At the start of the new winter sports season, we were introduced to chic Courchevel. We explored the downright stunning slopes and enjoyed the conviviality on the many outdoor terraces. Courchevel is located in the renowned Les 3 Vallées, the largest ski resort in the world. The ski resort is known for its luxury and elegance. This is seen, among other things, in the large number of Michelin-starred restaurants and fancy boutiques. Also through luxury accommodation, high-end amenities and a vibrant après-ski scene. For us, it was all about the varied and impeccably groomed slopes, though. And in this we were definitely not disappointed!
Les 3 Vallées is the largest interconnected ski area in the world. You will find a total of 600 kilometres of slopes and an efficient lift system. The area includes several popular ski resorts, including Méribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel.
Méribel is located in the heart of Les 3 Vallées. From this ski resort you can also reach Val Thorens and Courchevel. The ski resort of Méribel is ideal for various types of winter sports enthusiasts. It offers extensive off-piste possibilities for advanced skiers. Less experienced skiers will also find what they are looking for on the sunny slopes of Méribel, thanks to the many blue slopes.
Val Thorens is the highest village in Les 3 Vallées and offers excellent snow conditions, thanks also to the height of the slopes and the presence of snow cannons. The area is ideal for skiers of all levels and offers challenging slopes for advanced skiers, as well as extensive off-piste opportunities. It is also suitable for novice or less experienced skiers.
Courchevel is known for its luxury appeal, with extravagant accommodation, first-class restaurants and high-end boutiques. The area offers a diverse range of slopes and is popular with experienced skiers for its challenging runs, off-piste possibilities and world-class facilities.
Courchevel consists of several villages, each offering its own atmosphere and amenities.
The lowest is Courchevel 1300 (Le Praz). This is the oldest village in Courchevel. Le Praz has a charming and traditional feel. The village has a picturesque village square, a historic atmosphere and good connections to the rest of the ski resort.
The next village up is Courchevel 1550. This village has an authentic Alpine atmosphere and offers a mix of traditional chalets and modern amenities. It is a popular choice for those looking for tranquillity.
If you go further up, you will end up in Courchevel 1650 (Moriond). This village offers a more relaxed atmosphere compared to Courchevel 1850, the last village. Moriond has a family-friendly feel with accessible slopes, cosy bars and restaurants, and a range of accommodation for every pocket.
Finally, Courchevel 1850 is Courchevel’s most famous and chicest village. It offers luxury accommodations, high-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants and exclusive après-ski venues. Courchevel 1850 attracts a wealthy international crowd and is known for its glamour and charisma.
Having got to know the Courchevel ski resort well, we see the following strengths and lesser points of this ski resort:
In our opinion, these are the lesser points of ski resort Courchevel:
Besides skiing and snowboarding, almost everything is possible in Courchevel. You can go sledging, snowshoeing, ice-skating, tobogganing, fat-biking through the snow and snowmobiling. And with 67 kilometres of well-prepared trails, even cross-country skiers can enjoy themselves for days on end. We also saw dog sledding on the Courchevel slopes and lots of paragliders. At the top of the ski lifts, you regularly come across a table with flags offering tandem flights with a parapenter.
And are you ready for some warmth after a half-day of winter sports? Even then you can have a great time in Courchevel. In Courchevel 1650, for instance, you have the large swimming pool Aquamotion. Next to this pool complex is Aqua Wellness: a great place to completely relax after a hard physical effort. It has a saltwater pool, sauna, steam bath and caldarium. And you can get a massage.
At the invitation of l’Office du tourisme de Brides-les-Bains and Les 3 Vallées, we stayed in Brides-les-Bains and visited the ski area of both Courchevel and Méribel. We compiled the content of the blog independently and objectively based on our own impressions.
Courchevel is located in the Tarentaise Valley in the French department of Savoie. It is part of the Les 3 Vallées ski resort.
By car the fastest route is via Albertville. Once you leave the motorway, it is a good 45 kilometres on not always good, provincial roads. In high season (during school holidays), it is therefore better to avoid the busy changeover days.
We went by plane. Airports in the area include Lyon, Grenoble and the nearest one is Chambéry. From the airport, it is best to get a hire car. This is especially true of the more distant Geneva and Lyon airports. If you fly to Chambéry, getting the train is also a suitable transport option.
You can also take the train to Courchevel. The nearest train station to Courchevel is Moûtiers station, near Brides-les-Bains. From there, you can take a taxi or shuttle bus to Courchevel.
Yes, Courchevel is generally considered a snow-sure winter sports destination. This is mainly due to its favourable geographical location and the use of snow cannons. The Les Trois Vallées ski area, of which Courchevel is a part, generally has good snow conditions throughout the winter sports season.
Courchevel is known for its vibrant but also diverse après-ski. Although Courchevel has a reputation as a chic and exclusive destination, you will find many diverse après-ski options ranging from cosy bars to chic lounge bars and nightclubs. Some popular après-ski venues in Courchevel include Le Tremplin and Bar le Jump. There is a nice place on the slopes, too: La Cabana du 1928. We didn’t go inside but it looked trendy and really relaxed from the outside. In any case, the après-ski in Courchevel caters for both party-goers and those looking for a more sophisticated and laid-back vibes.
Courchevel is suitable for skiers of all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. The ski resort offers an extensive network of slopes with different levels of difficulty. The ski resort therefore appeals to a wide range of winter sports enthusiasts.
Courchevel offers specially designated practice slopes and easy green runs, making it an ideal destination for the inexperienced skier to regain mastery of basic skiing skills. Note that we found some of the runs on the blue runs to fall more into the category of red runs.
For advanced skiers, there are plenty of challenging red and black runs, as well as off-piste opportunities and particularly steep descents.
In fact, you can eat out well with excellent food anywhere in Courchevel. With no fewer than 13 restaurants with at least one Michelin star, the ski resort is the culinary hotspot of the French Alps. There are even two three-star restaurants: Le 1947 à Cheval Blanc and La Bouitte. Other excellent restaurants in Courchevel.
Most accommodation in chic Courchevel offers a range of amenities and luxury, ranging from boutique experiences to opulent five-star hotels. Note that the price level is significantly higher in Courchevel than in the surrounding ski resorts. Depending on your budget, you can also choose to stay in Méribel. From here, you can quickly get to the Courchevel ski resort by gondola. Another excellent affordable option is to stay in Brides-les-Bains. From this town, lots of gondolas go to Méribel, from where you can quickly move on to Courchevel.
Still prefer an unforgettable stay right on the slopes of Courchevel? Here is some of the best accommodation in Courchevel: