Ski Holidays in St Jean d`Arves, France

• St Jean d`Arves Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	N E W
  Very Easy Runs	20
  Easy Runs	40
  Medium Runs	31
  Difficult Runs	5
  Toughest Run Name	Vallee Perdue
  Skiable Vertical	1020m
  Number Of Lifts	76
  Top Lift Height	2620m
  Night Skiing	Y
  Snowboarding Parks	1
  Half Pipes	1
  Swimming Pools	0
  Night Clubs	0
  Mountain Restaurants	5

• St Jean d`Arves Piste Map+

  

• St Jean d`Arves Transfer Times+

  Lyon:	2 hours
  Geneva:	2 hours

Saint Jean d`Arves is a small, largely unspoilt and little known ski resort located high in the Maurienne valley of the Northern French Alps.

The usually peaceful village offers panoramic views on Mt Arves (3514m) and is an excellent choice if you are looking for somewhere off-the-beaten-track of French skiing rather than a buzzing nightlife. Mt Arves was first climbed by an Englishman, Coolidge, who declared it, "The most beautiful in the Alps".

In summer the area reverts to its agricultural roots and the production of the region's main export, Beaufort cheese, takes priority over tourism.

There has been some new buildings to make the village more able to attract and cope with winter guests, but they have been constructed as traditional wooden chalets, well integrated in to the landscape, and coexisting with lots of old farms.

A free shuttle bus runs linking the village to neighbouring Saint Sorlin d`Arves, three kilometres (two miles) and a five minute journey away. This offers additional facilities and can also be reached on skis.

Despite the resort's modest size, the local ski lifts are directly connected to those of half a dozen neighbouring ski areas on a lift pass network known as les Sybelles, which offers 310km (nearly 200 miles) of slopes in total between 1100m and 2620m high.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  A mini ski pass has been created especially beginners and those who want to ski again after a long break. The ticket gives access to the three lifts from the snow front of La Chal which serve the very easy green nursery slopes of the area.
  
  We also offer 'learn to ski and board' packages which include tuition, rentals and lift tickets at a discount on buying these separately in resort.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  Intermediates will enjoy the feeling of being able to travel from resort to resort on the Sybelles pass. Ninety percent of the terrain is rated easy and intermediate which means it's possible for average recreational skiers to travel right across the region.
  
  However intermediates who do not want to ski the whole Sybelles region can save a few euros by buying the local Saint Jean d`Arves - Le Corbier ski pass which still covers 90km (57 miles) of linked runs.

• Advanced+

  Although not renowned for its steep terrain, there are half a dozen black runs in the wider Sybelles region, such as the Casse - Pipe descent above neighbouring Le Corbier and the 1.5km (one mile) long Vallee Perdue at La Toussuire.
  
  There is also a good range of off piste skiing in areas such as St Colomban des Villards, which is known for having wide empty slopes.

• Snowboarding at St Jean d`Arves+

  There are three terrain parks in the Sybelles region, including two on either side of St Jean d`Arves above St Sorlin and Le Corbier. St Sorlin also has a dedicated freeride area with excellent open terrain for carving up the powder.

• Other Activities And Facilities at St Jean d`Arves+

  Heritage is big in Saint Jean d`Arves. Conscious of its importance to the community, the tourist office organises several free guided tours every week so that guests can discover the hamlets, the traditional valley architecture and the chapels of the area.
  
  Farm visits, milk tasting, free visits to see the making of the local Beaufort cheese and to the maturing cellars are also organised. Donkey farm visits are also available with donkey milk testing. In the hamlet of Le Poingt, in an old vaulted stable, you can try various infusions, made with flowers and plants gathered in the surrounding mountains.
  
  Activities available include winter hiking, snowshoeing, dog sledging, snowmobiling, quad biking and paragliding. There's also a public library in the hamlet of La Tour, and the cinema Les Aiguilles in Le Chal.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  St Jean d`Arves has about 20 bars and restaurants with a mostly low-key and relaxed atmosphere and establishments serving traditional beers, wines and French mountain cuisine such as fondues and raclettes. There are also pizza restaurants.
  
  Each week, the local tourist office sets up an entertainment programme with many different activities for everyone, including sledging races, winter fires with hot wine, ski joëring (skiing towed behind a horse), guided tours, and activities for children.

• Ski Holidays in St Jean d`Arves suitable for Families+

  A pleasant family destination with a lovely atmosphere for quality time together. The tourist office organises a lot of family activities to enjoy.
  
  St Jean d`Arves ski school operates a ski kindergarten for children aged four and older with proper ski school lessons from age five. It's also easy to reach the nursery at neighbouring St Sorlin d`Arves which accepts children aged from three months to five years old.