Courchevel Ski Resort: The Reference for Luxury Skiing
For over 75 years, Courchevel has embodied the reference for French Alpine luxury skiing. Located at the heart of the 3 Valleys, it offers direct access to the world’s largest ski area with 600 kilometers of slopes. The resort stands out for its unique concentration of luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, all within exceptional Savoyard architecture.
Whether you’re seeking skiing excellence on legendary slopes, a family stay in an exceptional setting, or the refined pleasures of après-ski and Michelin-starred gastronomy, discover everything you need to know about Courchevel for an unforgettable stay.
- Courchevel: An international luxury ski resort
- The six villages of Courchevel
- Where to stay in Courchevel resort?
- The Courchevel ski area
- Courchevel’s legendary ski slopes
- What are the ski pass options and prices at Courchevel?
- Exceptional experiences to enjoy in Courchevel
- Gastronomy and Michelin-starred après-ski
- Courchevel : la station de ski du sur mesure
- FAQ
Courchevel: An International Luxury Ski Resort
Courchevel positions itself as one of the world’s most prestigious ski destinations with a unique concentration of hotels, restaurants, and luxury activities in one place.
- An internationally renowned luxury destination: The resort regularly welcomes celebrities, political figures, and royal families from around the world who come to ski on its perfectly maintained slopes. This reputation for French elitism and refinement makes Courchevel an essential reference for high-end mountain tourism. The discretion, expertise, and unique setting of establishments guarantee high-end stays for clients and personalities seeking authenticity and refinement.
- Gastronomic excellence: Courchevel 1850 holds the title of the world’s most Michelin-starred French resort with 12 Michelin stars distributed across 7 restaurants. Le 1947 by Yannick Alléno boasts 3 stars, Le Kintessence at K2 Palace has 2, while La Table du Kilimandjaro and other exceptional establishments complete this renowned gastronomic offering.
- Unique architectural heritage: A pioneer of modern mountain urbanism under the leadership of architect Laurent Chappis, the natural wood constructions respect the traditional Savoyard spirit while incorporating contemporary comfort. This architectural coherence earned the resort listing on the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 1998.
- Privileged access to the 3 Valleys: Strategically positioned at the heart of the world’s largest ski area, Courchevel offers ski-in/ski-out access to 600 kilometers of connected slopes. Skiers can reach Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville to explore a total of eight different resorts in a single day.
- Exclusive premium service offerings: The Courchevel international altiport, world-renowned for its short 537-meter runway with spectacular incline, welcomes private jets that can land directly at the resort. 24/7 concierge services reach heights of excellence with private heli-skiing, Michelin-starred restaurant reservations, or bespoke personal shopping.
The Six Villages of Courchevel
The Courchevel valley consists of six villages spread between 1,100 and 1,850 meters altitude. This organization allows each client profile to find the atmosphere that matches their expectations, from authentic Savoyard villages to the resort’s most exclusive addresses.
Saint-Bon-Tarentaise (1,100 m): Savoyard Authenticity
The historic main town of the municipality, Saint-Bon-Tarentaise preserves the soul of a true mountain village with typical alleyways, architectural heritage, and a 17th-century baroque church. The village offers an economical alternative while benefiting from access to the ski area via free shuttles.
Practical information:
- Where: at the valley entrance, easy road access
- Atmosphere: authentic Savoyard village, preserved local life
- Good to know: more accessible prices
Courchevel Le Praz (1,300 m): The Olympic Heritage
Courchevel 1300 Le Praz hosted the ski jumping events during the 1992 Albertville Olympics, and its Olympic ski jump remains a strong symbol of this sporting heritage. With its preserved Savoyard charm, traditional chalets, and 17th-century church, Le Praz offers a more family-friendly and accessible atmosphere than the altitude villages.
Practical information:
- Where: bottom of the valley, quick connection to Courchevel 1850
- Atmosphere: Olympic village, sporty and family spirit
- Good to know: direct gondola to the heart of the ski area
Courchevel La Tania (1,400 m): The Pedestrian Resort in the Forest
Courchevel La Tania is nestled at 1,400 m altitude in the heart of a magnificent fir forest and was created in 1990 for the Albertville Olympics. This entirely pedestrian resort stands out for its harmonious wood and stone architecture that perfectly integrates into its preserved natural environment. Its friendly and family atmosphere, far from the ostentatious luxury of other Courchevel villages, attracts those seeking authenticity and mountain tranquility.
