If you’ve ever looked at the cost of staying in Les Arcs and quietly winced at the prices, you’re not alone. Bourg Saint Maurice skiing offers a clever alternative – stay down in the valley, hop on the funicular each morning, and enjoy the same slopes without the resort mark-up.
I know Bourg inside out; my parents have had an apartment here for over 25 years, so we’ve spent countless winters (and summers) in town.
When the extended family descends and space in the apartment runs out, we have stayed in local hotels and apartments instead, which means I’ve tried quite a few different Bourg Saint Maurice accommodations over the years!
I’ve learned all the shortcuts: which lockers you should use to store your ski kit near the funicular, and how to book them, where to rent your skis and boots, and which bakery opens earliest.
Getting to Bourg St Maurice is easy too – the Eurostar ski train and TGV trains direct from Paris roll right into Bourg’s small but efficient station, just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre.
This guide shares what makes Bourg such a brilliant – and often overlooked – base for skiers: real-town charm, better prices, good food, and direct train access to the slopes of Les Arcs and beyond.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Should you click on a link to purchase, it is at no extra cost to you, but I may receive a small commission, which helps to support this blog (THANK YOU)! See my privacy policy for more information. This post was written (and rewritten!) by Bea – always honest and always based on real-life experience.
Why stay in Bourg Saint Maurice for a ski holiday
Bourg Saint Maurice isn’t flashy, which is partly why I love it. It’s a proper working French town rather than a polished resort village. But that’s exactly what makes it such a good base for skiing.
The town sits at the bottom of the valley, right where the Eurostar and TGV trains pull in, and just a short walk from the funicular that runs up to Les Arcs. That combination makes it hands-down the easiest ski base in the Alps if you’re arriving by train. Which I highly recommend – no airport transfers, no badly timed bus connections, and no queueing at an airport car hire desk while someone insists they need to photocopy your passport again. You step off the train, walk 5 minutes, and you’re at your accommodation.
Because it’s a real town, prices are sensible too. You can do a full week’s food shop at the Lidl or the huge Super U supermarkets, without feeling like you’ve accidentally bought shares in a resort. You can grab pastries and baguettes from one of several excellent bakeries each morning, and pick up anything you forgot to pack from normal shops that don’t specialise in €12 toothpaste.
Yet for all that convenience, Bourg doesn’t feel like a budget compromise. It’s got character – a lively local Saturday market, a charming pedestrianised high street, and a program of events during ski season that means you don’t feel you’re missing out on resort life.
If you’ve ever stayed in a purpose-built ski resort, you’ll know how artificial they can feel by comparison. Bourg gives you access to the same mountains but with real-world charm (and better croissants).
Our experience staying in Bourg-Saint-Maurice
My parents have a lovely old-style flat right on the Grande Rue; complete with creaky shutters, sloping floors, and a view over the pedestrianised street. It sleeps six at a squeeze and doesn’t have parking, so when my parents and my brother’s family are here too, one section of the family often stays elsewhere in town. Over the years we’ve tried several hotels and apartments, and it’s shown us just how many good-value options there are within easy reach of the station and the funicular.
👉 Scroll down for my favourite hotel and apartment deals in Bourg Saint Maurice
Getting to Bourg Saint Maurice by train
One of the biggest perks of Bourg Saint Maurice skiing is how easy it is to get here without ever setting foot in an airport. Bourg is the end of the line – literally – so whether you’re coming on the Eurostar ski train or via Paris, you step off the train right in town with no transfers, snow chains, or winding mountain roads to navigate.
The Eurostar Ski Train from London St Pancras is the simplest option. It runs almost direct to Bourg on weekends during ski season (there’s a very quick platform change in Lille Europe), with journey times of around eight hours – enough time for a good book, some Netflix binge watching, a picnic, and a sense of smugness as you glide past stationary traffic on the motorway. (You can read my full Eurostar Ski Train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice: 2025 Review for all the details.)
