Courchevel 1650 Luxury Chalets

Courchevel is a collection of villages resting in the Tarentaise Valley in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Courchevel Moriond sits on the other side of the valley and has a wonderful village feel.

1650 doesn’t have the glamour of 1850 or the pretty architecture of Le Praz. But it’s popular with families and British tourists thanks to its great choice of accommodation, welcoming locals, and easy access to the slopes. You can still reach 1650 on skis, via the efficient lift system, or by the regular bus service.

With seamless public transport, you won’t have much need for a car in Courchevel 1650. Regular buses link all 4 villages, making getting around the valley a breeze.

Travelling by car

If you want the freedom of your own car during your stay, it would be better to rent a Courchevel Moriond chalet with parking. There are only two car parks in the village and finding a spot could be tricky. Driving to Courchevel from nearby airports is a straightforward experience, but make sure you’re confident driving on mountain roads and in snowy conditions.

Travelling by train

The train can be a relaxing and eco-friendly way to get to Courchevel. The nearest train station is Moutiers, with connections to major transport hubs like Paris and London. From here you can reach 1650 in 22 minutes by taxi or 55 minutes by bus.

Airports

There are several international airports close to Courchevel but Geneva offers the most regular flights and widest choice of airlines.

Geneva (GVA) – 139km
By car –  2 hours
By train – 4 hours 44 minutes

Chambery (CMF) – 107km
By car – 1 hour 20 minutes
By bus – 2 hours 37 minutes

Lyon (LYS) – 186km
By car – 2 hours
By bus – 3 hours 27 minutes

Grenoble (GNB) – 177km
By car – 2 hours
By train – 3 hours 30 minutes

Private transfer

There are a number of private transfer companies and chauffeurs who will deliver you to Courchevel from major transport hubs. To start your trip in style, why not arrive in Courcheval via helicopter or private jet? At 2,007m, the Courchevel Altiport is the highest runway in Europe.

If you’re looking for wild parties late into the night, you’re better off basing yourself in 1850 or Meribel. But if you want to check out fun mountain parties and lively bars but still make the first lifts, you’ll have a brilliant time in Courchevel 1650.

Across the 3 Vallees, there are endless options for a slope-side tipple.

•   Legendary across the Alps, Meribel’s branch of the Folie Douce promises panoramic views, elaborate cabaret, and plenty of boot stomping. Make sure you get there in time for the champagne showers.
•   Three days a week, La Tania is packed with party lovers for the live music at Pub Le Ski Lodge. Their huge sun terrace has stunning mountain vistas and is packed out well into the evening.
•   On the Courchevel side, Le Tremplin is the most popular slope-side bar in the valley. Their huge wine list and great DJs make this the ultimate catch-up spot before heading back to your Courchevel 1650 accommodation.

If you’re looking for a low-key place to unwind after a day on the slopes, Courchevel 1650 offers plenty of casual eateries and wineries.

•   La Copina is a sophisticated tapas bar with an excellent wine list and a stellar cocktail menu.
•   Grab a vin chaud on the sunny terrace of Le Schuss. This small wine bar serves cheese and meat boards to have alongside a great choice of international wines and craft beers.
•   Once everyone is down from the slopes, Fire and Ice Bar is the busiest spot in town. Popular for its happy hour and ice shots, you can snuggle up in a fur blanket and toast your hands on the log burner.

Didn’t burn off all your energy on the mountain? There are some great bars to get you in the party mood.

•   By day, the Funky Fox is a fun sports bar with good pub grub. By night, the music turns up and the DJ goes until 2 am.
•   Le Pelican is a popular spot with locals and seasonnaires. They often have late-night live music which, more often than not, ends in some table dancing.
•   The Seven Kings has an English beer, gin, and cocktail menu, and its DJ nights are always a hit.

With dreamy runs through the trees and sweeping views all the way to Mont Blanc, Courchevel is a picturesque place to ski. Long and wide pistes are a pleasure to explore, and you have the world’s largest interconnected ski area at your fingertips. Whether you’re planning on cruising between mountain restaurants or pushing your ability to the next level, you’ll find plenty of terrain to inspire and delight.

The ski area

Flawless grooming and top-notch snow-making facilities make the surrounding slopes of 1650 a pleasure to ski down. Thanks to an excellent lift network and uncrowded pistes, it’s easy to reach the wider Courchevel ski area from your Courchevel Moriond luxury ski chalet.

Within the Courchevel ski area, you’ll find 150km of piste reaching up to 2,738m.

Unless you’re a beginner, we highly recommend buying a 3 Vallees ski pass for at least one day of your trip so you can experience the wider 600km of piste.

From Courchevel 1650, these are the main areas you’ll be skiing:

• As the biggest resort in the valley, Courchevel 1850 has something for everyone. Enjoy the best selection of ski schools and nursery areas, a glorious choice of intermediate slopes, and challenging advanced and off-piste terrain.
• Courchevel 1650 is the ultimate cruising spot, with long intermediate runs and some fun backcountry when you’re feeling adventurous.
• La Tania is packed with fun intermediate, expert, and backcountry routes. If you’re looking for extra action, you can hop on a lift from here and explore Meribel.

