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Courchevel 1550 (Village) Resort Guide

Courchevel 1550, also known as Courchevel Village, is a quieter alpine resort nestling just below the bright lights of 1850.

It’s a relatively small skiing village which offers secluded accommodation and traditional bars and restaurants. 

You can still find the iconic luxury that the area is famous for, plus Courchevel 1850 is just a 5 minute gondola ride or car drive up the hill.

In 1550 you’ll find everything you need for a perfect trip including ski rental, ski schools, and grocery stores.

Adding to this, there is a selection of tasty restaurants and bars serving a cold beer. 

After a day on the slopes, you’ll be pleased to have the Aquamotion swimming pool and spa just 2 minutes from the resort centre.

It’s a place to enjoy the delights of Courchevel away from the crowds!

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Skiing in Courchevel 1550

skiing in Courchevel 1550

Basing yourself in 1550 gives you amazing access to the whole Courchevel and Three Valleys ski area.

Skiers of all abilities can start their day using the high speed Grangettes gondola which delivers you into the heart of Courchevel 1850 in less than 5 minutes. From here, you can make your first turns on the nursery slopes of the Bellecote green run with a private instructor.

More experienced skiers and snowboarders can then fly high up into the mountains on one of the many lifts to choose from. You can also start your journey in 1550 at the Tovets chairlift which carries you up the hill for warm up laps, access to Le Praz, and Plantrey chairlift. Whichever you choose, you’ll be clipped in and skiing in minutes!

Later in the day you can ski all the way into the centre of 1550 on the Tovets blue run or the Dou du Midi red slope.

If you’re staying in the Grandes Combes opposite Aquamotion you’ll be able to use your own dedicated chairlift and homeward bound blue run for access.

There’s only a couple of pistes and lifts to the ‘1550 ski area’. As it sits just below the main hub of 1850, you have quick access to the wider ski area and the enjoyment of skiing home each day.

Ski Rental

You can rent skis from one of the top quality shops in the village. You’ll see a selection of major suppliers in the centre, along with independent shops with brilliant service.

You can easily book online and even have your ski rental delivered and fitted in your accommodation. It’s always better to pre-book in order to avoid queues and high prices on weekends!

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Ski Lessons

Is it your first time skiing? Then it is essential to have ski lessons. 

If you already have experience, you can take your technique to the next level. The better you become the more fun there is to be had on the mountain. 

You can choose from a wide range of ski schools and private instructors. Private ski instructors accelerate your learning. In addition, they can meet you at your chalet and act as your guide for the day. Group lessons are available for booking at bigger ski schools.


Chalets and Hotels in Courchevel 1550

Courchevel 1550 is mostly made up of apartment blocks and hotels, especially through the centre of the village. You’ll still come across several ski chalets available for private booking.

Most of the apartment blocks have been refurbished in recent years giving you a great selection of self-catering options. It’s a way to comfortably enjoy Courchevel on a tighter budget.

A number of hotels give you added service and luxury although choice is a little limited in the small village. 

Ski chalets are becoming increasingly popular here as more money flows down the hill from 1850. There’s a growing choice from well known travel companies and private booking suppliers. On the outskirts to the village you’ll see these chalets, often with ski in / ski out access and stunning views down the valley at sunset.


How to Get to Courchevel 1550

1550 road

The most popular way to get to 1550 is using the closest international airport such as Geneva or Chambery. You can book a transfer to drive you from the airport to the village. Geneva provides the most regular flight arrivals and is a little over 2 hours drive away. Chambery is the closest international airport about a 1 hour drive away. This is a small airport with only a few destinations and arrivals each day.

Ready to treat yourself? Charter private jet or helicopter transfer arriving at the Courchevel Altiport! You’ll land right next to the ski slopes on Europe’s highest runway. From here your accommodation is just 10 minutes away.

Moutiers is the nearest train station, it’s a 20 minute drive by transfer or taxi.

