Welcome to our ski resort comparison exploring two iconic neighbours in the Tarentaise Valley: Les Arcs and La Plagne. Connected by the spectacular Vanoise Express cable car, these resorts form Paradiski – one of the world's largest ski areas with 425km of pistes. Yet despite sharing this magnificent domain, the resorts offer distinctly different experiences. Les Arcs brings modernist architecture and varied terrain including tree-lined runs, whilst La Plagne delivers wide-open cruising terrain across a sunny high-altitude plateau. Both resorts are family favourites offering excellent value, strong rental potential, and direct accessibility. Let's compare them based on access, après-ski, ski areas, signature runs, summer activities, and property investment potential.

Access and Location

Les Arcs: Comprising five altitude-based villages – Bourg-Saint-Maurice (810m), Arc 1600 (1,600m), Arc 1800 (1,800m), Arc 1950 (1,950m), and Arc 2000 (2,000m) – Les Arcs enjoys exceptional transport connectivity. The resort is 2 hours from Geneva Airport (160km) and 1.5 hours from Chambéry (100km). The jewel in the crown is the Arc en Ciel funicular railway connecting Bourg-Saint-Maurice TGV train station directly to Arc 1600 in just 7 minutes. High-speed trains from Paris, London, Brussels, and Amsterdam arrive at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, making Les Arcs one of the Alps’ most accessible resorts for international visitors. Free shuttle buses link all villages, and ski lifts provide on-snow connections throughout the resort.

La Plagne: La Plagne consists of eleven villages: six high-altitude purpose-built resorts (Belle Plagne, Plagne Centre, Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne Villages, Plagne Soleil, and Aime 2000 at around 2,000m) plus four traditional valley villages (Les Coches, Plagne 1800/Montalbert, Montchavin at 1,200-1,350m, and Champagny-en-Vanoise). The resort sits approximately 2 hours from Geneva Airport (160km) and 1.5 hours from Chambéry. Transfers from Aime-la-Plagne train station reach the high-altitude villages in 20-30 minutes. The sprawling nature means excellent variety but requires efficient planning. Free shuttle buses connect all villages, though the distances between some can be significant. The high-altitude positioning ensures reliable snow throughout winter.

Après-Ski and Bars/Restaurants

Les Arcs: Après-ski varies significantly across the villages. Arc 1800 is the undisputed hub, featuring the innovative Mille8 complex with restaurants, bars, cinema, and aquatic centre. Red Hot Saloon delivers DJ sets and themed parties, whilst Bar King Mad maintains a buzzing atmosphere for après-ski. Le Pub offers live sports and a classic bar atmosphere. Arc 1950 provides sophisticated dining including fine restaurants and wine bars in a charming, car-free village setting. For unique experiences, the Igloo Village offers an ice bar with sculptures. The European Film Festival (Festival du Cinéma Européen des Arcs) takes place each December, adding cultural depth. Arc 2000 is quieter but functional, whilst Arc 1600 offers affordable, no-frills options.

La Plagne: La Plagne’s après-ski centres on Belle Plagne, the liveliest village featuring Le Saloon – a popular late-night disco and bar hub. Scotty’s Bar hosts live music and themed nights. Plagne Centre, being the focal point, offers the widest range of shops, restaurants, and bars, though atmosphere is more functional than glamorous. Special events like Subli’Cimes provide unique mountaintop experiences. The resort’s eleven villages each maintain distinct characters, from the lively central clusters to quieter family-oriented villages like Montchavin and Montalbert. Overall, La Plagne’s après-ski is relaxed and affordable, prioritising families over party-seekers. Dining focuses on value-oriented Savoyard cuisine rather than gastronomic experiences, though quality restaurants exist in Belle Plagne and Plagne Centre.

Ski Area Overview

Les Arcs: Les Arcs contributes 200km of pistes across the combined Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry area, served by 54 lifts accessing terrain from 810m to 3,226m. The ski area is divided into distinct sectors offering varied experiences. The Arc 1600/Arc 1800 sector features steep mountainsides, crisscrossed by traversing blues and fall-line reds, through the trees. The Arc 2000/Arc 1950 bowl delivers high-altitude open terrain with excellent intermediate pistes and challenging black runs. The crown jewel is Aiguille Rouge (3,226m), offering the legendary 7km descent with 2,026m vertical drop down to Villaroger – one of Europe’s finest on-piste runs. Peisey-Vallandry provides beautiful forested slopes with long tree-lined runs, excellent for poor-weather days. Terrain distribution: 10% beginner, 42% intermediate, 34% advanced, 14% expert – ideal for mixed-ability groups.

