Where to Ski And Snowboard - Les Arcs restructures ski pass system

Les Arcs restructures ski pass system

9th September 2019, by Abi Butcher

The French ski resort of Les Arcs has introduced several new types of ski pass for the coming winter.

The French ski resort of Les Arcs has introduced several new types of ski pass for the coming winter. In doing so, they join a growing number of resorts and ski areas offering more dynamic pricing as people’s winter holidays habits continue to change.

Les Arcs has introduced an ‘Essential Pass’ and a ‘Premium Pass’ on top of its basic ‘Classic Pass’ which include access to a number of après-ski activities and extra on-mountain services.

The Essential Pass covers Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry, and gives skiers access to priority queues at lifts. It also entitles skiers and snowboarders access to a number of activities and services, including access to the ice cave sculptures, participation in the torch-lit descent and a free half-day’s skiing. The pass — which costs €61 per day or €310 for six days — will also offer discounts on a wide selection of activities, including the toboggan run, pool, spa, cinema and ski joering.

The Premium Pass takes it up a notch, allowing skiers to book online to effectively queue-jump at the Aiguille Rouge, a lift queue that can often take 20 minutes or more at peak times. The pass also includes unlimited use of the toboggan runs, unlimited access to the Arc 1800 pool and wellness area — including a welcome “pamper session”. The pass will cost €69 per day and €359 for six days.

The ‘usual’ type of ski pass will be available, too, giving access to the 200km of slopes in Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry, at a cost €54 euro per day or €271 for six days. For more information on all passes, visit lesarcs.com

Other ski resorts have started to offer different levels of ski pass pricing — earlier this summer Val Cenis in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise released discounts of up to 70 per cent for skiers booking online early. In July, when the offer was made available, a six-day lift pass for New Year was just €98 — a 50 per cent saving. Today (Monday 9 September) the price is €147, a 25 per cent saving. The ski resort is also about to launch a “ski and sledge” pass and a “ski, spa and cocktail” pass. For more details, visit haute-maurienne-vanoise.com.

Arosa and Zermatt in Switzerland have also offered dynamic pricing, and most resorts now offer some kind of discount for online booking.