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Special events in Bourg st Maurice, Les Arcs and La Plagne

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Home > Special Events

Picture of Car boot sale in Peisey in the French Alps

There are lots of other sporting events, festivals and entertainment which take place throughout the year in and around Les Arcs and La Plagne. Some haven't fixed their dates for 2010 yet, so the dates listed below are based on the 2009 dates and are to be confirmed.

January / February / March / April / May / June / July
August / September / October / November / December

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in January

The Telemark World Cup

Jan 10 tbc
Montchavin
For about fifteen years, Montchavin-Les Coches has been considered the capital of Classic Telemark competition thanks to the height difference across its ski area. The village hosts this international competition every two years or so. The telemarkers do a full range of events, including sprints and night time events take place on the slalom course.

The Path of Vaugel Skiing Race

Jan 10 tbc
Bourg-st-Maurice
This popular and friendly ski-mountaineering race, which promotes contact between local people and holiday-makers, welcomes both professionals and amateurs. If you are interested in taking part contact the Service des Sports in Bourg St Maurice on 04 79 07 56 31, or let us know when you book and we can register you.

The Far North Adventure Activities

19 - 25 Jan 10
Arc 1950
Discover the atmosphere of the far north with sled dog activities, a life-size igloo, ice and snow sculptures, fairy stories and legends on the theme of Lapland and the North Pole.

Plagne Arctic

21 - 27 Jan 10 tbc
La Plagne
For one week, there is a week of free themed events dedicated to the polar culture across the resort. A full program offers a comprehensive choice of activities such as igloo building, snow sculptures, visiting the ice caves at 3000m, a massive snow ball fight, ice-climbing, dog-sledging, a glacier conference, bobsleighing, snowshoe outings, and plenty of snow excursions and walks and maple syrup lollies to taste.

Gorzderette

26 - 27 Jan 10
Champagny / La Plagne
This event is a chance for the world?s best ice-climbers to get together for a weekend. Internationally renowned climbers, such as Daniel Dulac, Fran?ois Damilano, the Slovak Marko Prezelj winner of the 2007 Golden Ice Axe, come and chill out for a weekend with their friends. There is also a multi-activity tournament of "sports-for-fun" (ice climbing, archery, Nordic skiing, big air, hay sled runs) centred on the ice climbing tower, and in the evening it becomes a venue for concerts.

The Columbia Speed Flying Show

26 - 30 Jan 10
Les Arcs
Completely new the "Speed Flying Pro" brings together the cream of international speedflyers for 3 days of challenges never before seen. Mid way between freeride skiing and paragliding with a mini-paraglider and ski shoes, the Speed Flyers defy the laws of gravity. The mix of slide and air is born. The competitors do a downhill race, slalom and freeride to win the title of the year?s best speedflyer in the world. The Ski-Joring Championships 31 Jan and 1 Feb 09 This will be the seventh staging of the French Ski-Joring Championships which every year welcome to Les Arcs some thirty professional outfits from all over Europe to compete, and also run courses for beginners. In this extraordinary discipline skiers are pulled by a horse. The competition takes place on the very beautiful site of Courbaton, at Arc 1600, and combines slalom, speed and handling tests.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in February

The Robert Blanc Derby

18 Feb 10 tbc
Arc 2000
This Derby was created in 1975 by Robert Blanc, founder of the Les Arc ski station. The race starts at the summit of the Grand Col (2835 m) in Arc 2000 and ends at Pret St Esprit (1822 m), and takes place when the pistes have closed. The event aims to bring together locals and winter visitors, and you can use a variety of equipment (ski, snowboard, monoski, telemark etc.) for the descent. It is open to everyone, individuals or families, and followed by a mountain-style buffet and music. 'you can sign up with the Club des Sports des Arcs on 04 79 07 82 05, or let us know you would like to do it when you book and we will register you.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in March

4th TelemArc Gathering

29 March 10
Arc 1950
The "La Belle Fente" Association organise a procession of telemark experts in traditional dress, and demonstrations thoughout the day. Lots of events will take place in the village, including organised walks, food tastings and dancing.

