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Courchevel 1850 is the ultimate luxury ski destination with its own altiport, more Michelin stars than any other ski resort and a high street lined with designer stores. It stands out for its high fashion, high altitude and high-quality slopes.
This mix has made Courchevel 1850 the resort of choice for an elite clientele, with ultra-luxury chalets, five-star hotels, and palaces to match.
At Firefly Collection, we are delighted to showcase these exceptional properties within our extensive portfolio. Browse our luxury ski chalets in Courchevel 1850, and feel free to contact us to discuss your next ski trip to Courchevel.
Courchevel 1850 is part of the vast 3 Valleys, which encompasses Méribel, St Martin de Belleville and Val Thorens to form the world’s largest interconnected ski area. Its scale, variety, and seemingly endless runs make it a long-standing favourite, with more than enough terrain to keep even the most enthusiastic skiers occupied for weeks, months and years.
Because The 3 Valleys is so extensive, it offers every kind of terrain, from steep black runs to gentle cruisy blues and everything in between. Its size also means good snow conditions can usually be found somewhere in the area throughout your stay.
The Courchevel Valley itself has a wide variety but is known for being home to some of the nicest, gentle, tree-lined runs. Courchevel is known for the excellent quality of its pistes and its lift system, often branded with designer names.
As part of The 3 Valleys, Courchevel offers access to over 600km of connected, groomed pistes. The slopes cater to every level, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. The 3 Valleys benefits from a modern, efficient lift system, so even at busy times, queues move as quickly as possible, and you can get far, quickly.
For many, Courchevel is their favourite area in The 3 Valleys. It is renowned for its impeccably maintained pistes, rolling runs and unique airy atmosphere. The pistes are also particularly gentle leading into the centre of Courchevel 1850, making it an excellent choice for groups of all abilities, as it’s easy to ski back to base.
Courchevel also has an exceptional dining scene, both on and off the mountain. Popular venues such as Chalet des Pierres, Bagatelle, and Cap Horn are known for their large terraces, excellent menus, and lively atmosphere in the afternoons. Non-skiers can reach these spots by road with a private chauffeur or, in some cases, by lift.
Its premium skiing combined with its accessibility to non-skiers really makes Courchevel a superb choice, whether looking for a luxury ski holiday or simply a mountain escape.
Chalet Les Bruxellois, Courchevel 1850
Courchevel 1850 is the place where every step feels grander, glitzier, and more glamorous than the next. Its luxury chalets are no exception, with the best properties lining the Bellecôte piste offering prime ski-in/ski-out positions, superb spa facilities, and highly skilled staff providing exceptional service.
Our collection of luxury ski chalets in Courchevel includes chalets with hot tubs, ski-in/ski-out chalets, chalets with swimming pools, self-catered chalets and fully staffed ski chalets with a chef.
Some chalets in Courchevel 1850 have raised the standards when it comes to luxury accommodation. These we have featured in Firefly’s Finest, as they offer guests something truly exceptional. They represent the very best luxury ski chalets in the Alps. Around one-third of our Firefly’s Finest collection can be found in Courchevel, highlighting the resort’s remarkable depth of ultra-luxury accommodation.
Most of the ultra-luxury chalets in Courchevel are offered with a team of highly-trained staff, including professional chefs to provide daily breakfast, afternoon tea and multi-course dinners on five evenings. This leaves two evenings free to enjoy Courchevel’s amazing restaurants.
At most ‘catered’ chalets in Courchevel 1850, the rental price includes the chalet team to serve and cook for you on a half-board basis; however, the actual food and beverages are normally charged in addition at the end of the week. This is a model adopted from the super yacht industry in order to better tailor the service completely to the group’s dining preferences.
With such a strong choice of restaurants in and around Courchevel, a self-catered luxury holiday may suit some guests better. If you want a chalet with all the high-end amenities but without staff, we have some excellent options in our collection, too.
Browse our collection of luxury ski chalets in Courchevel 1850 here.
