Mountain Layout — Snowboarding

Like all major ski areas, Les Arcs has terrain for all levels of snowboarders. With a large portion of boarding above treeline, Les Arcs has tons of open spaces for cruising but relatively little tree boarding. If you are looking for tree boarding, the best place you’ll find will be above Plan Peisey and Vallandry.

Never-ever boarders should head to the free bunny lifts at 1600, 1800 and 2000 (1600 lifts—TK Pierre Blanche, TS Combettes, TK Millerette; 1800 lifts—TS Chantel, TS Jardin Alpin; and 2000 lifts—TS Saint Jacques, TK La Combes 1-2, TK Rhodos). There you will find open easy terrain perfect for your first few turns.

Beginners will benefit most from the first half of the Transarc gondola and the upper sections of Plan Peisey and Vallandry, where the trails are wider than they are lower in the valley.

Intermediate riders can tackle most of the upper portions of Arc 1600 and 1800 except for L’Arpette and Col Des Frettes, which are steep and sometimes covered in moguls. Starting from Arc 2000, intermediates should stay on Plagnettes and Bosses or Bois De L’Ours and Comborciere, but should think twice when deciding whether or not to hit Grand Col, Aiguille Rouge or Varet.

Advanced and expert boarders can walk all over the mountain but will find the best stuff in Grand Col or off Aiguille Rouge. If you’re looking for a real adventure, go to a local ski school and ask about the awesome backcountry opportunities starting from the top of the Aiguille Rouge and Le Grand Col.

At the L’Arpette terrain park you’ll find a halfpipe and some sweet tabletop jumps perfect for huge air. It’s possible to buy a “snow park” lift ticket if you’re planning to spend the day around the park. The ticket allows you to go on the three lifts right around the park plus a chair from 1600 and one from 1800. The combined Paradiski region has two boarder cross, four snowparks and two halfpipes.