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Courchevel Ski Resort Guide

Courchevel Ski Property

Five individual ski villages with distinct charm
2.5 hours drive from Geneva, 1 hour from Chambery. Direct access possible by private plane
Incomparable piste skiing, as part of the France's huge Three Valleys - or Les Trois Vallées
Famous for on and off-piste indulgence
A quiet summer season

Summary

Courchevel has the unique advantage of 5 villages in one resort, each with its own feel and something to suit everyone. Ranging in altitude from 1100 to 1850m, the Courchevel villages are a blend of historic hamlets, family friendly charm and exclusive vibes. Courchevel (formerly Courchevel 1850) is the jewel in the crown. The St Tropez of the French Alps, it is the ski domain of European royalty and the wealthy elite. The glamorous side of the Three Valleys, France’s largest ski area, the resort’s Parisian vibe is a sharp contrast to the English-dominated Méribel. Internationally renowned for its array of exclusive accommodation, stylish eateries and chic apres-ski venues, as such it is the heart of winter and summer activities. Many of the accommodation offers ski to door opportunities. Lower down Courchevel Moriond (formerly Courchevel 1650) has a welcoming atmosphere, good value prices and an abundance of restaurants, making it a popular destination for families and the ‘young-at-heart’. Courchevel Village (formerly Courchevel 1550) offers value for money and a quieter centre. The original Courchevel village, Courchevel Le Praz (at 1300m), mixes narrow streets, alpine chalets and a year-round population to create a distinctive mountain charm.

Access

Not the nearest resort to an airport with year-round flights, there are regular winter air services to Chambery (1 hour's drive away) – with Geneva airport 2.5 hours away. During the winter the Eurostar also runs trains to Moutiers. The lucky few can land at the Courchevel's altiport.

Winter

With over 650kms of pistes there is something for all standards of skier and boarder. The mix of cruisey green and blue runs make it ideal for beginners, while more challenging pistes and off-piste couloirs for the advanced skier are never far away.

Summer

The summer is as quiet as the winter is busy although visitors can enjoy the network of forest walks and scenic picnic areas.

Property Market

High-quality luxury chalets in Courchevel are some of the most sought-after in the Alps, particularly in the exclusive Jardin Alpin and Belvedere sectors and towards the Altiport which offer "ski au pied" access. Both Courchevel Montriond and Courchevel Village have undergone a period of aesthetic redevelopment. Neither resort is as showy as Courchevel nor as expensive; instead, the villages appeal to families looking for a second home in the snow where there is easy access to the ski pistes and good off-slope facilities. Courchevel Le Praz still shows its farming heritage in the attractive stone buildings at the heart of the village, though newer properties are built with wood. The small resort of La Tania is 10 minutes drive from Le Praz. Built for the 1992 Winter Olympics, it is a pretty enclave of wooden chalet buildings among the pine forests. Nearly all property are ski-in/ski-out.