Courchevel 1850 is designed around the pistes, so there is a good selection of chalets with ski-in/ski-out access. Many luxury ski holidays in Courchevel 1850 mean stepping out of the chalet, clipping into your skis, and gliding away on the impeccably groomed pistes.
The most sought-after location is alongside the green Bellecôte piste, which descends to La Croisette and the centre of Courchevel 1850. Over the years, this area has seen the development of many of the finest luxury ski chalets in the world.
We know not much beats skiing straight back to the boot room of your luxury chalet in Courchevel 1850 after a day on the mountain. Many of our chalets sit right on the slopes and feature in our 220-strong Ski-in/Ski-out Chalet Collection.
Luxury chalets are not the only option in Courchevel 1850. The resort is also home to some of the finest five-star hotels and palace hotels.
The French government introduced the ‘palace’ classification as a level above five-star, effectively a sixth star. Outside Paris, Courchevel 1850 has the highest concentration of palace hotels, including Le K2 Palace, Le Cheval Blanc, and L’Apogée.
As well as rooms and suites, many also offer apartments, penthouses, and chalets. This allows guests to enjoy the privacy of their own property with access to the service and facilities of a world-class hotel.
For something between a hotel and an apartment, luxury residences combine private, centrally located apartments with access to shared facilities and hotel-style services.
Browse our collection of hotels and palace hotels in Courchevel 1850 here.
A luxury ski holiday to Courchevel is a strong choice for those looking for exceptional skiing, dining and high-quality accommodation. While Courchevel 1850 is the best-known village, four other Courchevel villages also make excellent bases.
Each village has its own distinct character and suits different groups. We offer luxury accommodation across them all, whether you are drawn to the glitz of 1850, the convenience of 1650 and La Tania or the more authentic feel of 1550 and Le Praz.
Courchevel 1850 is lively and stylish, with no shortage of restaurants, events, and places to explore.
With a high street lined with names such as Gucci, Prada, and Chanel and the tourist office sitting above a Rolex store, Courchevel 1850 is undeniably an ultra-luxury ski resort. The style of the clientele in Courchevel 1850 is a reflection of the resort itself; well-healed, wealthy, and frequently accessorised with Moncler sunglasses.
It offers some of the highest standards of accommodation found anywhere in the world, with prices that reflect its prestige. Much of Courchevel 1850’s appeal lies in its reputation and prime location, making it very much a place to see and be seen.
However, a luxury holiday in Courchevel is as much about lifestyle as it is about skiing. The resort attracts a highly affluent crowd, and its dining scene reflects that, with an exceptional range of high-end restaurants that rival those in many cities.
Le Forum in Courchevel 1850 is a superb hub for non-skiers, with a bowling alley, ice rink, climbing wall, and other activities. You could easily stay in a luxury chalet here without skiing and still feel fully part of the resort experience. At the same time, Courchevel 1850 offers easy access to the Three Valleys ski area.
Browse our collection of chalets, hotels and palaces in Courchevel 1850 here.
Credit: Alexis Brot
Courchevel 1650 is very well suited for families and mixed-ability groups. It was purpose-built for ski holidays, so it was designed with convenience not only in mind but at its forefront. Much of the accommodation sits either on the snow front or just behind it, along the main street lined with bars, shops, restaurants, and ski hire outlets.
Courchevel 1650 forms a horseshoe shape around the beginner slope and the home run, so it is very easy to take a break from skiing on one of the sunny terraces that surround the snow front. Places like Fahrenheit Seven (F7) and Fire & Ice are fantastic choices for a coffee while the kids are in ski school. Or, at the top of the Ariondaz gondola, Le Bel Air has a large sunny terrace perfect for a long lunch.
Courchevel 1650 is a good option for families with magic carpets, a drag lift and a large ESF learning area off the main snow front. Higher up, there’s a nice mix of rolling blue and red runs too.
A luxury chalet on the Belvédère piste is perfect for multi-generational families, as grandparents and non-skiers can watch the children learning on the beginner slopes opposite. Properties like Chalet Bacchus have balconies and outdoor hot tubs where you can soak in these slope-side views and the sun.
