landmark
Saulire Cable Car
Rides up to 2,738 metres for direct ski access into Méribel. Take the first cabin at 09:00 for untouched corduroy.
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Courchevel
Four altitude tiers of alpine precision and linked skiing.
introduction
Overview
Courchevel is a purpose-built ski resort divided into four distinct altitude levels in the Tarentaise Valley. You navigate between tiers using free shuttle buses or connected lift networks that open into Les 3 Vallées. Higher levels deliver ski-in access and five-star luxury, while lower villages keep traditional Savoyard wooden architecture. Expect steep, immaculately groomed terrain paired with high prices.
Transfers from Moûtiers
Buses run from Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains train station to all Courchevel levels in 45 minutes.
Les 3 Vallées connection
A single lift pass unlocks 600 kilometres of interconnected slopes across the domain.
Free intra-resort shuttles
Free shuttle buses run between all four altitude tiers from 07:00 until late at night.
Courchevel
Andreas Eichler · CC BY-SA 4.0
A wheel of Beaufort, the raw milk cheese central to Savoyard fondue.
Zubro · CC BY-SA 3.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Courchevel Altiport
Highest tarmac runway in Europe with an uphill slope for landing. Watch private planes touch down from the nearby piste.
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landmark
Le Praz Ski Jumps
Built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. Stand at the landing bowl to grasp the steepness of the hills.
Tanya Parleyattractions
On the map
areas
Where life happens
Courchevel 1850
High-altitude luxury hub with designer boutiques, ski-in palaces, and Michelin dining.
Ski-in/ski-outLuxury diningNightlife
KompromiPrices for lodging and food are double the lower altitude tiers.
DekatSaulire cable car and La Croisette transit hub
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Courchevel Le Praz (1300)
Authentic Savoyard farming village with stone chalets, wood fires, and local year-round life.
Local atmosphereForest runsOlympic jumps
KompromiLower altitude means home runs depend heavily on snow cannons late in spring.
DekatLe Praz gondola and Olympic ski jumps
Tanya ParleyCourchevel Moriond (1650)
Sunny plateau with wider blue slopes, casual bars, and a family atmosphere.
Sunny pistesCasual barsFamilies
KompromiLift connections to Méribel take slightly longer from this valley edge.
DekatAquamotion center and western ridge slopes
Tanya ParleyCourchevel Village (1550)
Quiet residential resort connected directly to 1850 via a fast 5-minute gondola.
Value staysDirect gondolaQuiet nights
KompromiFewer standalone restaurant options than 1850 or Moriond.
DekatTovets chairlift and Grangettes gondola
Tanya Parleyfood
Fondue, Beaufort, and high-altitude dining
Dining in Courchevel spans traditional Alpine cheese dishes to multi-course high-altitude menus. Local Savoyard cuisine relies heavily on Beaufort cheese, reblochon, and cured mountain ham. On the mountain, skip the self-service cafeterias at La Croisette and head toward smaller huts near Le Praz or Moriond for genuine mountain cooking.
A wheel of Beaufort, the raw milk cheese central to Savoyard fondue.
Zubro · CC BY-SA 3.0- Lunch reservations
Book mountain restaurant tables at least three days ahead for slots between 12:30 and 14:00.
- Apres-ski snack
Grab warm tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry tart) from bakeries in 1650 around 16:00.
history
A short history
Courchevel was conceived after World War II as France's first purpose-built ski resort designed from scratch rather than expanding an existing village. Town planner Laurent Chappis and architect Denys Pradelle plotted pistes and chalet orientations before laying down roads. This urban layout prioritized direct ski access and minimal urban congestion.
- 1946
Resort founded
Savoie department approves construction of a modern ski station at high altitude.
- 1961
Altiport opens
Courchevel builds its mountain airstrip, attracting international high-net-worth travellers.
- 1992
Albertville Olympics
Le Praz hosts the ski jumping and Nordic combined Olympic events.
- 2023
World Championships
Courchevel co-hosts the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships on the new Éclipse slope.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your base by altitude. Courchevel 1850 provides luxury ski-in access and night dining but demands maximum budgets. Courchevel Moriond suits families seeking sunnier pistes and friendlier pubs. Courchevel Village and Le Praz offer better value while keeping immediate access to the upper slopes via fast gondolas.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
Apogée Courchevel, Oetker Hotels
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Lys Martagon
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Le Strato
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Alpes Hôtel du Pralong
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Le Saint Joseph
Tanya Parleytransport
Getting around
Moving between the altitude levels relies on free public shuttle buses and inter-connected lifts. Cars are unnecessary once inside the resort and parking in 1850 is expensive.
Dari Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains Train Station
- Altibus Coach45-60 min12-15 EUR
Departs from station forecourt directly to Courchevel 1850.
- Taxi35-45 min80-120 EUR
Ranks outside station. Surcharges apply at night, weekends, and in heavy snow.
- Shared Shuttle45-60 min25-45 EUR
Must be pre-booked online; offers door-to-resort drop-off.
- Rideshare35-45 min8-20 EUR
Subject to driver availability via BlaBlaCar, popular on weekend changeover days.
Navettes run every 15 minutes between 1300, 1550, 1650, and 1850 until midnight.
Eurostar and TGV service reaches Moûtiers station, where Altibus coaches connect to resort.
The Grangettes lift links 1550 to 1850 in 5 minutes until 23:30 during winter season.
Pedestrians can buy daily or weekly lift passes to ride main gondolas without skis.
cost
What things cost
Courchevel is one of the most expensive alpine ski areas in Europe, particularly at the 1850 level. Planning grocery runs at lower village supermarkets cuts daily spending significantly.
- 3 Vallées Day Pass: €75–85
Unlocks all 600km of slopes across Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens.
- On-piste lunch: €25–50
Main course and drink at a standard mountain chalet restaurant.
- Espresso on slope: €4–7
Prices scale directly with altitude; expect highest costs at 1850 and top lifts.
- Aquamotion entrance: €18–30
Standard entry pass for adults covering pool and wellness areas.
seasonality
When to go
DEC – JAN
Reliable snow cover with cold temperatures. Christmas and New Year weeks bring peak holiday crowds.
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Snow
FEB
French school holidays make pistes busy. Book accommodation and ski instruction months in advance.
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Snow
MAR – APR
Longer sun hours and softer snow. Lower slopes turn slushy by afternoon, but top lifts stay fast.
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Snow
JUL – AUG
Lifts operate for mountain biking and hiking. Temperatures are cool and accommodation prices drop sharply.
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practicalities
Good to know
- Lift ticket savings
Buy your ski pass online at least 7 days before arrival for early discounts.
- Ski equipment delivery
Rental shops in 1850 offer hotel chalets boot fitting and gear delivery.
- Lift closing times
Valley connecting lifts close around 16:30. Missing the last link back from Val Thorens means a €200 taxi.
- Sun exposure
Courchevel Moriond faces west, giving it up to two extra hours of afternoon sunlight.
- Language spoken
English is universally spoken in hotels and restaurants across all altitude levels.