Director of the Bows For the past two years, Aurélie Lévêque has been returning to the resort of her childhood, where she learned to ski with her mother, an instructor. As part of a vast transformation project, she talks to Le Petit Montagnard about the successes of the winter, the major new features for the summer, and the ambitions of a region turned towards the mountains all year round.
How would you sum up the winter season in Les Arcs?
A very satisfactory season, with visitor numbers broadly stable compared with previous winters. The highlight this year was the excellent performance in April, thanks to a favourable calendar combination of foreign holidays and a very late Easter weekend. This reinforces our strategy of ramping up during this period. At the same time, customer feedback has been very encouraging.
We carry out cold satisfaction surveys throughout the destination, and more specifically in the ski area. This year, the satisfaction rate rose by 7 %. More than half our visitors (52 %) said they were "very satisfied". They were particularly pleased with the short waits at the ski lifts and the modern facilities.
What were the most striking new features?
The major investment is of course around the new Transarc45 million. With 45 % more passengers than the previous winter, it's a real success. The new Transarc gondola has strengthened the backbone of the resort: it links Arc 1800 to Arc 2000, then to Peisey-Vallandry and back again.
What are the resort's other major projects for the future?
The big news is the new Villaroger gondola lift, which will replace the old three-seater fixed-grip lifts. It will seat 10 people, with external ski racks, just like the Transarc. It will also drastically reduce access times to Arc 2000 from Villaroger: from 25 minutes to less than 8 minutes. This major project will be completed in December 2025, and will be complemented by a service centre and car park at the foot of the lift.
Over the last two years, we've invested heavily in the Bike Park. We want to make it more accessible to everyone.
On the freestyle side, we've started renovating the snowpark - now renamed 'Spark'. It has been redesigned as a real living space, with a beautiful terrace. We've also redesigned the layout, with new entrance totems on each jump line and box. Eventually, we want to turn it into a multifunctional space, also used in summer for learning to mountain bike and for contemplation.
What are your priorities for this summer?
We will continue to develop themed trails. This summer, a new trail called "L'Homme Cairn" (The Cairn Man) will be created between the Transarc and the summit of Vallandry. It will be designed for families, with a focus on minerals. The idea is to give as much meaning to a summer visit as to a winter stay. Continuing to develop the area in summer is a key ambition for the region.
Is cycling the resort's summer future?
Cycling is clearly one of the pillars. We have invested heavily in the Bike Park over the last two years. We want to make it more accessible to everyone. A green slope for mountain biking is not the same as a green slope for skiing, so we need to familiarise people with the sport from an early age. In particular, we have created a green trail under the Villards gondola.
We are also working on diversifying the pistes for different levels. The commune of Bourg-Saint-Maurice is a driving force in this area. Visitor numbers are increasing, even if they are still marginal compared with winter. But we are laying solid foundations.
What are the not-to-be-missed events on the estate?
Every day, from Monday to Friday, there will be entertainment on the estate. We want to create a real summer dynamic. In terms of mobility, we're also going to make better use of the funicular railway, which links Bourg Saint Maurice to Les Arcs, to turn it into a sustainable and practical transport route, with an urban ambition.
How do you keep the mountain resort alive all year round?
This is a major objective, supported by the local authority. The Cachette funicular and chairlift open from 15 June every year, and run until mid-September. Weekends are becoming a strategic time. Numerous projects are underway, including a major cycling festival scheduled for June 2026.
You returned to Les Arcs two years ago. How do you see your mission?
I'm very attached to this resort. This is where I grew up, where I learned to ski with my mother. It's an area that's close to my heart. Over the last two years, I've discovered a tremendous energy around the resort, with meaningful projects. Les Arcs is not just a ski resort, it's a real mountain resort. That's what it's all about: bringing this mountain to life all year round.