Indeed, along this piste there has been a lot more luxury development, indicating a move to Courchevel 1650 becoming more upmarket. Properties like Ultima 5 Bedroom Residences offer the outstanding service and facilities expected from Courchevel 1850, but at a more reasonable price point. Some are even trying to call it Courchevel 1750, but we’re not too sure!
Browse our collection of chalets and apartments in Courchevel 1650 here.
Credit: Alexis Brot
Courchevel 1550 sits directly below Courchevel 1850 and is a good base for families. Gentle slopes lead into the village, and there is a good choice of ski schools, including the highly regarded British-run New Generation.
A direct gondola (Grangettes) links Courchevel 1550 with Courchevel 1850, so you can enjoy everything the main centre offers while staying in a quieter, calmer village just five minutes away. This lift opens before the first lifts in 1850 and runs late into the evening, making it easy to access the larger resort centre from early morning through to dinner.
Chalets in Courchevel 1550 tend to be priced significantly lower than in Courchevel 1850, so they offer very good value. This means you can enjoy the facilities and space of a luxury chalet in 1550 for the price of a much smaller property in Courchevel 1850. Still with easy access to it!
Located between Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1550, Aquamotion is a large sports and wellness complex. With a gym, climbing wall, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, it is ideal for families on bad-weather days or those looking for an alternative to skiing.
Browse our collection of chalets and apartments in Courchevel 1550 here.
Credit: Alexis Brot
Courchevel 1300 is the lowest of the Courchevel villages. It is charming and characterful, with a small centre with everything you need. It is more of an authentic, original alpine village than the other centres at 1850, 1650 and 1550.
Between the main village and the ski lifts is the Le Praz lake, which is usually frozen for much of the winter. Into spring, it begins to thaw, and the area can feel surprisingly warm in the sunshine, perfect for a barbecue, games on the grass, or even a cold dip.
It’s also recognisable for the large ski jumps in the centre, built for the 1992 Olympics. There are still regular events on the ski jumps or down the former World Championship black Eclipse piste, so, behind its quaint charm, Courchevel 1300 is still serious about winter sports. Since there is either this black piste or a red run down into the village, many beginners and children choose to take the Le Praz gondola down the mountain at the end of the day.
Courchevel 1300 is another village that works well for families, especially those with younger children, who want easy access to Courchevel’s skiing while staying somewhere quieter, with a more authentic feel. Like Courchevel 1550, it has a gondola to Courchevel 1850 that opens early and runs late, making first lifts, après-ski, and dinner in 1850 all easy options.
Browse our collection of chalets and apartments in Courchevel 1300 here.
Credit: Arthur Bertrand
La Tania is the newest of the Courchevel villages. It has evolved from its original role as budget-friendly accommodation for the press during the 1992 Olympics into a super-convenient base for a ski holiday in The 3 Valleys.
A green, blue, and red run all lead into La Tania, making it a suitable option for every level of skier. Because the resort was purpose-built around these pistes, many luxury chalets in La Tania are ski-in/ski-out or very close to the slopes.
La Tania often offers some of the best-value accommodation in the Courchevel area, particularly for luxury catered chalets. It is an appealing option for guests who want a convenient location and high-quality accommodation at a more accessible price point.
Browse our collection of chalets and apartments in La Tania here.
Credit: Arthur Bertrand
Courchevel’s ski season runs from early December to mid-April. Due to its high altitude, snow conditions are usually fairly reliable throughout the season, making it a safe option for ski holidays from before Christmas to Easter. The resort does quieten down substantially when the large hotels close at the beginning of April. Outside this period, nearby Val Thorens keeps its lifts open from late November to early May.
Due to its glamorous reputation, New Year week is a particularly popular time to visit Courchevel 1850. Since the resort attracts many visitors from Russia and South America, Orthodox Christmas (the first week of January) and Brazil’s Carnival are uniquely popular weeks in Courchevel 1850 compared to other ski resorts.
Indeed, February school holidays across Europe are also a peak period in all Courchevel villages, as the area is especially well-suited to families and beginners learning to ski.