If you’re travelling on a weekday, want to save some money, or fancy some time exploring Paris, the train via Paris is almost as easy. Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, cross to Gare de Lyon (around 30 minutes door to door by RER Line D or taxi), and hop on a direct TGV train to Bourg Saint Maurice. If you like, spend a day and night in Paris, exploring some of the sights before taking the train to Bourg. (Read my post: Paris with Kids: Where to Stay, Eat and Sightsee on a One Night Eurostar Stopover).
🚄 Booking train tickets to Bourg Saint Maurice?
The best place to check routes, compare prices, and book tickets from the UK or within France is Rail Europe. Whether you’re taking the Eurostar to Paris or Lille and connecting to a TGV, it’s a one-stop shop for train travel to the Alps.
For those who still prefer to fly, Bourg is also a smart stop-off point. Many shared transfer companies from Geneva, Lyon and Chambéry actually finish their routes in Bourg Saint Maurice rather than continuing up the mountain. After a long travel day, it’s often much nicer to check into a hotel in town, stretch your legs, and tackle the funicular to Les Arcs the next morning once everyone’s slept properly – especially if you’re travelling with kids.
Arriving by train or transfer also means you’re right where you need to be – both the train and bus stations are next to each other in the centre of town, a few minutes’ walk from most hotels and apartments, and almost next to the funicular to Les Arcs. Even with kids and ski bags, it’s an easy transfer. There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping off the train in Bourg, breathing in the cold alpine air, and knowing your holiday starts right there on the platform!
If you do have a car, if your accommodation doesn’t have a car parking space, parking in Bourg is now a bit more complicated than it once was. There’s very limited free on-street parking around the outskirts of town, but there are several large car parks near the funicular, which are around 68.00€ for a week.
Read more about getting to Les Arcs and Bourg Saint Maurice at Getting to Les Arcs: the best ways to travel from the UK.
From Bourg Saint Maurice to skiing Les Arcs – how the funicular works
The funicular railway linking Bourg Saint Maurice to Les Arcs is what makes staying down in the valley so practical. It runs from the edge of town up to Arc 1600 in just seven minutes, gliding past forested slopes with cracking views of the valley below.
It’s not quite attached to the train station, but it’s close — about a ten-minute walk. The funicular base station sits across the railway tracks, reached via a pedestrian bridge from the town centre. Look out for the white signs marked “Accès Funiculaire” with a picture of a pedestrian. I’ve marked the route on the map below.
Once you’re across the bridge, you’ll find a ski pass and ticket office, a big Intersport shop, which has a bank of ski lockers underneath it, and a buzzing bar/café – which is good for a coffee in the morning and a beer in the afternoon!
If you’re staying slightly outside the centre, you can also drive to the funicular. There’s a large car park right next to it, which costs around €3.80 per day or €68 for a full week. Online parking reservations are available here.
I’d still recommend staying in the town centre if you can – you won’t need a car at all, and you’ll be right in the midst of the shops, entertainment, and evening buzz.
During winter, the funicular usually operates from around 7:30 am to 9 pm (and 11 pm on Thursdays), with trains every 20 minutes. It’s included with all Les Arcs ski passes, so you don’t need to buy a separate ticket if you’re skiing.
If you arrive by train, you can also claim a free return trip – just show your train ticket at the ticket office – handy if your lift pass doesn’t yet cover that day. Pedestrians and non-skiers can buy single or return tickets directly at the funicular ticket office.
Once you reach Arc 1600, you step straight onto the snow and into the Les Arcs lift network — no buses, no trudging through car parks in ski boots.
How to make the funicular work for you
The easiest way to manage gear is to rent and store it at the top of the funicular. The Intersport Arc 1600 Residence Lagrange shop right at Arc 1600 is hands down the most convenient option. They offer ski rental and heated lockers large enough for a family’s kit.
- The locker room is a few metres ahead and to the left of where the funicular arrives.
- The locker room and the lockers themselves are equipped with an electronic lock which works with your skipass – no need for keys or access codes
- The lockers are equipped with warm air heating and drying systems for boots, gloves etc
- Small lockers (2 people): €7 / day, Large lockers (4 people): €12 / per day
- Connect your ski pass for access and pay in the Intersport Arc 1600 Lagrange shop.
