The scale of larger facades is disguised by striking variations in colour and stylistic motifs, creating the appearance of multiple buildings constructed over a much longer period of time.

To French eyes accustomed to the so-subtle style of local constructors like MGM, whose prestige mountain developments set new benchmarks for quality construction, the Intrawest colour palette can take a little getting used to. Then there’s the sensation of being surrounded by mountain architecture whose very raison d’être is no longer just to offer shelter but an element of fun, too. Suddenly even the most radical of the high-altitude French ski villages (think Flaine, Avoriaz and Les Arcs) can seem almost reserved in their use of colour. Not surprisingly, well before it was completed Arc 1950 was already being compared by purists to Disneyland. Which is not only uncharitable, but fails to take account of the fact that the entire development draws its stylistic inspiration from traditional Savoyard architecture. In fact you’ll struggle to find an exposed concrete surface.

A New Interpretation

There are obviously many more who feel that the developers have pulled it off rather well. Successive off-plan property phases sold out as soon as they were released, enabling the developers to bring forward the construction period dramatically. At the head of the queue were British buyers, whose ski visits to Canada (along with the likelihood that this would be the very last site in the French Alps available for the creation of an entirely new ski village) told them all they wanted to know about the investment potential.

Beneath traditional Savoyard cut stonework, warm timber cladding and generously-proportioned balconies lie robust modern construction materials.

Not that the concept was ever likely to fail; Les Arcs has always been one of the most highly regarded and snow-sure family ski areas, and has become even more attractive with the realisation of a long-standing dream of linking to the neighbouring ski domain of La Plagne. The result is the vast Paradiski area, united by the Vanoise Express cable car, a dazzling technical tour-de-force. Then there’s the site, in a sheltered bowl just 50m below Arc 2000 and linked by new high-speed lifts direct to the very best ski terrain. It’s also car-free and not only ski-in/ski-out, but ski-through as the snowy heart of the village is groomed by the same teams who prepare the pistes. Impressive. As are the range and quality of boutiques, bars, restaurants and services which the development has attracted.

The Comfort Zone

Which brings us to the single most important factor by which Arc 1950 will ultimately be judged. There’s a lot of accommodation on offer. But for most of the time you actually have to look quite hard, as the architects have concealed the true scale of larger buildings by styling their façades to resemble several smaller adjoining structures. The effect of this is to bring the things down to a more human scale, with the architectural diversity and interest typical of the much longer-term evolution of traditional villages. Behind the façades are 4-star apartments which finally bring to the Alps the affordable levels of comfort and equipment found in premium quality mountain accommodation across the Atlantic.

L-R: Nightfall reveals the village heart at its best, Savoyard façade detailing adding warmth and colour; apartment units are styled to resemble individual chalets.

The apartments are certainly very civilised, from the realistically- equipped kitchen areas to the provision, in many cases, of a fully-functioning log fire ( logs supplied, naturally), rounded off with décor and furnishings carefully coordinated to create a cosy, home-from-home feel. Naturally, guests also enjoy a full range of conventional hotel services, and the whole village anticipates four-season occupation. All of which confirms what we all suspected when first we heard of the planned arrival of Intrawest into the European market... that things would never be the same again.