Luxury Ski Vacations in Courchevel 1850
There's so much to see and experience on a luxury ski vacation to Courchevel 1850 with Scott Dunn.
- Customized ski trips that are truly unforgettable
- Itineraries curated by our in-resort experts
- 24/7 support from our travel specialists
- Access to our team of award-winning experts
Courchevel is one of France's premier ski resorts – and with good reason. It is the largest interconnected ski area in the world, with a lift system linking to Meribel and Val Thorens. It’s one of the best all-around skiing destinations for abilities of all levels. From complete beginners to some of the top freeride skiers in the sport, including local legend Manu Gaidet, Courchevel has skiing to suit your pace.
Located in the heart of Les Trois Vallées in the Savoie department of southeastern France, this resort has attracted well-heeled guests for over a decade. As well as first-class action on the slopes and an exclusive, customized service throughout, you'll be able to enjoy superb shopping, outstanding apres-ski and Michelin-star dining. Whether you stay in one of our luxury ski chalets or one of the best hotels in Courchevel 1850, you'll be conveniently located to wake up in high-end accommodation and head to the lifts in no time.
Courchevel 1850 is suited to families of varying levels and advanced skiers too. Extensive skiing coupled with the resort’s glamorous style make Courchevel the destination of choice.
“Courchevel 1850 is the ideal beginner and family resort. Nearly every hotel is ski in, ski out, the mountain restaurants are fantastic, and the town has so much to do apart from skiing, meaning there is something for everyone to enjoy”.
Miranda Bird, Ski Travel Specialist
Tailormade Courchevel Ski Trips with Scott Dunn
Embark on a spectacular, fully customized ski trip to Courchevel in France with Scott Dunn. We know that you have a dream winter sports getaway in mind, and we'll create a vacation that suits you. When you choose us, you say where you want to go and what you want to do. We'll handle the details that make all the difference.
Skiing in Courchevel 1850: What You Need to Know
- Resort altitude: 6,070ft
- Highest point: 8,983ft
- Vertical drop: 4,718ft
- Ski areas: Part of Les Trois Vallées, the largest ski area in the world. Courchevel is linked with six other resorts: Meribel, La Tania, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle.
- Number of lifts: 180
- Pistes: 95m (375m for Les Trois Vallées, of which 52% are beginner/intermediate, 38% advanced, 10% expert).
- Best for: All levels of skier. Easy runs close to the village, steeper runs and plenty of off-piste terrain further up the mountain. A selection of blue and red runs make the Courchevel area great for all levels.
The Best Hotels in Courchevel
Courchevel has the highest concentration of five-star hotels in France outside Paris, so there is plenty of choice. Ski in/ski out is de rigueur, and the hotel restaurants compete for gastronomic honors.
Chalet Margaux
Courchevel 1850, France
Lose yourself in timeless elegance in the heart of Courchevel 1850, with highly desired ski-in/ski-out access to the Cospilot piste. A spacious chalet with lovingly decorated living areas creating a beautiful space for up to 14 guests.
Chalet Carat
Courchevel 1850, France
Enhance a ski trip to Courchevel with a stay at this luxe five-bedroom chalet, ideal for après-ski relaxation with an indoor pool, sauna, cinema room and wine cave, elegantly furnished in alpine chic style and draped in cozy furs, and plush velvets.
Chalet Colombe
Courchevel 1850, France
Sink into opulence with a stay at the stylish Chalet Colombe, boasting the facilities of a 5-star hotel. Showcasing a plush spa with a pool, nestled in a prime location just a short walk from the chic resort of Courchevel 1850.
Chalet Montana
Courchevel 1850, France
Sink into luxury at Chalet Montana, boasting a prime location right by the Bellecote piste that leads to the center of Courchevel 1850. Relax into its stunning design with impeccable service creating the ultimate retreat in this prestigious resort.
Hotel Barrière Les Neiges
Courchevel 1850, France
Hotel Barrière Les Neiges in an exceptionally luxurious chalet-style hotel in the heart of the village of Courchevel 1850, located on the legendary Bellecote piste.
