Courchevel Resort Guide
The Ski Magic Courchevel Resort Guide: all you need to know before visiting…
About Courchevel resort
Courchevel is one of the Three Valleys, alongside Meribel and Val Thorens. The Three Valleys is the largest ski area in the world, with 600km of marked runs, all well sign-posted and easy to explore. You can ski end-to-end in one day, on all blue runs, or mixing up with red and black pistes. There are freestyle snow parks and fun areas for kids, and six iconic high peaks between 2200m-3200m.
- 85% of the ski area over 1800m altitude.
- 158 lifts
- 342 runs over 600km
WHERE TO STAY IN COURCHEVEL
Made up of six small mountain villages, the Courchevel Valley has various different places from which you could base yourself to ski in the Three Valleys: La Tania, Le Praz, Saint Bon, Moriond, Courchevel Village and Courchevel 1850.
Each village has its own character, and all are linked by the lift system and free buses. All this skiing doesn’t need to be off-putting for beginners and intermediates, there’s plenty of choice for green and blue runs, with nursery slopes in all the villages.
COURCHEVEL’S HISTORY
The first tourists came to Courchevel in the 1920s, staying in a newly constructed hotel in Saint Bon, but it was not until after WWII that skiing really developed here, with the help of by two Savoyard men who had been in a concentration camp in Austria, dreaming of the mountains.
The first lift was a drag lift in Moriond, and this was followed by lifts in Courchevel 1850.
By 1973 ski tourism had become well established and a big investment was made to link it up with Meribel and Val Thorens to form the Three Valleys.
Things to do in Courchevel
Aside from the skiing, Courchevel has plenty of activities and entertainment options.
Le Forum in Courchevel 1850 is home to an ice-skating rink (usually opens at 3pm), a bowling alley and a climbing wall (opens at 5pm).
Aquamotion is an incredible new addition to the resort: a fantastic swimming pool with slides, a fun area for little children and an outside pool which is fun even when snowing! There’s also an adults’ spa zone with steam room, hydrotherapy and a relaxing atmosphere. Aquamotion is on the free bus route.
Snow-shoeing and walks: Take some time away from the slopes for a magical forest walk. It’s an enchanting way to experience the wilder side of the mountains, especially with a guide who will show you points of interest and help you to spot the animal tracks. You may even be lucky enough to see chamois or ibex.
Husky sledding, paragliding, skidoo, hot air balloon rides… All these activities can be arranged for your group for a special birthday or just for fun!
Sledging in Courchevel happens in each of the different villages on different scales – most of the ski hire shops also hire sledges too, and you can try it out on the ski slope coming into La Tania once the lifts have shut, or between 1850-1550 (Courchevel Village) on the free track (get the bubble lift back up to the top) or on the mighty 3km long Moriond Racing, a specially designed track which is not free but is really fun. Sledges are included in the price.
Discover our Courchevel Chalets
Follow a manual added link
La Tania
Follow a manual added link
Le Praz
Courchevel Skiing
The best thing about skiing in Courchevel is that because of the exceptionally good piste grooming and the huge choice of runs for all level, you feel like a great skier whether you’re an intermediate or an expert!
There really is an amazing choice of meticulously prepared green and blue pistes for beginners and some superb runs through the trees towards La Tania.
There are long open sweeping red pistes on the Combe de Saulire and Creux and some excellent wide open blues in Courchevel Moriond for intermediate skiers.
For experts, the couloirs have some of the steepest skiing in the Alps, including World Ski Championships run, Eclipse, and good bumps are always available on Chanrossa, Marmottes and Suisses. And that’s just Courchevel… There are another two valleys to explore!
THREE VALLEYS SKIING
Meribel has its own character, with Mont Vallon and the world champion Tougnete area as well as the Saulire side and down to the gorgeous forested Altiport and Meribel Village runs. Then you can explore even further, Saint Martin and the legendary Jerusalem, Les Menuires, and way up high to La Masse, the Val Thorens glacier and over into Orelle, ‘the fourth valley’.
The choice is almost endless, which is why people come back to the Three Valleys time and time again.
