Ski Pass Rates
Day pass for Courchevel, 2022-2023 winter season:
Adults: 65€
Children up to 13y: 52€
Senior: 58€
Day pass for the Three Valleys, 2022-2023 winter season:
Adults: 72€
Children up to 13y: 58€
Senior: 65€
The resort of Courchevel is actually made up of several distinct villages, all at varying altitudes. The most famous of the villages is known simply as Courchevel itself, at 1850m. This is the one with all the five-star hotels, the swanky nightclubs, the best access to the pistes, and is the one automatically thinks of. Slightly lower down on the same side of the mountain is Courchevel Village, at 1550m, which is just a gondola ride from the top village but a world away in price.
Courchevel is the ski resort with the most Michelin starred restaurants and a world-class ski resort and part of the famous Three Valleys ski domain, one of the largest in the world with access to 600km of marked pistes. It’s a place where luxury really does mean luxury. Everything about Courchevel is high-end, from the perfectly groomed runs and state-of-the-art lift system to the Michelin-starred restaurants, exclusive high-end hotels and chalets, glamorous nightlife and stylish designer boutiques.
The ski area offers wonderfully wide, gentle and immaculately groomed pistes, many running through pretty forests. Its north-facing aspect means the snow quality is excellent. The resort is spread over five villages, each with very different personalities. You can choose between the glamour of Courchevel 1850, the rustic charm of Le Praz, the vibrant nightlife in Courchevel Moriond, the budget-friendly Courchevel Village or the family-favourite La Tania.
Courchevel is known for both the quality and variety of après ski. Once the lifts have stopped churning, you will find there are plenty of bars that kick-start the evening’s entertainment. Being the most glamorous village in Courchevel means the nightlife scene here does come at a steep price.
There are a number of slope-side bars that tend to offer après ski during the afternoon, however, it’s not quite your ski boots dancing on tables atmosphere compared to other lively resorts. For that, Courchevel guests tend to head over to Meribel where they can partake in all the proper table dancing festivities that the heart could desire! In Meribel, the only place for the Courchevel crew to après ski is the Folie Douce, but let’s face it, where else do you really need?! Just be sure you don’t miss the last call from the announcers for the last lift back over on the Saulire Express – you may otherwise find yourself with a long hike up the mountain if you don’t want to get a taxi home!
Closer to home you will find ‘Le KuDeTa’ – part of the renowned nightclub ‘Le Kalico’ – is a piste side bar that really caters to the big party atmosphere scene. It’s located next to the Forum building in the center of the resort. Expect things here to start from 4 pm onwards and enjoy the funky live bands and the vodka bar. Here you will be joined by a mixture of holidaymakers and seasonal workers as you get down and party in the snow!
If you are looking for a lively après scene then the places to go to are Le Tremplin, in the Place du Tremplin or Le Milk Pub which is in the Place du Forum, both venues are affordable by Courchevel standards. Bar Le Jump near La Croisette is also a good destination if you are looking for somewhere that stays open till dawn. For other après ski options, Le Refuge is a small and intimate French bar in the centre of Courchevel. With a relaxed atmosphere, live music and reasonably priced drinks it attracts a lively and fun crowd.
Situated near the entrance of Courchevel is the nightclub, Les Caves. This venue often has weekly events such as guest DJs and is very popular with the tourists and locals. However, for those on a budget, drinks here can be pretty expensive.
As Courchevel is made up of 5 different villages, there is a dedicated beginners area in each of them, otherwise known as the Zen areas. Courchevel 1850: This area is the best out of all if you are just beginning to learn the ropes around skiing. Overall there are 5 free ski lifts and a number of green and blue pistes which direct you back into the resort’s center. This area has two different beginner’s areas, the Pralong Zen and the Golf Zen area, both with easy drag lifts and magic carpets to ease your way into skiing. Courchevel Moriond: One of the largest beginner’s areas, fully equipped with 3 free ski lifts, 4 green pistes and approximately 13 blue ones. Courchevel village: Featuring 3 blue pistes that take you back into the village and a short green one, serviced by a free lift. La Tania: Otherwise known as Troika, this beginner’s zone has two long blue pistes, one which begins from the top of the Bouc Blanc lift and the other from the top of the Stade lift. Courchevel Le Praz: Featuring the Envolee Zen area designated for beginner’s, located right next to the Envolee drag lift.
The central section of slopes is where the resort’s reputation has been forged – home to an array of soothing blues and greens that’ll give even the most cautious of second-week skiers the confidence to experiment, and push themselves. Both above and below that mark the terrain is steeper, and this is where you find the reds and blacks. Combe Saulire in particular, is a classic – among the most enjoyable pistes in France, and, indeed the Alps. Knit the whole lot together into one mighty top-to-bottom run, and you’ll have skied through a muscle-melting 1600 vertical metres.
Expert skiers on a Courchevel ski vacation have an overwhelming amount of terrain possibilities. From steep, thrilling black pistes to daring off-piste challenges, the Courchevel expert skiing will leave challenge-seekers wanting more. Courchevel 1850 accesses the largest—and highest—concentration of black runs, and some don’t miss pistes include Suisses off of Aguille du Fruit chairlift, and Grand Couloir from the top of Saulire. La Trania’s Col De La Loze chairlift also provides access to a memorable black, Dou du Lanches. In fact the Col De La Loze offers some of the best Courchevel off-piste terrain. And if you’re in the Courchevel 1650 a run on Chanrossa’s famed moguls is in order.
Located alongside the Verdons piste, just above the village at 1850 is Courchevel’s Family snow park. Beginner freestylers can take advantage of the gentle snow cross course, while there is an array of green kickers and boxes for them to practice on as well. For the boarders who are a bit braver, they can try out the red kickers in the Big Air bag section, which are actually closer to a black grade than red. There is also a quarter pipe, swimming pool and plenty of blue boxes available to play around with. Additionally, the feature of a Big Air Bag on location will ensure a safe landing for those who are looking to master their backflips.
Day pass for Courchevel, 2022-2023 winter season:
Adults: 65€
Children up to 13y: 52€
Senior: 58€
Day pass for the Three Valleys, 2022-2023 winter season:
Adults: 72€
Children up to 13y: 58€
Senior: 65€
KEY FACTS:
Elevation between 1300m and 3230m. / Resort height: 1300m – 1850m
Day pass for Courchevel, 2022-2023 winter season:
Adults: 65€
Children up to 13y: 52€
Senior: 58€
Day pass for the Three Valleys, 2022-2023 winter season:
Adults: 72€
Children up to 13y: 58€
Senior: 65€
Nearest airports:
Geneva→143 km / ~2.15h by car
Towns worth visiting:
Annecy: → ~88 km /~1h30m by car
Chambery: → ~93 km /~1h10m by car
→ La Ferme de Pralong
→Vanoise National park
→ Aquamotion Courchevel
WINTER ACTIVITIES
→ Skiing/ Alpine skiing/ Night skiing
→Cross country skiing
→ Paragliding
→Snowboarding
→ Ice climbing
→Snowshoeing
→Ice skating
→ Ice climbing
→Snowmobile
→Tobogganing
→Dog Sledding
