At 1800, the big news is of course the Mille 8 development, which is settling down well. A new ski cross course (Les Bosses) was built at the end of the year, running parallel to the foot of the Vagere lift. It will video your performance, giving you the option to review your style half way down the run and upload the film to social media, if you so wish...
Peak time queues do remain a problem at Arc 1800, and the Vagere simply can't cope with New Year and February crowds. Help is at hand, however.. The next stage of the Masterplan for the resort will be the new Col des Frettes lift, which will give a direct link to Arc 2000. Two bits of gossip on this:
1. It will leave from Edenarc/Chantel - the intention is to create a new "axis" from the upmarket development.
2. Although the budget is in place, planning permission is not yet forthcoming. So let's see if it arrives for 2015/16. Meanwhile, it looks like the "urban lift" which will link Edenarc/Chantel directly with the front de neige will happen in time for next season.
1. It will leave from Edenarc/Chantel - the intention is to create a new "axis" from the upmarket development.
2. Although the budget is in place, planning permission is not yet forthcoming. So let's see if it arrives for 2015/16. Meanwhile, it looks like the "urban lift" which will link Edenarc/Chantel directly with the front de neige will happen in time for next season.
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| New Year crowds at Arc 1800 |
Up at the Col de la Chal, the new extension to the La Creche restaurant is now open - giving another 80 or so seats for dining inside, without feeling that the space on the panoramic terrace has been compromised. (For a summer view of the site, click here). It's arguably the best place in resort for a mid-morning coffee, although for lunch I would tend to go elsewhere.
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| La Creche, Col de la Chal |
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| La Creche just got bigger |
One place worth considering for eating is the Bulle café in Arc 2000. It is now well-established and has a bit of a buzz about it. This relatively new establishment gets high marks for its varied offering - those with deeper pockets have oysters and champagne on offer; student types can opt for a slice of pizza at less than €3. For more on where to eat in Les Arcs click here.
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| January weather outside the Bulle café |
Local hero Simon Beck has been in resort, and he was creating one of his trademark pieces below the Varet earlier in the month:
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| Impressed? Click here for more... |
Looking ahead to March and April, take a look at this account of late season skiing in the Telegraph. And, because of the changes to the French school holiday calendar, it is likely to be very quiet. Much to the irritation of resort bosses and businesses.
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| A "dinky facsimile of a traditional ski village", according to Ben Ross of the Telegraph. Click here for a guide to the original (and far more interesting) architecture of Les Arcs |
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