Courchevel 1850 is primarily a winter destination rather than a summer resort. During the summer months, many luxury chalets and restaurants in Courchevel 1850 are closed for renovation, so the resort can feel more like a construction site than a holiday destination, although the lifts do open in July and August for hiking and mountain biking.
If you’re planning a summer holiday in The 3 Valleys, we’d recommend staying in neighbouring Méribel, which is also popular in winter but is a peaceful, quiet summer destination.
This depends on your preferences and holiday style, but our preferred time to visit Courchevel would be in March. The days are longer and sunnier, the slopes are quieter, and queues are shorter, while snow coverage generally remains good. Early to mid-March is the sweet spot!
December and January bring the heaviest snowfall in Courchevel. However, the high altitude of the ski area, particularly on the Val Thorens side, means snow cover is often strong right through to mid-April. This makes Courchevel a dependable choice for luxury ski trips throughout the season.
The table below shows the average monthly snowfall. Keep in mind that snow accumulates over the season, so although snowfall is often heavier earlier in winter, there is usually more snow built up after the first few months.
| Month | Average Snowfall | Snowfall Days |
|---|---|---|
| December | 124cm | 12 days |
| January | 116cm | 11.6 days |
| February | 100cm | 12.8 days |
| March | 96cm | 13.2 days |
| April | 60cm | 10.4 days |
Snow data from snow-forecast.com, averaged from research spanning more than a decade. The weather is different each year, but looking at historic averages, you can get a great idea of what to expect.
Courchevel is the ‘left-hand’ valley and arguably the most famous area of The 3 Valleys. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s best thanks to its immense scale and endless variety. The ski area links seamlessly with the resorts of Méribel and Val Thorens, creating an extensive network of well-groomed pistes suited to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers alike.
The ski area benefits from a high altitude, with 85% of the skiing being above 1,800m and reaching an impressive 3,230m, including easy access to Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens. As a result, the area enjoys enviable snow reliability, giving skiers confidence that they will find good snow conditions throughout the season.
The lift system is modern and efficient. Consequently, despite its popularity and the large number of skiers travelling between Méribel, Courchevel, and Val Thorens each day, The 3 Valleys handles crowds well, providing quick and easy access across the area.
| Ski Lift Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Cable Cars | 3 |
| Gondolas | 37 |
| Chairlifts | 69 |
| Drag Lifts | 45 |
| Magic Carpets | 15 |
Ski hire in Courchevel is straightforward, with a wide range of rental shops located throughout the resort. Some suppliers offer in-chalet fitting, which is often the most convenient option, particularly when staying in a luxury ski chalet. If you book through us, we can help arrange ski hire in advance to ensure everything is ready on arrival.
The lift system in Courchevel is modern and efficient, providing quick and easy access to the different areas. The Courchevel villages have over 60 lifts, including gondolas, chairlifts, and drag lifts connecting 150km of slopes.
Unless you are a novice skier however, we recommend going for a full 3 Valleys lift pass so you can make the most of your luxury ski holiday. Although there is some brilliant skiing to be found in the Courchevel valley, you will no doubt want to venture further afield before too long. Since the whole 3 Valleys ski area is connected on blue ability pistes, there are possibilities to explore and ski far even for beginners and intermediates.
Which school and lessons are right depends on your skill, learning style and where you are staying. We can recommend a ski school if you book your ski chalet with the Firefly Collection. We work with top providers such as Oxygene, New Generation and Supreme Ski that our clients have great experiences with year on year.
Credit: @drop agency
Courchevel 1850 and its surrounding slopes are perfect for beginners, with a multitude of green runs leading into the centre. These pistes are particularly gentle and easy, making them perfect for building confidence.
Many of these runs weave through the trees and past ultra-luxury chalets in Bellecôte and Jardin Alpin, which really add to your sense of Courchevel 1850 as a high-end ski destination.
La Croisette, the main ski school meeting point in Courchevel 1850, is home to several ski schools with expert instructors, making it an excellent place to learn.