The Off-Pistes of CNAC

21 - 28 March 10
Arc 1600
The students of the Centre National des Arts du Cirque de Chalons in Champagne come to train and entertain every year in Les Arcs. They perform In the open air or indoors and visitors are also invited to watch their training sessions.

French Freestyle Skiing Championships

end of March 10
La Plagne
In the home resort of Sandra Laoura (bronze medallist in the bumps at the Turin Olympics), the freestyle tradition just keeps on growing. All the French freestyle clubs will be here to show off their best performers. The disciplines included in the French Freestyle Skiing Championships are the Half Pipe, Bumps and Skiercross.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in April

The Chillchalet Tour

1 April 10
We run this event in Paradiski in association with Westbeach every year. Teams of four set off from a fixed point in Les Arcs or La Plagne with a list of challenges they must complete all over the resorts before they meet in the Chillchalet garden for a bar-b-que and prize giving at 4pm. Challenges in the past have included hugging lifties, trying to get on air on Radio Les Arcs and getting a photo of a team member in a hot tub. It is free to enter and open to everyone.

Mountain Riders Respect Festival

4 - 5 April 10
This is the sixth event of it's kind. Sensitive to the mountain environment and sustainable development, the National Mountain Riders Association offers two days of diverse events to bring everyone wanting to preserve the mountains together. There are exhibitions, lectures, themed games, concerts and snowboard and ski contests open to all.

Speed Skiing World Pro

mid April 10
Arc 2000
Arguably the most spectacular event in the winter sports calendar, the grand final of the speed skiing season returns to its spiritual home in Les Arcs. Speed skiing is also known as Kilom?tre Lanc? (?Flying Kilometre?), and consists of travelling as fast as possible along a one kilometre stretch of piste, with the benefit of several hundred metres of near-vertical run in. Timing is automatic, beginning and ending when the skier is still in motion. A kamikaze nightmare to some, a heroic pursuit to others, the discipline has been a specialty at Les Arcs since the resort was assigned the event during the Albertville Olympics in 1992. Helmets, poles and suits are designed with minimal air-resistance in mind, and the high-tech equipment enables skiers to reach speeds of up to 250 kilometres an hour.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in May

Trans?Vanoise Moto

29 May - 1 June 10 tbc
Bourg-st-Maurice
In it's 6th year this event always takes place on the weekend that the mountain roads open for the summer. A rally of touring motorbikes set out from Bourg St Maurice to discover the region on a different route every day, and at the end of the day, all participants gather in Bourg for entertainments, motorcycle shows and concerts. Last year the participation of world champion AC Farias Stunt, and the Freestyle Aerial team added to the excitement.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in June

The Edelweiss Race

1 June 10 tbc
Bourg-st-Maurice
This is a mountain bike race on the trails of the Haute Tarentaise, where teams race down sections of the valley walls ending in Bourg-st-Maurice. Teams come from all over the world to compete and it attracts lots of spectators.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in July

Urban Plagne 2009

July 10
La Plagne Bellecote
This event combines urban sport, art and music. It is host to the qualifying rounds of the FISE (International Festival of Extremes Sports) The FISE has been around for more than 10 years in Montpellier and has become the world standard in Extreme Sports (BMX, Rollerblading, Skateboarding, Wakeboarding, Freestyle Motorbikes, Snowboarding and Skiing) attracting more than 100,000 spectators and 1,500 riders every year. As for the rest of the event, there is a graffiti art competition, where artists decorate telecabins. There is also a programme of DJs, Hip Hop and break dance groups with a springboard show for new talent. Keyboard and joystick addicts will be carried away by internal play sessions during the daily tournaments in the Video and On-Line Games Area.

Haute Tarentaise Pedestrian week

1 - 7 July 10 tbc
Bourg-st-Maurice
This is the 23rd pedestrian event which celebrates all thing pedestrian. There are races for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, all of which start and end in Bourg Saint Maurice.

Edelweiss Festival

- 10 - 14 July 10 tbc
Les Arcs and Bourg-st-Maurice
Taking place all over Bourg Saint Maurice and Les Arcs this is the 65th Edelweiss festival. It is an international Folk Festival which culminates in a grand procession on the last day. Teams of musicians and dancers from all over the world come to perform and sell crafts.

