As Arc 1950 Turns 20 We look at its Past and What this Season Holds in Store

12th October 2023

Last modified on October 16th, 2023

Arc 1950 sits high in Paradiski, one of the largest and highest ski areas in the Alps. We look back at its 20 years and forward to the future.

This winter the resort opens on 16th December 2023.

The traffic free resort is good for early season skiing with the slopes going up to over 3,000m.

Last December PlanetsKI was in the resort and ski area ahead of Xmas, staying at VIP SKI’s Bear Lodge.

See here for a full report and what was on offer:

Three December days in Arc 1950 + a bonus morning

Arc 1950. France. Image © PlanetSKI

It bills itself as ideal for families and is one of the few resorts in France that is traffic-free.

Snow sure Arc 1950 offers a host of quality accommodation, all of which is ski-in, ski-out.

The buildings in Arc 1950 take on the architectural styles of the Savoie region, combined with modern convenience.

It also has a North-American feel.

Arc 1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI

So, what’s happening this winter in its 20th birthday year?

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

There are Christmas and New Year festivities from 23rd to 30th December across Arc 1950, with Father Christmas parades and firework shows throughout the snowy streets.

Arc 1950. Image © PlanetSKI

AULD LANG SYNE

New Year 2024 will be welcomed with a bang in Arc 1950, as DJ’s take to the streets, alongside live concerts and fireworks from 30th December to 6th January.

M RADIO LIVE SET – 11 – 12 JANUARY 2024

Two live M Radio concerts will set the streets alive, firstly with a live concert on 11 January and a “wake up” concert on 12th January from 6-10am.

It will be broadcast live across France with French radio DJ’s Vincent Cerutti and Malika Menard.

FEBRUARY HALF TERM XXL SKI SHOWS

The Barrebus team present a spectacular show of freestyle tricks across the streets of Arc 1950.

The Arc 1950 Air Show is an impressive ski display not to be missed, featuring 360’s, backflips and high grabs.

HAPPY HOUR

Every Thursday sees Happy Hour hit the village of Arc 1950.

Each week sees pop, rock ‘n’ roll and soul groups hit the streets for a series of free concerts + some free aperitifs offered by some local bars.

Image c/o Arc 1950

HISTORY

20 years ago a new mountain village concept was born that was pioneering and innovative – an entirely pedestrian resort, ski-in-ski-out.

This was the visionary gamble of Canadian promoter “Intrawest” renowned for its Whistler and Mont Tremblant projects.

The first stone of Arc 1950 was laid in June 2002.

“The idea that seemed a little crazy at the dawn of the new millennium, is now a model,” said the resort in a birthday statement.

Arc 1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Arc 1950 has 8 residences offering 3,900 beds, hotel services and with 35 retailers in proximity.

There is a 688 place underground car park for guests to leave their vehicles.

Arc 1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI

“Arc 1950 is a resort dedicated to skiing and outdoor sports; joyful, festive, friendly and forward-looking – everything one ought to be at age 20!” the resort added.

The Arc 1950 resort concept rests on a desire to integrate into the natural environment “adapted to its thermal and auditory characteristics, as well as its flora and fauna.”

Architectural coherence is a cornerstone of the resort’s construction, which was mainly directed by Eldon Beck, one of the best architects and designers of tourist resorts from across the Atlantic.

His plans left nothing to chance: the placement of the businesses, the practicability of the pedestrian streets and the ski-in-ski-out access from the residences.

Plans of the village were based on principles of integration into the environment, privileging solar exposure to limit energy consumption and offer views of the surrounding peaks, and respect for the forest.

The result is construction on a human scale, and chalet-style design, with exterior stone walls, tinted or coloured wood cladding and slate roofs to respect traditional architecture.

Suitable for the mountains and based on strict specifications that create harmonious and
coherent architecture in the resort.