Born from the vision of Roger Godino, Robert Blanc, and Charlotte Perriand, the resort has established itself as a pioneer, combining integrated architecture, iconic events, a strong identity, and a commitment to the environment.
MILESTONES IN THE HISTORY OF LES ARCS
From alpine pastures to the first high-altitude resorts, the history of Les Arcs traces the evolution of a mountainous region that, over the course of the 20th century, became a place for living, recreation, and permanent residence. In 1968, the meeting between Roger Godino, Robert Blanc, and Charlotte Perriand gave rise to a visionary project, driven by many women and men. Together, they envisioned a unique resort, integrated into the landscape, designed to experience the mountains in all seasons, and created by and for those who live there and visit.
1961 - The First Lifts
In 1961, the first chairlifts connected Bourg-Saint-Maurice to the Pierre Blanche plateau, the future site of Arc 1600. The following year, several ski lifts (Biolley, Deux Têtes, and Signal) were installed in the early days of the ski area.
1964 - A merger for a major project
In 1964, the municipalities of Bourg Saint Maurice and Hauteville-Gondon merged. An agreement was signed with Roger Godino, the future developer of Les Arcs. Bourg Saint Maurice provided financial backing, and Hauteville-Gondon ceded its land for the project.
1968 - Opening of Arc 1600
With the opening of the Les Trois Arcs hotel in 1968, Arc 1600 welcomed its first visitors. This true architectural laboratory, designed by Charlotte Perriand and a collective of architects, became a model for the resort’s future sites.
1974 - Opening of Arc 1800
Following in the footsteps of Arc 1600, Arc 1800 is designed for both seasons (winter/summer). The cable car connecting Bourg Saint Maurice to Arc 1600 was built. In 1975, the Hôtel du Golf, then the largest hotel in the Alps, was inaugurated.
1979 - Opening of Arc 2000
Designed by Bernard Taillefer around the Varet hill, the resort was conceived as a “fortress” resistant to storms and open to the sun, with roofs reminiscent of ski jumps, integrated into the Mont Blanc panorama.
1982 - The Aiguille Rouge
Cable Car In 1982, the Aiguille Rouge cable car began operation, reaching the summit of the Les Arcs ski area at an altitude of 3,226 meters. Built by the Swiss manufacturer Habegger, this iconic gondola, with no intermediate towers, is a true technical feat. It opens up exceptional terrain for freeride enthusiasts and offers a 360° view of the great Alpine massifs.
1989 - The Funicular
After three years of construction, the Arc-en-Ciel funicular carried its first passengers in February 1989. Connecting the Bourg-Saint-Maurice SNCF train station to the Les Arcs ski area in just seven minutes, it allows travelers arriving by TGV, Eurostar, and Thalys to access the resort directly. A true French innovation, this aerial funicular marks a new milestone in the history of mountain transportation.
2003 - Opening of Arc 1950
Developed by Robert Jérôme for Intrawest, this project combines modernized traditional architecture, featuring slate roofs, stone, and wood, creating a rustic yet sophisticated atmosphere that blends seamlessly into the ski area.
2003 - The Vanoise Express
The Vanoise Express symbolizes the birth of Paradiski by connecting, in just four minutes, the ski areas of Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne. With a speed of 12.5 m/s and power comparable to that of a TGV train, it stands out as an extraordinary cable car. Fast, powerful, innovative, and featuring an exceptional span without towers, it has become one of Paradiski’s major technical landmarks.
2006 - 20th Century
Heritage Label In 2006, Les Arcs received the 20th Century Heritage Label, recognizing the urban planning and architecture of Arc 1600, Arc 1800, and the Aiguille Rouge cable car stations, which exemplify modernity and harmony with nature.
2020 - Green
Snowflake Label In 2020, Les Arcs Bourg Saint Maurice became the first resort in Savoie to earn the Green Snowflake Label, awarded by the Mountain Riders association, recognizing the efforts made by all resort stakeholders to balance tourism with environmental stewardship.
2024 - B Corp™
Certification In 2024, the Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry Mountain Resort became the first ski area operator in Europe to join the B Corp™ movement. This international certification, among the most rigorous in social and environmental standards, brings together companies committed to making a positive impact. It affirms a strong ambition: not to be the best in the world, but better for the world.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE ARCS LOGO: A VISUAL IDENTITY IN MOTION
Since its creation, the Les Arcs logo has symbolized the spirit and history of this iconic resort in the French Alps. Originally designed in 1969 around the unique architecture of the Coupole, the logo has evolved over the decades to better reflect the resort’s values, dynamism, and identity. From its bold beginnings to more recent updates, each version of the logo reflects a commitment to adapting to new expectations while maintaining a strong connection to its roots.
1969 - The First Les Arcs
Logo In 1969, the first Les Arcs logo was created around a pictogram inspired by the Coupole, one of the first buildings constructed in Arc 1600. Designed by Pierre Faucheux, the building’s architect, this emblem takes the shape of its framework and evokes three peaks, referencing the three sites planned at the time: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, and Arc 2000. Its silhouette, reminiscent of a ski tip, already places skiing at the heart of Les Arcs’ identity.
2002
Updated for the first time in the 2000s, Les Arcs’ logo took on a bolder, more contemporary look. Its warm colors reflect the resort’s friendly, family-oriented spirit, while its flowing, handwritten script evokes dynamism, relaxation, and a welcoming atmosphere. This new visual identity affirms the authentic, sporty, and warm values that Les Arcs sought to embody at the time.
2006
With the creation of one of the world’s largest interconnected ski areas, the “Paradiski” brand became an integral part of the logo. It underscores Les Arcs’ membership in a major ski region, alongside Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne.
