Courchevel ski resort remains one of the most famous ski resorts in the huge Three Valleys ski area. Made up of 5 villages, (6 if you include La Tania), every village has a unique atmosphere and something to offer everyone.
Saint-Bon is the original Courchevel, the first village which built the hotel Lac Bleu back in 1908. There’s a baroque church and typical mountain village streets, it’s tranquil and has exceptional panoramic views over the valley. Most skiers stay higher up however.
Courchevel Le Praz at 1300m is famed for having the Tremplin du Praz ski jump, built for the 1992 Winter Olympics and is the lowest of the ski resorts one would stay in, linked to Courchevel 1850 in 8 minutes by cable car. It’s got an authentic resort charm to it with chalets and narrow streets. Courchevel Village (Courchevel 1550) is higher up at 1550m and has a warm inviting feel to it. The fantastic toboggan run starting at 1850m finishes here and there’s the huge aqua sports centre Aquamotion to enjoy here too. Courchevel Moriond (Courchevel 1650) is the ideal location for a family holiday with lots of blue and green runs. It used to be a farming community and thus has many residents that live here year round.
Courchevel 1850 is the jewel in the crown and the most expensive place to stay. It's the most prestigious alpine ski resort in Europe. It oozes luxury with 5 star accommodation, shops like Louis Vuitton and gourmet Michelin-starred restaurants.
For more about La Tania, (the 6th Courchevel village), click our full resort review here.
Courchevel is one of the best ski resorts in the world for intermediates with a huge extent and variety of terrain both locally and across the 3 Valleys as a whole. Timid intermediates will particularly enjoy the runs from the Pralong and Biollay chairs, as well as the long gentle cruises above Courchevel 1650. If you're lucky you may spot a celebrity or two on the slopes, William and Kate, Pippa Middleton, the Beckhams and Kate Moss amongst others have been seen here. This sophisticated resort is a firm favourite not just for members of the British Royal family but also Saudi royalty and the King of Morocco.
Most of Courchevel's slopes are north-facing, meaning they'll be far less likely to turn slushy on a sunny day. First time skiers and snowboarders, or beginners looking to improve their technique will find plenty of good areas to practise in Courchevel. The whole area above Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel itself, from the Verdon bubble towards the resort are a paradise for beginners. Not to be missed is the new Saulire cable car with floor to ceiling glass panels offering breathtaking panoramic views as you head to the top of Saulire, the highest point in Courchevel valley at an altitude of 2,740m. Access to the huge Three Valleys ski area is a bonus of course, the area offers unparalleled skiing in the World's Largest Ski Area. Go to the top of Le Signal chairlift for stunning views over Mont Blanc rising up in the distance.
There is a huge choice of restaurants both on and off the slopes, ranging from pizzas and snacks to Michelin starred gourmet restaurants, too many to list here! It's important to note that booking in advance for lunches on the mountain is imperative, some of the more popular restaurants book out weeks in advance. Your only decision to make is how much do you want to spend?! You may prefer to buy a snack or sandwich and head to one of the many designated picnic spots.
Courchevel has a lively and vibrant après-ski scene. No late night out would be complete without a visit to the hot spot for party seekers, Les Caves de Courchevel, a glitzy club full of the fashionable set. They hold themed nights throughout the week hosted by famous DJs. Open from midnight until 5am throughout winter. There's a modern French bar set in the back of the La Luge Concept store, La Luge is a secret spot to enjoy a drink at all hours of the day and night. Open until 2am, you'll find a chilled atmosphere, sunny balcony and reasonably priced drinks (for Courchevel)!
In Le Praz, L'Elephant is the place to be seen, with regular live music. In 1650, everybody from everywhere will be in Funky Fox. Every Tuesday they host their usual DJ sets and on Friday nights they showcase an array of musical talent with everything from Blues and Saxophone to Beat Boxing and Drum and Bass.
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