- Book your locker in advance. They book up fast – especially in school holidays – email: consigne@intersport-arc1600.com
We travel up and down each day in our normal shoes, hands free, which means the walk to the funicular and the journey itself is easy and quick. No trudging through Bourg carrying skis wearing ski boots! Read more in Where to Rent Ski Gear in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Les Arcs.
We rent ski gear from the same shop; the staff are incredibly patient and kind even when the shop is at it’s busiest, and if you book in advance you can get some good discounts.
If those lockers are full, there’s also an Intersport at the foot of the funicular in Bourg, where you can rent gear and which also has lockers. It’s not quite as convenient, as you’ll be wearing your ski boots and bringing your skis up and down the funicular every day, but it’s still far easier than carrying skis through Bourg each day.
Timing your ski lessons
If your kids are doing ski school, be aware that morning lessons in Arc 1600 (or 1800 – which is even further away) mean a very early start. You’ll need to be out of the door well before 8 am to make it up the mountain and across to the meeting point in time – doable, but not relaxing. Afternoon lessons work much better if you’re staying in Bourg; you can head up after breakfast at leisure and be in the right place at the right time for your afternoon lesson.
You can read more about the schools we’ve tried (and how to choose one) in Les Arcs Ski School Guide: What I’ve Learnt (and What I’d Do Differently)
The perks of staying in Bourg instead of up the mountain
The main reason most people stay in Bourg Saint Maurice rather than up in resort is simple: it’s better value. Prices drop sharply once you’re out of the purpose-built villages, but the skiing is exactly the same. You’re paying less for accommodation and food, and you gain access to a proper town in the process.
Real town life – food, shops and local gems
Bourg is a working town, not a ski bubble, which means real food and real prices. The Super U supermarket sits on the edge of town – about a 20-minute walk or a quick drive from the centre – and stocks everything from Savoyard cheese to decent wine at normal French prices.
In the town centre, there’s also a Lidl (great for budget food shops) and a smaller Vival Casino, which is pricier but handy for top-ups like fresh milk, snacks, or sandwich fillings.
If you don’t fancy walking, hop on La Ronde – a free shuttle bus that loops around Bourg throughout the day, connecting the town centre, the swimming pool (which is next the to Super U), the train station, and funicular. It’s reliable, easy to use, and saves a few chilly minutes.
The Grande Rue, Bourg’s main street, is especially lovely. It’s full of life year-round, with bakeries, cafés, and independent shops that locals actually use. Morning pain aux raisins the size of your head from the boulangerie, a browse around the Saturday market, a crepe from one of the little kiosks in the evening – it’s just very charming.
Eating out is easy too. There are good-value restaurants, friendly bars, and an excellent takeaway pizza place with a long menu of classics and local favourites (the tartiflette pizza is a must). For proper Savoyard fare, Restaurant La Tartiflette does exactly what you’d hope — hearty cheese-laden comfort food served with zero pretension.
If you’re staying in an apartment and fancy a night in, you can even order raclette or fondue kits to go from Petite Faim on the Grande Rue. They’ll lend you the cooking set and provide everything you need – cheese, potatoes, charcuterie – for a proper Savoyard dinner at home without the washing-up.
For something lighter, Le Grenier des 5 Lacs is the place to go for galettes, crêpes, and a relaxed lunch or afternoon treat. And don’t miss Le Dôme des Glaciers – a delicous ice-cream parlour, perfect for a post-ski sugar fix, especially at Easter when it’s often quite warm down in the valley!
And if you’re shopping with kids, pop into L’Orée des Idées. It’s an Aladdin’s cave of toys, books, and clever gifts, and very hard to leave without being persuaded by your children to part with money – you have been warned!
Swimming pool, walks and downtime
When you’re ready for a break from skiing, Bourg St Maurice swimming pool is a great change of pace. It’s modern, clean and family-friendly. You can walk there easily from most places in town or hop on La Ronde; the free local shuttle, which stops at the pool.
