Bourg Saint Maurice - Les Arcs - In the midst of a summer already well under way, the Bows is clearly going from strength to strength, buoyed by new activities, encouraging visitor numbers and a clear determination to extend the summer season. Éric Chevalier is at the helm of this growing momentum, Director of the Bourg-Saint-Maurice - Les Arcs Tourist OfficeThe new website paints a picture of a destination that is embracing its four-season lifestyle.
"We feel that we're returning to a certain normality, after a very complicated summer in 2024 with dull weather, the Olympic Games and legislative elections. The beginning of July got off to a good start.
The course is clear: three full months of activity, from June to September. "It's no longer an illusion, it's becoming our reality.
A gentle, active, fun mountain
There's no shortage of new attractions this season. The Mountain Kart, already well established for six years, has taken on a new dimension with the opening of a 3-kilometre runway at the start of the new Transarc. "It's now a real downhill activity, fun and family-friendly. The old one-kilometre route was popular, but this one is much more immersive.
The same logic applies to mountain biking: whereas the bike park was aimed primarily at experienced riders, Les Arcs is now moving towards "soft cycling". "We've launched real connected green runs at Arc 1800, to open up the sport to as many people as possible".
A fun themed trail now links Arc 1800 to Peisey-Vallandry, with very little difference in altitude, designed for children, in the spirit of the "elves" at Arc 1600 last summer.
And the events follow: after the Marathon des Alpes in May and the French Mountain Bike Cup in June, Bourg Saint Maurice will host the French Pétanque Championships in August, and the 3D archery championships at Arc 1600 in early September. "The latter attracts a specific audience, in a very natural format, with life-size animal targets hidden in the forest".
Stabilising visitor numbers, expanding territory
Despite uncertainties linked to the national context, visitor numbers remain solid. "We're on the same trend as last year, which was an excellent summer.
Several establishments, including Belambra or the Village Club du Soleil, opened on 28 June to support this extension of the season. The resurgence of hiking is also playing a key role.
"Ten years ago, we almost wondered whether we should continue to offer accompanied hikes. Today, they're full to bursting". The public? Families, looking for accessible discoveries, local anecdotes, wildlife spotting and shared moments.
Another sector that has seen a spectacular rise in popularity is Les Chapieux, the stop-off point for the Tour du Mont Blanc. "We've seen an explosion in demand for accommodation there, in this very natural area, with no mobile network, on the border with the Beaufortain region". The UTMB, which crosses the valley at the end of August, is a major contributor to this.
We're also preparing for winter. In Villaroger, a new gondola lift to replace two ageing liftsThis is one of the most beautiful slopes in the ski area: 7 km of uninterrupted descent, 2000 m of vertical drop, from the summit at 3200 m to an altitude of 1200 m.
And to kick off the summer of 2026, the resort will be hosting a major event: the Green Bike Festivalmade official in November. "It's signed for three years. It will be a major milestone, starting in mid-June. And with it, the opening of the funicular and bike park will be extended to the weekends of June and September.