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Ski resorts in Courchevel

Courchevel is the largest resort in the renowned Trois Vallées, located in France’s Savoy province. It is also one of the most cosmopolitan in the world, and is actually made up of a number of resorts, although the largest and most famous is Courchevel 1850.

Each of the other four resorts is different in character, from the family-orientated 1650 to the traditionally charming Le Praz. Between them, they all offer an impressive range of ski options for all tastes and abilities. Courchevel resort boasts one of the world’s biggest armies of ski teachers (over 550 of them in six schools) offering classes in eight languages for every standard and discipline.

The immediate skiing of Courchevel resort is hard to beat and offers slopes for all abilities with 67 lifts, 102 runs and a top vertical descent of more than 1,433m. Courchevel resort is built on four different levels, from 1,308 to 1,811m and has over 470 snow cannons and 22 piste bashers. The pistes are always immaculately groomed and snow here is perhaps more reliable than the rest of the Trois Vallées because most of the slopes are north-facing.

The season begins in late November and runs until early May. The best conditions are usually in early March and the lowest rates are at the very beginning and the very end of the season. The closest airports are Geneva (149kms), Lyon (180kms) and Chambéry (110kms) and the Eurostar ski train goes directly from Waterloo to Moutiers, a mere 20kms from Courchevel resort.

Skiing in Courchevel

Courchevel 1850 - the highest of the five components of this big resort - is the favourite Alpine hangout of the Paris jet-set, who fly directly into the mini-airport in the middle of the slopes.

Each of the other four bases is different in character, from the family-orientated 1650 to the traditionally charming Le Praz resort; between them, they all offer a fine range of skiing options for all tastes and abilities.

Courchevel resort is renowned for its many and varied runs, suitable for every standard of skier – from beginners to experts. Many of these runs are tree-lined, making it a very picturesque resort. Courchevel resort is also noted for its efficient and modern lift system, which is regularly upgraded. Additionally, there is an excellent piste maintenance system which gives some wonderful, safe skiing.

The skiing above the various levels of Courchevel resort varies widely. Experts will enjoy all of the chutes dropping down from La Saulire, around the left side of the telepherique and the ones that shoot down under the Suisses chairlift. On the other side of the valley at Chanrossa and Roc Merlet, experts to intermediates will find this whole area to their liking. Beginners will enjoy the wide-open pasture below the Saulire cable car base station.

Flying is the cheapest and most convenient way of getting to Courchevel resort. The Easyjet services from London Luton and Gatwick to Geneva depart several times a day and vary in cost depending on when you travel and how early you book. Alternatively, the Eurostar ski train goes directly from Waterloo to Moutiers, leaving you with a mere 19-kilometre bus or taxi journey to Courchevel 1850.

Apres-ski in Courchevel

There are nine restaurants on the mountain and many more restaurants located nearby, offering a range of cuisines from Gastronomique to West Indian. There are over 150 shops in the resort, as well as three cinemas and four nightclubs. Two nursery programs for children from age two are available in Courchevel 1850 at Le Village des Enfants (tel: 479 08 08 47) and Courchevel 1650 at Les Pitchounets (tel: 479 08 33 69). Both are open from 09:00 to 17:00. Prices are about €18 for a morning and €44 for a day.

Many visitors never leave the Courchevel sector but there is good access to the rest of the Trois Vallées and its other resorts, which include Méribel, St Martin de Belleville, Les Menuires and Val Thorens.

For non-skiers, Courchevel resort has many walks along cleared paths, both in the resort and up the mountain, accessible by 10 gondola lifts and a cable car. At the top, many have mountain restaurants for lunch in the sun. Try to find time to visit the Olympic ski jumps at Le Praz resort (Courchevel 1300). For great off-piste, head for the 1650 back country, the fruit bowl, or ‘Disney Land’.

Transportation to Courchevel

Flying is the cheapest and most convenient method of transportation to Courchevel ski resort. Easyjet services from London Luton and Gatwick to Geneva depart several times a day and vary in cost depending on when you travel and how early you book.

It is possible to cross the English Channel with your car and then drive all the way to Courchevel ski resort. The distance from Calais to Courchevel is 928kms and Le Havre to Courchevel is 832kms. In winter, you should allow 10 to 12 driving hours for the trip. It is possible using a night crossing from Portsmouth to Le Havre – and two drivers working in shifts - to make the journey in a day.

You can also take your car by train from Calais to Moutiers through Rail Europe, crossing the Channel by either ferry, hovercraft or via the Channel Tunnel (tel: 08705 848 848).

The Eurostar ski train goes directly from Waterloo to Moutiers, leaving you with a mere 20-kilometre bus or taxi journey to Courchevel 1850. The night train departs at 20:00 and arrives at 06:00, and the day train departs twice weekly at 09:00 and arrives at 17:00.

The closest airports are Geneva (149kms), Lyon (180kms) and Chambéry (110kms). A welcome desk is operated by the region at Geneva Airport. Easyjet also has flights to Geneva from Liverpool and East Midlands, as well as flights from London Stansted to Lyon, which tend to be cheaper. They offer a useful discount if you book online.

Once at the resorts, shuttle buses move you efficiently within each valley, but moving between valleys is inconvenient and expensive.