Resort Guide to Courchevel, France

The world famous resort of Courchevel makes up part of the vast 3 valleys circuit, providing extensive skiing and boarding terrain and incredible scenery.

 

Skiing & Boarding

As with all the resorts that forms part of the three valleys, there is something here for everyone.

 

Beginners

Take the Jardin Alpin and Verdons telecabins from the main lift area and you will be presented with an abundance of gentle, perfectly groomed and wide pistes proving the ideal place to practice your techniques.

 

Intermediates

If you like perfectly groomed pistes you will be in heaven in Courchevel! With what is reported to be the finest groomed pistes in the world, an early morning descent from Saulire to 1850 on the "piste motorways" is beautiful, and a perfect opportunity to practice carving turns. The runs from Col De La Chanrossa should definitely be explored as too should the reds from the Col de le Loze summit.

 

Advanced

Courchevel might be noted for great intermediate pistes but it is also famous for what is said to be the hardest black run in Europe. So hard that they've stopped marking it as a black piste and allowed it to become off-piste. The run is part of what is know as the "ugly sisters" and can be found by taking a small trek along the ridge from the Saulire lift. There are then three gully's that can be skied and although not long, they are steep and can form moguls up to 5 foot high. Any mistakes you make on this run can, rather embarrassingly be seen from the red run that meets it at the bottom. It is well worth sitting and watching other attempts from this red before tackling the run yourself.

 

Snowboarders

There is a large park under the Plantrey chair lift that should keep most freestyle lovers quiet for a while. There are also natural kickers and 1/4 pipes to be found all over the piste edges throughout the valley. For freeride lovers there are off piste opportunities on nearly every slope, though it can be hard to find some that aren't overlooked by pistes or lifts, of course the "ugly sisters" mentioned above should be on any advanced snowboarders itinerary.

 

The Villages

Courchevel is made up of four separate villages. The highest and most well known is the chic Courchevel 1850, the next one down the valley is Courchevel 1650, then its Courchevel 1550 and the lowest village is Courchevel 1300, also known as Le Praz. All four villages are connected by a free bus that runs until late in the evening and all three villages have excellent links with the main ski area.

 

Courchevel 1850

The infamous resort of Courchevel 1850 has for some time been the resort to "be and be seen in". It is said that most of it's holiday residents never go on the slopes, but opt for a more relaxed time in the numerous and incredibly overpriced bars and restaurants. The town centre is filled with "chic boutiques", people wearing the latest fashions and impressive accommodation.

 

Courchevel 1650

Courchevel 1650 is a smaller satellite resort of Courchevel 1850 that holds it's own as a great resort village. The skiing form Courchevel 1650 is feels isolated from the main 3 valleys area and therefore escapes the worst of the overcrowding that can effect the rest of the resort at peak times. The village itself was once home to a small farming community and you still get a sense of the community feeling when staying here. Prices are much lower here than in the village above and the place feels generally more relaxed.

 

Courchevel 1550

The quiet resort village of Courchevel 1550 feels a mile away from the village (1850) above it. It is small with a lot less accommodation but with still some great skiing on it's doorstep and good links to the rest of the 3 valley's pistes.

 

Courchevel 1300 - Le Praz

The lowest Courchevel village; Le Praz is a quiet ex-farming village that offers a cheaper alternative to the higher Courchevel villages. There are great links to both the Meribel valley via the Col De La Loze and into the Courchevel valley too. This is a nice, relaxed and informative village with great skiing on your doorstep.

 

High Level Resort

Lively Night Life

Good Snow Record

Part of 3 Valleys

 

Après Ski   Courchevel 1850 There are many bars and clubs in 1850, most of which go with the theme of "chic and expensive" but there are some more down to earth alternatives to be found too.   Courchevel 1650 1650 has a lively nightlife too with many bars and clubs to suite all tastes. Try out Le Bubble and Le Plouc.   Courchevel 1550 The main places for a bit of Après ski include La Taverne and the quite british Glacier Bar.   Courchevel 1350 - Le Praz The Après ski here is quite limited with most people wanting a heavy night out getting the free bus up the valley to one of the other villages.	Activities   The Courchevel valley has a host of activities available, including:   Snow bikes, skidooing, snow rafting, snowshoeing, ice climbing, go-karting on ice, ice skating, parapenting, hang-gliding, bowling, squash, tobogganing, hot air ballooning and flights over the valley.   There are also 3 cinemas in the valley (showing some English films) regular ice hockey matches (at the forum) and once a week there's an impressive touch light descent.   Worth checking out for the "wow" factor is the olympic ski jump at Le Praz.	Eating Out   All of the villages in the Courchevel valley have a good range of places to eat with something to meet everybody's taste.   Courchevel 1850 (as you might expect) is expensive, especially if you are planning on eating in one of the restaurants just off the piste where prices can be quite unbelievable.   There are the usual pizzerias and crep places in each village.   It is worth remembering the free bus that runs throughout the valley for at least one meal in one of the other villages.
Ski/Board Tuition   There are several independent ski schools operating in the valley. Three of the most highly recommended English speaking schools are; Magic in Motion, New Generation and Ski Principles.   With 615 instructors the E.S.F. have a very powerful presence in the resort and provide lessons to many English holiday makers every year.	Ski/Board Hire   Adult ski/boots from £60 pw Child ski/boot from £50 pw   Adult board/boot from £90 pw Child board/boot from £70 pw   There are many ski and board hire shops all offering competitive rates. Ask your holiday rep/host for their recommendations and special offers.	Childcare   Day Kindergarten Le Village des Enfants is available in 1850 for children from 18 months to 12 years and costs €165 for 6 days including lunch.   Ski Kindergarten The E.S.F. offer ski kindergarten for 3-12 year olds with prices approx: 6 x 3 hrs: €145 6 x 2.5 hrs: €135   Le Village des Enfants offer 6 days inc. lunch and lift pass approx. €354.   Also highly recommended is Magic in Motion's ski lessons for 4-6 year olds where the emphasis is on fun as well as skiing.