The Skiers' Guide to Courchevel

Overview

Courchevel is a prestigious ski resort nestled in the French Alps, forming a key part of the world-renowned Three Valleys ski area. The resort consists of multiple villages at different altitudes, each with its own distinct character, from the luxury-focused Courchevel 1850 to the more relaxed La Tania and Le Praz lower down the mountain.

One of Courchevel's unique attributes is its exceptional piste maintenance, with users frequently mentioning the immaculately groomed slopes. The resort is also known for its north-facing aspect, which helps maintain good snow conditions throughout the season.

The resort stretches from 1100m at the base to 2738m at its summit, offering an impressive vertical drop of 1638m. Within its boundaries, Courchevel offers 109 runs covering extensive terrain, while the full Three Valleys area provides access to one of the world's largest interconnected ski domains.

Our Snomad community gives Courchevel an impressive overall rating of 4.33 out of 5, with particularly high scores for accommodation (4.44) and intermediate skiing (4.41). One Snomad community member described it as "part of the 3 Valleys. I've not stayed there but it is one of my favourite areas to ski. The pistes are almost guaranteed to be the best in the three valleys. Expertly groomed at all times."

The Skiing in Courchevel Ski Resort, France

Courchevel's 109 runs are well-distributed across ability levels, with 21 beginner runs, 41 intermediate runs, and 36 advanced runs. The lift system is comprehensive, featuring 10 gondolas/cable cars, 17 chairlifts, and 29 drag lifts, keeping queues manageable outside peak periods.

The resort truly shines for intermediate skiers, scoring 4.41 in our ratings. As Ian, an intermediate skier, notes: "Courchevel is a very good ski resort for all standards of skier and when you add the access to the whole of the 3 valleys, it's an excellent place to ski different runs each day of the week."

Beginners benefit from excellent learning areas, particularly in the higher villages, though some users mention that certain green runs can be steeper than expected. Advanced and expert skiers also rate the resort highly (4.29 and 4.33 respectively), with challenging blacks and access to excellent off-piste terrain.

For off-piste enthusiasts, Hudson, an expert skier, mentions "plenty of off-piste terrain to explore with gorgeous views," while other users highlight the quality of tree runs, particularly those leading down to La Tania. The marked off-piste areas provide a safer introduction to powder skiing, though more adventurous skiers will find plenty to explore beyond these zones.

Eating Out in Courchevel Ski Resort, France

Courchevel scores highly for dining options with a rating of 4.23, though many users note the premium prices, particularly in the higher villages and on-mountain restaurants.

The resort offers a wide spectrum of dining choices, from high-end Michelin-starred establishments in 1850 to more affordable options in the lower villages. As Michael, an intermediate skier, notes: "By pushing out to the far reaches, there are some nice and quiet runs (time dependent), which makes for some really good skiing. Overall an excellent place to ski and some nice cafes and restaurants."

Peter, an advanced skier, advises budget-conscious visitors to "drop to 1550 for an affordable lunch," while Ian suggests that "restaurants can be expensive so you need to search for the more reasonable ones in the towns."

Several users mention the quality of mountain restaurants, with Gavin, an intermediate snowboarder, stating: "Really great resort! Would highly recommend for food lovers!" For those wanting to save money, some users suggest bringing picnics or exploring options away from the main slopes.

The Après-Ski in Courchevel Ski Resort, France

With a solid après rating of 3.94, Courchevel offers a varied nightlife scene across its different villages. While not as renowned for rowdy après as some other Alpine resorts, it provides options ranging from sophisticated cocktail bars to more relaxed pubs.

Users frequently mention La Folie Douce in neighbouring Méribel as a popular spot that can be reached on skis during the day. Within Courchevel itself, Victoria, an advanced skier, recommends "après ski at Tremplin or Bagatelle," while another user highlights "the Elephant" pub in La Praz as a favourite.

The après options vary significantly between the villages. La Tania and Le Praz offer more affordable and laid-back options, while 1850 features exclusive venues catering to a wealthy clientele. As one user puts it: "Courchevel often can be quiet especially in 1650, and is home to some of my favourite runs."

For those seeking a livelier scene, many users suggest skiing over to Méribel during the day, though returning can be challenging in the evening, with one user noting that "we found ourselves in need of a taxi back from Meribel which costs well over 100€."

Courchevel Ski Resort, France for Families

Courchevel excels as a family destination, scoring an impressive 4.36 for family-friendliness. The resort offers excellent facilities for children, from dedicated learning areas to activities beyond skiing.

Several users comment on the quality of ski schools, with Becci, an intermediate skier, noting: "New Generation ski school are brilliant for all ages." Sarah, an advanced skier from the UK, adds that New Generation offers a "flexible drop off points so will ski the kids to you at the end of the lesson (within reason)."

Beyond skiing, families can enjoy the aqua centre with pool and slides, ice skating rink, and the popular toboggan run. As Tom, an expert snowboarder, describes: "The toboggan run (the luges) from the top (1850) down to the bottom of Courchevel is insanely good fun."

The varied nature of Courchevel's villages means families can choose an environment that suits their needs and budget. Achala, an intermediate skier, recommends: "Courchevel 1650 is an excellent base for skiing Courchevel and Méribel in the Trois Vallee. Fantastic slopes for all levels and welcoming resort staff."

Accommodation Options in Courchevel Ski Resort, France

Accommodation in Courchevel receives an outstanding rating of 4.44, reflecting the high quality of options available across the resort's various villages.

The range of accommodation spans from ultra-luxury hotels and catered chalets in 1850 to more affordable self-catered apartments and chalets in the lower villages. As Mike, an intermediate skier, advises: "Accommodation in 1850 is overpriced. 1300, 1550 and 1650 give much better value for money."

Ski-in/ski-out options are plentiful throughout the resort, with good access to lifts from most accommodations. The resort's layout makes it easy to find suitable lodging close to the slopes, and users frequently praise the quality of the facilities.

The difference in pricing between villages is significant. Peter, an expert snowboarder, explains: "There's very good high-end chalets and hotels in the upper part of the resort, 1850, plus shopping and Michelin started restaurants etc which all come with the expected price tag. 1650 and 1550 offer more affordable options. Further down you have La Tania as a more budget friendly option."

Environment and Sustainability in Courchevel Ski Resort, France

Courchevel has made investments in environmental sustainability, though this isn't frequently highlighted in user reviews. The resort utilises an extensive snowmaking system to ensure reliable conditions while working to minimise water and energy usage.

The efficient lift system helps reduce energy consumption, with modern installations replacing older infrastructure over the years. The resort has also invested in improving public transport links between the villages, with frequent free shuttle buses helping to reduce car usage.

In terms of preservation, Courchevel has worked to maintain its forested areas, which are an important part of both the ecosystem and the skiing experience, with the tree runs between villages being particularly popular among users.

While Courchevel may not be at the forefront of environmental initiatives compared to some other Alpine resorts, it continues to make gradual improvements to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining its reputation for excellent piste management and snowmaking.