Courchevel 1550 and 1300 have direct gondola access to this point, Courchevel 1650 and La Tania offer their own beginner zones with nice progressions from nursery slopes into green, blue and red slopes.
The conveniently located beginner slope in Courchevel 1650 makes it the ideal spot for novice skiers and one of the most family-friendly resorts in the Alps.
Courchevel is a fantastic choice for intermediate skiers. The entire 3 Valleys ski area can be explored via linked blue runs, so even less confident skiers can cover a lot of ground and still meet faster friends on the mountain for lunch.
One of Courchevel’s standout runs is Creux, widely regarded as one of the best in the area. Early in the day, its freshly groomed corduroy makes it ideal for carving and picking up speed. Later on, traffic from Méribel can leave it busy and chopped-up, so we really recommend skiing first thing in the morning. Reaching Creux first thing is one of the many advantages of staying in a luxury chalet in Courchevel.
Courchevel and the wider 3 Valleys are, of course, second to none for advanced skiers. If you enjoy covering the miles, this is the largest interconnected ski area in the world, making it hard to beat.
From the top of Saulire, there is Le Grand Couloir, which is the steepest slope in The 3 Valleys at 85% gradient in places. It begins with a narrow, nerve-racking traverse, followed by a steep, technical entry with large moguls that opens into a series of avalanche-controlled couloirs descending into the Courchevel Valley. After fresh snowfall, it becomes a powder-filled challenge for experienced skiers.
There is also the Eclipse black piste down to Courchevel 1300, created for the World Ski Championships. At 3.3km long with a 30% gradient, it is both a thrilling descent and a particularly scenic run through the forest.
We can also help arrange a ski guide for your Courchevel holiday, giving you access to off-piste routes around Creux Noirs, Chanrossa and elsewhere in The 3 Valleys.
When you’re not on the slopes or in your luxury ski chalet in Courchevel 1850, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. Families will find it easy to keep children entertained. The Forum in Courchevel 1850 features a climbing wall, ice rink and bowling alley, while Aquamotion between Courchevel 1550 and 1650 offers a lazy river and water slides. Adults can unwind in the separate spa area with saunas, steam rooms and Jacuzzis.
In Courchevel 1850, the après-ski scene is tied closely to the exceptional dining scene. Restaurants like Bagatelle and Cap Horn are known for large terrace lunches that ease into private parties, DJ sets and plenty of champagne through the afternoon.
Several of the ski-in/ski-out five-star hotels have sophisticated cocktail bars where you can enjoy a post-ski drink, even if you’re staying elsewhere.
Over the hill in Méribel, there is an infamous La Folie Douce where you can have lunch at La Fruitére, then continue the party all afternoon. It is around half an hour away from Courchevel 1850. Just be sure to leave the party to catch the last lifts back to Courchevel. Otherwise, it is approximately 30 mins in a taxi back to Courchevel 1850 from Méribel.
For something more casual, Grizzly and Co sits above Courchevel 1850 on the Bellecôte piste, serving great music and delicious burgers.
In the evening, Courchevel 1850’s nightlife continues to revolve around dining. La Mangeoire combines late sittings from 22:30 with excellent food, live music, dancers and a high-energy atmosphere. Later on, Les Caves keeps the party going into the early hours.
Whether you choose a self-catered or catered luxury ski chalet in Courchevel 1850, there are plenty of excellent options for both lunch and dinner.
La Soucoupe at the top of the Plantret chairlift is known for superb meats grilled over the fire and paired with fine wines. Cave des Creux, run by young local former ski instructors, is another popular mountain restaurant, serving regional specialities alongside quality produce, fish and Asian-inspired dishes.
Courchevel 1850 particularly has an outstanding resort dining scene, with ten Michelin stars shared across six restaurants. The standout is Le 1947 at the five-star Hotel Le Cheval Blanc, which holds three Michelin stars and builds each diner’s menu around their main course selection to create a perfectly balanced meal.
Beyond the Michelin Guide, the resort offers plenty of other excellent restaurants, from fresh sushi and Asian fusion to traditional Savoyard fondue and refined European cuisine.
