Courchevel 1550 Luxury Chalets

Courchevel Village has excellent transport links. The Gragettes gondola takes you to 1850 in 6 minutes and runs until late in the evening. Free buses provide quick and easy access to neighbouring Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel Le Praz.

Travelling by car

If you want the freedom of your own car during your stay, Courchevel Village has two covered car parks. 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 1550 in 19 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 like your parties rowdy and late into the night, Courchevel Village isn’t the place for you. It’s the quietest resort in the valley. However, it’s a fantastic spot for laid-back bars and a more friendly atmosphere. You’ll probably bump into the same people several times over the week. And if you’re craving something livelier, the afternoon events in the other Courchevel Villages, Meribel, and La Tania are easy to access via bus or gondola.

From 1550, 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 1850 accommodation.

Warm up in a cosy wooden bar before retreating back to your Courchevel 1550 luxury accommodation.

•   Les Flocons has a large sunny terrace, perfect for enjoying a vin chaud on a lounger after a hard day on the piste.
•   La Cortona also doubles as a bar, with sports, music, and a 2 am closing time.
•   Le Caterail is a sports bar with TVs and bar snacks. It’s also a good option for a late night, with live music, happy hours, and a large vodka menu.

If you want to hang out in the neighbouring villages, there are buses running until 2 am.

•   Funky Fox in 1650 is a sports bar by day, with Nintendo, a pool table, and live sports. At night the lights turn down and the music turns up, with a DJ until the early hours.
•   Bowling 3000 in 1850 is great for a retro night out. Get competitive with pool, bowling, and video games or show off your moves on the dance floor.
•   For a really late one, you could round off the night in the lavish La Mangeoire and Les Caves in 1850.

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

A luxury ski chalet in Courchevel Village puts you in an ideal position for exploring the mountains. Only a few slopes lead to 1550, but the Grangettes gondola will whisk you up to 1850 in a few minutes, where you’ll have seamless access to the rest of the Courchevel Valley. With altitudes up to 2,738m, flawless grooming, and top-notch snow-making facilities, the surrounding slopes are a pleasure to ski down.

Gentle runs back into town help beginners save all their energy for the slopes. Intermediate and advanced skiers will find entertainment higher up the valley but if you want to venture further afield, the 3 Vallees ski pass gives you access to a wider 600km of piste.

From Courchevel 1550, 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. Staying in 1550 gives you the advantage of quieter pistes back home, with many opting to stay higher in the valley for apres ski.

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. Courchevel Village is home to Maison des Enfants, a south-facing ski area where kids aged three and over can take their first ski steps.

1550 is a fantastic location for beginners, thanks to the gondola that’ll deliver you straight to the ski schools and a larger choice of nursery slopes in 1850. 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.

When you’re ready to go back to your luxury chalet in Courchevel Village, you can take the gondola down or, if you’re feeling confident, try one of the blue runs. Tovets is a little steep while Proveres is long and gentle. But watch out as it can get icy on a cold day.

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. It’s easy to reach from 1550 via the Tovets chair. 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.

There are a few intermediate options to mix things up during your descent back into 1550. The Tovets blue is a fun way to wrap up the day, or you could try the tricky Dou du Midi red.

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