Hotel des Trois Vallées
Courchevel 1850, France
The Hotel des Trois Vallées is a ski-in ski-out chalet style hotel in the heart of Courchevel 1850. The 4* hotel features stylish rooms, cozy lounge and relaxed restaurant focused on using the best produce.
Aman Le Melezin
Courchevel 1850, France
Standing proud in the exclusive Courchevel 1850, the boutique chalet style hotel is set directly on the Bellecôte Piste, with stunning alpine vistas. Boasting ski-in/out access, as well as exclusive experiences including snowmobiling and early lift access
Le Chabichou
Courchevel 1850, France
Le Chabichou is a cozy, alpine retreat in the heart of Courchevel 1850 and is renowned for its culinary excellence and enviable piste side location.
Annapurna
Courchevel 1850, France
The Annapurna is a modern hotel situated in a peaceful, piste-side location. All 57 rooms and 13 suites at Annapurna are spacious, many with south facing balconies and stunning mountain views. The ultimate in ski convenience.
Grandes Alpes
Courchevel 1850, France
Grandes Alpes, in the heart of Courchevel 1850, with direct access to the four main slopes, offers 5* luxury hotel service in a stunning collection of nine private apartments.
Skiing in Courchevel 1850
A combination of factors makes Courchevel one of France's most in-demand ski areas. As part of the Three Valleys, it is a vast space, filled with a range of slopes to explore.
With so many gradients and difficulty levels to try, it's worth indulging in a customized trip that makes the most of a week’s skiing here. We know from experience that the most important elements of consider are the exposure and the variety of pitch.
The slopes are predominantly north-facing, meaning that the snow in Courchevel is in perfect condition. The mountain is concave in shape too, so the lower slopes around the chalets and hotels principally comprise confidence-building green and blue runs below the tree line. For skiers in this area, visibility and exposure to the wind are never much of a problem.
The further up the mountain you go, the steeper it gets and wide red runs perfect for huge carving turns are topped with steep mogul runs and narrow couloirs to challenge the most expert skiers. If you're a seasoned skier, these are the runs for you.
Courchevel prides itself on the way it maintains its pistes. Every night, the dedicated team works to ensure that there are endless miles of perfect corduroy the next morning. The well-maintained slopes, variety of green, blue, red and black runs, plus the easy ski home, mean that Courchevel 1850 is one of the leading resorts in the Alps.
Things to Do on a Courchevel Ski Vacation
Glitz, glamor and glorious skiing. Courchevel combines great altitude and a huge ski area with one of the most luxurious resorts in Europe. For an all-access look at what's on offer, here's your Courchevel resort guide.
Après-ski in Courchevel isn't just an activity; it's an art form. As the slopes close, the real adventure begins in a world where champagne flows as freely as the conversations and the mountain views are matched only by the gourmet delights and vibrant nightlife.
Discover the top dining destinations in this prestigious Alpine retreat from Michelin-starred delights to cozy village eateries.
Experience Courchevel's glamorous nightlife, where fireside cocktails and exclusive clubs make every evening unforgettable.
From one-on-one private ski lessons to comprehensive ski guides, Courchevel ski schools cover it all.
- Get paired with the best ski instructors in Courchevel for you
- Exclusive Explorers Kids Club for Scott Dunn guests
- We’ll handle all the bookings and logistics from beginning to end
- 24/7 seamless support
Here are some suggested ski schools in Courchevel. All of the ski schools we work with have English-speaking instructors to ensure no language barriers. If you'd like help identifying the best ski schools for…
Insider Tips for Your Courchevel Ski Trip
Whether you're sticking with 1850 or heading to 1650, here are some top insider tips to be aware of before you hit the slopes, eateries and more in Courchevel:
Ski tips
- Avoid starting each day by taking the lift to the top of the mountain. The central ski area beneath La Saulire draws the crowds and much of the best (and less busy) terrain lies lower down.
