Last updated: 28^th November 2023

9th December

First tracks or La Premiere Montee des Arcs is the first (official) opportunity to ski the pistes of Les Arcs. Starting with a hot drink in Arc 2000 at 9am, followed by a quick safety briefing, it is a great opportunity for lovers of ski-touring to ‘skin up’ and take a supervised hike up the mountain for the freshest tracks of the season. An evenement solidaire, this event cost €5 with the money effectively going to charity. After a 4.5km march up to the Col de la Chal, taking in about 645m of ascent, you ski back down for a little bit of lunch. All details are here.

15th-17th December

Bourg Saint Maurice Christmas Market starts on the Friday evening and lasts all weekend. There are offerings from various local artisans and a variety of events occuring (the arrival of Father Christmas at 15:30 on Saturday probably the highlight).

16th-23rd December

Coinciding with the opening week of the ski season, the Les Arcs Film Festival (previously the festival de cinéma européen des Arcs) was founded in 2009 and has rapidly become one of the leading lights celebrating European independent cinema (it has even been described as a “European Sundance” by Variety magazine!) Showcasing a wide variety of feature and short films across multiple locations in Les Arcs, the festival not only awards excellence and innovation, but aides further development through an industry village, workshops and events which bring together the “movers and shakers” from the world of European film. With passes available allowing unlimited viewing for the whole week from €34, weekend passes for only €16, and tickets for individual showings on sale, the film festival is a great way of enjoying great cinema and great snow in the same place.