Driving from Geneva to Arc 1800

If you have a Swiss motorways pass you can use the Swiss motorway from the airport to head straight to the French motorways (this is the quickest option). If you hire a car in Switzerland (or on the Swiss side of the airport), this usually comes with the pass. Note that you do not have to use the Swiss motorways as you can cross the centre of Geneva, over Pont du Mont Blanc, and then head for the French motorways. 

The journey from Geneva to the apartment should take 2.5 to 3 hours, but in adverse weather, or with traffic (can be heavy on Saturdays), it can take longer. 

The fastest route is using toll motorways (tolls will cost approx. €20) all the way from Geneva, to Annecy, Chambery and Albertville. A variation which is actually shorter in terms of distance, is to go via Lake Annecy to Albertville – the lake is picturesque and an attractive place to stop for lunch if you have time. From Albertville, there is then a dual-carriageway to Moutiers, and then single-carriageway via Aime to Bourg St. Maurice.

Please note that your GPS may try to take you through Landry and Vallandry, but we would not recommend this route in winter. Instead, continue on to Bourg St. Maurice and follow the signs to Les Arcs. It is 18km up to Arc 1800, but after approximately 15km you reach a roundabout indicating left to Arc 1600 and right to Arc 1800 – turn right. 

Follow the road until you reach a sign indicating right on a lower road to Charmettoger – take the lower road. Stay on this road, going past numerous residences – you will reach a left hand bend near the “Jardin Alpin” chairlift, and then a sharp right hand hairpin bend (you can see bars and restaurants in Villards). Follow the hairpin to the right and you are nearly there – go up the hill and you will see Aiguille Grive III on the left and the covered car park directly ahead (as in the photo below).