Les Arcs Sets Out Its Ambition for 2027: A Modern, Human‑Centred Mountain Destination

Les Arcs continues to be a firm favourite with British skiers, with skiing for all levels, a village for everyone’s tastes, unique architecture and it is the best choice for eco-conscious skiers. For winter 2026/27 Les Arcs has a selection of new initiatives and events…

High above the Tarentaise valley, where the mountains rise in clean, confident lines and the air feels charged with possibility, Les Arcs is quietly rewriting what a modern alpine destination can be. Not through grand declarations or glossy slogans, but through a steady accumulation of choices—architectural, environmental, cultural—that together form a clear, unmistakable identity.

This is a resort shaped by visionaries, refined by decades of innovation, and now entering 2027 with a renewed sense of purpose. It is a place where the past is not romanticised, the present is not taken for granted, and the future is being built with intention.

The Architecture That Changed the Mountains

To understand Les Arcs, you have to start with its architecture. Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 are not just ski villages; they are living examples of a radical idea born in the 1960s. Charlotte Perriand, Guy Rey‑Millet and their collaborators believed that mountain architecture should serve people, not nostalgia. Their buildings lean forward like the peaks they echo, opening wide to the landscape through picture windows and staggered balconies.

The result is a resort that feels both futuristic and deeply human. It is not trying to imitate the past; it is trying to make the mountains accessible, comfortable and inspiring for everyone.

Jean‑Marie Chrevronnet, a local guide, has watched countless visitors fall under its spell. “Once you have the codes, it is impossible to be indifferent,” he says. His tours reveal the logic behind the lines, the pragmatism behind the beauty, and the social ambition behind the design.

Les Arcs was never meant to be a postcard. It was meant to be a place where people could live, breathe and feel part of the mountains.

A Winter Season Built on Renewal

Winter 2027 brings a wave of improvements that reflect the resort’s ongoing commitment to evolution rather than expansion.

A Forest Run Reborn

Les Pitchouns, the gentle beginner run winding through Vallandry’s fir trees, has been transformed into an enchanted forest. Seed‑sowers hide among the branches, tiny huts appear around bends, and each turn reveals a new scene. It is playful, imaginative and designed to make first‑time skiers feel welcome rather than intimidated.

A New Gondola for Peisey‑Nancroix

After 43 years of service, the iconic red cabins—affectionately known as “yoghurt pots”—have retired. Their successor is a sleek 10‑seat gondola connecting Peisey‑Nancroix to Plan Peisey in just 3 minutes 20 seconds. It is faster, more comfortable and capable of moving 900 people per hour, strengthening one of the key gateways into the ski area.

The Hidden Work Behind Opening Day

Aurélie Lévêque, Director of the Domaine de Montagne, describes the months of preparation that precede the winter season. Lifts are inspected “bolt by bolt,” fun‑run features are dismantled and rebuilt, groomers are maintained, and teams are recruited.

Around 600 staff keep the ski area running through winter, supported by 160 specialists working year‑round. It is a vast, coordinated effort designed to ensure that when the first skiers arrive, everything feels effortless.

Behind‑the‑Scenes Experiences

Visitors can now step into the world of ski patrollers and snowmakers through guided activities. First Tracks sessions reveal how the ski area is prepared each morning, while snowmaking workshops explain how artificial snow is produced and managed. These experiences offer a rare glimpse into the technical and human expertise that keeps the mountains safe.

Safety as a Design Principle

Les Arcs is taking a proactive approach to slope safety, especially for beginners and families.

Three secure progress zones allow new skiers to learn at their own pace. The Chronoski run teaches braking distances and speed awareness—an educational tool unique in France. New Easy Ski routes offer quieter returns to resort, and awareness campaigns run throughout the season.

The goal is simple: to make the mountains feel welcoming, not overwhelming.

A Sustainability Pioneer in the Alps

Les Arcs is not just adapting to environmental challenges; it is leading the way.

Night Trains: A Low‑Carbon Gateway

Travelski’s night‑train service is expanding across Europe, adding routes from the Netherlands and Belgium. Passengers gain two extra ski days thanks to Saturday morning arrivals and Saturday evening departures. It is comfortable, efficient and dramatically reduces emissions.

Funicular Success Story

The electric funicular linking Bourg Saint Maurice to Arc 1600 carried 980,000 passengers in 2025—63% more than in 2019. Free for train travellers in winter, it eliminates the “last kilometre” problem and encourages car‑free holidays.

Flocon Vert and B Corp™ Leadership

Les Arcs remains the only French ski resort to hold both the Flocon Vert and B Corp™ certifications. These labels recognise its commitment to ecological transition, social responsibility and transparent governance.

Awareness Through Experience

Educational spaces across the resort help visitors understand the mountain environment. Children climb the Malgovert Giants and learn about forest ecosystems. At Varet terrace, visitors explore the impact of climate change on glaciers. The Aiguille Rouge footbridge offers a breathtaking route through high‑mountain biodiversity.

Even La Folie Douce has embraced sustainability, using heat from its beer‑pump refrigeration system to warm the building and sourcing 30% of its electricity from local hydropower.

A Destination for Every Season

Les Arcs is increasingly defined not by winter, but by its ability to reinvent itself throughout the year.

Spring Skiing with Friends

March and April bring soft snow, long terrace lunches, spa sessions, sledging, zipline descents and major events like Electronic Peak Festival and John Doe Snowboard Day. It is skiing at its most relaxed and sociable.

Early‑Summer Escapes

May and June offer a gentle, family‑friendly break: aquatic centre slides, disc‑golf, mini‑golf, valley walks and farm visits. It is a slower, sunnier version of the mountains.

Coolcation Summers

With temperatures dropping 0.65°C per 100 m of altitude, Les Arcs becomes a natural refuge from heatwaves. Families hike to Lac des Moutons, relax in hammocks suspended over the abyss, enjoy HERO sports, or spend a day at Arc 1950’s weekly events. Trail runners, paragliders and golfers find endless terrain to explore.

New Openings for 2026/27

Three new venues add flavour and energy to the destination:

• La Descente (Arc 1800) – A wine and champagne bar run by Champagne winegrowers Clémence Vautrain and Gauthier.

• La Belle Cocotte (Bourg Saint Maurice) – Slow‑cooked, nostalgic French cuisine served with warmth and generosity.

• La Fario e‑MTB Trail – A 40 km electric‑mountain‑bike route from Bourg Saint Maurice to Tignes, launched during the Vélo Vert Festival.

A Cycling Culture Coming Into Its Own

Hosting the Vélo Vert Festival in 2026 confirmed Les Arcs’ growing reputation as a cycling hub. Thousands of competitors, bike tests and exhibitors praised the region’s varied terrain—from valley paths to balcony trails and high‑mountain routes.

Cycling here is not an add‑on; it is becoming part of the resort’s identity.

A Mountain Destination With a Clear Future.

Les Arcs enters 2027 with confidence. It is architecturally distinctive, environmentally committed and determined to offer meaningful experiences in every season. It is a resort shaped by vision rather than fashion, by responsibility rather than rhetoric, and by a belief that the mountains should be accessible, inspiring and alive.