Where to stay in Les Arcs? Which is the best Resort: Arc 1600, 1800, 1950, 2000, Peisey-Vallandry or Bourg-Saint-Maurice

If you’re planning a ski holiday to Les Arcs, one of the first decisions you’ll face is where to stay in Les Arcs. With six different villages; from the purpose-built buzz of Arc 1800 to the traditional charm of Peisey-Vallandry or the down-to-earth affordability of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, each area has its own vibe, strengths, and quirks.

I’ve been skiing in Les Arcs for over 25 years, first with friends, then extended family, and now with my own kids. Between us, we’ve stayed or skied in every village multiple times – juggling ski school timetables, meeting up for lunch across the pistes, and trying to keep everyone happy from toddlers to grandparents. We’ve often skied with friends who were based in a different village, and meeting up on the slopes has always worked surprisingly well.

This post isn’t just a bland resort summary. It’s a real-world comparison of what each Les Arcs village is actually like; with kids, mixed generations, and all the logistics that come with family holidays in the mountains.

By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of which Les Arcs base suits your family best – whether you’re after gentle slopes, buzzing après, snow-sure terrain, or just the quickest train-to-ski connection.

Jump to my Where to Stay in Les Arcs Resort Comparison Table or jump to find out more about a specific village: Arc 1800 | Arc 1600 | Arc 1950 | Arc 2000 | Peisey-Vallandry | Bourg-Saint-Maurice

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🗺️ Overview of Les Arcs ski area

Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski ski domain, which it shares with neighbouring La Plagne. Together, they offer over 400km of pistes, but even if you never cross over to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express, there’s more than enough terrain in Les Arcs to keep families happy for a week (or three).

The resort is made up of four purpose-built Arc villages; 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000, plus the traditional satellite villages of Peisey-Vallandry, and the town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the valley below. All are connected by lifts, pistes and a free shuttle bus network (navettes), although each village has its own feel when you’re off the skis.

The good news? No matter where you stay, it’s all part of the same ski pass. And meeting up with other family members or friends staying in different villages is totally doable; whether it’s a mid-morning coffee stop, meeting for a few runs together, or a sociable lunch at a piste-side café.

If you’re arriving by train (which we usually do), Bourg-Saint-Maurice is your gateway to the slopes. We base ourselves here and take the 7-minute funicular up to Arc 1600 each morning to ski; it’s a an efficient setup and makes things a bit cheaper.

If you’re staying in one of the Arc villages, you can hop straight on the funicular from the station, then connect to your accommodation via the free “navette” shuttle buses. For Peisey-Vallandry, the nearest train stop is Landry, from where you’ll need a short taxi or shared transfer up to the resort.

🏘️ Comparing the main Les Arcs villages

When you’re thinking about where to stay in Les Arcs, it’s important to know that each Les Arcs village has its own character, strengths, and trade-offs. here’s how Arc 1600, 1800, 1950, 2000, Peisey-Vallandry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice compare for family ski holidays.

🏡 Arc 1800 – Great for first-timers and active families

If you’re skiing with kids for the first time, or just want plenty to do off the slopes; Arc 1800 is one of the easiest places to base yourself. It’s the largest of the Arc villages, with a central location, a variety of ski schools, and enough cafés, shops, entertainment and family-friendly restaurants to keep everyone fuelled and having fun.

We’ve stayed here ourselves, especially when the kids were small. Everything is close together so getting from accommodation to ski school meeting points, to the lifts and good places to eat is all easy, even with little kids.

In terms of ski lessons, Evolution 2 is our go-to ski school in 1800 – we’ve used them several times and can recommend them. ESF also operates here and has a big enclosed children’s area with a magic carpet – we used ESF for private lessons when the kids were tiny which worked very well.

And don’t miss La Piste des Minis, a fun themed run at the top of the Villards gondola that explores the secret world of mountain insects; complete with a giant magnifying glass, playful info stops, and interactive surprises along the way.

Ski New Generation (use this link for a 5% discount), which would be our top pick for older kids (6-7+), doesn’t run lessons in 1800; they’re based in Arc 2000 and Peisey-Vallandry.

👉 Want help picking the right ski school for your kids? Here’s my full guide to booking lessons in Les Arcs

There’s a great little bum-sliding area on the total beginner ski area in front of the main row of shops – perfect for an after-ski play session. And for non-ski or bad weather days, the Arc 1800 swimming pool and the fun luge track are both right in the village and easy to reach on foot.

