Courchevel is often considered the most famous ski resort in the world and is part of the world’s largest ski area: The Three Valleys. But which part of Courchevel suits you best? Courchevel breaks down into 5 distinctive ski resorts; La Tania, Courchevel Le Praz, Courchevel Village, Courchevel Moriond and most famously, Courchevel 1850. This guide to Courchevel will help to distinguish each village’s differences and similarities.
With a focus on skiing and luxury chalets, as well as Michelin-star restaurants, read on to find out the best location for your Courchevel ski holidays. Check out our guide to Courchevel below and discover each incredible and characterful Courchevel resort…
Luxury Ski Holidays in Courchevel Le Praz
Overview: Courchevel Le Praz is a rustic, traditional, and authentic alpine village. The area is a popular region for cross-country skiing and ski jumping. It is also arguably the village with the most simple connections to Courchevel 1850, including pedestrian access. The gondola takes just 6 minutes, and runs until 11pm. However, as our Insider’s Guide to Courchevel Le Praz reveals, many would consider this resort a hidden gem, as its lower altitude is a great cover for its fantastic ski access. The charm remains, the streets are quieter, and the chalets burst with just as much luxury as any other Courchevel village.
Altitude: 1,300m
Skiing: Ski holidays in Courchevel Le Praz offer pretty tree-lined runs which are perfect for low-visibility days. The ski runs in this area are usually quieter, so it’s a great place to avoid the crowds. To access Courchevel 1850, you can take the Le Praz gondola for the best and most direct access. Otherwise, if you want to head towards La Tania and Méribel, you can take the Foret lift.
Top Restaurant: The Le Bistrot du Praz is an exemplary choice among Michelin-starred ski resort restaurants. Based at the foot of the slopes, it is one of the most welcoming restaurants in the Alps. The owner, Charlie Renaudie, is well-prepared to ensure every visitor enjoys excellent quality French cuisine.
Where to Stay in Courchevel Le Praz
Chalet White is an exceptional luxury ski chalet in Courchevel Le Praz that showcases elegance and style. It features stunning wellness facilities, a home cinema and top quality service. The chalet is also conveniently positioned in the centre of Courchevel Le Praz, accommodating 10 guests in 5 individually styled bedrooms. It’s undoubtedly a wonderful chalet for a family ski holiday in France and more than deserving of a mention in our guide to Courchevel.
Luxury Ski Holidays in Courchevel Village
Overview: Arguably the quietest area of Courchevel, Courchevel Village is popular with families. Courchevel Village was actually the original municipality in the Courchevel region. So as such, it maintains its traditional atmosphere, with a pleasing aesthetic of chalet-style buildings throughout. While it is home to a few modern apartment buildings dotted around, they do nothing to spoil the genuine charm. This historic village is great value for a luxury ski holiday, with a range of property sizes and prices.
Altitude: 1,550m
Skiing: Escape the crowds and enjoy the slopes at all levels in Courchevel Village. Despite only having a couple of ski runs to its name, being just below Courchevel 1850 means access to the wider area is ideal. It is easy to access Courchevel 1850 by using the Tovets chairlift or the Grangettes gondola.
Top Restaurant: L’Oeil de Boeuf offers nothing but the finest cuts of meat to be cooked on the open fire. It’s a unique, romantic experience inside the cosy, rustic restaurant. As the name suggests, the speciality is its beef selection; from Japanese Wagyu, to American Black Angus, this restaurant is a carnivore’s delight.
Where to Stay in Courchevel Village
Chalet White Sand is undeniably one of our most unique luxury ski chalets in Courchevel Village. Located in a prime ski-in, ski-out position, this modern chalet offers a different experience entirely. It expands your mind to the realm of possibilities within a ski holiday in Courchevel. The design is fantastic, blending the luxuries of the French Riviera and French Alps. The epitome of this cocktail of creative designs has to be the white sand indoor beach! Of course, the pétanque pitch and impressive indoor/outdoor swimming pool are equally inviting. A family ski holiday has been taken to new heights at Chalet White Sand, which stands as a playground for all ages! Accommodating 12-15 guests, this gorgeous catered chalet has 7 bedrooms across 820m² of pure opulence.
Luxury Ski Holiday to Courchevel Moriond
Overview: After 1850, Courchevel Moriond is the next liveliest Courchevel resort. The atmosphere is palpable, brimming with excitement from the range of bars, restaurants, shops and luxury ski chalets. A great base for mixed groups, Courchevel Moriond has incredible ski connections and great access to a variety of non-ski activities in Courchevel.
Altitude: 1,650m
Skiing: Courchevel Moriond has its own ski area which includes a mixture of runs for all abilities; it is almost a resort in its own right. Left of Moriond, you can avoid the crowds during peak times and enjoy skiing in the sunshine, between the trees. It’s the perfect ski resort for all weathers. Find gentle, wide slopes for beginners, while stronger skiers take advantage of the off-piste challenges in Les Avals. For non-skiers, there is plenty to do, including the 3km toboggan run!
Top Restaurant: Bistrot Le C offers delicious menus constructed and influenced by traditional French cuisine, and created from fresh, local produce. Our Director, Andy, claims one of his favourite meals in the Alps has been in this restaurant!
