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Avoriaz vs Cauterets vs Les Arcs: at a glance

Side-by-side comparison of Avoriaz, Cauterets and Les Arcs based on Alpe Match data: ski area, altitude, size, prices and access.

AvoriazCauteretsLes Arcs
CountryFranceFranceFrance
RegionHaute-SavoieHautes-PyrénéesSavoie
Best forFamilies, Couples, Groups of friends, Solo travellersFamilies, Couples, Groups of friends, Solo travellersFamilies, Couples, Groups of friends, Solo travellers
Car-free centreYesPartlyYes
Nearest airportsGeneva Cointrin Airport (GVA) (approx. 95 km); Chambéry-Savoie Airport (CMF) (approx. 140 km)Lourdes-Tarbes Pyrénées Airport (LDE, ~45 km); Pau Pyrénées Airport (PUF, ~90 km)Geneva Airport (GVA) - ~200 km (2h 30m drive); Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) - ~200 km (2h 30m drive)
Ski area75 km38 km200 km
Blue slopes40 km16 km104 km
Red slopes15 km14 km70 km
Black slopes13 km3 km26 km
Ski lifts341552
Village altitude1,681 m500 m1,200 m
Maximum altitude2,466 m3,300 m3,226 m
Hiking trails200 km200 km200 km
Population2,0008597,160
Accommodation beds18,00012,00050,000

Key differences

  • Les Arcs has the largest ski area: 200 km, compared with Avoriaz (75 km) and Cauterets (38 km).
  • Les Arcs has the most black slopes: 26 km, compared with Avoriaz (13 km) and Cauterets (3 km).
  • Les Arcs has the most ski lifts: 52, compared with Avoriaz (34) and Cauterets (15).
  • Avoriaz has the highest village: 1,681 m, compared with Les Arcs (1,200 m) and Cauterets (500 m).
  • Cauterets has the highest top altitude: 3,300 m, compared with Les Arcs (3,226 m) and Avoriaz (2,466 m).
  • Les Arcs has the largest accommodation capacity: 50,000, compared with Avoriaz (18,000) and Cauterets (12,000).

Avoriaz

Avoriaz is a unique, fully pedestrianized high-altitude resort known for its mimetic architecture, ski-in/ski-out convenience, and strategic location in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area.

Full guide to Avoriaz JSON

Cauterets

Dual-season resort combining Belle Epoque thermal heritage with high-altitude skiing in the Pyrenees National Park, known for exceptional natural snow cover.

Full guide to Cauterets JSON

Les Arcs

High-altitude snow-sure terrain part of the 425km Paradiski area, fully pedestrianized villages, and seamless rail-to-ski access via the funicular from Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

Full guide to Les Arcs JSON