Courchevel combines superb skiing, exceptional mountain scenery and direct access to the 600km Three Valleys, with fantastic terrain for every ability. The Courchevel valley itself offers around 150km of beautifully maintained pistes, ranging from gentle beginner areas and wide, confidence-building blues to long reds, challenging blacks and extensive off-piste terrain. It is particularly good for intermediate skiers, who have an enormous choice of cruising runs and can cover impressive distances without constantly tackling difficult terrain. Beginners are equally well catered for, with dedicated learning zones and plenty of gentle pistes on which to progress, while more experienced skiers will find plenty to explore both on and off-piste.
Courchevel Moriond (1650) is especially enjoyable for relaxed cruising, with a network of predominantly green and blue runs and plenty of skiing above the tree line. Higher up the valley, the slopes around Biollay, Pralong and Chenus offer a wonderful mixture of pistes, while the high point of Saulire provides spectacular views and an important gateway towards Méribel and the rest of the Three Valleys. Head in the opposite direction and there are beautiful tree-lined runs descending towards Courchevel Le Praz, particularly enjoyable when visibility is poor higher up the mountain.
I was lucky enough to holiday in Courchevel several times as a child and have some very vivid memories of skiing here, not least falling my way down the famous Grand Couloir while my Dad quite happily sipped a G&T at Saulire, waiting for me to reappear! One of Courchevel’s greatest strengths is how easily you can venture beyond the valley. From Saulire you can ski down into Méribel and continue towards Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Val Thorens, opening up the full 600km Three Valleys ski area. A full-area lift pass gives confident skiers an extraordinary amount of terrain to explore, while those who prefer to stay closer to home will find more than enough variety within Courchevel itself.
The combination of excellent lift infrastructure, extensive snowmaking and a large proportion of high-altitude terrain helps provide reliable skiing throughout the season. Add excellent mountain restaurants, impressive panoramas and everything from gentle family skiing to big days exploring the Three Valleys, and it’s easy to understand why Courchevel has maintained its reputation as one of the world’s great ski destinations.
Why You Will Love It: Courchevel offers far more than its reputation for glamour and luxury. With superb skiing for all abilities, a choice of villages with very different personalities and the whole of the Three Valleys within easy reach, you can choose the Courchevel that suits you while enjoying one of the greatest ski areas in the world.
Courchevel isn’t one resort centre but a collection of distinct mountain villages, giving you a surprising amount of choice over the style and atmosphere of your holiday. At the top sits Courchevel 1850, internationally renowned for its exceptional hotels and chalets, designer boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants and polished service. It is undoubtedly glamorous and also extremely convenient for skiing, with lifts and pistes radiating from the centre and an excellent choice of slopes immediately accessible from the village.
Courchevel Moriond (1650), has a more relaxed and family-friendly feel, with a lively selection of bars and restaurants and particularly easy access to its sunny local slopes. Courchevel Village at 1550 is quieter again and provides a good alternative for those who want quick access to 1850 and the ski area without staying in the heart of the most exclusive part of the resort. Further down the mountain, traditional Courchevel Le Praz has retained much more of its original Savoyard village character, with narrow streets, old chalets and the ski jumps originally constructed for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.
There is plenty to do when you’re not skiing. Aquamotion is one of the Alps’ largest mountain aquatic and wellness centres, with swimming pools, lagoons, slides, spa and wellness facilities. You can also try activities including snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice skating, tobogganing and paragliding, or simply spend an afternoon exploring the shops, stopping for a drink or enjoying Courchevel’s famously good food. Dining is a major part of the Courchevel experience, both on and off the mountain. The resort is known for its gastronomic restaurants and Michelin-starred dining, but you don’t have to spend a fortune every time you eat: across the different villages you’ll also find traditional Savoyard restaurants, pizzerias, relaxed bars and plenty of places for an informal lunch or après-ski drink.
Courchevel also has a busy programme of winter entertainment and sporting events, ranging from international ski competitions and ice hockey to concerts, family entertainment and festive events. Christmas and New Year are particularly atmospheric, while the resort regularly hosts major sporting fixtures during the winter. Whether you choose Courchevel for the skiing, its restaurants and nightlife, a family holiday or simply the opportunity to experience the Three Valleys from one of its most famous valleys, its real advantage is choice. You can make a Courchevel holiday as luxurious, active, relaxed or family-focused as you want it to be and still have some of the best skiing in the Alps on your doorstep.