IS THERE SNOW IN COURCHEVEL?
Snow conditions are great as we have 85% of the ski runs at high altitude (above 1800m), and there has been huge investment in snow-making facilities which tops up the snow on lower pistes to access the villages.
In January you’ll be spoilt with light fluffy powder and in February there’s plenty to see us through the school holidays. Top ups later in the season mean the lifts don’t close until late April (or May, in the case of Val Thorens).
The overnight grooming team do a truly incredible job, especially at the end of the season when the freeze-thaw can make late afternoons slushier at the very end of the season – by next morning it’s all back to corduroy again!
OUR FAVOURITE COURCHEVEL SKI SLOPES
Courchevel Blue & Green Runs
Plan Fontaine, La Tania – a winding green which gives beginners a nice long run into La Tania
Loze to Meribel Village – gentle blues take you on a lovely adventure, great for kids (look out for dragons!)
Folyeres, La Tania – a gorgeous tree-lined blue piste with fun rollers. Snow cannons keep the snow in great condition
Biollay, Courchevel 1850 – a nice undulating blue which turns into a green to get back to the village
Ariondaz, Courchevel Moriond – Enjoy the wide, quiet slopes and stop in Le Bel Air for lunch/vin chaud
Courchevel Red & Blacks Runs
Mont Vallon, Meribel – Starts at 2952m, meaning beautiful vistas and gorgeous snow
Dou des Lanches, La Tania – steep and narrow and takes you to the Bouc Blanc restaurant
Glacier & Christine, Val Thorens – long run from the Glacier Peclet down into resort
Eclipse, Le Praz – race down this steep and forested run like the racers in the 2023 World Ski Championships
Grand Couloir, Courchevel – dare you try the steepest black run in Europe?
Courchevel ski pass
In Courchevel and the Three Valleys we have hands-free electronic lift passes. Make your life easier by ordering your ski pass through Ski Magic before you arrive on holiday. Your pass will be delivered to the chalet so that you can head straight out onto the slopes. The price is just the same as you’d pay in the lift pass office (and in some cases cheaper as we benefit from buying ALL passes at the lower ‘Tribu’ rate). To order your passes you need to log in to your account once you’ve reserved your holiday and select the correct amount of passes for your group. We’ll then collect your passes and deliver them to your chalet. We don’t charge for this – it’s all part of the Ski Magic service! Payment is in in Euros, either in advance or in resort.
A note for non-skiers: The pedestrian ‘Pieton’ pass is a great way for non-skiers to meet up with the rest of the group in the mountain restaurants, and means that you can take in the incredible views as well!
Courchevel ski hire
At Ski Magic, we offer our own in-chalet ski hire service at competitive prices. We have skis and boots to suit every level and our certified ski technicians fit your equipment in the comfort of your chalet, usually on the evening that you arrive in resort.
Prices are comparable to those charged in the local shops and even better: you don’t have to take your kit back at the end of your stay! Just leave it in the chalet and it will be collected by one of our team.
Discover our Chalets in Courchevel
Link to: Chalet Brigitte
Chalet Brigitte
Link to: Chalet Chocolat
Chalet Mamie
Link to: Chalet Matisse Bas
Chalet Matisse Bas
Link to: Chalet Matisse Haut
Chalet Matisse Haut
Travelling to Courchevel
What’s the best way to get to Courchevel?
There are various options depending on your needs.
Decide how to get to Courchevel with our guide to travelling to the Alps.
The closest airports to Courchevel are Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble and Lyon. Our nearest train station is just 30 minutes from resort in Moutiers-Salins. Driving all the way is also popular because of unlimited baggage or when you fancy a road trip! It’s easier than you think and we have compiled all the relevant info to help.
How to get to us:
Flight and Ski Magic transfer
Train and Ski Magic transfer
Drive
Coach
Airport transfers to Courchevel
Ski Magic transfers operate with our fully licensed and insured vehicles. Availability is limited so be sure to book your airport transfer in plenty of time before your holiday start date. Please contact us to enquire about availability for airport or train station transfers for your group.