There are also woodland and riverside walks in the woods behind the swimming pool – gentle enough for a rest day but still properly scenic. Kids can let off steam at the small playgrounds dotted around the area, and there’s a really lively Saturday morning market full of local produce and mountain cheese.
Entertainment and atmosphere
Bourg doesn’t empty out when the lifts close. Like the resorts above, it has its own winter entertainment programme; music, Christmas lights, and family-friendly events that make the town feel festive.
Bourg Saint Maurice skiing day trips
One of the real bonuses of staying in Bourg Saint Maurice is how easy it is to explore other ski areas nearby. Because you’re at the bottom of the valley rather than tucked into one resort, you can reach several big-name ski domains in under an hour – perfect if you fancy a change of scenery or want to test your ski legs somewhere new.
La Rosière – cross-border skiing and sunshine
Just a 30-minute journey from Bourg, La Rosière offers a completely different feel – smaller, more traditional, and with slopes linking across to La Thuile over the border in Italy, so you can ski to another country for lunch (and a proper espresso).
If you’re staying in Bourg, you don’t even need to drive. A free shuttle bus runs from the funicular in Bourg Saint Maurice to the Les Écudets lift, the lower access point for La Rosière – Espace San Bernardo. You can also use it to reach Seez, the pretty village just up the valley. The timetable is available here: Navette Les Écudets – Seez.
It’s an easy and scenic trip; no car, no parking, and no stress. Just make sure you bring your ski kit with you. (See Where to Rent Ski Gear in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Les Arcs for the best options.)
La Rosière makes a brilliant family day out: wide pistes, gentle runs for kids, and plenty of sunny terraces for lunch.
Tignes and Val d’Isère – world-class terrain
About 45–60 minutes up the valley, Tignes and Val d’Isère offer some of the best skiing in the Alps – vast, snow-sure, and lots of exciting runs for better skiers. It’s a bigger day trip; an early start and a longer return, but the scale and scenery make it worth it.
You don’t need a car for this one either: regular Altibus coaches run from the Bourg Saint Maurice bus station (right next to the train station) to both Tignes and Val d’Isère. Tickets are affordable, the buses are comfortable, and you’ll be dropped off right by the lifts.
Both resorts are known for their huge lift networks and reliable snow. It’s a bit of a pricey day out, but for a one-off day it’s a treat worth budgeting for, especially if you’re a group of experienced skiiers.
Closer to home – easy winter fun
If you’re tempted to explore just a little, drive up to Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, which is smaller and quieter than the big-name resorts but has some fantastic off-piste and family terrain. Sainte-Foy has a relaxed feel, fewer crowds, and brilliant tree runs when it’s snowing higher up. Non-skiers can wander around the village and try a long lunch, or visit the charming village of Séez, on the way to Sainte-Foy from Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
The downsides of staying in Bourg (and why we still love it)
I’ll be honest, staying in Bourg Saint Maurice isn’t quite as effortless as clicking into your skis outside a chalet door. There are trade-offs, and it’s worth knowing them before you book.
Early starts and lesson logistics
If your ski lessons start at 9am in Les Arcs 1600 or 1800, you’ll need an early alarm. The funicular is brilliant – quick, scenic, and efficient – but it still takes time to get up the mountain, kit yourself out in your boots and skis from the ski locker, and across to your lesson meeting point.
ESF is the only ski school operating in Arc 1600, and their meeting point is annoyingly on the other side of the village from the funicular, so you have to walk across with boots on, carrying skis, which adds time.
If you need to get across to Arc 1800 for lessons, you need to add a longish chair lift out of 1600, and a full run down to the bottom of 1800; or a free shuttle bus from 1600 to 1800 if they’re not good enough to ski across. You’d need to leave at least 30 minutes – maybe more – for both of these options. So it really is an early start.
When our children were very little and still beginners, we stayed up in Arc 1800 for that reason – the ski school dash was stressful enough; and they were exhausted by the afternoon, so morning lessons worked better.
