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Courchevel Ski Holidays
As part of the Three Valleys, Courchevel offers direct access to 600km of connected pistes alongside its own well-regarded local terrain. Whether the goal is Michelin-starred dining and five-star service or a quieter, more traditional village stay, the choice of altitude here does most of the work in setting the tone for the week.
Courchevel's five villages climb the mountain in altitude order, and each step up brings a noticeably different character. At the very top sits Courchevel 1850, the highest and most prestigious village, ski-in, ski-out throughout with luxury hotels and some of the highest-rated restaurants in the Alps, suiting those wanting the most exclusive base and the fastest access into the wider Three Valleys. A little lower, Courchevel Moriond, known as 1650, is sunnier and more relaxed, with gentle slopes well suited to families and first-timers who want a livelier, more affordable alternative without sacrificing direct lift access. Courchevel Village, or 1550, sits below that again at a quieter, family-oriented pace, close to the Aquamotion water park, making it a natural choice for families and budget-conscious groups wanting quick lift access to 1850 without the price tag. Further round the valley, La Tania was purpose-built for the 1992 Olympics but sits within forest rather than in the open, giving it a more sheltered, tree-lined feel that suits families and anyone after tree-skiing and better-value accommodation. At the bottom, Courchevel Le Praz, or 1300, is the oldest and most traditional village, with cobbled streets and a year-round community, ideal for those wanting authenticity and a calmer pace while still having fast gondola access up to 1850.
Why should I ski in Courchevel?
Courchevel's spread of altitudes means the right terrain is rarely far from where you're staying.
- Beginners are well looked after here, with gentle slopes around Courchevel Village and Moriond giving new skiers plenty of room to build confidence away from busier terrain. Dedicated nursery areas at 1650 and 1850 add further support, so first-timers rarely need to travel far from their accommodation to find suitable ground.
- Intermediates will find the valley particularly rewarding, with wide, well-groomed runs linking the villages together and plenty of blue and red terrain to work through. The connections between villages mean a full day of skiing rarely repeats the same run twice, even without venturing into the wider Three Valleys.
- Confident skiers get more of a workout from the longer red and black descents leading down from the higher lift stations, which reward stamina as much as technique. These runs also tend to offer some of the better views in the valley, given their position near the top of the network.
- Freeriders have access to off-piste routes from Courchevel 1850's lift network, best suited to experienced skiers travelling with a guide given the terrain's exposure. The scale of the area means there's genuine variety here rather than a single well-known route drawing all the attention.
Why should I snowboard in Courchevel?
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The resort's varied terrain and tree-lined lower villages give riders a good range of options.
- La Tania's forested slopes give riders natural obstacles and shelter, which suits those who prefer tree runs over open piste, particularly on days when visibility elsewhere in the valley is poor. The quieter atmosphere here also means less congestion than some of the busier upper villages.
- Courchevel 1650's wide, sunny slopes are a good match for riders still building confidence, offering enough space to practise without feeling boxed in by narrower terrain. The gentler gradient here makes it a sensible base for a first riding trip to the resort.
- Beginners can also make use of the nursery areas at 1650 and 1850, both purpose-built to ease new riders into the sport before they progress to steeper ground. Having two separate nursery zones spreads out the crowds, which helps on busier weeks.
- More advanced freestyle riders will find the wider Three Valleys terrain park network within easy reach, giving access to features well beyond what Courchevel's own local area offers. This makes the resort a solid base even for those planning to spend most of the week riding parks elsewhere in the valley.
What accommodation is available for me across the Courchevel area?
Courchevel spans one of the widest accommodation ranges in the Alps, from five-star hotels and luxury catered chalets in Courchevel 1850 to more affordable apartments and family-run hotels in Le Praz and Courchevel Village. La Tania and Courchevel Village offer solid mid-range options for families and groups, while Courchevel Moriond sits between the two in both price and style. Across the group, the choice suits everything from high-end getaways to more modest, value-focused stays.
Courchevel Ski Holidays
Après-ski in Courchevel
Courchevel's après-ski scene shifts noticeably by altitude, from the exclusive dining and five-star bars of 1850 down to the quieter, more relaxed evenings found in Le Praz and La Tania. Moriond sits somewhere in between, popular with seasonnaires and known for a livelier, less formal crowd. Wherever you're based, the valley's free shuttle service makes it easy to move between villages for the evening.
- In Courchevel 1850, Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotel bars set the tone for a more refined evening, drawing a crowd that comes as much for the setting as the food itself.
- In Courchevel Moriond, a mix of relaxed bars caters to a livelier, less formal crowd, often popular with seasonnaires looking for a more affordable night out than the one on offer up in 1850.
- In Le Praz, cosy bars and the Hotel Edelweiss offer a quieter evening, with fast gondola access up to 1850 if the night calls for more once the initial drink is done.
- Near Courchevel Village, families can head to the Aquamotion water park before dinner for a change of pace, making it a useful stop for anyone travelling with children.
- In La Tania, Pub Le Ski Lodge is a well-known stop for a more informal night out, suiting those who want a relaxed pint over a polished dining experience.
Facilities in Courchevel
Ski hire shops are available in every village, with the greatest concentration in Courchevel 1850 and Moriond, so equipment tends to be closest at hand in the two busiest bases. Aquamotion, based in Courchevel Village, is one of the largest mountain water parks in Europe and includes pools, slides and a spa, giving a strong option for a day away from the piste regardless of where you're staying. Courchevel 1850 also has its own airport and an ice rink with fitness facilities, adding to its reputation as the most fully serviced of the five villages. Moving between villages is straightforward thanks to a free shuttle bus service and direct lift and piste links, including the Le Praz gondola connecting Le Praz to 1850 in a matter of minutes.
FAQs
Ski schools including ESF operate across Courchevel 1550, 1650 and 1850, with a Baby Skiing programme offering private lessons from 18 months old, giving families a consistent standard of care for even the youngest visitors. Chairlifts fitted with magnetic safety features help keep younger children secure on the way up the mountain, a detail that reassures many parents skiing with small children for the first time.
Off-slope, Aquamotion in Courchevel Village gives families a strong option for a day away from the piste, alongside sledging runs between several of the villages that add a lighter activity for tired legs. Between the ski school provision, the safety features built into the lift system, and the range of off-slope entertainment, Courchevel offers enough to keep a family occupied well beyond the usual ski day.
Why Choose Courchevel
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
FAQs
Which Courchevel village should I stay in?
Courchevel 1850 suits those wanting the most luxurious base and fastest access to the wider Three Valleys, while Moriond (1650) offers a livelier, more affordable alternative with strong beginner terrain. Courchevel Village (1550) and La Tania work well for families wanting quieter surroundings and better value, and Le Praz suits those after the most traditional, authentic village feel.
Is Courchevel good for beginners, or only advanced skiers?
Courchevel has plenty for beginners despite its reputation for luxury and challenging terrain. Dedicated nursery areas at 1650 and 1850, along with gentler slopes around Courchevel Village and Moriond, give new skiers a proper introduction.
How does Courchevel connect to the rest of the Three Valleys?
Courchevel links directly to Méribel via the Col de la Loze and to the rest of the Three Valleys network from there, giving access to 600km of pistes across eight resorts on a single pass. La Tania also connects both to Courchevel and Méribel.
What is the best time of year to ski Courchevel?
January through March generally brings the most reliable conditions across the resort, with Courchevel 1850's altitude and extensive snowmaking helping conditions hold up well into the season.
How do you get to Courchevel from the UK?
Most UK visitors fly into Chambéry, Lyon, Grenoble or Geneva, with transfer times varying from around 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the airport.