Travelling with children? We provide child seats at no extra cost.
APPROXIMATE JOURNEY TIMES:
Chambery airport: 1hour 15mins
Geneva airport: 2hours
Lyon & Grenoble airports: 2hours
Moutiers-Salins train station: 20mins
Courchevel ski map
The Courchevel ski map shows the pistes available for all levels of skier for Courchevel 1850, Moriond, Le Praz, La Tania and Courchevel Village, as well as the lifts.
There is also a Three Valleys ski map you can download. Maps are available at most lift stations and in all our Ski Magic chalets.
You can also download an app.
Courchevel map image by https://piste-maps.co.uk/france/three-valleys/courchevel
Looking for a ski holiday in Courchevel?
If you choose to stay in Courchevel, you’ll be welcomed by beautiful scenery, pretty villages, snow-capped peaks and forested slopes. The snow here is genuinely in excellent condition for a long winter season and it is easy to access the whole Three Valleys from all the villages in the Courchevel Valley. If you are looking for a ski holiday in Courchevel, contact the Ski Magic office for a friendly chat to find a chalet that suits you and your family and friends best, for the dates you are considering.
About Courchevel Airport
Did you know?
Courchevel has its own very small airport, called Courchevel Altiport. It is located at 2006m altitude, above the village of Courchevel 1850 and is famous for having the world’s shortest runway at 537m long, and the highest altitude tarmac runway in Europe. It requires a special licence to land there, due to the 18.7% gradient, and this licence must be renewed regularly to ensure the pilot retains the skills to land there because you have to maintain a higher speed than usual to ensure you make it to the top! (The alternative means being towed up – very embarrassing!)
Skiers can watch the small planes and helicopters land during the daytime, from the Altiport piste. It is possible to get a helicopter or flight directly to the Courchevel altiport from other regional airports such as Geneva, Paris, Milan, Lyon, Zurich and Chambery. The Courchevel Altiport is served by a tarmac road so if you choose to fly to Courchevel, you can arrange a taxi to take you to your accommodation.
Your winter getaway awaits
Experience the ultimate ski holiday in our cosy chalets. With breathtaking mountain views and unbeatable comfort, its time to make your winter dreams come true.
COURCHEVEL RESORT FAQS
What are the best runs in Courchevel
The run down to Le Praz – Eclipse – is one of the most famous runs in Courchevel because it was where the top skiers raced for the 2023 World Ski Championships. Otherwise Combe de la Saulire is another classic red, and Biollay is a gorgeous blue run in 1850. We also love Dou des Lanches black and Folyeres blue runs in La Tania. Over in Moriond, Chapelets is a gorgeous tree-lined red.
What is Courchevel famous for?
Courchevel is one of France’s original ski resorts and is famous for having excellent snow, due to the North facing slopes. It is also reputed to have some of the very best piste grooming facilities, which make sure the slopes are beautifully smooth each morning.
Lots of celebs, rich listers and royalty visit because it has such a great reputation, and there is a lot of super smart accommodation in 1850. But other villages in the resort have retained their authentic mountain appeal, eg. Le Praz, and offer great value for money, eg. La Tania.
Is Courchevel good for expert skiers?
With the steepest black run in Europe, and access to 600km of pistes, there’s plenty to keep expert skiers busy in Courchevel.
Can you ski Courchevel on a budget?
With its excellent snow conditions, very efficient lift system and skiing to suit all levels of skier, Courchevel has (unfairly, we think) become known as a ‘luxury’ resort.
But here at Ski Magic, those of us who live here all year round know that it’s not all private jets and champagne lunches! We have some top tips on how to enjoy Courchevel on a more realistic budget…
What level of skier is Courchevel suitable for?
A huge choice of gorgeous, wide blue and green runs, a big variety of reds, some easier and some more challenging blacks… Courchevel is an ideal destination for a mixed group because it covers such a big area. You can head to different destinations which means you’re not repeating the same runs over and over each day. It’s very easy to get around as the lifts are well planned and signposted, plus the free ski buses mean pedestrians can get around easily too.