Caroline Dierckx and friends headed for a sporty, rejuvenating getaway.
From both a sporting and a tourist point of view, Les Arcs repeatedly meets the challenges. With breathtaking panoramas, spend a few days in… Paradiski.
Les Arcs has five resorts. Bourg Saint Maurice is located at 850m above sea level, between the massifs of Mont Blanc and the Vanoise National Park. Arc 1600 is a pioneering and friendly resort, marked by its contemporary architecture. Arcs 1800 is made up of four pedestrianized villages, fully integrated into the surrounding forest. Arc 2000 is a resort with guaranteed snow throughout the season thanks to its altitude. And Arc 1950 – where we spent most of our trip – is a genuine village cocoon!
Arc 1950 is a unique concept in Europe. Completely pedestrianized, the resort combines the charm of a village of yesteryear and all the facilities of modern life. The plus is that you can set off directly to ski on foot from the base station – luxury made simple.
With colourful decor permeated by North American motifs, the site offers eight tourist homes, all 5 star. The Pierre & Vacances Premium apartment is comfortable, carefully decorated and personalized. Another plus, slip into your bathrobe and slippers to forget the daily stress and head for the wellness centre that each residence boasts. Everything is nearby: bakery, daycare and ski school. A complete facility…
To the peaks!
Skis fastened, it was time to head for the slopes. And once more we were spoiled. Paradiski (Les Arcs, Peisey Vallandry, La Plagne) is the second largest ski area in the world, with 425 km of slopes. We discovered the Aiguille Rouge (one of the longest runways in Europe), which overlooks Mount Pourri. In a beautiful setting facing Mont Blanc, we skied the red, blue and green slopes. We took the Vanoise Express which connects the ski areas of Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne, enjoying an exceptional 360° view. We lunched on a small sunny terrace in Montchavin. On the way back to Les Arcs, we stopped at the small village of Igloo. It has ice sculptures and is ideal for evening aperitif and dinner. At the end of the day, we stopped on the Chez Luigi terrace at the entrance to the village, where a live band helped create the perfect après ski atmosphere. And this winter and throughout the season, the central village square will have surprises up its sleeve with a different theme every week – there are clearly some fine evenings in perspective!
Then it was time to relax and discover a jewel in the heart of the village: Les sources de Marie Deep Nature Spa. After a soothing 50-minute immersion, while enjoying stunning views of the snowy peaks, we were fully refreshed and relaxed.
As the sun gave way to a starry night, a few steps from the residence led us to a restaurant that guarantees a high gastronomic level. With grilled beef from the region, the Red Cow offers typical local dishes. Who said the nights were quiet in the mountains? O’Chaud is a must for clubbers, where Fred Metral, a successful international DJ, sets the heart of the village on fire.
A must try facing Mont Blanc is the Arc 1800 Aqualudique centre, with 3,800m₂ devoted to wellbeing, including leisure pools (jets, bubble massage beds, whirlpools, waterfalls, etc.), slides, plus steam, sauna and fitness room… for the whole family.
Arcs 1950 is very comfortable and everything you need is close by. It is connected to other pedestrian ski sites but boasts its own atmosphere. It was a beautiful discovery that offered a magical stay.
Practical
From Brussels: By plane with SN Brussels to Geneva (three-hour drive up to ARCS 1950)
Accommodation: Pierre et Vacances Premium – pierreetvacances.com
www.arc1950.com
