Things to do in Courchevel
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Courchevel
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Ski season; February half-term is peak.
Summer season; hiking, biking, the Col de la Loze.
The resort largely closes.
What's on
- Courchevel opening week December
Season launch parties.
- International Festival of Pyrotechnic Art February to March
Fireworks over the slopes.
Best things to do in Courchevel
Les Trois Vallées
The world's largest linked ski area; Courchevel has its best-groomed pistes.
Aquamotion Courchevel
Huge water and wellness centre with slides and an indoor surf wave.
La Croisette
Courchevel 1850's designer shopping street and people-watching strip.
Courchevel Altiport
Famous short mountain runway with scenic helicopter and plane flights.
Tremplins Olympiques du Praz
The 1992 Olympic ski jumps; watch training above Le Praz.
La Saulire
The 2,738 m summit with the resort's top panorama.
Where to stay in Courchevel
Courchevel 1850
Courchevel 1650 (Moriond)
Courchevel 1550 (Village)
Le Praz (1300)
Think twice about
- Saint-Bon / Courchevel 1100 without a car
- 1850 on a tight budget
- La Tania for dining variety
Best restaurants in Courchevel
Bagatelle
Slope-side party lunch with DJs; book the table, arrive by skis.
Le Chabichou
Two stars; tasting menu of regional specialities.
Le 1947
Three stars at Cheval Blanc; the special-occasion dinner.
Nama
Japanese restaurant at Aman Le Melezin; the antidote to fondue week.
Le Chalet de Pierre
Luxe Alpine chalet lunch on the pistes; book lunch, it is a scene.
Les Airelles
The palace's dining rooms, from Gagnaire to the Savoyard room.
Le Cap Horn
High-altitude gourmet on the mountain; the special ski-to lunch.
Bistrot du Praz
Village bistro with a foie gras reputation; best-value serious meal.
Best bars in Courchevel
Le Tremplin
The classic 1850 apres-ski meeting place at the foot of the slopes.
La Grange
Late-night dancing venue for after dinner.
Outdoor things to do in Courchevel
Méribel
Neighbouring valley for lunch and the famous slope party; ski over and back.
Col de la Loze
The pass above Courchevel: ski-touring in winter, a Tour climb in summer.
La Tania
Car-free forest village between Courchevel and Meribel; the low-key contrast.
Dog sledding and snowshoe walks
Husky sled tours and guided snowshoe walks in the quiet forests.
Best hotels in Courchevel
Cheval Blanc Courchevel
Palace hotel home of Le 1947; the top of the resort.
Le K2 Altitude
Slopeside palace-hotel positioning with a serious spa.
Aman Le Mélézin
Quiet Japanese-inflected luxury with the Nama restaurant.
Manali Lodge
Elegant Alpine retreat in Moriond.
Fahrenheit Seven Courchevel
Stylish ski-in ski-out hotel in Moriond.
Is Courchevel expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | €180 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | €350 a person |
| Splurge | €800 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Courchevel Altiport: a few days ahead
- Bagatelle: a few days ahead
- Dog sledding and snowshoe walks: a few days ahead
- Le Chabichou: weeks ahead
- Le 1947: weeks ahead
- Nama: weeks ahead
- Le Chalet de Pierre: a few days ahead
- Les Airelles: weeks ahead
- New Year and February half-term: book hotels and restaurants months ahead.
- Le 1947, Le Chabichou, Nama: reserve as early as possible.
- Ski school in peak weeks: book lessons before arrival.
Is Courchevel safe?
- Pistes are famously well-groomed and marked. Saulire couloirs are expert terrain; hire a guide. Emergency: 15, 17, or 112.
Courchevel travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Paying 1850 prices for lunch when 1650 and Le Praz serve the same food for half.
- Some 1850 terraces charge for the scene, not the food; check menus first.
- Pre-book Geneva transfers; curbside offers are the most expensive.
Getting around Courchevel: public transport and more
- Nearest airports: Chambery (1.5 hours), Geneva (2.5 hours); private transfers the norm at 1850.
- Free shuttle buses link the villages and run into the evenings.
- Each village is walkable; 1850 is compact.
Who Courchevel suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Great |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Good |
| Bachelorette parties | Good |
Make Courchevel your trip
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