Boarders

Snowboarders will have a fantastic time in Courchevel, with wide, north-facing slopes and some of the best-groomed pistes the Alps have to offer.

Keep in mind that the resort can be crowded, especially during school holidays, so it may not be the best option for less confident riders. Total beginners may want to avoid the drag lifts in 1650 and opt for the travelator at Biollay.

The Family Park at the top of the Verdons piste keeps growing every year. Show off your moves on boxes, rails, and kickers separated by ability, reach new heights on the giant airbag, and get competitive on the boardercross. If you want to mix things up, you’ll find more snow parks in Meribel and Val Thorens.

Freeriders will appreciate a good selection of accessible backcountry, especially the routes through the trees in Le Praz on bad weather days. Get your heart racing on the steep cliff drops in 1650 or ignite your inner adventurer with a day discovering the off-piste around Val Thorens.

Beginners

If you’re clipping on your skis for the first time, Courchevel is an excellent place to learn. There are dedicated ‘Zen’ areas to keep things relaxed while you build your confidence, and free lifts serving the beginner slopes spread across the valley.

1850 is a prime location for beginners, with many of the best ski schools based here. Schools meet close to the centre of town in the mornings, and you can wrap up your days sweeping back in on gentle greens and blues. 1850 has the best variety for new skiers, thanks to a wonderful network of greens that will spike your interest in exploring the mountains. When you’re feeling confident, the blues by the Altiport offer gentle progression.

If you’re helping your little ones take their first steps on skis, they’ll have a fantastic time at Village de Enfants. It’s the world’s largest enclosed ski area for children, providing a safe and fun place for them to learn.

Our recommended ski schools:

•   New Generation have schools in 1650 and 1850. They offer group lessons in skiing, snowboarding, freestyle, and off-piste. They also have separate lessons for teenagers.
•   ESF Courchevel offers lessons in 1550, 1650, and 1850. Their kid’s lessons are in small groups to enable fast progression. They offer group and private lessons for all levels and ages.
•   Supreme Ski use friendly and knowledgeable instructors to teach skiing and snowboarding, with only 6 children or 4 adults to a group lesson.

Intermediates

Intermediate skiers will find infinite opportunities in the Courchevel valley and across the wider 3 Vallees domain. The blues above 1850 are the ideal place to find your ski feet again. For non-stop action, head to the top of Vizelle at 2,660m and take a route of blue runs that’ll plunge you down to Courchevel Village. When you’re ready to take things up a notch, Vizelle also has a brilliant selection of reds and a smooth transition to 1650.

1650 has some of the best intermediate options in the valley. Its Les Indiens blue is popular for winding routes through the woods and a fun photo opp at a Native American camp. The Chapelet run offers a gentle transition to red runs, while the Jean Pachod will get your heart racing.

Thanks to its tree-lined slopes, Le Praz is the best option on a bad weather day. But it also hides some great reds and uncrowded slopes. Ride the long Brigues red all the way down then take the gondola back up to 1850 just in time for apres. Your legs will definitely appreciate the rest.

Advanced

Les Suisses from Vizelle is one of the more challenging black runs in the valley, but you can ease yourself into it by trying the quieter M piste first. For ultimate bragging rights, attempt the World Cup l’Eclipse run. If your legs can take it, you can even join it from the top of Dou Des Lanches and round off the day with almost 1,000m of black terrain in one go.

Overall, you’ll find the best backcountry around 1650 or over in Val Thorens. For outstanding and accessible off-piste, take the Saulire lift to the Grand Couloir. Once you’re confident on the piste, you can choose between three challenging red itinerary runs. But to really get the most out of your time freeriding, we recommend hiring a mountain guide for at least one day. They know the area like the back of their hands and will help you to find those hidden gems.

85% of the runs in the 3 Vallees are above 1,800m. Paired with premier snow-making facilities, they are able to offer a snow-sure experience from early December until the end of April. Courchevel’s slopes are excellent at holding the snow and a strong dedication to grooming delivers satisfying corduroy pistes all season.

December
December sees Courchevel packed out for the festive season and you’ll need to book well in advance. Opening parties and adorable Christmas events make this one of the liveliest months of the year to visit.
Average snowfall: 76cm
Snow days: 6

January
The days are cold and short in January, so you’ll spend lots of time warming up with live music and vin chaud. This is the best time of year to visit if you’re looking for good snow and quieter pistes.
Average snowfall: 89cm
Snow days: 8

February
February is busy with various school holidays across Europe. As well as the romantic Valentine’s atmosphere, you can enjoy fun events like the International Fireworks Festival.
Average snowfall: 61cm
Snow days: 6

March
Long days on the slopes, apres ski in the sunshine, and lively St Patrick’s Day parties make March one of the most fun months to visit Courchevel.
Average snowfall: 61cm
Snow days: 6