There’s also a decent après scene here, with lively bars and restaurants dotted around the resort. And if you’re looking for a full daytime (or après ski) party, the Folie Douce is accessible on skis, or on foot via the Villards gondola and Dahu cable car from the bottom of resort, which are free for pedestrians. It’s loud, theatrical and full-on (but actually pretty fun for kids in small doses), but also nicely self-contained. It doesn’t spill over into family accommodation or disturb the rest of the village.

🏡 Arc 1600 – Quiet and unfussy with easy access

Arc 1600 is the original Les Arcs village; smaller and quieter and a bit more old fashioned than its neighbours.

It’s well-connected and very convenient for family trips as it’s the easiest Arc village to reach if you’re arriving by train: the funicular from Bourg-Saint-Maurice takes just seven minutes and drops you right at the edge of the village. If you’re travelling with kids or want to avoid mountain roads entirely, it’s a good choice.

Arc 1600 is the kind of place that works well for families who want a low-key base, particularly if you’re skiing with anyone who’d rather avoid the buzz of 1800. There’s just one main ski school here (ESF), and while the village is compact, it’s got everything you need: a couple of small supermarkets, a bakery, and enough cafés and restaurants for a relaxed week.

The slopes here are easy to access and the area is small enough to navigate without stress. That said, the home run down to Arc 1600 can get heavy and chopped up later in the day, particularly in spring; so young or tired legs may find this hard work at the end of the day.

Kids will love the Malgovert Giants playground, a play structure right on the slopes above Arc 1600 – a fun little stop for a break from skiing or something different to do at the end of the day.

There’s less in the way of entertainment here; no swimming pool, bowling alley or luge, but Arc 1800 is easy to reach by free “navette” shuttle bus, or even on foot. The Chemin de Bellecôte is a lovely winter walking route between 1600 and 1800 that takes around 1.5 hours and can be done with older kids in snow boots. View the trail here.

🏔️ Arc 1950 – High-end feel and great for younger kids

Arc 1950 is the newest village in Les Arcs, but it was built in a traditional style, all timbered façades, stonework and winding pedestrian lanes. That might sound a bit theme-park on paper, but in reality, it’s beautifully done.

It feels cosy and upmarket without being stuffy, a sort of curated alpine bubble that’s particularly good for families with younger children or non-skiers who want to stay entertained without leaving the resort. It’s the only Arcs village with it’s own website; it’s worth having a look here for all the latest resort updates.

Ski school choices are wide and straightforward: Arc 1950 has Evolution 2 and ESF, and you can take the Cabriolet lift to Arc 2000 for New Generation Ski School (use this link for a 5% discount).

Wondering which ski school is best? Read: Les Arcs Ski School Guide: What I’ve Learnt (and What I’d Do Differently)

The streets are pedestrianised but also skiable, so most accommodation is genuinely ski-in/ski-out; just keep an eye out when crossing the paths, as skiers can glide through at any time during the day.

The village is compact but lively, with good restaurants, family-friendly après, and a regular line-up of entertainment and events, from torchlit descents and ski shows to Christmas fireworks and live DJs at New Year.

There’s plenty to do even if you’re not skiing every day, and it’s easy to take the pedestrian-friendly Cabriolet lift up to Arc 2000 for extra cafés, facilities and ski school meet points.

🧖 If you’re after a proper grown-up treat, the Deep Nature Spa in Arc 1950 is one of the best in the area. You’ll find a sauna, steam room, indoor and outdoor pools, and a range of massages and treatments, all with mountain views.

It’s worth noting that Arc 1950 is the most expensive village to stay in, thanks to its premium accommodation and ski-in/ski-out access, but for families looking for comfort, convenience, and atmosphere, it really delivers.

🏔️ Arc 2000 – High altitude, low fuss

Arc 2000 sits just above 1950 and is all about function over form. Architecturally, it’s not the prettiest, and it’s above the tree line so can feel a bit windblown and stark, but it offers excellent access to the slopes, and at a much lower cost than its smarter sibling (Arc 1950) just below.

It’s a good pick for families focused on skiing, especially if you want snow-sure conditions and wide, gentle pistes for beginners to build confidence. The bowl surrounding Arc 2000 tends to hold its snow well, even late in the season, and the layout makes it easy for mixed-ability groups to access a huge variety of terrain and difficultly levels.

The atmosphere here is a little quieter, with a bit less going on in the evenings than in 1800 or 1950, (though there are still some fun places to eat and drink out), but Cabriolet lift down to Arc 1950 runs into the evening, so it’s easy to head down for dinner or a drink in a more lively setting.

There’s also a decent selection of off-snow activities here if you’re building in some rest days — including the 2000 Luge, the Aiguille Rouge zip line, the Ice Bar Igloo Village and Ice Grotto, and a small bowling alley in the centre of resort. You can also head down to Arc 1950 to the Deep Nature Spa for a child-free treat.

