Les Pentes de l'Arcelle: wide off-piste slopes down to Le Manchet
Updated: Oct 28
The Pentes de l'Arcelle give you 800 metres of descent on wide, west-facing slopes, reached from the lifts of the Solaise sector and running down towards the old hamlet of Le Manchet. Every metre of it is downhill, and the route is open to intermediate off-piste skiers. It is the middle step of our three Val d'Isère routes, between the Tour du Charvet and Les Marmottons.
The route in figures
Technique · ★★
Fitness · ★
Climbing · 0 m, lift-accessed
Descent · 800 m
Aspect · west
Access · the Solaise lifts
Finish · near the old hamlet of Le Manchet
Level · intermediate off-piste skiers welcome
On our scale, the Tour du Charvet carries one star for technique and Les Marmottons three. The Arcelle, with its two stars, makes a natural second outing once your first powder turns feel settled.
Wide slopes, and room to open your turns
What you notice first is the space. The slopes are broad and gently rolling, so your turns can run a little longer and you can find a rhythm of your own, with a fresh strip of snow beside the tracks of the others. If you are new to skiing off-piste in Val d'Isère, that width is reassuring: the snow and the ground are new, yet there is room to try. Your instructor sets the pace and the stopping points, and between pitches gives you a pointer or two, such as keeping your weight centred in deeper snow or letting the skis run a touch more. At the bottom, it is worth turning round to look back up at your own line on the slope.
The descent brings you out near Le Manchet, one of the old hamlets of Val d'Isère, in the valley that shares its name. In summer the Manchet valley belongs to walkers.
West-facing snow, from morning to afternoon
A west-facing slope like the Arcelle generally sits in shade through the morning and catches the sun in the afternoon. After a midwinter snowfall, that morning shade keeps the powder cold and light for longer. Later in the day the sun warms the surface, and when it freezes again overnight it can leave a crust that makes the next morning harder going.
In spring the same sun works in your favour. The snow that froze overnight softens into spring snow as the day warms, and on a west face this tends to happen later than on an east-facing slope, so the best window usually opens towards late morning or early afternoon and closes once the snow turns heavy. The wind plays its part too: a westerly presses or scours the slopes that face it and drops its load, often as wind slab, on the lee side. All of this is read on the day, from the bulletin and from what the snow shows us on the way down.
A day on the Arcelle with us
The day starts at the Olympique gondola, where each skier is given an avalanche airbag pack, a transceiver, a shovel and a probe, and we check each piece with you. Then we read the Météo-France avalanche bulletin for the Haute-Tarentaise massif together. We take you onto the Arcelle when that reading and the day's weather agree; otherwise your instructor chooses another slope, whatever the plan. You will find more on how we approach safety in the mountains.
You can ski it on a private day, or within a week where the terrain grows with you. If you are planning a whole stay, our page on skiing in Val d'Isère is the place to start.
To ski the Pentes de l'Arcelle with us, for a private day or a week, send us your dates and your level through our page on off-piste skiing in Val d'Isère, and we will reply within 24 hours.
FAQ
How much off-piste experience does the Arcelle call for?
A little helps: two stars means some off-piste behind you. If you already ski ungroomed snow with ease, or the Tour du Charvet felt comfortable, you are ready. Our guide to off-piste skiing levels helps you check where you stand.
Is this ski touring?
No. The lifts take you up and all 800 metres are descent, so you need neither skins nor touring kit.
Which time of day suits a west-facing slope?
In midwinter, after fresh snow, the morning shade keeps it cold. In spring, aim for late morning or early afternoon, once the crust has softened into spring snow. The bulletin and the day's weather have the final word.
Is the safety kit provided?
Yes. Every skier receives an avalanche airbag pack, a transceiver, a shovel and a probe, all included.
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