Courchevel at a glance
Courchevel is the most exclusive resort in the French Alps and one corner of Les 3 Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world. It is really five villages climbing one mountainside, from Le Praz at 1,300 m up to the famous Courchevel 1850, sharing about 150 km of immaculately groomed home pistes and 600 km across the full 3 Vallées.
It suits everyone from first-timers to experts, and is unrivalled for luxury, Michelin dining and families who want everything on the doorstep. This guide covers the villages, the skiing, getting there, families, groups, non-skiers, lift passes and the questions guests ask us most.
Which Courchevel? The villages explained
“Courchevel” is really five villages stacked up one mountainside, and the number after the name is roughly its altitude in metres. They share one lift system, but they feel very different to stay in.
- Courchevel 1850 – the highest and most famous village. Designer boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, the main lifts at La Croisette and the altiport. If you want to walk to everything and ski straight out, this is the one.
- Courchevel Moriond (1650) – sunnier and more relaxed, with its own quieter ski area that is ideal for improving skiers. A 10-minute bus or ski down from 1850.
- Courchevel Village (1550) – quieter and more residential, home to the Aquamotion water park. A quick gondola up to 1850.
- Le Praz (1300) – the original farming village with the Olympic ski jumps, a small lake and some of the best-value restaurants.
- La Tania – a small, car-free, family-friendly village in the trees between Courchevel and Méribel.
The skiing: Courchevel and Les 3 Vallées
Courchevel is one corner of Les 3 Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world with around 600 km of marked pistes across Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle. Courchevel's own area is about 150 km and is famous for immaculate grooming, wide tree-lined blues and a north-facing aspect that holds snow well.
By ability
- Beginners – the gentle green runs at Pralong, Bellecôte and the Jardin Alpin, right above 1850, are among the best learning slopes in the Alps. Several lifts in the beginner “Zen zones” are free.
- Intermediates – Courchevel's sweet spot: long, wide, perfectly groomed blues and reds such as Creux and Combe de la Saulire. From the top of Saulire (2,738 m) you can ski over into Méribel and on to Val Thorens.
- Advanced – the Grand Couloir off Saulire, the Suisses run, the Jockeys and Jean Blanc blacks down to Le Praz, and easy access to the whole 3 Vallées for a big-mileage day.
- Snow reliability – 1850 sits high for a French resort with lift access to over 2,700 m, plus extensive snowmaking. Val Thorens (3,230 m) is within reach on a 3 Vallées pass for late-season snow.
Courchevel for families
- Ski school – the ESF and several English-speaking independent schools run children's classes from around age three, meeting at La Croisette in the centre of 1850. Book lessons when you book the accommodation for peak weeks.
- Beginner areas – the free Zen zones and magic carpets at Pralong and Bellecôte mean little ones can learn without a full lift pass.
- Off the slopes – the Aquamotion water park at Courchevel Village (wave pool, slides, surf simulator and a spa), the outdoor ice rink at 1850, the 3 km Moriond Racing toboggan run, and sledging areas in each village.
- In a catered chalet – look for bunk rooms with en-suite showers, a cinema or snug for tired legs, and a chef who will cook for children early and adults later. Childcare is usually arranged through the chalet.
Courchevel for groups and celebrations
A catered chalet is the easiest way to holiday as a big group: one house, one team, one bill, and nobody cooks. The best of them seat everyone at one table and have a wine cellar, a cinema and a private spa, often with a bar in the building for après-ski without going back out. For mixed-ability groups, Courchevel's layout is ideal: everyone can meet for lunch at a mountain restaurant on the Saulire side whatever they have skied that morning.
If you don't ski
Courchevel is one of the best Alpine resorts for non-skiers. Pedestrian lift passes let you ride up to the mountain restaurants for lunch with the skiers; there are marked winter-walking and snowshoe trails, hotel and residence spas and Aquamotion for a full day of wellness, an outdoor ice rink, dog-sledding and scenic helicopter flights from the altiport. Courchevel 1850's boutiques and galleries are a pleasant afternoon on their own, and the Forum centre has a bowling alley and climbing wall.
Eating out and après-ski
Courchevel has more Michelin stars than any other ski resort in the world, including Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc with three stars and Le Chabichou with two at the time of writing. On the mountain, the slope-side restaurants around Saulire and Chenus are an institution, from white-tablecloth lunches to sunny terraces with a plat du jour. Après-ski ranges from live music at the bars on La Croisette to a quiet glass of Savoie wine on a chalet terrace. Book the popular tables well before you travel, especially in the peak weeks.