La Plagne: La Plagne offers 225km of pistes served by 73 lifts, spanning 1,207m to 3,167m. The ski area spreads across a vast, high-altitude plateau beneath Bellecôte (3,417m), with over 70% of the terrain above 2,000m, ensuring exceptional snow reliability. The Grande Rochette and Les Verdons sectors provide wide, well-groomed cruising terrain perfect for confidence-building. The Bellecôte glacier offers high-altitude skiing with spectacular views. Lower down, tree-lined runs descend to Montchavin, Montalbert, and Champagny, providing shelter and variety. La Plagne is renowned as one of Europe’s best beginner resorts, with 16 free beginner lifts and gentle, wide slopes. Terrain distribution: approximately 52% beginner/easy blue, 35% red, 13% black. France’s only Olympic bobsleigh track near Plagne 1800 adds unique appeal.

Top Slopes and Signature Runs

Les Arcs: The Aiguille Rouge descent is the undisputed highlight – a 7km black-into-red run dropping 2,026m vertical from 3,226m to Villaroger village. This epic descent combines steep powder sections, technical challenges, and stunning views, rarely matched anywhere in the Alps. Robert Blanc black run delivers serious steeps near Arc 2000. Off-piste enthusiasts head to Grand Col (above 2,500m, retains powder longest) and the north face of Aiguille Rouge for expert terrain. The Apocalypse Snow Park in Arc 1800 features 14 kickers divided by difficulty, plus 9 rails and 2 jibs with a big airbag. Tree skiing around the Derby lift and beyond Arc 1600 provides excellent powder opportunities. Comborcière and Varet are classic intermediate favourites.

La Plagne: The Rochette black run challenges advanced skiers with serious steeps and moguls, whilst the Jean-Luc Crétier Olympic downhill course combines extreme speed sections with technical turns. The 180-metre Tunnel run connecting two valleys offers unique novelty. For intermediates, the wide blues and reds throughout the resort provide endless cruising – particularly the runs from Grande Rochette and Les Verdons back to central villages. Off-piste highlights include the north-facing bowls beneath Bellecôte summit (hold powder for days) and the spectacular 1,500m vertical descent to Champagny through varied terrain. The Biolley sector’s steep, ungroomed ‘natur’ trails marked on piste maps but unprepared offer excellent off-piste introduction. The 7Cube Snow Park and dedicated freestyle zones cater to park riders.

Summer Activities

Les Arcs: Les Arcs transforms into a summer mountain biking destination with 22 marked VTT (mountain bike) trails operating July-August. Selected lifts remain open for bikers and hikers, providing efficient uplift to high-altitude trails with spectacular Mont Blanc views. The resort hosts major cycling events, and past Tour de France stages have passed through Arc 1950. Paragliding launches from Aiguille Rouge deliver unforgettable flights, whilst dog-sled mushing, snowmobiling (on glacier), and helicopter sightseeing offer additional thrills. Guided snowshoe treks explore the Nancroix Valley and Ponturin Gorge. Arc 1800’s Mille8 complex offers year-round entertainment including aquatic centre, ice skating, and climbing walls. The European Film Festival in December opens the winter season with culture.

La Plagne: La Plagne’s summer appeal centres on hiking and trail running with extensive marked paths accessing high-altitude viewpoints. 80km of cross-country skiing trails transform to hiking routes in summer, whilst the Bellecôte cable car provides pedestrian access to 3,417m with breathtaking glacier views. The resort hosts trail running competitions and mountain festivals. Mountain biking trails cater to various levels, though the network is less developed than Les Arcs’. The Olympic bobsleigh track offers summer rides – a unique thrill. E-fat bikes, paragliding, ice skating, and Via Ferrata provide additional activities. The resort’s multiple villages mean varied summer atmospheres, from Belle Plagne’s animation to Champagny’s traditional charm. Special events like Subli’Cimes create unique mountaintop experiences combining dining, music, and views.