Where to Stay in Courchevel Moriond
No guide to Courchevel would be complete without a mention of Chalet Bacchus. It is undoubtedly an excellent choice for a luxury ski holiday in Courchevel Moriond. There are many ski-in, ski-out chalets in Courchevel and Chalet Bacchus is one of them! Located on the Belvédère piste, this impressive 560m² chalet is modern, chic and luxurious. With 2 hot tubs, an indoor pool, sauna, Hammam, and massage room, its facilities are on hand to heal any ski-related aches in no time. Not to mention the cinema room and private bar, which facilitate evenings of endless entertainment. Enjoy full gourmet catering, an open bar, driver service and exceptional hospitality whilst staying in this stunning 7 bedroom luxury chalet in Courchevel.
Luxury Ski Holiday to Courchevel 1850
Overview: The highest village in Courchevel and also by far the largest, Courchevel 1850 boasts glitz, glamour, and distinguished status. It’s often rated as the crème de la crème of the French Alps, with both outstanding skiing, and fantastic non-skiing options. Whether on the slopes or not, Courchevel 1850 embellishes every experience with luxury. The streets are lined with designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants, chic cocktail establishments and après ski bars, attracting international wealth and prestige. The luxury chalets in Courchevel 1850 echo the premium lifestyle and opulence of the resort. Not only are they some of the most luxurious properties in the Three Valleys, they deliver to world class standards in facilities, location and service.
Altitude: 1850m
Skiing: Boasting the largest ski area of all the villages, Courchevel 1850 can accommodate all ski abilities. Additionally, it has some of the best ski schools in the Alps, something you definitely want to tick off your ski holiday checklist! You can also enjoy some kid-friendly play runs, tree-lined routes, and spacious pistes.
Top Restaurant: This is not a straight forward or easy choice! There are many world-class restaurants in Courchevel 1850. We have to mention the 2-Michelin-Star Le Chabichou as one of our top choices for exquisite gourmet cuisine. It’s a historic dining establishment, with some of the finest dishes in the Alps curated by some of the best chefs in the world. No guide to Courchevel would be complete without highlighting top restaurants in Courchevel 1850 of such high calibre.
Where to Stay in Courchevel 1850
The choice of where to stay in Courchevel is vast, with something to suit every age, taste, and specifications. But some of the finest options with everything you could dream of are the Les Airelles Chalets. An exciting paradise for children, and a relaxing haven for adults, these chalets are the best of both worlds. Ideal for families or large groups, the chalets can together accommodate up to 26 guests, with shared spaces for togetherness alongside private, tranquil corners.
Guests at Les Airelles Chalets enjoy exclusive access to the amenities of the nearby 5* Palace Hotel Les Airelles Courchevel, including the renowned La Mer Spa, gourmet restaurants, and a winter wonderland kids’ camp. Within the chalets, indulgence takes center stage with indoor pools, private spas, cinema rooms, and arcade games. A dedicated team meet every request, making these Courchevel chalets an oasis of luxury.
Luxury Ski Holidays in La Tania
Overview: The youngest village to become an official Courchevel village, La Tania is an understated yet undeniably fantastic addition to this guide to Courchevel. With pine-tree-lined ski runs leading into the chocolate box alpine village, La Tania offers great value, pretty scenery and a variety of slopes. This village is a truly family-friendly ski resort, and the atmosphere is wholesome alpine charm at its most pure. Luxury ski chalets in La Tania align with the resort character and offer havens for unwinding and relaxing after a day skiing the Three Valleys.
Altitude: 1,350m
Skiing: Enjoying a great position between Courchevel 1850 and Meribel, La Tania is the perfect family-friendly ski resort for access to the Three Valleys ski area. The resort has runs appealing to all abilities; fan-favourites include the rolling Foleyeres blue run into town, and for the adventurous spirits, the Dou Des Lanches black run from the Col de la Loze is fantastic for those bluebird days.
Top Restaurant: If you’re staying in La Tania, La Farçon is an unmissable Michelin-star restaurant. It maintains an authentic cuisine fused with creative menus; you will be sure to enjoy this culinary delight. Their top chef Julian Machet also runs the more pared back option of Bistrot Machet as a high-altitude alternative for a lunchtime treat.
Where to Stay in La Tania
Chalet Becca is an ideal cosy choice when it comes to ski-in, ski-out chalets in the Three Valleys. This chalet ticks a lot of boxes for a wholesome family ski holiday, or group of friends of up to 8 guests. The biggest highlight at Chalet Becca has to be the location. Direct access to the slopes and close to the lifts is a huge bonus, not to mention the traditional interiors and mountain views. For a self-catered ski holiday in La Tania, Chalet Becca is a great option.
Evidently, chooing to stay in one village in the Courchevel valley is not limiting. There are great connections between all the villages and the rest of the Three Valleys for you to explore. So it’s up to you… which part of Courchevel suits you best?
We hope this guide to Courchevel has helped, but if you are still not sure, feel free to enquire with our team of Ski Specialists and we will be delighted to chat with you about your next luxury ski holiday to Courchevel. You can give us a call on +44 1202 203650 or send us an email and we would love to hear from you!
