Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Les Arcs!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and what better way to spend the festive period than in your very own chalet in the mountains. Enjoy the snowy slopes during the day and return to afternoon tea, cake and a three-course meal in the evening?
Our chalet hosts love getting ready for Christmas. We lovingly decorate the trees, our chalets are strung with lights and decorations and our outstanding chalet hosts work hard to prepare festive feasts for the Christmas period.
As our guest, all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the best of both worlds – a traditional British Christmas in the stunning surroundings of the French Alps!
Take a peek at a typical day for an Inghams chalet guest on a Christmas ski holiday in Les Arcs…
8.30am: Roll out of bed, throw on your dressing gown and make your way to the breakfast table where freshly-baked bread, pastries, cereals, fruit and yoghurt are awaiting you. Your friendly chalet host is on hand to offer a delicious cooked breakfast, made specially to order! Enjoy a full fry-up of bacon, sausages and eggs cooked any way you like, tuck into a creamy bowl of porridge, or simply savour an early-morning croissant over a cup of coffee.
9am: Get your ski gear on, pick up your skis from your ski locker and head to the slopes in time for the first lift – easy when the piste is just a short walk from your chalet door! Our chalets in Arc 2000 are all located at high altitude, so there is an excellent chance for a white Christmas and a brilliant day out on the slopes. There’s something for everyone in the Paradiski area, whether it’s your first time on skis or you’ve been skiing since you could walk!
9.30am: Hop on the Varet gondola from Arc 2000. At the top, you can take the cable car up to the Aiguille Rouge, which at 3226m is the highest point in resort. Climb the short distance to the viewpoint at the top of the mountain for spectacular views as far as the eye can see. Ski the epic seven-kilometre run that descends from the peak of the Aiguille Rouge. Chose between the challenging red run or the steep, thrilling black, all the way down to Villaroger.
10.30am: Head back up the mountain to the Arc 2000 bowl, where you will find the best skiing in resort. Enjoy the excellent red and blue runs from the Arcabulle, Bois de l’Ours and Marmottes lifts. Pause for a mid-morning coffee at the Bulle Café, and watch the skiers whizz by as you relax on your deckchair. Head back to the slopes to continue your morning’s skiing.
12.30am: Time for lunch! Les Arcs, both on-piste and in the village, spoils you with its choice of cafés and restaurants. Our top tip is to visit the Chalets de l’Arc by the Piste des Marmottes for a delicious sit-down Savoyard meal. Alternatively, go to the cosy Wood Bear Café in Arc 1950 for soup, toasted sandwiches and home-baked goodies.
2pm: With so much to explore in Les Arcs, you can try a different activity every afternoon. Follow the sun by skiing over to Peisey-Vallandry and have a jaunt down the purple Milka run. Show off your tricks in the famous Apocalypse snow park or experience the Rodeo Park luge, an adrenaline-filled three-kilometre toboggan run. Families will love the fantastic Mille8 children’s area in Arc 1800, with its mini snow park and play zone.
4.30pm: Make sure you’re back for that renowned chalet institution – afternoon tea and cake! Sink into a comfortable armchair, put your feet up and enjoy a wedge of cake accompanied by a hot drink. Your chalet host will bake a fresh cake for you every morning. It’s the perfect way to unwind when you get back from a hard day’s skiing. We serve a different cake every day. Over the week, you’ll eat homemade lemon drizzle cake, and double chocolate cake among many others. Yum!
5.30pm: Relax in your chalet and make the most of your chalet facilities. Ease those muscles in the sauna or take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. The Chalet Edouard has its own private sauna and all Inghams guests have free access to the swimming pool, sauna and fitness centre in the Chalet des Neiges building.
8pm: It’s time for dinner. A carefully chosen selection of complimentary chalet wines and the attentive service of your friendly host accompanies your evening meal is accompanied by. Savour delicious meals including smoked salmon focaccia, peppered lamb with red wine jus and pan-fried duck, and a classic turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings!
9.30pm: To round off an excellent dinner, your host will bring out homemade chocolate truffles, tea and coffee. Enjoy the late-night conversation and drinks with your fellow chalet guests, make your way to a local bar for live music and dancing, or get an early night and recharge your batteries for the next day’s skiing – the choice is yours!