Les Arcs or La Plagne for Christmas?
- Level on snow: Les Arcs had at least 30cm on Christmas morning in 24 of 29 years, La Plagne in 26 of 30.
- On Christmas atmosphere we rate them the same (3 out of 5).
- La Plagne is stronger on families (5 out of 5 against 4), in our editorial view.
- La Plagne is stronger on beginners (5 out of 5 against 4), in our editorial view.
- La Plagne is cheaper for Christmas week: the typical chalet we priced was £4,693 against £6,618 in Les Arcs.
Les Arcs and La Plagne side by side
| Les Arcs | La Plagne | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | France |
| Village altitude | 1,600m | 1,250m |
| Top of the ski area | 3,250m | 3,250m |
| Christmases with 30cm+ of snow | 24 of 29 (Les Arcs, 2040 m) | 26 of 30 (La Plagne, 1980 m) |
| Snow lying in the village | 17 of 27 Christmases | No village record |
| Christmas Snow Score | 72/100 | 69/100 |
| Christmas atmosphere (our rating) | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Families (our rating) | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Beginners (our rating) | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Chalets we list | 27 | 52 |
| Typical Christmas week, 19 Dec – 26 Dec 2026 | £6,618 (9 chalets priced) | £4,693 (27 chalets priced) |
Snow figures are Christmas-morning measurements by national and regional weather services, shown on the Christmas Snow Report. Ratings are our editorial view. Prices are Booking.com’s cheapest total for the week for each chalet’s full capacity, among chalets still available when we checked.
What Christmas is like in each
Christmas in Les Arcs
Varies by village. Arc 1950 is purpose-built to look traditional and does it well, with a pedestrian square that comes into its own at Christmas. Arc 1800 is livelier and more functional. None of them has the depth of a real Alpine village, but 1950 comes closest.
Christmas in La Plagne
Depends entirely on the village. Plagne 1800 and Montchavin have some charm and a proper Christmas feel; the high purpose-built centres are functional. As a whole the resort puts on a good Christmas Eve for families.
Questions about Les Arcs and La Plagne at Christmas
Which has more snow at Christmas, Les Arcs or La Plagne?
Level on snow: Les Arcs had at least 30cm on Christmas morning in 24 of 29 years, La Plagne in 26 of 30. Measured on Christmas morning at the nearest weather station to each resort since 1996; how often there has been snow, not a forecast.
Which is better for christmas atmosphere at Christmas, Les Arcs or La Plagne?
On Christmas atmosphere we rate them the same (3 out of 5).
Which is better for families at Christmas, Les Arcs or La Plagne?
La Plagne is stronger on families (5 out of 5 against 4), in our editorial view.
Which is better for beginners at Christmas, Les Arcs or La Plagne?
La Plagne is stronger on beginners (5 out of 5 against 4), in our editorial view.
Which is better for price at Christmas, Les Arcs or La Plagne?
La Plagne is cheaper for Christmas week: the typical chalet we priced was £4,693 against £6,618 in Les Arcs.