But now they’re older (and capable of skiing all day), we find it works beautifully to stay in Bourg and book afternoon lessons instead. Mornings are more relaxed; we head up the funicular once we’ve had a solid breakfast, and then we make sure we’re in the right place at the right time for afternoon lessons, wherever in the resort they start.
No ski-in, ski-out (and that’s fine)
Yes, you can’t step out of your apartment and straight onto the slopes. But what you gain in space, price, and local colour definitely makes up for the slight inconvenience. Bourg gives you proper shops, great food, and easy train access, plus the freedom to ski different resorts during your stay.
The trade-off that makes sense
It all comes down to what you value most: convenience, cost, or comfort. Bourg may not be ski-in/ski-out, but it offers a blend of affordability, atmosphere, and flexibility that’s hard to beat once you’ve experienced it.
We’ve done both – stayed up the mountain in Arc 1800 when the kids were tiny, and stayed in Bourg as a family with older children – and we happily choose Bourg every time now. It’s cheaper, getting there and departing are much easier, and food shopping and organising is more enjoyable.
💡 Pro tips for staying in Bourg Saint Maurice for skiing
- Book your ski lockers early: Reserve ahead with Intersport Arc 1600 Residence Lagrange, right at the top of the funicular in Arc 1600 – it’s by far the easiest option. You can store your skis, boots, and poles overnight, then travel up and down in shoes with hands free (and comfortable feet).
- If lockers are full: Email in advance – they go fast – or rent from the Intersport at the foot of the funicular in Bourg, which also offers ski lockers for convenience.
- Trains are your friend: Arriving by train to Bourg Saint Maurice means you step straight into town. The bus station, funicular, and La Ronde shuttle are all within minutes’ walk, so there’s genuinely no need for a hire car.
- Parking: If you do drive, there’s some, limited free on-street parking in the outskirts of town, plus paid car parks near the funicular (about €3.80 per day or €68 per week).
- Stock up with good French food: The big Super U supermarket on the edge of town is brilliant for a first shop, while Lidl and Vival Casino cover quick top-ups in the centre.
Where to stay in Bourg Saint Maurice
One of the best things about staying in Bourg is the range of accommodation; from simple family hotels to stylish apartments with mountain views. The shops and the funicular are all walkable, prices are much more reasonable than up the mountain, and you’ll find more space too.
🛏️ Here are our tried-and-tested picks:
Hotels for families
🏨 Hôtel Restaurant Angival
✔️ Rooms + apartments | ✔️ Central location | ✔️ On-site restaurant
Right in the centre of Bourg, this small family-run hotel offers both rooms and apartments, which is handy if you want space to cook or need a separate bedroom for kids. The on-site restaurant makes life easy, and you’re just a short walk from the station, shops and cafés.
👉 Check availability and prices
🏨 Hostellerie du Petit Saint Bernard
✔️ Family rooms | ✔️ Helpful staff | ✔️ Good value
A solid mid-range option with family rooms, friendly staff and good value. It’s simple rather than flashy, but spotlessly clean and well located for exploring both Bourg and Les Arcs. It offers an excellent breakfast and a good restaurant for evening meals.
👉 Check availability and prices
🏨 Hôtel Arolla
✔️ Quiet street | ✔️ Family-friendly | ✔️ Personal service
Tucked away on a quiet street near the centre, this small hotel has a warm, personal feel. Guests like the family rooms and the sense that nothing’s too much trouble, along with excellent breakfasts and a guest lounge and bar.
👉 Check availability and prices
Modern and social stays
🏨 Hotel Base Camp Lodge
✔️ Modern design | ✔️ Dorms + private rooms | ✔️ Bar + restaurant
A more modern choice with a minimalist, alpine-meets-urban design. Rooms range from private doubles to larger dorm-style spaces that work well for families or groups. The bar and restaurant downstairs are lively but not rowdy; a good spot for an easy dinner or drink after skiing.
👉 Check availability and prices
Self-catering apartments
If you’re travelling as a larger family or group, self-catering is often the best value option.
