Find out more about Courchevel’s world-class ski area. Keep reading for an in-depth review of skiing in Courchevel and The Three Valleys
Download: Courchevel Piste Map or 3 Valleys piste map
Skiing in Courchevel allows access to the largest ski area in the world. Courchevel is one of ‘The Three Valleys’ which is home to 600kms of piste.
Nowhere provides a more seamlessly linked, exceptional, ski area.
Courchevel itself offers over 150 km of varied terrain to suit all skiing abilities. More than 55 lifts serve over 100 runs between 1300 metres and 2700 metres in altitude.
Courchevel’s ski area is known to have to best grooming in the Alps, so you’ll enjoy perfectly manicured pistes, every single day.
It’s completely snow sure as well, with 85% of the ski area proudly sitting above 1800 metres. This is coupled with the largest snow marking operation in France covering 50% of the Courchevel ski area.
The north-facing slopes stay cold throughout the winter ensuring pristine snow conditions from early December until late April.
Courchevel’s ski area and lift pass incorporate 3 north-facing bowls, splitting the terrain into 3 distinct areas.
Courchevel 1850 Ski Area
This is the heart of the whole ski area which Courchevel revolves around.
You can enjoy the gentle, spacious, beginner slopes of the Jardin Alpin and Bellecote to get your ski legs or learn your very first turns.
Once you’re on your way to mastery, it’s time to jump on the gondolas and soar up to the top of Saulire. From here the whole area opens up, including links to Meribel and the wider Three Valleys.
Enjoy the longest run, Creux, a wide blue slope following the valley towards either 1850 or 1650.
Take another lap and glide down to Verdons where you’ll enjoy some mellow skiing or the adrenaline of the Family Park jumps (Freestyle terrain).
For non-stop skiing, test yourself on the full ski area descent from 2738 metres at the summit to 1300 metres in Le Praz. A 1438 metre non-stop descent!
Ready to explore further? Then it’s time to check out 1650 and La Tania ski areas.
Courchevel Moriond 1650 Ski Area
It’s always sunny in 1650 making it a delightful ski area for everybody.
Fun for all abilities, wide-open blue and green runs fill the hillside with a couple of red runs to keep you honest.
The 1650 ski area is dreamlike for an afternoon ski after a warming lunch at the Bel Air slopeside restaurant.
Woop and holler down Grandes Bosses or spy a quiet spot for some turns around the Chaplets chairlift.
Still got some energy? Laugh with friends and look far into the most beautiful part of the whole ski area on the Pyramids dual drag lift.
All the while you’re never too far from Courchevel 1850 which is accessible via the Aiguille de Fruit chairlift.
For an epic itinerary follow in the turns of a legend on the Jean-Blanc black run, named in honour of the former French champion.
La Loze & La Tania Ski Area
The third Courchevel bowl slopes off towards La Tania and Le Praz underneath the Rocher de la Loze.
It combines cold shaded snow with runs wiggling down through the alpine forest. From this side of the mountain, you can quickly access La Tania, Le Praz, Meribel and Courchevel.
Jump on the Bouc Blanc chairlift or Dou des Launches to get up high and pick your route.Plan Fontaine is a glorious twisty green run, it feels endless as you snake all the way into La Tania. Perfect for beginners or warming up your ski legs.
For more of a challenge, red run Murrettes is a high-speed descent into Le Praz. It often remains unskied until late in the day, so get there early and it’s one of the best runs you’ll find.
Hop back on the Foret chairlift and find another challenge in the technical Eclipse black run which is a downhill course designed especially for the 2023 World Championships!
Something more relaxing? Bouc Blanc mountain restaurant shines in warming sunshine for a very reasonable yet filling lunch. Non-skiers can even meet you here via gondola access.
Don’t forget to cruise down the long Folyeres blue run before you’ve ticked off this side of the mountain.
The Best Skiing in the World…
Courchevel is a world-class ski area with incredible guaranteed snow conditions and terrain to suit every style. Add in meticulous grooming, snowmaking, and a state-of-the-art lift system, and there’s really no better place to ski!
Of course, you can add to your adventures across the rest of the seamlessly linked The Three Valleys which include Meribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Saint Martin and Orelle, all from one lift pass.
Read our guide to skiing The Three Valleys here.
Skiing in Courchevel FAQ
Find all the answers to your questions about Courchevel ski resort
The ski season in Courchevel runs from early December until late April. Ski season dates for winter 2021-2022 are: 04/12/2021 to 22/04/2022
Yes, Courchevel is great for beginners. There are multiple nursey slopes across the large ski area.
1850 has the best selection with the free Bellecote slope, wide Verdons run, and altiport ski zone, all perfect for learning to ski.
From early December until late April Courchevel is guaranteed snow. Its north-facing slopes plus top altitude of 2730 metres provide the perfect conditions for snow.
Courchevel also has a huge network of snowmaking facilities covering most of the mountain. This means that even if it is not snowing naturally, the ski resort can make snow for itself.
Yes! It’s really easy to ski anywhere in Courchevel without taking your skis off. It takes just one or two lifts to get between 1650 and 1850. Find the route here.
Courchevel’s ski area is around 150kms of groomed piste skiing. You can ski the whole area on a network of green and blue runs. Plus challenge yourself with many red and black runs.
It’s easy for competent skiers to access the Meribel valley via the Saulire Cable car plus a number of other chairlifts.
You will need a 3 Valleys lift pass to ski in Meribel.
As with any ski resort, you’ll need proper winter clothing. Skiers require ski jackets, pants, gloves and more to keep warm on the slopes. Temperatures usually range between 5°C to -10°C.
The Courchevel ski area ranges between 1300 metres and 2730 metres in altitude. Courchevel’s main town is at 1850 metres with other villages at 1650m, 1550m, 1400m, 1300m.