If perusing boutiques is your idea of a day well spent, then Courchevel 1850 is the place for you. The centre is lined with leading designer names such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Chanel, confirming Courchevel 1850’s reputation as one of Europe’s most glamorous ski resorts.
There are also opportunities to shop on the mountain, including designer pop-ups and stores such as the Moncler boutique beside Chalet des Pierres. You can break up your lunch here or ski day with some luxury shopping, and your purchases will be delivered back to your luxury chalet or five-star hotel ready for when you return.
Courchevel has a regular schedule of winter sports events that add even more energy to the resort. Depending on the schedule, you may be able to watch slalom racing from spots such as the Ineos Clubhouse above La Croisette.
Courchevel 1850 is especially atmospheric over the festive season, which is one reason it remains such a popular luxury ski destination. Christmas brings extravagant decorations, visits from Father Christmas and first-class present shopping. A week later, New Year celebrations light up the resort with spectacular fireworks displays, a party on the pistes and torch-lit descents from the ESF ski instructors.
Husky sledding is a wonderful way to enjoy the mountain air at a slower pace. It offers a different perspective on the scenery and makes a memorable activity for guests of all ages and abilities. It’s possible from Courchevel 1850 and Courchevel 1650, and can easily be arranged by your five-star hotel or luxury chalet concierge.
Credit: David Andre
After a long day skiing, there’s nothing better than unwinding in a luxury spa in Courchevel 1850. Six Senses has the largest spa in Courchevel 1850 and is open to outside guests too. It has an extensive menu offering therapeutic massages and treatments.
Of course, you may be staying in one of our luxury ski chalets with a private spa – in which case, lucky you! The ultra-luxury chalets in Courchevel 1850 feature impressive private spas with swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas and hammams. Your chalet team can help arrange masseuses to ease aching muscles at the end of long ski days.
If you’re looking for some thrills and excitement, tobogganing is a must-try activity. The resort has a dedicated toboggan run that runs from the top of the Jardin Alpin gondola down to Courchevel Village. The run is 2km long and provides a thrilling ride through the forest. It’s also open in the evenings and is a great activity for families and groups of friends, and it’s sure to provide some unforgettable memories.
Snowshoeing is a great way to stay active and get some exercise while enjoying the winter wonderland that surrounds Courchevel. There are several trails in and around Courchevel or you can join guided tours to show you even more off-track paths.
One of our favourite routes is down from Courchevel 1650 to Lac de la Rosière. Only reachable on foot, the lake is often unfrozen, so it is a beautiful, vivid blue-green, surrounded by crisp white snow.
Particularly on the ridge over to Méribel, ‘parapentting’ (ski paragliding) is very popular. Launch points on the Saulire and Loze ridges offer the chance to take off on skis or a snowboard and enjoy a remarkable aerial view of the mountains. Just be sure to have a 3 Valleys lift pass, as, depending on the weather, sometimes landings are at Méribel Altiport rather than Courchevel’s La Tania or 1300.
If you’re looking to take a break from the bustle of the slopes but keep on the winter wonderland theme, ice skating is a lovely activity. It is especially well suited to couples and families looking for a slower-paced activity. The large rink at Le Forum in Courchevel 1850 also hosts local ice hockey matches, which are great fun to watch.
Credit: Alexis Brot
Everyone has different travel preferences, which can be heavily influenced by where you are travelling from. So we have outlined each of the major routes below. However, for most travellers, the recommended route is to fly into Geneva or Lyon and then get an airport transfer by car up to the resort. This takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Courchevel 1850 has its own altiport for private jets and helicopters; this is the prime gateway into a luxury holiday in Courchevel 1850.
The closest major airport to Courchevel 1850 is Geneva Airport in Switzerland. Please be aware that transfer times may be longer during peak weeks and poor weather conditions. If short transfer times are your priority, check out our guide to resorts near Geneva Airport, or browse our chalets with short transfer times.
Please be aware that transfer times may be longer during peak weeks and poor weather conditions. If short transfer times are your priority, check out our guide to resorts near Geneva Airport, or browse our chalets with short transfer times.
