The 14 best outdoor activities to do in the Arcs

What to do during your next mountain stay? Wanderlix presents you the best outdoor activities to do in the Arcs.

Les Arcs is a gigantic winter sports resort located in the Tarentaise area Savoie . It is shared by the municipalities of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Landry, Peisey-Nancroix and Villaroger. Created by three successive resorts (Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 2000), the Arcs form with the ski area of Grande Plagne that of Paradiski.

More than 400 kilometers of trails make it one of the largest of Europe or even the world! There's so much to do in the Arcs... You could come in winter for example and break into skis, snowshoes, speed-riding or try to climb ice. In the summer, the grass of the slopes once devoured by the cows will welcome bikes, hikers, paragliders or horseback riding enthusiasts.

Want more? Wanderlix offers you to discover the best outdoor activities to do in the Arcs. We're waiting for you, hurry up!

Summer

Hiking

If you're looking for an outdoor activity to do in the Arcs both peaceful and toning, take a walk! The hike on the Arcs summer area is more than 200 km of marked trails and 6,700 m of accumulated elevation.

The advantage of practice? Little material, total freedom and the chance to be close to nature. The fauna and flora are not discovered after step in the grandiose setting of the Tarentaise. To contemplate the Savoie, there is nothing like a pretty walk in the middle of the Alps.

Orientation course

The orientation race is to evolve in the middle of nature by following a timed track. You will need to retrieve information about tags in a specific order throughout the course. This is an outdoor activity to be done to the Arcs in the family, preferably! You'll walk around and out in the village to collect the clues.

Playful and sporty, we recommend it on a sunny day.

Paragliding

Paragliding is an outdoor activity to do in the Arcs, summer and winter. The station offers solo flights, supervised by a monitor on the ground. The ideal, if you’re a novice, is to opt for a baptism in a biplace that is solidly scammed to the pilot.

The paragliding allows you to admire the station as if you were a royal eagle. The snow-capped peaks are available on a plateau: the Alps chain is unveiling. The Mont-Blanc pierce the sky, majestic; and, some days, we even see the characteristic form of Cervin ...

Mountaineering

Mountaineering is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Arcs. Apart from Mont Pourri and its 3,779 metres, many more or less engaged races can be tried in Vanoise. Mountaineering in the summer is a life-giving and rather pleasant activity: it’s cooler than in the valley! Of course, this does not happen. The Arc Guide Company is here to frame you during your ascent.

Our advice? Opt for this activity in September. In the Northern Alps, it is often the sunniest, and attendance is much less than in July-August. Come on, your piolets!

Escalade

The climbing on the wall is possible when you are looking for the best outdoor activities to do in the Arcs. In the station, an artificial block is permanently set up to train safely. You can choose from twenty different ways!

The valley can also be carried out in a natural environment to take full mirettes... and full arms. For this, the cliff of Rochefleur and the cliff of Séloge offer various lines adapted to the level of each. Pleasant, enriching and aerial, the climb will seduce both small and large.

Cani-rando

On a half day you can share a complicity moment with a sled dog. Yes, including summer! The cani-rando consists of walking a scam to a northern dog.

Husky or malamute, your four-legged partner will accompany you on the marked trails of Arc 1800. The harness allows you to less feel fatigue and the arduous climbs seem much more flat. Walking shoes, backpack and water bottle as well as a jacket in case of bad weather are to be expected. And a lot of caresses, too...

Equestrian hike

Guided walks, horse riding lessons, or even ski joëring... The Arcs put on the horse for the greatest pleasure of visitors. The interest is to be able to discover the station otherwise.

The Col de la Chal, the Red Aiguille or the reserve of the Hauts de Villaroger are fabulous walking routes. Imagine the quality of your ride if you're on horseback! The equestrian rider will seduce small and large and is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Arcs in summer. Animals are benevolent and quite accustomed to human presence: do not fear!

Road cycling

Known for its beauty, the Haute Tarentaise includes paved routes through sumptuous landscapes. Road cycling is a mythical outdoor activity to do in the Arcs. The area is not dedicated only to mountain biking: it also welcomes a green path, cycle tracks and legendary passes.

If you don't have a bike, choose a rental in the centre of the station. The models are varied and you can try the electric bike, which democratizes strongly. It allows you to attend and limits the energy spent during the climbs in particular. Then, to you the collar of Iseran or Roselend, which we recommend.

Winter

Slip sports

Luge, snowboard, snowscoot, ski, airboard... The Arcs allow you to learn about all these gray activities. The ski area is one of the largest in Europe with 425 kilometers of track. It peaks at more than 3,200 meters altitude! With a variety of trails, a snowpark, boardercross tracks, the station makes you enjoy almost endless sliding possibilities.

These outdoor activities at the Arcs take place from December to April as a general rule. The Northern Alps have a substantial snowfall. Try to enjoy it during your next stay on site!

Snowshoe hike

It’s nice, snowshoes, to explore the marked paths covered with fresh snow. Playful and relaxing, this outdoor activity to do in the Arcs presents the advantage of not costing anything or almost and taking place in a privileged natural setting. Wanderlix especially advises the path of the lakes or the one leading to the Notre Dame des Vernettes chapel.

In both cases, you will have the opportunity to contemplate authentic immaculate landscapes worthy of a postcard. The Tour du Mont-Blanc, famous trail bordering the massif of the same name, also passes through the Arcs. In short, you have the embarrassment of choice as long as you like the beautiful walks...

Nordic skiing

Nordic skiing is really great! And this is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Arcs. More technical than winter hiking (the movement requires a little training), it guarantees pretty sensations. This is the perfect compromise between sport, contemplation and fun... all in the middle of nature.

The ski resort offers no less than 45 kilometers of cross-country skiing. Direction the Peisy-Vallandry sector, a spot known throughout Europe. Just like alpine skiing, itineraries are classified by physical difficulty: if you choose a difficult track, wait to sweat effort, even winter!

Winter mountaineering

Winter mountaineering encompasses the techniques used to advance in altitude under polar conditions. Winter, it’s cold and the snow is much thicker... but what happiness!

Just imagine the snow-covered peaks, your rope slowly progressing in the middle of a white desert, your guide leading all this beautiful world to the intended destination. Yes, because the guide is essential: many accidents could be avoided if all visitors decided to appeal.

The guide company is present in the centre of the station. Their members will be happy to help you realize this outdoor activity in the Arcs.

Snowmobile

Snowmobile is a must-see in the ski resort. This outdoor activity at the Arcs is carried out from December to April at the end of the day, at nightfall. You will equip a powerful equipment designed specifically to split the snow.

The goal? Take the slopes of the ski area of Paradiski to the heights of the latter. And from all up there, what an incredible view! The Arcs seem to shine in a thousand lights, sublimating the mountains around enchanting glows.

This snowmobile ride is done in a combination of skiing, simply: the helmet is provided to you. Suitable for a friendly ride, this mechanical sport is one of our favourites. Quickly find out why!

Sled dogs

Pretty nice, these hairballs! But they are far from being doudous. In the North, for example, they are used to protect trappers and allow them to travel long distances. How? By connecting several dogs to a specially designed sled, the set turns into a commercial vehicle.

Of course, in the Arcs, the system was slightly adapted to the tourist demand. One. musher (a sled driver) will drive the latter while you sit comfortably on it, enjoy the walk. This outdoor activity to do in the Arcs will delight both small and large.