Aiguille Rouge, Alpine summit in Les Arcs, France
Aiguille Rouge is a mountain summit in the Alps, located in the Savoie department of France, reaching around 10,500 feet (about 3,200 meters) in elevation. It rises above the Les Arcs ski resort and offers open views toward the Mont Blanc massif and the valleys below.
The area around Aiguille Rouge was opened up in the 20th century as winter sports expanded, with Les Arcs developed as a ski resort during the 1960s. The construction of cable cars made the summit accessible to a wide public for the first time.
The name "Red Needle" refers to the reddish tint of the rock, which shows clearly in certain light conditions. The area around the summit is part of the Les Arcs ski resort and sees heavy use from skiers during winter.
The summit is accessible in winter via the Les Arcs ski resort gondola, while summer visits call for proper walking gear with sturdy shoes. Conditions at this elevation can change fast, so checking the forecast before heading up is a good idea.
On a clear day, the view from Aiguille Rouge takes in both the Mont Blanc massif and the Gran Paradiso in Italy. This makes it one of the farthest-reaching panoramas reachable by cable car in the French Alps.
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