Practical information:
- Where: between Courchevel and Méribel, strategic position
- Atmosphere: 100% pedestrian resort, calm and tranquility
- Good to know: unique forest setting, ideal for families
Courchevel Village (1,550 m): The Family Village
Courchevel Village, perched at 1,550 m altitude, is the preferred destination for families seeking a warm and relaxed atmosphere. This human-sized resort offers a secure and peaceful setting with slopes suitable for beginners and children, as well as a ski school renowned for its educational approach.
Practical information:
- Where: mid-valley, quick access to slopes
- Atmosphere: family and welcoming spirit
- Good to know: ideal for skiing learning
Courchevel Moriond (1,650 m): Cosmopolitan Dynamism
Courchevel 1650 Moriond brilliantly combines dynamism and authenticity with a lively pedestrian center, numerous shops, and a festive après-ski while maintaining a warm mountain atmosphere. The resort attracts an international and cosmopolitan clientele seeking a balance between sport, nightlife, and Savoyard character.
Practical information:
- Where: strategic position, sun exposure
- Atmosphere: dynamic and cosmopolitan, lively animation
- Good to know: lively après-ski, many activities
Courchevel 1850: The Summit of Luxury
Courchevel 1850 represents the pinnacle of luxury skiing with the world’s highest concentration of five-star palaces and Michelin-starred restaurants. The village attracts an elite international clientele seeking absolute refinement and discretion. Luxury boutiques, exclusive spas, and concierge services of rare excellence complete an ultra-premium offering. Architecture respectful of Savoyard style combines natural wood and contemporary materials for an elegant and timeless aesthetic.
Practical information:
- Where: at 1,850 m, center of the ski area
- Atmosphere: ultimate luxury, international elite
- Good to know: 12 Michelin stars in 7 restaurants
Where to Stay in Courchevel?
Hotel Carlina is a 5-star hotel in Courchevel 1850 located on the legendary Bellecôte slope, offering ski-in/ski-out access to the Trois Vallées. Built in the very first years of Courchevel, Carlina combines Alpine charm with high-end services, embodying attentive luxury without ostentation, worthy of the greatest mountain hotels:
- Exceptional rooms and suites that invite tranquility.
- A gourmet restaurant with a wide selection of fresh, local products.
- A bar with an XXL panoramic terrace facing south at the edge of the Bellecôte slope, perfect for sunbathing.
- A rejuvenating wellness area after a day of skiing with indoor pool, jacuzzi, and sauna.
Le domaine skiable de Courchevel
The Courchevel ski area extends over 150 kilometers of impeccably groomed slopes and provides access to the 600 kilometers of slopes of the 3 Valleys. The mountain unfolds here in all its splendor with gentle slopes through forests, descents on glaciers, offering each skier the perfect dose of sensations.
Courchevel area statistics:
- 150 kilometers of slopes
- 58 ski lifts including 2 cable cars, 38 gondolas, and 65 chairlifts*
- Maximum altitude: 2,738 meters at the Saulire summit
- 1,438 meters of total vertical drop, guaranteeing long and varied descents
- Guaranteed snow from December to April thanks to altitude and equipment
Ski slopes in Courchevel
- For beginners and learning: 27 green slopes and 38 blue slopes concentrated in the protected sectors of Le Praz, La Tania, and Village offer a reassuring environment for first turns.
- For performance-seeking skiers: 31 red slopes offer technical and varied terrain across the entire area. The Saulire and Vizelle sectors propose challenging descents with technical passages, natural bumps, and exceptional panoramas of Mont Blanc.
- For expert skiers: 11 legendary black slopes and infinite possibilities of supervised off-piste such as the Grand Couloir, an ungroomed but secured slope accessible from the Saulire, with slopes exceeding 35 degrees. High mountain guides organize heli-skiing outings and off-piste descents in virgin sectors of the area.
- Freestyle areas and snow parks: The Western Ski Park on the Ariondaz ski lift welcomes freestyle beginners with progressive modules. The Family Park at Verdons offers a fun area accessible to all with bumps, banked turns, and small jumps for safe initiation.
Courchevel invests every year in modernizing its infrastructure to maintain its rank as the most efficient resort in the Alps. This is how it inaugurated the new 10-passenger Chenus gondola for the 2025-2026 season which doubles transport capacity with 2,400 passengers per hour.
Ski Passes at Courchevel: 2025-2026 Options and Prices
Courchevel offers a complete range of ski passes adapted to all profiles and all stay durations with flexible options allowing adjustment according to specific needs.
Courchevel Valley Pass (150 km of slopes):
This pass gives access to the entire Courchevel domain covering the six villages and their slopes. It is particularly suitable for stays focused on in-depth discovery of the resort.
