebrations
If you’re after a proper boogie as the clock strikes midnight, then head up to Arc 1950, where a DJ will bring the tunes from 9pm in the village centre. There’ll then be an amazing fireworks display to see you into the new year.
What’s Christmas Eve like in Les Arcs?
The buzz certainly doesn’t stop as Christmas approaches, with Arc 1800 hosting the Father Christmas entrance tradition.
Meanwhile, you can head to the beautiful Arc 1950, which plays host to a sensational brass band which plays a range of festive songs. There is also an ‘enchanted parade of lights’ which roam the streets, before Father Christmas turns up to the backdrop of fireworks, music and hot chocolates.
You can also head down the funicular to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, where at 10am there’s a creative workshop to do with ‘Christmas table sets’. Later on at 5pm, there’s a ‘light stroll’, involving ‘the She-Wolf and the Heron’, before Father Christmas then turns up and hands out gifts to children.
Does Les Arcs have a Christmas market?
Les Arcs doesn’t have a traditional Christmas market, but there are two good alternatives to this.
Firstly, there is a Christmas market just a seven-minute funicular ride away in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Open from Friday to Sunday on the third weekend of December, it is a proper Christmas market selling cute gifts, warm food and delicious beverages.
There are activities for children, too, with the elves’ hut open the whole time, as well as a light show and a mulled wine reception to officially open the market.
Secondly, there is the Christmas Village in Arc 1950, which is when the town centre turns into a festive dreamland, with lights, music and live shows.
Where to go for Christmas dinner in Les Arcs
For those self-catering, treat yourself to Christmas dinner in any of these restaurants.
Le Bistro du Solliet (Villaroger)
This restaurant is more of a slopeside chalet restaurant, but its views and location are so magical that it’s absolutely worth jumping on your skis to reach it. With a healthy 4 out of 5 score on Tripadvisor from a reliable 98 reviews, the Solliet should be on your list.
Chalet Pre Saint Esprit (Arc 1950)
This cosy mountain restaurant is slightly more casual, with half being a traditional dining room with waiting service, and the other half being more buffet style - which might be more your thing. The food is notoriously good here, and all the French classics are on offer - including tartiflette, raclette and fondue.
Le Savoy (Arc 2000)
Nestled in the highest village of Les Arcs, this restaurant is for those wanting a cosy dining experience. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, with a range of delicious French cuisine on offer - as well as strong vegetarian options. With an excellent 4.5 out of 5 rating from 861 reviews, Le Savoy is a great choice for Christmas dinner.
In Summary
Les Arcs should absolutely be among your choices for a Christmas ski holiday. Its main draw points are that it’s a purpose-built ski resort, meaning the skiing is as likely as anywhere to be excellent. Meanwhile, effort goes into making a Christmassy environment for everyone to enjoy - there are a number of brilliant events and activities to dive into.
Despite its purpose-built nature meaning it won’t have the same authentic Christmas charm as somewhere like Morzine, Les Arcs is only a quick seven-minute funicular away from the principal town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, where a lovely Christmas market awaits.
Book your festive ski holiday to Les Arcs with Iglu Ski
If Les Arcs sounds like the place for you for your Christmas ski holiday then make sure you use Iglu Ski to make it extra perfect. Our skilled sales team will help get the finer details correct for you, and we’ve got a huge amount of accommodation and other important bits to make up a ski holiday, like ski hire and lift passes.
We’ve got plenty of deals on the best chalets, apartments and hotels for you to check out. Iglu Ski has spent the past 26 years ensuring people get their ski holiday right - and you can check out the latest Christmas Les Arcs deals here.
You can also give us a ring on 020 3848 3700, or leave us an enquiry, which we'll respond to as soon as possible with all the key information you'll need.