Last Updated on February 9, 2024

Arc 1950 turns twenty this year

Arc 1950, one of the four villages in Les Arcs ski resort, turns twenty in winter 2023. A programme of celebratory events to mark the occasion will start on 16 December 2023.

Arc 1950 Le Village is an innovative, groundbreaking resort designed by Eldon Beck, whose background was in ski resort developments in both Canada and the United States. The concept was to create a luxury ski resort blending into the natural environment, taking great care to minimise the impact on the existing flora and fauna. At a time when alpine resorts were sprawling out with huge developments Arc 1950 was limited to a specific footprint with several small squares surrounded by chalet-style buildings, housing accommodation, and businesses. The resort is car-free and very accessible being designed to be ski in ski out to benefit guests.

There are eight 5* tourist residences in Arc 1950 Le Village with a total of 3,900 beds, an underground car park with 688 spaces, and 35 retail businesses serving clients. Careful thought was given to the design to ensure the proximity of retailers to the residences for customer convenience.

There is easy access to the Paradiski ski area from Arc 1950, the whole ski area consists of Les Arcs and neighbouring La Plagne, with around 425 kilometres of slopes, one of the largest ski areas in France.

Starting with the opening of the Paradiski ski area on 16 December 2023 the celebrations will continue throughout the following year.

Les Arcs Film Festival takes place from 16 December to 22 December 2023, this cultural event with over 120 films and renowned actors from around the world will have screenings running during the day. This year the spotlight will focus on films from the surrounding Alpine countries, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and France. The ski slope running through the centre of the resort pays homage to the world-renowned actors being named “La piste aux étoiles”, the slope of fame, with signed panels from the many celebrities who have attended Le Arcs Film Festival lining the piste.

The festive period from 23 to 30 December 2023 will feature magical events including a Christmas Village in the heart of the resort as well as ice sculpture, concerts, and much more. On December 25, 2023, a beautiful parade will take place in the streets of the resort with pyrotechnics and a magnificent fireworks display, ending with Father Christmas descending from the rooftops.

The Christmas Village will run through to the New Year week. For New Year’s Eve, there will be an open-air dancefloor in the Place de L’Horloge with a DJ and music. A firework display will herald in the New Year.

This is only the beginning of the celebrations, events will continue throughout the Winter season with free concerts, ski shows, freestyle displays, and live sets from Radio M.

Why not take the opportunity to experience a memorable and magical Christmas in snowy Arc 1950 this winter with Inghams?

A self-catering holiday of 7 Nights in Le Village Apartments, Arc 1950 departing 23rd December 2023, including flights and transfers, starts from £709pp for 2 adults, depending on the departure airport. For more details see the Inghams Ski website.

New for this winter is the option of taking the snow train from London St Pancras to Bourg Saint Maurice, ideally located for a short transfer up to Les Arcs. Check out Ski holidays by train with Inghams.

For more details of the 20th birthday events taking place in Arc 1950, visit  Arc 1950 20th birthday celebrations.

Photography copyright © Andy Parant

Looking for something different?  Check our guide to Skiing in the Aravis massif