2012
In 2012, Les Arcs’ logo was redesigned to modernize the resort’s image and better reflect its values. The four-color version was replaced by a simpler, more legible, and more contemporary design.
2016
In 2016, Les Arcs revamped its historic logo by reinterpreting its typography, the harmony of its elements, and its iconic pictogram: the Coupole. This new identity brings the “Les Arcs” brand back to the forefront and affirms the resort’s commitment to cultivating what has always made it unique: a distinctive region defined by architecture, innovation, and a spirit of adventure.
2019 - 50th Anniversary
To mark Les Arcs’ 50th anniversary, the logo returns to its original color scheme and adopts a dark blue that is both understated and elegant.
THE ICONIC EVENTS OF LES ARCS
Over the decades, Les Arcs has become a hub for sports, culture, and innovation. International competitions, iconic festivals, and emerging sports have shaped the resort’s identity and helped spread its reputation far beyond the mountains. From the Canoe-Kayak World Championships to the Red Bull Linecatcher, Les Arcs has established itself as a pioneering destination, inspiring generations of athletes, artists, and enthusiasts.
In 1969, Bourg-Saint-Maurice became the first French town to host the World Canoe-Kayak Championships. Over the course of six days, nearly 300 athletes from 16 countries competed on the Isère River. The French team finished first with sixteen medals, while Claude Peschier became a two-time World Kayak Champion.
Founded in 1973 by Roger Godino and Yves Petit de Voize, the Académie Festival des Arcs supports the development of the resort’s summer activities. Inspired by the great American academies, the ambition at the time was simple yet bold: to offer brilliant musicians a place to come together to play, to pass on their knowledge to young artists within the Academy, and to share music with vacationers through the Festival’s free concerts.
In 1983, *Apocalypse Snow* showcased snowboarding in a short film that was as innovative as it was offbeat. Starring Régis Rolland, aka the “Genius of Snowboarding,” and directed by Didier Lafond, this cult classic helped popularize snowboarding in Europe. Winner of six major international awards, it launched a trilogy that has since become legendary and left a lasting mark on the imagination of several generations of riders.
In 1992, Arc 2000 hosted the speed skiing events of the Albertville Olympic Games on the legendary Kilomètre Lancé course. France’s Michaël Prüfer and Finland’s Tarja Mulari became the first Olympic champions in the discipline, setting two impressive records: 229.299 km/h and 219.245 km/h.
Born out of a partnership between Quiksilver and Les Arcs, the Quikcup and later the Quiksilver Slopestyle Pro have established the resort as an international hub for freestyle snowboarding. From 1999 to 2004, these events brought together the world’s best riders for a competition entirely dedicated to slopestyle. For three days, the Les Arcs snowpark becomes a unique playground, featuring hips, tables, a half-pipe, and jib features.
A must-attend event from 1999 to 2007, La Freeride Les Arcs brought together professional skiers and telemarkers for an extreme skiing competition that served as the World Tour final. Led by the “Ça Envoie du Gros” team and organized with Dino Raffault, it relies on a team of enthusiasts for whom the Les Arcs ski area has been a unique playground since childhood. In partnership with Rip Curl and later The North Face, the event asserts a simple and radical identity: freeride, nothing but freeride.
On January 6 and 7, 2001, Les Arcs hosted its first Alpine Ski World Cup event on the Cachette course in Arc 1600. The men’s giant slalom and slalom races showcased the resort’s expertise and the dedication of the entire organizing committee. In the giant slalom, Switzerland’s Michael von Grünigen took the win ahead of Austria’s Benjamin Raich, before receiving a prize as unexpected as it was iconic: Lambada, a Tarine cow.
Created in 2001 by Éric Siri, the Les Arcs Comedy Festival enlivened the resort’s summers until 2008. Driven by a spirit of solidarity, it supported the Soleil d’Enfance association, which works with children with disabilities. Big names in French comedy share the stage there, in an atmosphere that is festive, generous, and friendly.
Organized by François Bon, a local rider and pioneer of the sport, The Speed Flying Pro Les Arcs has become one of the premier events in speed flying. Between 2006 and 2010, the event brought together the world’s best pilots each year for a spectacular sport that blends gliding and flying. Its technical competitions helped lay the groundwork for the international circuit.
Founded in 2009 by Pierre Emmanuel Fleurantin and Guillaume Calop, both natives of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the Les Arcs European Film Festival has become a major cultural event in the resort. Each year, it kicks off the ski season with a program dedicated to European arthouse cinema. Films, industry networking events, and renowned directors and actors make this event a festive and cultural highlight, with a different country in the spotlight at each edition.
Conceived and organized by Enak Gavaggio, an iconic figure in skicross and Les Arcs, the Gavaggio Monster Cross showcases young talent in the sport from 2009 to 2014. Over four days, participants benefit from the experience and advice of the champion, a seven-time X Games medalist. Open to children with or without a license, the competition blends fun, learning, and sportsmanship in a unique atmosphere that reflects the “Dark Lord” of ski cross.
Born out of a partnership between Red Bull and Les Arcs, the Red Bull Linecatcher has become one of the premier events in backcountry freeskiing since 2013. A blend of freestyle and freeride, this competition brings together the world’s best riders on spectacular terrain, featuring couloirs, rocky outcrops, steep slopes, and kickers carved into the landscape. A high-intensity, aerial event where fluidity, technical skill, and creativity make all the difference.
Conceived by Henrik Harlaut, aka E-Dollo, and Phil Casabon, aka B-Dog, the B&E Invitational marks a new chapter in the history of freestyle skiing. Designed as an extravagant, playful, and creative playground, its course combines halfpipes, bowls, quarterpipes, rails, and transfers. By bringing together 19 legends and stars of the sport, including Candide Thovex, the event confirms Les Arcs as a premier venue for new snow sports.
