PlanetSKI Reports from Arc1950
8th January 2025 | James Cove, Arc1950, Paradiski, France.
It has been a good start to winter with excellent conditions over the Xmas and New Year holidays.
The resort was 90% full at Xmas, and with 100% occupancy over New Year.
Now we are in January the crowds have gone with decent conditions remaining on the higher slopes.
Some locals have been calling it one of the best starts to a season in a decade, though the weather has changed by mid-week with some wildly fluctuating temperatures.
Here’s my snow report from Tuesday 7th January.
By mid-week it had warmed up, but conditions were still good at altitude.
Arc1950 is a popular resort with the British, and for good reason.
“The British guests are very important for us,” said the general manager of Arc1950, Delphine Prot, to me.
“They like the village, the ski area and our altitude where snow is guaranteed.”
Delphine Prot, Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
The UK operator, VIP SKI, is one of the main British operators in the resort and we have stayed at its flagship award-winning property, Bear Lodge, in the past.
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
There are a host of new initiatives and activities in the resort for this season.
The Woolsack Pub in the centre of the village has been completely re-furbished.
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Luigi’s is under new ownership.
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
While La Vache Rouge continues to offer a fabulous wine list.
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Outside it also has a Richard Olinski offering.
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
We visited the Richard Olinski gallery in Paris on the way down to Arc1950 a few days ago, and thoroughly advise a stop-off in the French capital if you are taking the train via Paris, or driving, and have the time.
PlanetSKI in Paris. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI in Paris. Image © PlanetSKI
See here for our report on the PlanetSKI Paris stop-off:
One of the main developments to the area is coming next winter.
A new 10-seater gondola from Villaroger/Le Pre that gives access to the ski areas above Arc1950.
It is a new back-door way into this part of the Paradiski.
It replaces this rickety old thing, and has been talked about for years.
Villaroger/Le Pre, Paradiski, France. Image © PlanetSKI
And will be built above the car park in Le Pre.
Villaroger/Le Pre, Paradiski, France. Image © PlanetSKI
The path of the new lift has already been cleared with trees felled, and work starts at the end of this winter for a planned opening for the 2025/26 season.
Villaroger/Le Pre, Paradiski, France.Image © PlanetSKI
It will carry 1,800 people per hour at a speed of 7m per second taking 5 minutes from the bottom at 1,210m to the top at 2,119m.
It will replace the two old chairlifts that are currently there.
It will open up the Villaroger area to more skiers wanting to ski the longest ski runsin the area – the 7km run from the top of the Aiguille Rouge down to Villaroger.
It is expected to transform the sleepy old village with talk of 900 new beds being built at some time in the future.
Villaroger/Le Pre, Paradiski, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Villaroger/Le Pre, Paradiski, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Some welcome it, others believe it will ruin this quiet corner of the mountains,
However though the lift is going in shortly any further major developments are likely a long way off.
Some say many years.
“The new lift will not directly affect us here at Arc1950 with a loss of visitors, but rather it will give our guests a new area to explore and enjoy,” said Delphine Prot.
“We thoroughly welcome it and very much look forward to it.”
For me the skiing above Villaroger/Le Pre is an absolute gem with great off piste, fabulous tree skiing and an altogether different atmosphere to other parts of the mega ski area of Paradiski.
PlanetSKI is only in the area for 24-hours, but we are very fond of this corner of the Paradiski area.
In fact my family and I chose to spend Xmas in Les Arcs in 2023 on a private visit, with Xmas lunch itself above Arc1950:
LesArcs, France. Image © PlanetSKI
And what a fabulous, but brief visit, this has been:
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Next stop on this French road trip is Sainte Foy, just across the valley.
Arc1950, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Do check back….
See here for more details on Arc1950.
