Our Courchevel guide

Courchevel is the gateway to the Three Valleys, a vast resort with hundreds of miles of slopes which will keep even the most intrepid ski-clad explorers busy for days on end. With endless activities, discover our curated luxury guide to Courchevel.

Courchevel, the magnificent

Courchevel springs into action with the first rays of the new dawn. In the pure blue sky, the morning sun lights up the jagged peaks of the Aiguille du Fruit. The crisp chill in the air makes your cheeks glow as you step out of the chalet, wrapped up and ready to go. The resort is slowly waking up, and the hustle and bustle soon begins amid the snow-capped palaces. Their architecture is inspired by the traditional wooden chalets of these valleys. In the early morning haze it can feel like you’ve wandered into some alpine fairytale village.

The hardiest souls are already queuing up to catch the first lift. It’s hard to resist a moment of nostalgia when you remember the cheerful colours of the “egg” cable car replaced just a few years ago. Soaring above the treetops, the lift drops you off at the summit of La Saulire, over 2700 metres above sea level. At the top you’re greeted by an astonishing collection of contemporary artwork. Half hidden by the snow: Courchevel is always full of surprises, and every year the mountains are scattered with pop-up exhibitions in unusual locations. Up here the panorama is magnificent, from Mont Blanc in the north to the Ecrins in the south.

When the sun goes down Courchevel slips into something more comfortable, as the resort’s legendary nightlife lights up the streets. Dozens of bars and clubs keep things moving until the sun comes up and it’s time to start all over again.

Scenic Paradise

The ski resort of Courchevel is a refined enclave in the heart of the wild mountains that thrives on contradictions. Silence of the pine forests surrounds the luxury chalets in Courchevel and lets the distant sound of busy ski slopes echo. The vastness of the Trois-Vallées territory has as many family hiking trails as it does legendary pistes, including the plunging Combe de Saulire. Savoy gastronomy, which is rustic and indulgent, takes on a gourmet feel here. The best part is that it can be enjoyed looking out onto the frozen lace of the mountain peaks.

Whether you want to relax or be active, our guide to Courchevel will ensure you never lose the luxury of the alps. In Courchevel you can dance in an après-ski club by day and admire a traditional torch-bearing ski procession by night. You can take up the challenge of donning crampons and exploring glaciers, or just laze in a sauna. You can go hiking in snowshoes on untouched slopes or glide across the pristine surface of an Olympic skating rink.

How To Get To Courchevel

Courchevel is easily accessible from the A430 motorway. The nearby Moûtiers train station has TGV high-speed connections, as well as direct Thalys and Eurostar services. Shuttle buses run between the station and Courchevel. The nearest international airports are Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon and Grenoble, all less than two hours away. Alternatively, if you really want to arrive in style, Courchevel has one of Europe’s few working altiports: a mountain-top runway accessible to only the most experienced pilots.

When To Visit Courchevel

Like most mountain villages, Courchevel really comes into its own in the winter months. As well as a huge ski resort with guaranteed snow, the town’s winter season is packed with various cultural events such as the firework festival in February/March. In January, Courchevel goes Russian to celebrate the Orthodox New Year. The atmosphere is very different in summer, much calmer and less hectic. But there’s no shortage of things to do: hiking, mountain biking, hang gliding, beautiful golf courses.

Experience chalets in Courchevel

Let us guide you to our luxury houses in Courchevel

Our chalets in Courchevel are hidden in the blind bends of winding mountain roads. You can ski right up to the door. In Courchevel 1550 and Le Praz, traditional façades with openwork balconies overlook the immaculate slopes. In Courchevel 1850, chalets take on spectacular dimensions and the façades are fitted with large bay windows. Inside, the panelled walls and stone fireplaces are tinted with touches of designer flair and modern conveniences. In a contemporary dining room, you gather around a huge raw wood table with a plunging view over the valley.

A Courchevel chalet rental also puts relaxation and wellness at the centre of life in the Alps. Relax in a bubbling outside Jacuzzi looking onto the mountain peaks. Or dive into a heated indoor swimming pool by the soft mountain lamplights.

Chalet S

 Chalet S is a traditional home set right in the heart of the action, just a few hundred meters off the slopes. All around the cabin, snowy peaks of the mountains kiss the sky and slopes covered with pines run deep into the valleys.

The interior of the home is striking. The walls, the floor and the beams have all been made with carved wood. It is a local tradition that gives the illusion of being in a mountain hut, sheltered from the cold by an open fire crackling in the middle of the living-room.