🏡 4-6 Person Apartment, Central Bourg
✔️ Sleeps 4 – 6 | ✔️ 68m² | ✔️ Super central
A bright and well-laid-out apartment right in the centre of town. It sleeps up to six across multiple bedrooms, making it a strong choice for families. The layout is open and sociable, and it’s a short walk to the shops, restaurants, and the funicular.
👉 Check availability and prices
🏡 Refuges en Ville
✔️ Spacious | ✔️ Central | ✔️ Great for groups
A set of spacious, well-equipped apartments that comfortably host families or extended groups. Guests like the generous living space and the convenience of being close to the town centre.
👉 Check availability and prices
🏡 Camp de Base: Bourg-Saint-Maurice
✔️ Sleeps up to 8 | ✔️ Terrace | ✔️ Full kitchen
This large and comfy apartment sleeps up to eight and is located in the centre of Bourg. The spacious apartment has a terrace with mountain views, a full kitchen, and makes a good base for a longer stay.
👉 Check availability and prices
🏡 Loft Bourg St Maurice Les Arcs – La Maison des Têtes
✔️ Sleeps 6 | ✔️ Stylish loft | ✔️ Netflix + bunks
A stylish loft-style apartment for up to eight guests, with a mix of double beds and bunks that makes it ideal for families. There’s plenty of space, modern décor, and thoughtful touches like Netflix for cosy evenings in.
👉 Check availability and prices
🏡 Deluxe Ski and Summer Apartment, Parking and WiFi
✔️ Sleeps up to 8 | ✔️ 2 Bathrooms | ✔️ Central location | ✔️ Netflix + Xbox
This bright, modern apartment combines comfort and practicality: a full kitchen, private parking, and bunk beds for kids — plus Netflix, an Xbox, and even a tucked-away alcove with a washing machine and two drying racks (ideal for soggy ski kit).
👉 Check availability and prices
What to do in summer (if you fall in love with Bourg)
It’s easy to think of Bourg Saint Maurice as just a ski base, but come summer it’s just as good. When the snow melts, the same mountains turn into a warm, sunny playground for hikers, cyclists and anyone who likes their scenery steep and green.
There’s fantastic hiking in the area, with routes for all levels, from riverside paths to proper alpine climbs. One of our favourites is the 3 day Multi-Day Hike in the French Alps with Kids | A Must-Do Family Adventure in France – an achievable adventure that mixes big mountain views with welcoming mountain huts with to-die-for tarte aux myrtille.
There’s also white-water rafting on the Isère River, lots of mountain biking using the funicular and lifts, or on road routes used by the Tour de France, a swimming lake a few kilometers down the valley (and reachable on a very family-friendly, completely segregated bike path), and a proper weekly Saturday market selling cheese, honey and occasionally sheep dog puppies (yes, there was once a basket of puppies from a farm in the valley at the market. It’s a miracle we didn’t come home with one).
It’s the same town – just with more bikes than skis and shorts and t-shirts instead of salopettes!
Why Bourg Saint Maurice skiing works so well
For us, using Bourg Saint Maurice as a skiing base has gone from a practical choice to a place we genuinely love. When the kids were small, we stayed up in resort because ski lessons at 9am were challenge enough. But as they’ve grown, we’ve realised that Bourg offers everything we need – and a lot of extra convenience.
It’s affordable (you’ll actually enjoy going to the supermarket), authentic (a real French town, not just a resort façade), and accessible (step off the train to Bourg Saint Maurice, hop on the funicular to Les Arcs, and you’re skiing within minutes).
We love the balance it offers; ski world-class slopes all day, then come home to pastries, proper shops and real life in the evening. Bourg has an unshowy, relaxed kind of comfort that feels less artificial and more genuine than resort life. It actually feels like you’re in France rather than just jetting into a canned ski bubble for a week and leaving again without experiencing the country or culture!
🎿 Ready to plan your own trip?
Grab my free printable Family Ski Packing List to make sure nothing important (like gloves, helmets, or sanity) gets left behind.
And if you’re still in the planning stage, you might like:
