What’s new in Les Arcs for winter 2025
What’s new in Les Arcs 2025?
La Plagne isn’t alone in rolling out changes for the 2025/26 season. Les Arcs, La Plagne’s sister resort and the other half of Paradiski (the world’s 3rd-largest ski area) is also ringing in some significant changes. These upgrades will significantly improve its lift network and aid passage around the mountain. You can see how La Plagne and Les Arcs relate in the video below.
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Significant upgrades aplenty
For the 2025 ski season, Les Arcs’ major updates focus on huge lift upgrades, especially the new high-speed Villaroger Gondola for faster access (including a revamped base area), plus the completed Transarc Gondola transformation, featuring a new mountaintop terrace (“Balcony in the Clouds”) with attractions and an expanded Minerals Gallery. There’s also a redesign of the SPARK Snowpark at Arc 1600. These changes aim to significantly cut travel times across the domain and enhance the overall mountain experience with modern comfort and new activities.
If you want to visit Les Arcs from La Plagne, you’ll need the Paradiski pass. You can follow this video for directions showing how to get from La Plagne to Les Arcs.
A brand-new high-speed gondola at Villaroger
For the 2025 season, the old chairlifts out of Villaroger are being replaced by a sleek new gondola. The lift carries ten people per cabin and whisks you from the bottom of the valley up to the base of the Droset chairlift in just 6 minutes 45 seconds (this is compared to the previous chair which took around 20 minutes). That’s a big paring down of travel time and a much smoother way back after a long day — especially after the epic 7 km descent from the summit. At the base you’ll also find a newly designed welcome area complete with ticket office, lockers, snack-bar, shops and handy facilities to make arrival and departure easy.
New “Transarc” added extras
The two-year Transarc lift project reaches its conclusion. This upgraded version of its old Transarc lift out of Arc 1800 features roomy 10-seater gondola cabins and knocks about 7 minutes off what used to be a 20-minute ascent. That means a quicker, comfier ride to the top — perfect for grabbing first lifts or heading up for sunset ski runs without hanging around too long. The lift now also features two new attractions:
An expanded mineral gallery
The mineral gallery that appeared last winter is back and it has levelled up in a big way. It is designed as an easy stroll into the world of minerals and the stories behind them, showing they are far more interesting than the “just rocks” explanation we all heard at school. This calm zone is perfect for unwinding with picnic tables, hot drinks and handy ski lockers.
The Balcony Above the Clouds
“It’s always sunny above the clouds,” – so the saying goes – and this new viewpoint proves it. Ride up on Transarc, Arcabulle or Plagnettes and you will find a natural amphitheatre set aside for pure mountain gazing. It is a great spot for a picnic with big open views, room for the kids to roam and a pair of oversized binoculars for playing mountain guide. You can expect the usual debate to start straight away too: “Right, that peak over there… is it Bellecôte or Aliet?”
Snowpark overhaul & a piste for young explorers
There’s new energy in the freestyle and family zones this winter. The snowpark at Arc 1600 has been given a makeover — expect refreshed freestyle modules, better start zones and a more dynamic layout for riders and boarders. At the same time the resort is launching a new easy trail named “La piste des minis” by the Villards gondola. It’s aimed squarely at families and younger riders and is more of a fun discovery trail than a wild slope — a nice touch if you want a gentler introduction to the hills or just a slower paced ski day while others chase the steep runs.
A more welcoming vibe with smarter infrastructure
With the new gondola, fresh cabins and the updated snow-and-freestyle facilities, the resort is moving beyond just lifts and slopes. The revamped base area at Villaroger and improved lift experiences show that Les Arcs is leaning into comfort and ease of access — nice if you’re travelling with family, less experienced skiers or after a long drive before hitting the snow. Follow this link for a Paradiski ski area flythrough.
Season dates for 2025/26
The ski season in Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry runs from 13 December 2025 until 25 April 2026 — aligning with the wider Paradiski domain. That gives a generous winter window for visiting, whether you’re early-season fresh powder chasers or late-season sun seekers on spring snow.
What this means for visitors
- If you’re based in Villaroger or plan to explore the area more this season the new gondola will make journeys far easier and more reliable than the old chairlift ever was.
- While not strictly-speaking new, the Transarc lift is great for anyone wanting fast access from Arc 1800 to upper slopes around Col de la Chal — perfect for early starts or maximising your on-hill time.
- Families, beginners or anyone fancying a gentler pace will enjoy “La piste des minis” and the renewed snowpark, which add variety and a more relaxed ski vibe.
- All of these upgrades signal a broader shift: downhill skiing is still king but comfort, convenience and a friendlier mountain experience are becoming core parts of resort development too.