Property Investment and Value Potential

Les Arcs: Les Arcs offers excellent value compared to prestige resorts whilst maintaining access to world-class skiing. Resale properties average €5,000-€8,000/m² for older apartments, whilst new-builds range €8,000-€11,000/m² depending on village and specifications. Arc 1600 offers the best value, Arc 1800 provides the most amenities and animation, Arc 1950 commands premiums for its charming, car-free traditional architecture (€9,000-€11,000/m²), and Arc 2000 appeals to serious skiers prioritising immediate slope access. Direct TGV connectivity from major European cities enhances rental appeal. Rental yields typically achieve 3.5-4.5% with high winter occupancy. The infamous 1960s modernist architecture of Arc 1600, 1800, and 2000 depresses capital appreciation compared to traditional resorts, but practical ski-in/ski-out access and Paradiski connectivity maintain strong demand.

La Plagne: La Plagne is famous among tour operators for offering the best rental potential in the Alps – though recent price increases have moderated this advantage. Resale properties average €5,000-€7,000/m², with new-builds ranging €6,500-€10,000/m² depending on location and amenities. Belle Plagne commands premiums for attractive architecture and lively atmosphere. Plagne Centre offers excellent connectivity but functional aesthetics. The traditional valley villages (Montchavin, Les Coches) provide authentic charm at lower prices (€6,000-€8,000/m²). Rental yields range 3.5-4.5% with strong family market demand. The eleven-village structure means careful village selection determines investment success.

Domosno Properties

Les Arcs Properties

Explore our selection of Les Arcs properties for sale, featuring:

• Arc 1950 Village – 2-3 bedroom top-floor apartments with traditional Alpine charm
• Arc 1800 – 1-2 bedroom apartments near Mille8 complex with excellent amenities
• Arc 1600 – Value-focused properties with direct funicular access from Bourg-Saint-Maurice
• Various chalets and ski-in/ski-out options across all villages

La Plagne Properties

Discover our portfolio across La Plagne and Paradiski:

• Bellecôte Residence Renovation – €100M modernisation project delivering contemporary apartments
• Belle Plagne – Premium properties in the most attractive high-altitude village
• Plagne Centre – Central location with widest range of amenities and services
• Montchavin/Les Coches – Traditional valley villages offering authentic charm and value

Explore the full Paradiski area: Paradiski Properties on Domosno

The Verdict

Choose Les Arcs if: You want direct TGV access from Paris/London (7-minute funicular from station), prefer varied terrain including epic tree skiing and the legendary Aiguille Rouge descent, value modernist “heritage architecture” ski-in/ski-out efficiency, enjoy livelier après-ski particularly in Arc 1800’s Mille8 complex, seek strong mountain biking infrastructure for summer, and appreciate the four distinct villages offering different atmospheres and price points. Les Arcs suits international travellers, mixed-ability groups, and those wanting architectural experimentation alongside world-class skiing.

Choose La Plagne if: You prioritise beginner-friendly terrain (16 free beginner lifts, gentle wide slopes), want superior rental potential (historically the Alps’ best), prefer wide-open sunny cruising above treeline on a high-altitude plateau, seek excellent value for families with multiple villages to explore, value snow reliability (over 70% terrain above 2,000m), want access to the unique Olympic bobsleigh track, and prefer traditional village options like Montchavin alongside purpose-built convenience. La Plagne attracts families, beginners building confidence, British tour operators, and investors seeking strong rental yields.

The sophisticated strategy? Both resorts access the same 425km Paradiski domain via the Vanoise Express. Many experienced buyers invest in Les Arcs for TGV convenience and varied terrain, whilst also purchasing in La Plagne for superior rental yields and beginner-friendly appeal. The resorts complement rather than compete – Les Arcs for keen skiers seeking challenges, La Plagne for families and investors maximising occupancy.

Property investment comparison: Both offer similar pricing (€5,000-€7,000/m² resale, €8,000-€10,000/m² new-build) with 3.5-4.5% rental yields. La Plagne holds slight edge for rental demand due to beginner focus and tour operator relationships. Les Arcs offers better international connectivity via TGV. Capital appreciation limited in both due to 1960s-70s architecture, but Paradiski access and ski-in/ski-out convenience maintain consistent demand.

Together forming Paradiski – the world’s third-largest ski area – Les Arcs and La Plagne deliver 425km of varied terrain, exceptional snow reliability, family-friendly infrastructure, and outstanding value. Whether you choose Les Arcs’ varied topography and cultural offerings or La Plagne’s beginner focus and rental potential, you’re accessing one of Europe’s most impressive ski domains at remarkably affordable prices.

For more information about Paradiski properties, visit:

• Les Arcs Properties on Domosno
• Paradiski Properties (including La Plagne)
• Les Arcs Official Resort Website
• La Plagne Official Resort Website