3 Valleys Pass (600 km of slopes):
This pass opens the doors to the world’s largest interconnected ski area with unlimited access to the eight 3 Valleys resorts.
Smart Ski Options and Formulas
- Beginner Mini Pass: This is a special pass at €38.50 per day giving exclusive access to green and blue slopes in beginner sectors with adapted lifts. This pass is ideal for confident learning without paying the full pass price.
- Family Flex Pass: This is an advantageous family formula where all members ski at reduced child rates (€306.60 for 6 days, €353.80 for 7 days). Valid for 1 to 2 adults and 1 to 6 children with minimum 3 skiers total. This option generates substantial savings for large families with one payment for the whole family.
- Free passes: Free passes for children under 5 and adults over 75 upon presentation of proof of age.
- Carré Neige Insurance: This additional option covers rescue costs on slopes and evacuation, refund of passes over 3 days in case of accident or serious illness, ski lessons, and medical expenses supplementing social security. Rates: €3.50 per day, €21 for 6 days, €28 from 8 days. It must be purchased at the same time as the pass for the same duration.
Exceptional Experiences to Enjoy in Courchevel
Courchevel offers many exceptional activities, well beyond alpine skiing, to discover the mountain from every angle:
- Heli-skiing: Dropped by helicopter on virgin Alpine peaks with a high mountain guide, this activity allows you to experience an off-piste skiing adventure in areas otherwise inaccessible. Descents in pristine snow provide incomparable emotions, reserved for an elite of skiers.
- Dog sled expedition: In Courchevel you can experience being a musher by driving your own husky team through grandiose snowy landscapes. Different formulas exist from baptism to half-day expedition.
- Ice driving: For this activity you take the wheel of a Renault Alpine on a specially designed ice circuit. The idea is to learn ice driving techniques in optimal safety conditions with professional instructors.
- Aquamotion: This is the largest mountain aquatic center with 15,000 m² combining play area with giant slides, wellness space with panoramic sauna and hammam reserved for adults, and even a unique indoor surf wave in the mountains.
- Palace luxury spas: The Valmont, Guerlain spas, or Hotel Carlina’s Institut Esthederm offer bespoke treatments with high-end products for absolute relaxation in an exceptional environment.
Gastronomy and Michelin-Starred Après-Ski
Courchevel 1850 stands at the summit of mountain culinary art with the title of the world’s most Michelin-starred French resort. Imagine savoring the creations of a three-Michelin-starred chef facing snowy peaks. In Courchevel, with 12 Michelin stars distributed across 7 restaurants, this experience becomes possible.
When the sun quietly sets behind the mountains, Courchevel reveals another facet of its art of living with legendary festive après-ski. Terraces fill up, guests share a generous board of local charcuterie, champagne glass in hand, while the peaks dress softly in pink. This festive energy continues into the night at mythical clubs like Le Garage or intimate lounge bars in the palaces.
Courchevel: Access and Transportation
During the winter season, Courchevel resort is open from December 5, 2025 to April 19, 2026. It stands out for the premium accessibility it offers its international clientele through:
- An altiport welcoming private jets directly to the heart of the resort. Private aviation services like Aeroaffaires organize bespoke transfers from major European airports.
- Helicopter transfers with regular connections linking Courchevel to Geneva airports (30 minutes), Lyon Saint-Exupéry (45 minutes), Chambéry (20 minutes), and Nice (1h15).
- 24/7 concierge services from high-end establishments organize reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants, personal shopping with luxury boutiques, or organizing private events.
FAQ
What is the best time to enjoy Courchevel?
January offers the best snow conditions with exceptional snow, ideal for skiing. The year-end holidays (Christmas and New Year) concentrate maximum entertainment with shows and exclusive events in the palaces. March combines excellent snow conditions, mild temperatures, and generous sunshine to enjoy terraces. Choose January outside school holidays to avoid crowds.
Should Michelin-starred restaurants be booked well in advance?
Yes, advance booking is necessary as two and three-Michelin-starred tables like Le 1947 by Yannick Alléno or Le Kintessence are fully booked several weeks or even months in advance during high season. It is recommended to book upon confirmation of your stay, ideally 4 to 6 weeks before school vacation periods. Palace concierge services can facilitate certain reservations through their privileged relationships.
 | Community Manager & Writer at Alp’Azur Teddy is an expert in creating digital content for top range hotels. As a photographer, videographer, and writer, he designs visual narratives that elevate the identity of the establishments and enhance their presence on social media. With over eight years in luxury hotels, he combines his artistic eye with attention to detail to reveal the identity of each place. |