Magic Festival

13 - 16 July 10 tbc
Arc 1950
This children's festival celebrates all things magic, with magic shows, magician schools, fancy dress and Harry Potter inspired quizes.

French Canoe-Kayak Championships

15-20 July 10 tbc
Bourg-st-Maurice
This event is the highlight of the French kayak calander, where competitors come to do the Slalom course which has been home to the kayak world come for several years. People come for weeks before the event to train so spectators can watch the experts in action and experienced paddlers can share the course with the pros before the event.

Les Arcs Music Academy Festival

20 July - 4 Aug 10
Les Arcs
This is the 36th festival which offers free chamber music festivals all over the Les Arcs area and Hauteville-Gondon (Concerts of Chamber music, free ) Since 1973, Les Arcs has been the host of this mountain music festival. Every year the event attracts in the region of 15 000 spectators who flock to enjoy the soothing sounds of the 140 international music students that come to perfect their talent. Under the watchful eye of world famous music teachers, the musicians spend the day practicing and then perform free concerts throughout the resort each evening. The event runs for two weeks and is a great opportunity to enjoy the music of Mozart, Strauss and Cavanna in a wonderful mountain setting.

Tour de France

July 10
Bourg-st-Maurice
Every summer France is home to the biggest this, the biggest cycle race in Europe. The Alps have played a large part in the race over the years with the gruelling mountain climbs providing some of the most exciting spectacles of the event. The route changes slightly each year, taking in different towns and villages along the way but usually passes through Bourg-st-Maurice.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in August

The Avalanche Cup

3 Aug 10 tbc
Arc 1600
This international mountain bike race draws competitors and spectators from all over the world and is open to all to enter provided you complete the course in a certain time on the qualifying day. It is held on a specially prepared downhill track on the Cachette piste in 1600, the route descends 600 vertical metres over 3km of super technical and challenging terrain. One of the most spectacular MTB events of the season, the competition itself counts towards the Rhones Alpes Regional Downhill Cup and attracts many of the best riders on the international circuit.

A Festival full of travel colours

mid-August tbc
La Plagne
The wide green spaces of the mountains and the sports and activities you can do there are the ideal place for a change and opportunity to discover something new. The Festival is part of a national cultural environment with events associated with writing, illustrations and travel films. There are films, documentaries, conferences, debates and workshops. It is attended by international authors, artists and film directors.

Cyclocoeur Cycle Race

10 Aug 10 tbc
Bourg-st-Maurice
Every summer Les Arcs hosts the Cyclocoeur, a MTB and cycle competition open to all. With uphill, dowhill, and cross country routes available, there is something for everyone enabling you to explore Les Arcs extensive biking trails whilst raising money for disabled people in the area. This is the 6th event, which culminates in a bar-b-que with dancing and music in the railway station in Bourg.

Sylvain Cacciatore Pedestrian Race

15 August 10
Arc 1600
Created by Sylvain Cacciatore, former member of the French Athletic team, this is the 25th race which is based on the circuit used for French Championship in 1999. The 12 k race is organised by the sporting club and is open to everyone, walkers or runners. It starts at the ?Place du Soleil? in Arc 1600 and ends at Arc 2000. There are usually around 1200 particpants racing. If you would like to enter let us know when you book and we will register you.

Craft markets

22 Aug 10 tbc
Bourg-st-Maurice
There are small craft markets in Bourg Saint Maurice most Saturdays during July and August, but a particularly large one a the end of August. They sell antiques, souvenirs and locally produced crafts.

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in September

no info as yet, but it's on it's way, please check back in a day or two

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in October

no info as yet, but it's on it's way, please check back in a day or two

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in November

no info as yet, but it's on it's way, please check back in a day or two

Events in Les Arcs and La Plagne in December

Etoiles du sports (Sport stars)

16 - 21 Dec 09
La Plagne
In it's 7th year, this event has been supported by the Youth and Sports Ministry and brings together at la Plagne 20 French champions from 20 different sports and 20 hopefuls chosen and sponsored by the champions themselves. The pairs compete with one another for a week, at the end of which the year?s best hope will be selected. This event enables the young hopefuls to pick up some important lessons and helps them on their way to becoming the champions of tomorrow on skis, snowshoes, skates or ice climbing.