Chalet Mint

Against the immaculate snowy backdrop of the alps, the silhouette of Chalet Mint immediately catches the eye. The monochrome refinement of this contemporary décor is punctuated with eye-catching details such as pops of colour and contemporary art.

Our favourite part of this home is the indoor pool made to look like a Venetian palace complete with columns and mosaic tiles.

Our favourite spots in Courchevel

Either in farm buildings, or luxury hotels, discover our guide to our favourite spots in town, as there's something for everyone in Courchevel.

BARS

Le Mangeoire

La Mangeoire is a true Courchevel legend. This artfully-decorated restaurant/piano bar has a cosy lounge where you can sip on cocktails and vintage spirits with a great view of the band. At night the tables are cleared away to make more room for dancing, drawing a fashionable, festive crowd.

L'Equipe

In the centre of Courchevel 1850, L’Equipe is the go-to spot for nighthawks looking for a warm welcome and a relaxed atmosphere. Locals and holidaymakers come together over a beer, a glass of wine or a plate of tapas, in a wood-panelled lounge reminiscent of some long-lost speakeasy.

Le White Bar

Within the Hotel Cheval Blanc, sink into one of the sofas in front of the White Bar’s roaring fire. It's the perfect setting to enjoy grand cru wines and top-notch cocktails while listening to some live music. The hotel also boasts a dedicated cigar lounge, as well as the 1947, a three Michelin star restaurant created by chef Yannick Alléno, with just five tables for a truly unique gastronomic adventure.

RESTAURANTS

La Cave des Creux

At 2100 metres above sea level, this old alpine farm building has been transformed into a cosy, authentic restaurant. This is the perfect spot to try some local specialities. Especially with an astounding view of Mont Blanc from the sunny terrace, or by the roaring fireside in the evening.

Ferme auberge d’Ariondaz

On a stone set into the wall of this old farmer’s chalet, a date is still just about visible: 1850. Bernard Chardon, restaurateur and farmer, keeps this tradition alive by maintaining his own herd of alpine cows. He uses their milk to produce delicious, traditional mountain cheeses. Tome, Raclette and Vacherin – are all just a stone’s throw from the ski slopes.

La Saulire

It may say La Saulire on the sign, but to the locals this is simply “Jacques’ place". Jacques being the owner that everybody here knows by name. Within these wood-panelled walls, furnished with deep, inviting cushions, head chef Benoît Redondo has been cooking up dishes inspired by the legendary black truffle for 14 years and counting.

Activities in Courchevel

Whether you want to be taught by an olympian ski champion, sit in the luxury of indoor saunas, or guide mushing dogs through the snow, here are the best activities in Courchevel.

Aquamotion

After a long day on the slopes, there’s nothing quite like relaxing in the warm waters of a spa. The recently-opened Aquamotion centre offers a huge array of aquatic activities. From the outdoor pool with its lazy river to the indoor slides and sauna facilities. All in a futuristic setting which seems to be hewn into the slopes of the valley.

Cruise the slopes by torchlight

Glide down the slopes with your torchlight, weaving down to the bright lights of the resort below.

Ski like an Olympian

Carve up the snow with the help of a former Olympic ski champion, who was raised in the region.

Learn to jab in the mountains

Slip into the ring like Rocky as a coach leads you through exercises in the middle of an icy forest.

A hockey game

Every other week, Val Vanoise’s local ice hockey team step into the rink to represent Courchevel, Méribel and Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Promoted to the national second division in 2015-2016, the Bouquetins are a great source of local pride, drawing big crowds on game day.

Play the musher's apprentice

Explore the great white wilderness of Courchevel with our favourite musher.

Chapelle Notre Dame de l’Assomption

Tucked away amid the fir trees lies the little chapel of Notre Dame de l’Assomption. Built in 1953 by celebrated architects Denys Pradelle and Jean Prouvé, it is a fine example of the cultural riches to be found in Courchevel, home to a number of historical monuments. Making ample use of light and perspective, celebrating nature in all its glory, the chapel is a haven of peace amid the hustle and bustle of Courchevel in full swing.

Welcome to the circus

A cabaret, acrobats and more await you during a private party: fireworks make for a grande finale.

On horseback in a winter wonderland

Helicopter to a farm lost in the mountains, then spend the day flying over the snow on horseback.

If you love Courchevel, check out our luxury guide to Val d’Isère to discover another paradise in the alps.

With Le Collectionist, renting luxury Courchevel chalets has never been easier with our guide. Explore our collection to discover other luxury houses for rent in Courchevel.