Courchevel 1850 and the Art of Alpine Polish
Courchevel is a ski resort in the Tarentaise valley of the French Alps, part of Les Trois Vallées and known for its refined hotels, its concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants and fast access to some of the best-groomed slopes in Europe. The resort is made up of villages named for their altitude: Courchevel 1850 at the top, then 1650, 1550 and 1300 below. Developed from the late 1940s as a purpose-built resort, it was planned around the slopes, which is why lifts, boutiques and chalet-hotels sit so neatly together.
At 1850, the atmosphere is polished but easy. Ski-in, ski-out chalets, spas and boutiques line the main streets, and the resort's altiport, with its distinctive short, sloping runway, is one of the most photographed in the Alps. Courchevel's slopes also hosted events at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, with the ski jumps still visible above the valley. Neighbouring Méribel offers a more timber-clad, chalet-village feel, while Val d'Isère across the range suits those who want a more mountaineering mood.
Three Valleys Skiing and Tables Worth the Trip
The ski area is the headline. Les Trois Vallées is among the largest linked ski domains in the world, with roughly 600 kilometres of pistes, and Courchevel is its most direct gateway. Wide, well-groomed runs suit all levels, from gentle beginners' slopes at 1550 and 1650 to long, fast descents toward Méribel and Val Thorens. Families, groups and couples all find a version of the resort that suits them, and ski schools and mountain guides are part of the fabric of every village.
Dining sets Courchevel apart. The resort has long attracted ambitious chefs, and its restaurants range from mountain-hut lunches serving local cheeses and charcuterie to tasting menus from some of France's best-known kitchens. Savoyard staples such as reblochon, tartiflette and génépi round out the experience. A hotel group with a Courchevel property can build a compelling story around its spa, its table and its position on the slopes, and visitors comparing options often look at Les Arcs for a more modern, family-minded alternative.
Read the full Courchevel guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitCourchevel.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.