LES ARCS: BEHIND THE SCENES OF A SKI AREA

On 12 December 2026, the winter season gets underway in Les Arcs, as skiers return to its 200km of pistes. But opening day is the culmination of months of work behind the scenes, involving hundreds of people, from lift engineers and piste teams to snowmaking specialists and piste bashers. Long before the first lifts start turning, a huge amount of work is already underway, with every detail carefully prepared to ensure the ski area is ready for winter.

Les Arcs: the facts

• 2026/27 winter season: 12 December 2026 – 24 April 2027

• 200km of pistes

• 117 pistes and 16 fun areas

• 540 professionals involved in running the ski area

• 52 ski lifts

• 29 piste bashers

Behind the scenes

When the last skiers leave the slopes in spring, a different season begins for the teams at the Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry ski area, with maintenance of the infrastructure and equipment taking centre stage.

Every ski lift is thoroughly inspected, facilities in the snow parks and fun areas are dismantled, checked and reinstalled, piste bashers head to the workshops and teams are already preparing for the following winter. Much of this work goes on quietly, away from the buzz of the ski season, but it is essential to ensure everything is ready when the first skiers arrive.

As Aurélie Lévèque, Deputy Managing Director of the Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry ski area, explains: “Getting the mountain ready involves a wide range of skills and professions, with teams working throughout the year. During the winter season, around 540 staff are involved in keeping the ski area running smoothly ready to receive skiers”.

Autumn: a change of pace in the mountains

As temperatures begin to fall, the countdown to opening day gathers pace. Teams keep a close eye on the weather forecast and wait for the first snowfall. When conditions are right, snow cannons are switched on to supplement natural snowfall in key sectors, building a sufficient base layer before piste preparation gets underway.

Then it is the turn of the piste bashers. Their job is to prepare the routes around the ski lifts and shape and groom the pistes ready for skiers. Meanwhile, the piste safety teams begin installing markers and signage, and checking the various safety barriers and protection systems.

In the days leading up to opening, teams from across the ski area work side by side as the final preparations fall into place: last inspections, ski lift testing, and preparation of the learning areas and fun zones.

On Saturday 12 December, skiers will once again be able to enjoy the pistes of Les Arcs, perhaps unaware of the enormous amount of work that goes into getting the mountain ready for opening day.