Les Arcs Snow Conditions Overview
Les Arcs in French Alps, France sits at 3,226m (10,585ft) elevation and averages 716cm of annual snowfall based on 10 years of historical data (2015-2025). During the ski season, Les Arcs receives approximately 619cm of snow. The best month for powder is December, averaging 141.8cm of snowfall with a 64% powder probability. The highest chance of fresh powder (15cm+ in any given week) occurs in December at 64%.
- Annual Snowfall
- 716cm
- Elevation
- 3,226m
- Best Month
- December
- Powder Probability
- 64%
Snowfall data sourced from ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (2015-2025).
Check Les Arcs snow forecast for your dates
Based on 10 years of historical snowfall data
About Les Arcs
Les Arcs is a high-altitude resort in France's Tarentaise valley, part of the Paradiski area linked to La Plagne by the Vanoise Express double-decker cable car. Lift-served terrain reaches 3,226m on the Aiguille Rouge above purpose-built ski-in / ski-out stations at 1,600m, 1,800m, 1,950m and 2,000m, giving the resort one of the highest base elevations in the Northern Alps. Its position on the inner ridge of the Tarentaise exposes it to Atlantic fronts that climb the Isère valley, and the high bases preserve snow quality well into spring. This page uses 10 years of historical snowfall data to help you find the weeks most likely to deliver fresh powder.
Snowfall patterns over the last decade
Across ERA5 reanalysis snowfall records from 2015 to 2025, Les Arcs' November-through-April ski season averages 619cm (244 inches) of snowfall, and the full calendar year totals about 716cm once the shoulder months are added in. December is the heaviest month in the 10-year average at 141.8cm, narrowly ahead of January at 136.9cm, with March a clear third at 103.5cm. November contributes 97.8cm, February 76.8cm, and April 62.6cm. Ranked by powder probability — the share of weeks with at least 15cm of fresh snow — December leads at 64%, ahead of January at 53%, November at 50%, February at 50% and March at 46%, so any week from late November through mid-March has historically been a coin-flip or better for fresh powder, with the December peak the highest hit-rate window in the record.
Year-to-year variability is large but the floor is unusually high. January snowfall in the 10-year record ranges from 51.5cm in the driest winter to 372.7cm in the wettest — a seven-fold spread, but even the driest January in the record cleared 50cm. December swings between 9.2cm and 242.3cm, March between 17.1cm and 223.3cm, and November between 11.6cm and 206.5cm. The wide December range is the main planning risk: a quiet early-season can leave Paradiski piste-dependent until the new year, while a strong December can deliver more snow than the rest of the season combined. A multi-year baseline is more useful for picking travel dates than any single-week Les Arcs snow report.
In the context of the Tarentaise / Vanoise resorts tracked here, Les Arcs' 716cm annual average is at the top of the cluster, narrowly ahead of Tignes (710cm) and well ahead of Val Thorens (649cm), Courchevel (625cm) and Méribel (566cm). The high purpose-built bases at 1,600-2,000m and lift access to 3,226m on the Aiguille Rouge are the reason: the snow line sits below the lowest village all winter in most years, and the high alpine terrain compounds totals from each Atlantic front. For peak powder odds, the late-November through mid-January window concentrates the highest hit rate; for the deepest accumulations, December and January remain the two biggest months in the record.
Snow & Weather Conditions
We use 10 years of historical data to help you plan — not a live snow report.
The French Alps receive substantial snowfall from Atlantic and Mediterranean storm systems. High-altitude resorts benefit from reliable natural snow, while purpose-built ski stations ensure slope-side convenience. Altitude is a key advantage here: the higher you go, the colder and drier conditions become, resulting in dependable accumulations and a snowpack that resists deterioration well into spring. Season-long totals generally land between 6 and 10 metres, translating to a robust mid-winter base well above 2 metres.
Best Time to Ski
The best time to ski at Les Arcs is December, with 141.8cm average snowfall and 64% powder probability. Based on 10 years of historical snowfall data from PowderDays. The French Alps season runs from early December to late April. January and February provide the most reliable snowfall and coldest temperatures. Dive into PowderDays' snow data across 10 winters to find the weeks most likely to deliver fresh powder.
Powder Probability by Month
Chance of 15cm+ fresh snow in any given week (10 years of data):
- Nov50%
- Dec64%
- Jan53%
- Feb50%
- Mar46%
- Apr35%
10-Year Snow History
| Month | Avg Snowfall (cm) | Record High | Record Low | Powder Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov | 97.8 | 206.5 | 11.6 | 50% |
| Dec | 141.8 | 242.3 | 9.2 | 64% |
| Jan | 136.9 | 372.7 | 51.5 | 53% |
| Feb | 76.8 | 171.0 | 6.2 | 50% |
| Mar | 103.5 | 223.3 | 17.1 | 46% |
| Apr | 62.6 | 110.6 | 16.5 | 35% |
What Makes It Special
France hosts some of the world's largest interconnected ski areas (Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski, Portes du Soleil), offering hundreds of kilometres of marked pistes and extensive off-piste options. French ski culture is synonymous with gastronomy — expect Michelin-quality mountain restaurants, fine wines, raclette, and a relaxed, social approach to après-ski.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, establishing the French Alps as the birthplace of competitive alpine skiing. Les 3 Vallees (Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens) is the largest linked ski area in the world, with over 600km of interconnected pistes.
Data Sources & Methodology
All snowfall statistics for Les Arcs are based on 10 years of historical data (2015-2025) from the Open-Meteo Historical Weather API, which provides ERA5 reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Daily snowfall totals are queried at Les Arcs's coordinates (45.57, 6.83) and 3,226m elevation, then aggregated into monthly averages, record highs/lows, and powder probability scores. Powder probability represents the chance of receiving 15cm or more of fresh snow in any given week during that month.