- There are some thigh-burningly long descents. These include the two black runs, Jockeys and Jean Blanc, which are true classics.
- Unless there is a blizzard, take the Plantrey chairlift instead of the main gondolas first thing in the morning. There is rarely a line, and the first run down is a wonderful fast and wide blue, which offers incredible carving turns.
- Don’t miss the Chapelets run in Courchevel 1650. It is usually overlooked and one of the most fun in the valley.
- Think like a local when planning your skiing. Most people head for Courchevel 1650 on day three or four and plan to ski the Three Valleys on day four or five. Turn this on its head and you should find that you rarely wait in a line.
- The toboggan run from Courchevel 1850 to 1550 is free (with a lift pass) and is a real highlight - great fun for adults and kids.
- In a whiteout, ski the runs on the Loze side down to La Tania and Le Praz. The tree cover gives you much better visibility.
Dining information
- Le Chabichou, the double Michelin star-winning restaurant usually seen as an evening venue, has a wonderful sunny terrace right next to the piste and a delectable “plat du jour” menu.
- Try lunch at La Bouitte, the starred restaurant in St Martin de Belleville. The run down to St Martin, Jerusalem, is an epic way to build up an appetite.
- Le YaCa in Le Praz is well worth the trip down the hill. This tiny restaurant has bags of character. Another good option is Le Bistrot du Praz, which specializes in foie gras.
Courchevel 1850 Ski Holidays FAQs
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Prime weeks such as Christmas, New Year and the February half-term break now command a significant premium for luxury Courchevel ski vacations. However, there has been an interesting side effect in that, as hotels have turned standard rooms into vast suites and property prices have become some of the highest in the world, the other weeks of the season have become quieter.
As a result, those skiing in January and March (even at Easter) will be delighted to find that Courchevel’s pristine pistes are less busy.
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Feel free to explore other areas in Courchevel. As well as 1850, there's Courchevel 1650, which is characterized by immensely wide blue runs in the sun that make it perfect for intermediates. When it is cold or the visibility is poor, the tree runs down to Courchevel 1550, Le Praz and La Tania are the places to head.
Once you have explored the Courchevel valley from end to end, the Meribel valley is only two ski lifts away and the Val Thorens/Les Menuires Valley is the largest of the three, if not the prettiest.
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The duration of your Courchevel vacation is totally up to you! That's the beauty of the personalized service you receive from Scott Dunn. But we do tend to find that most of our guests ski for a week to 10 days.
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There are plenty of excellent ski schools in Courchevel. You'll enjoy access to private and group lessons from English-speaking instructors. We highly recommend New Generation, which offers an innovative approach to learning to ski.
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Yes! There is plenty to keep non-skiers occupied. The Forum has an Olympic ice rink, a ten-pin bowling alley, a climbing wall and a small gym. The village at 1850 is also well known for its range of designer boutiques. The selection of haute couture and jewelry is as wide as the choice of skiing equipment.
You may recognise Courchevel’s spectacular altiport from the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and pilots must have a special rating to be able to land there. Scenic flights are a great way to see the Three Valleys.
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There are many restaurants in Courchevel 1850 to choose from. Lunch on the mountain is the second-favorite activity (for some it's arguably the first!) and is serious business. The most well-known mountain restaurants are the Chalet de Pierres, the Cap Horn, La Soucoupe, and the Bel Air on the 1650 side. Sunny terraces and extensive wine lists are available across these venues and non-skiers can reach them all by gondola or by road.
If lunch for you is more about enjoying a good meal which retains some sense of value for money, there are plenty more options including Le Roc Tania or Le Bouc Blanc. And you'll find a selection of eateries on the "front de neige" of Courchevel 1550, 1650 and Le Praz. The Adray Telebar near the Meribel altiport also has an excellent reputation.
Eating out in the evening is a treat for any gourmet as Courchevel boasts an impressive 11 Michelin stars. Although not a winner of any stars, we recommend La Mangeoire, which combines fabulous dining with cabaret. Once service is finished, the party really gets started.
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