Lift passes, ski school and equipment
- Which pass? A Courchevel-only pass covers 150 km and suits beginners and families who will stay on this side. A 3 Vallées pass unlocks all 600 km; confident intermediates and above will want it for at least a few days. Passes can be upgraded day by day.
- Equipment – the ski rooms at La Croisette have rental, ski technicians and heated boot racks, so skis and boots never have to come back to the chalet.
- Lessons – private instructors and guides for the 3 Vallées can be arranged through your chalet concierge or with the ski schools directly.
Getting to Courchevel
- By air – Geneva (about 2 h 30 by road), Lyon (about 2 h 15), Chambéry (about 1 h 45) and Grenoble (about 2 h 15). Courchevel also has its own altiport at 1850 for private aircraft and helicopter transfers.
- By train – high-speed trains to Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains, then about 35 minutes by road up to 1850. Direct trains from Paris take around 4½ hours; from London, change in Paris or Lille.
- By car – roughly 9 hours from Calais. Winter tyres or chains are required by law in the Savoie in winter, and the road up from Moûtiers can be slow on Saturday changeover days.
Our advice: book a private transfer for the last leg so nobody drives on mountain roads after a flight.
When to go
The season usually runs from early December to mid-April. Christmas and New Year and the February school holidays are the busiest and most expensive weeks, and the best chalets are booked a year ahead. January is quiet with excellent snow and shorter lift queues. March brings longer, sunnier days, lively terraces and still-reliable snow up high; it is our favourite month for families and groups who want a bit of everything.
What to pack
- Layers: a warm mid-layer and a waterproof shell beat one heavy jacket. Courchevel is high and north-facing, so January can be cold.
- High-factor sunscreen and lip balm, sunglasses and goggles – the altitude sun is strong even in cloud.
- Helmets for everyone (rentable), a small backpack for the mountain, and ski socks that go above the boot.
- Something smart for dinner: a catered chalet chef will cook a proper dinner most nights, and Courchevel 1850 restaurants dress up in the evening.
- Swimwear and flip-flops for the spa and pool, and slippers for the chalet.
A sample week in Courchevel
- Saturday – transfer up from Geneva or Moûtiers, ski hire fitted at La Croisette, welcome dinner from your chef.
- Sunday – ski school for the children at 9 am; adults warm up on the blues off Verdons and Vizelle. Lunch on the mountain together.
- Monday – over the top of Saulire into Méribel for the day. Cinema night at the chalet.
- Tuesday – spa morning, then the sunny Moriond side in the afternoon. Dinner out in 1850.
- Wednesday – the big one: Courchevel to Val Thorens and back on a 3 Vallées pass, or a guided off-piste day.
- Thursday – non-skiers try snowshoeing and Aquamotion; skiers do the blacks down to Le Praz. Fondue night.
- Friday – last laps, toboggan run at Moriond, farewell dinner from the chef.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is best for Courchevel?
Geneva has the most flights and is about 2 hours 30 minutes by road. Lyon is about 2 hours 15 and Chambéry about 1 hour 45. Courchevel also has its own altiport at 1850 for private aircraft and helicopter transfers.
Is Courchevel good for beginners and families?
Very. The green runs at Pralong, Bellecôte and the Jardin Alpin above 1850 are among the gentlest learning slopes in the Alps, several beginner lifts are free, and the ski schools meet at La Croisette in the centre of 1850. Off the slopes there is the Aquamotion water park, an ice rink and a 3 km toboggan run.
What is there for non-skiers in Courchevel?
Pedestrian lift passes to reach the mountain restaurants, winter walking and snowshoe trails, hotel and residence spas and Aquamotion, an outdoor ice rink, dog-sledding, helicopter flights from the altiport, and the boutiques and galleries of Courchevel 1850.
Do I need a 3 Vallées lift pass or a Courchevel pass?
A Courchevel-only pass covers about 150 km of pistes and suits beginners and families staying on this side. A 3 Vallées pass opens up all 600 km, including Méribel and Val Thorens, and confident intermediates will want it for at least part of the week. Passes can be upgraded day by day.
When should I book a chalet in Courchevel?
For Christmas, New Year and the February school holidays, the best chalets are booked around a year ahead. January and March have more availability, quieter slopes and, in March, longer sunny days.
Can you ski from Courchevel into the rest of the 3 Vallées?
Yes. From the top of Saulire you can ski over into Méribel and on towards Les Menuires and Val Thorens, all on a 3 Vallées lift pass, and be back in Courchevel for dinner. It is the largest linked ski area in the world, so confident intermediates can cover big distances in a day.