Courchevel is truly unique. Made up of not one, but four villages all linked, it has something for every skier. Their old names, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1300 are used by locals, and together make one of the most luxurious ski resorts in the world.
The villages
The villages are linked by lifts, pistes and a road. There’s a free and frequent bus service that goes between each part and allows visitors to take advantage of the spectacular area.
Courchevel 1850 is the largest resort and is the most prestigious place to stay. Foodies love the area as there’s five restaurants with two Michelin stars and a whole host of other fine dining eateries ready to ignite taste buds. Despite 1850 being the plushest, the other villages provide their own unique charm, with bars and restaurants ready to cater to all needs, and high-end shops that provide respite.
Photo courtesy of Courchevel Tourism, Photographer: ©DavidAndre
Winter activities
The Aquamotion Centre below Moriond (1650) attracts hordes of visitors. It features both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a diving pool, surfing area, a water slide, and wild water rapids. It also boasts saunas, a steam room, and a hot tub to ease away aches and pains, while those who just can’t get enough can test themselves on the climbing wall or show off their moves on the ice skating rink.
However it is the toboggan run from Courchevel (1850) to Village (1550) that is the icing on the cake. It plunges 300m over a 2.3km track at the end of ski days and provides light but exhilarating relief before the night begins.
Photo courtesy of Courchevel Tourism, Photographer: ©Alexis Cornu
Summer activities
The Aquamotion Centre is open year-round so it provides entertainment in the summer months too. Courchevel Le Praz is perfect for fishing and kayaking, beach volleyball (yes, that’s right!) and football. Courchevel itself is the perfect place to relax and browse the shops, or for more adventure, hire a bike and explore the once snow-covered mountains.
Photo courtesy of Courchevel Tourism
Events
The Ladies Alpine World Cup giant slalom attracts visitors in December, while the International Fireworks Festival always goes off with a bang in February or March. Adrenaline junkies might enjoy the Dynastar X3 mountain triathlon which takes place in April.
Photo courtesy of Courchevel Tourism, Photographer: ©Patrick Pachod
Slopes
The slopes provide spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the valley of Champagny and Bellecôte which can really take breaths away. There are 600km of pistes – many of which are north-facing so provide some of the best snow in the whole area. 20 percent of the slopes are green, 36 percent are blue, 35 percent are red and nine percent are classed as black, so the ski area is ideal for every ability.
How to get there
Flying into Chambery is usually the best way to get to the resort from outside France. It is approximately an hour and a half from the resort, with private transfers available. Lyon and Grenoble are also good airport options, with a transfer time of around two hours.
You can also get TGV trains to Paris or Lyon, then go onto Moutiers. Alternatively you can take a dedicated ‘snow train’ which run throughout the ski season.
If you’re looking for a truly luxurious snowy getaway, Courchevel ticks all the boxes. Why not make it an experience to remember and rent a luxury ski chalet in Courchevel.
Photo courtesy of Courchevel Tourism, Photographer: ©DavidAndre