Ski schools here include New Generation Ski School (use this link for a 5% discount), which is my top pick for kids aged 7+), ESF, and Evolution 2, with a decent snow garden area for young learners just above the main lifts. If you’re skiing with friends or different generations, it’s a practical hub that keeps things simple.

🌲 Peisey-Vallandry – Cosy and wooded, with access to La Plagne

Tucked into the trees on the western edge of the Les Arcs ski area, Peisey-Vallandry has a cosier, village-like feel; more chalet balconies and pine forests than big apartment blocks and nightclubs. It’s a great base for families who want a quieter vibe, fun skiing through the woods, and easy access to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express.

The lower slopes here can get soft by the afternoon, but the upside is that there’s shelter and visibility when other parts of the resort are clouded in; and the woodland runs are brilliant on snowy days.

For skiers, the terrain is ideal for intermediate families – most runs home are wide reds, with one long, traversing blue taking you down to the villages, that can take a while with younger kids. There are stunning views over the Rosuel valley and even the chance to spot bearded vultures (Gypaètes) soaring overhead.

The village itself has a few fun low-key bars and restaurants, plus enough shops to self-cater easily. It’s a favourite for multi-generational groups especially if not everyone in the group skis — Peisey-Vallandry offers a surprising range of non-ski activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, reindeer walks and sleigh rides, ice climbing, tandem paragliding, and more unusual guided excursions via Bistou Montagne.

Ski schools here include New Generation Ski School, Evolution 2, and ESF, with convenient access to both Peisey and Vallandry lifts from most accommodation. The beginner ski area is located at the top of the Vallandry gondola rather than on the lower slopes, which can feel a bit unusual at first, but the area itself is excellent.

There’s also a fun kids’ piste nearby, with things like foam hands to high-five, giant xylophones you play with your ski poles, and other features that keep kids entertained while practising turns.

🚆 Coming by train?
Hop off at Landry station, then it’s a short transfer or taxi up to the village. Not quite as direct as the Arc villages, but still very doable. Read: Getting to Les Arcs: the best ways to travel from the UK

🚉 Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Affordable and flexible

Bourg-Saint-Maurice isn’t a ski resort in the traditional sense, it’s a working French town where people actually live year-round. That gives it a low-key, authentic atmosphere with plenty of useful amenities and just enough buzz, especially on market days or when there’s entertainment put on (there are regular fun events for visitors in the winter months).

Thanks to the funicular railway that links directly to Arc 1600, it works brilliantly as a base for skiing the entire Les Arcs area. It’s where we often stay ourselves, especially when travelling by train, and it’s hard to beat on value and flexibility.

Accommodation tends to be more affordable here than higher up the mountain, with a wider choice of larger apartments, family hotels and short-stay options. It’s also a great choice for mixed groups or non-skiers, with supermarkets, bakeries, cafés, restaurants and shops all within walking distance – plus proper French-town atmosphere.

The funicular to Arc 1600 runs daily until around 7:30pm, with extended hours on Thursdays (usually until 11pm), so evening trips up or down the mountain are doable too. If you’re staying in the Arc villages, you’ll arrive in Bourg by train and hop straight on the funicular before connecting to your village by free resort shuttle bus.

You can read more about how and why we use Bourg as a ski base in our dedicated post:
👉 Bourg Saint Maurice Skiing: Our Favourite Base for a Family Ski Holiday

🚄 Arriving by train?

Bourg is the final stop for the Eurostar Ski Train and other TGV services from Paris. If you’re coming from the UK, it’s the most direct rail-accessible base in the region.

👉 Read my full review of the ski train: The Eurostar Ski Train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice from London: 2025 Review, and there’s lots of information on the train via Paris here: Getting to Les Arcs: the best ways to travel from the UK

🧳 Which Les Arcs base is best for you? A quick comparison

So, which Les Arcs village should you pick?

The truth is, you can’t really go wrong. One of the best things about Les Arcs is how much variety it offers; in terrain, atmosphere, and accommodation, without ever feeling overwhelming. Whether you’re after polished convenience, down-to-earth charm, or just something that works with your budget, there’s a base here that’ll suit.

Over the years, we’ve stayed all over the place, with toddlers, teens, friends, and grandparents, and the one thing I keep hearing from friends who try Les Arcs after skiing elsewhere is that they’re coming back!

For families in particular, it just works really well – the villages are well-connected, the variety of skiable terrain is second-to-none, ski schools are reliable, and there’s enough going on off the slopes to keep everyone happy.