Courchevel is a very popular and well known Alpine Ski resort in the Savoie department of the Rhone Alps.
Many visitors find that the Courchevel resorts have everything they need, but ski passes can also be purchased which allow access to the whole Three Valleys area - which have been designed as one interlinking ski region, allowing easy access between them and with a total of 600 kilometres of ski runs...
Explore Courchevel
Courchevel has several 'separate' resorts, each named according to their altitude above sea-level (although not always strictly accurately), hence we have Le Praz (aka Courchevel 1300), La Tania (aka Courchevel 1350) and Courchevels 1550, 1650 and 1850.
Le Praz (1300) is a very attractive traditional village, and Courchevel 1850 is the most luxurious of the stations, with the intermediate resorts at 1550 and 1650 being targeted towards families and related activities.
There is also a further Courchevel resort called Saint-Bon, at 1100 metres altitude. You should be aware that this is below the level of the start of the ski lifts although a frequent bus operates to take you further up the mountain.
Courchevel 1850 was the first of the resorts to be constructed, soon after the second world war, and is still the largest of the resorts. Of course, Courchevel has changed a great deal during the last 50 years - including the implementation of a vast 'snow generator' system with hundreds of snow cannons to ensure you will always be able to ski.
Because of the large area covered by the resorts it is no surprise that there is skiing for all levels of skier, from the complete beginner, via an extensive range of blue and green runs, to a wide network of highly reputed 'black runs' and ample cross-country and off-piste opportunities for the very experienced. There are 150 kilometres of ski runs and 170 ski lifts.
Courchevel is recommended for both enthusiasts and families looking for a ski holiday together, with ski school on hand to help novices ge started.
If you want to try other activities Courchevel also has a good choice, from spas to ice-climbing, from hang-gliding to ice-skating, from hot air balloons to dog-sled trips I don't think you will be able to come up with an activity that isn't available. Of course, these activities all come at a cost so bring your wallet along...
When you have finished skiing you wil find that all other winter resort facilities - both day and night - are catered for with numerous ski related shops, enough other shops and boutiques to rival a decent sized town, including many upmarket shops, and lots of restaurants and bars.
To give you a clue as to how extensive the range of restaurants is, there are more than five restaurants here that have received a Michelin star and an almost uncountable number of more 'standard' restaurants...
If you are a summertime mountain enthusiast, Courchevel will still welcome you, with easy access to some stunning hikes through great scenery, outdoor activities at La Saulire, mountain biking and mountain climbing etc, and the opportunity to explore the Vanoise National Park.
You will find that many resorts remain open all year but are really quite quiet in summer, but Courchevel is usually busy.
Attractions nearby
Courchevel is a short distance from Meribel and to the east of Chambery and Grenoble: all three are interesting to visit.
The resort is part of the 'Three Valleys' Alpine ski region with Meribel and Val Thorens, together forming the largest ski area in the world.
You can find more travel ideas in the Savoie guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
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Map of Courchevel and places nearby
Visit near Courchevel with France This Way reviews
Meribel
Part of the extensive 'Trois Vallées' ski region, Meribel is extremely popular and has many activities available
Meribel guide
Val Thorens
The high altitude skiing at Val Thorens mean it has a longer season than many ski resorts in the Alps
Val Thorens guide
Valmorel
The low-rise buildings and traditional materials help preseve the charm of the ski resort of Valmorel
Valmorel guide
Vanoise National Park
The stunning mountain scenery in the Vanoise National Park ensure its year around popularity with outdoor enthusiasts
Vanoise National Park guide
Les Arcs
Centred around Bourg-Saint-Maurice and within the Paradiski ski region, the Les Arcs ski ae is always very popular
Les Arcs guide
... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Savoie
Address: Courchevel, Moûtiers, Albertville, Rhone-Alpes, 73120, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.415, longitude 6.63389
Plan your visit to Courchevel, Savoie
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne: recommended detour (27 km)
- Col de l'Iseran: site of natural beauty (31 km)
- Bonneval: most beautiful village (33 km)
- Albertville: town of art and history (34 km)
- Col de la Croix-de-Fer: site of natural beauty (40 km)
- Aiguilles d'Arves: site of natural beauty (40 km)
- Jardin alpin du Lautaret: remarkable garden (47 km)
- La Grave: most beautiful village (49 km)
- Megeve: ville fleurie 4* (49 km)
- Massif des Bauges: regional natural parc (49 km)
- Vallee de la Claree: grand site of france (50 km)
- Mont Blanc: site of natural beauty (50 km)
The French version of this page is at Courchevel (Francais)