The drive is very simple as you follow the signposts for Courchevel from Moutiers town. The main mountain road twists up the hill through the trees. After driving through Le Praz, the next village is 1550. Look out for the right turn with a welcome signpost. If you miss it, keep driving until you arrive at the next roundabout for access from the top end of the village.


Restaurants in Courchevel 1550

cheese fondue

Although it is a small ski resort, you can still find a choice of epic restaurants in Courchevel 1550 village. The village still feels like a real mountain village with wood clad building fronts and huts!

They are all located along the main street, so take a walk and see what takes your fancy. There’s delicious traditional offerings like fondue and raclette, perfect to refuel after a day on the mountain. Le Caveau, on the main street, is 100% one of the tastiest fondues in Courchevel and is set in a cosy restaurant bristling with historic ski ambience. Or perhaps you’re ready to enjoy a tender steak and a glass of local red at L’Oeil de Boeuf?

And nowhere would be complete without a couple of pizzerias for a quick takeaway or an easy going bite to eat with your group.


Bars, Apres Ski and Nightlife in 1550

wine and cheese

There’s no doubt that this is the quietest village in the Courchevel valley. You won’t find too many live apres ski or late night hang outs here.

Instead, it is a place to escape the hustle and bustle of French ski resorts. Wooden ski bars welcome you in with a smile and a cold beer. The perfect place to laugh and joke about the day’s action with your friends and family. 

You’ll also find wine bars to sip on a bottle with light snacks. A touch of elegance if you desire.

For more lively action, you can still jump around as the music volume turns up a notch in Courchevel 1850 and the slopeside restaurant bars. You can enjoy the energy of French apres ski and still make it home easily for dinner. If it’s still light outside then ski home or you can use the Grangettes gondola for access by foot into the evening. Plus a free ski bus runs between the whole resort until late at night.


Shopping in Courchevel 1550

All the shops and businesses run along the main street through the centre of the village. You’ll find all the essentials here for a perfect ski trip.

Most of the stores are ski shops providing rental and selling accessories. You can pick up anything you’ve forgotten like socks, goggles, and gloves. 

Adding to this, there’s a grocery store with everything you need for self catering. Plus it’s a useful place to pick up snacks or food for a picnic lunch.

There is a Tabac and newsagents for other bits and bobs. You might find a nice Courchevel branded souvenir here.

Other than this, the village is mainly made up of bars and restaurants. For proper retail therapy, your best bet is Courchevel 1850 where there’s more than 40 boutique stores and larger ski shops.


Things to Do In Courchevel 1550 for Non-Skiers

Once you’ve finished skiing (or you’re taking a day off) the big attraction is Aquamotion. It’s a large swimming pool and spa built in the shape of a wave. You’ll know it when you see it!

Aquamotion is a 2 minute walk from the centre of Courchevel 1550 and is situated on the main valley road.

Inside there’s fun for all the family with water slides and fun zones for the kids. For complete serenity, head into the Aquawellnes zone which is filled with hot water pools, salt pools, multiple saunas and steam rooms. You can even book yourself a massage treatment to soothe the aching muscles.

Tobogganing is another highlight as the village is the finish line to an epic luge track running from 1850 all the way down through the trees. Rent a luge from a local ski shop, jump on the gondola up the hill which arrives at the start line. Then let the thrills and spills begin. The track is free to use, all you need to pay for is the luge rental.

If you’ve still got energy left then don’t miss out on snow shoeing, hot air balloon rides, dog sledding, skidoos, ice skating, and bowling!


Courchevel 1550: A Quiet Mountain Village Retreat

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Courchevel 1550 Village.

It can be a little confusing as people will refer to it as ‘1550’ or ‘Village’.

It is often overlooked by many visitors but it offers a quieter traditional mountain feel. There’s everything you need including ski shops, ski schools, and fondue restaurants. Plus you can be skiing in minutes with direct access to the main ski area. What more do you need!

As a bonus, the incredible Aquamotion spa is right at the entry to the village and you can take lap after lap of the toboggan run.

This is the place to head to relax away from the large crowds while still being able to quickly access the vibrance of the rest of the ski resort.