Notably, it’s faster to drive to Courchevel 1850 from the nearby airports than to get the train to Moûtiers, assuming the traffic is on your side. But the train can be a better option if you want to travel more sustainably by avoiding flights.
There isn’t a train station in Courchevel 1850 itself, but there’s a major station further down the valley in Moûtiers. Getting from the train station to Courchevel 1850 takes around 35 minutes by car. It’s easy to get there from major cities such as London (8 hours including 2 changes), Paris (direct 4 hours 30-minutes in the winter), Lyon (4 hours including 1 change) and Geneva (4 hours including 1 change).
Courchevel is a collection of five villages: 1850, 1650, 1550, 1300 and La Tania in the Tarentaise Valley in the Savoie region in the French Alps. Courchevel 1850 sits at 1,750m, about a 35-minute drive up from the town of Moûtiers on the valley bottom. Courchevel 1850 has its own alitport for private aircraft and helicopters, or it is also easily accessible via road from airports in Chambéry, Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble.
Courchevel is popular for its unparalleled blend of world-class skiing, consistent snow reliability, and unmatched luxury atmosphere.
It’s very much the jewel of the vast 3 Valleys area; Courchevel 1850 is celebrated for its Michelin-starred dining, designer shops and ultra-luxury chalets that make up its exclusive alpine lifestyle.
On the slopes, Courchevel caters to everyone from beginners to experts with a wide range of easy-ability slopes in the immediate vicinity of the resort and has a fast, efficient lift system to more advanced slopes for better skiers.
Courchevel has quick and easy links to the rest of the 3 Valleys ski area, especially to Méribel, which you can access in just two lifts (around 30 minutes).
It is entirely possible to visit all the valleys in a single day, but not in much depth. The area is just so vast, many visitors return to The 3 Valleys year after year, and ski new pistes and even long-term seasonnaires still feel there’s more to discover.
There are several ski ‘challenges’ you can undertake while exploring The 3 Valleys. One popular option is to ski from one end of the area to the other, so from Courchevel 1650 to Orelle (the secret fourth valley). Others aim to visit every high point and/or every low point in the ski area in a single day. These challenges are a great way to explore runs you might not otherwise ski and to become really familiar with the wider 3 Valleys area.
Courchevel has a snow park with a couple of jumps, rails and boxes. Connected to this is a family park, which is fun for children to play and build confidence in.
In neighbouring Méribel, there are 2 snow parks with larger jumps and an airbag in Méribel Mottaret for those more advanced.
Today, Courchevel 1850 is known as an exclusive luxury destination known for Michelin-starred dining, elite visitors and direct access to the vast 3 Valleys ski area.
It first opened in 1946 and was called Courchevel 1850 to ‘fib’ on its altitude (1750) and compete with its competitor, Val d’Isère, which was and still is well known for its high-altitude resort level and skiing. It was conceptualised as a purpose-built ski resort aiming to blend a high-altitude ski area with ski-in/ski-out accommodation between the trees.
Though Courchevel 1850 has developed hugely since its birth, prime slopeside locations are still at the core of the resort and its newest luxury chalets.
You may also find these articles helpful if you are thinking about visiting Courchevel:
The Best Ski Resorts in Europe
The Best Ski Resorts for Spring Skiing
Which are the Best Mountain Restaurants?
The 5 Best Ski Resorts for Beginners
Skiing in France: Information Guide
If you are ready to browse our luxury ski chalets, check out these related categories:
Luxury Chalet Rentals in Courchevel 1850
Luxury Chalet Rentals in Courchevel 1650
Luxury Chalet Rentals in Courchevel 1550
Luxury Chalet Rentals in Courchevel 1300
Luxury Chalet Rentals in La Tania
Author
Growing up skiing in the Alps and spending summers sailing sparked a lifelong passion for travel and adventure. Turning a lifelong passion for travel into a career, specialising in luxury ski chalets and summer villas, I love sharing first-hand knowledge to better understand our destinations and shape your next escape.
29 July 2026
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