Club Med Opens Newest Alpine Resort in The French Alps

If the idea of a ski vacation for the whole family seems daunting, chances are you haven’t experienced a Club Med all-inclusive vacation experience.

This month, Club Med opened their newest alpine resort, Club Med Les Arcs Panorama. This is the most recent addition to Club Med’s French Alps collection since last year’s opening of the nearby 382-room Club Med Samoëns Morillon Grand Massif.

Now, no one argues that planning an international ski getaway can be a total headache. However, Club Med prides itself on making things like the logistics of your vacation a breeze thanks to innovations that include an app, an Easy Arrivals service, and a digital bracelet that allows guests to enjoy all the resort has to offer without having to worry about carrying a single thing, not even a room key!

With the Club Med app, guests have access to personalized suggestions of activities, all resort information, dress codes for events, a schedule of all resort happenings and more. It’s a godsend for those of us who like to schedule each day of vacation. What does that mean? Well, once you reach the beautifully designed resort (more on that later), everything is ready and waiting for you.

Your ski equipment is in your locker, your lessons are booked, your kids are registered for their activities, Kids Clubs and childcare, and all that’s left to do is enjoy your vacation. Each minute is primed to be stress-free, no need to waste time at the front desk or pro shop for any reason.

However, each employee or G.O. (Gentil Organisateur) as they’re called, is incredibly nice, friendly and helpful should you need anything (even something as basic as putting on your snowboard boots—true story!). And again, because it’s all-inclusive, one price covers it all. Food, alcohol, accommodations, entertainment, lift tickets and lessons.

Situated in the family-friendly Les Arcs 1600 resort in France’s largest ski domain, Paradiski, Les Arcs Panorama boasts a modern, curvy design and innovative architecture that allows the resort to take on the mountain’s form. While seamlessly blending in with the stunning nature that surrounds it, this property also showcases incredible, unobstructed views of the Tarentaise valley and summits. Throughout the property (including room balconies) guests are treated to show-stopping views of a snowy, enchanted forest, and epic mountain range in the distance.

With 433 rooms ranging from superior, deluxe and 5 Trident exclusive collection space suites, the resort can easily accommodate families of all sizes, including those traveling with extended family. Rooms are minimalistic in design and incorporate bright pops of color and natural materials making for a cozy ambiance.

The 4 Trident property (Club Med’s property rating system) also has a 5 Trident luxury area, Le Belvédère, where guests with access are invited to relax, indulge on cocktails, Champagne, snacks, a personalized concierge service and a spacious terrace with expansive views of the valley, complete with an inviting Jacuzzi.

While all-inclusive properties often get a bad rep for so-so cuisine, the food at Les Arcs Panorama is impressive and caters to all taste preferences.

There are three restaurants: The 1790 Gourmet Lounge which features a wine cellar and serves an a la carte menu; the “La Pierre Blanc” main restaurant which offers an incredible array of buffet style dishes and delicacies including the famed raclette; and finally the Bread&Co, a fun, interactive restaurant concept where kids invite the parents to eat.

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What makes the Club Med experience particularly unique is the fact that there is so much to do. With around 364 miles of ski slopes at Paradiski, it’s a winter wonderland for those looking play in the snow all day. And in case you’re in need of more than a little practice, Club Med has a team of both ski and snowboard instructors (English-speaking) who are more than happy to help you reach master the basic or reach new levels.

You may think once you’re in the Alps that there’s not much going on except hitting the slopes, but in actuality, skiing is just one of the allures of choosing Les Arcs as your vacation destination.

“Every time we open a new property we try to include new innovations,” explains Xavier Mufraggi, CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “With our ski resorts, we want to include as much of the mountain experience as possible, because the new, younger clientele coming to the resort are also newer to the sport. They’re not so much coming for just skiing, as they are for alpine adventure. That’s why the quality of our food is important, as is the local excursions and foreign experiences we can facilitate, this is a big shift.”

Club Med is known for its apres ski entertainment and festive parties that add a whole new element of fun to your vacation. Djs, live music, choreographed dances and surprises await guests each night of their stay. Many of the G.O.s. you see during the day also join the events at night, so you’re bound to make new friends. I definitely did!

If relaxation is more your mood, Les Arcs features a Cinq Mondes spa, a heated indoor pool, outdoor pools, and whirlpools, along with a Turkish hammam. You can spend all day escaping the cold, enjoying the property’s top-of-the-line facilities.

Guests are also encouraged to explore the charming town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice where you can take a cheese factory tour, stroll through markets sampling things like fresh fruits, charcuterie and more cheese, and shop at boutique stores.

For more information on Club Med Les Arcs Panorama, click here.