All About Courchevel

Courchevel La Tania

The friendly resort of La Tania is a great value way to explore the enormous Three Valleys ski area.

The village has its own ski shops, tourist office, supermarket, post office & cash point as well as a good selection of restaurants and bars. There’s a buzzing après-ski scene and often live music in the evenings – ask your chalet hosts which not-to-be-missed bands are playing during your stay!

As a pedestrianised village, it’s ideal for children who can sledge and bum-board safely once the lifts have shut. There’s also a park with climbing and swings which are great fun in the snow, and plenty of walks nearby which are great for non-skiers and those with littler children who are not yet skiing.

It’s one of www.welove2ski.com’s top 10 places to learn to ski, with lovely long green and blue runs, and snow cannons to ensure good coverage through the long season. Felice Hardy from the website comments: “A collection of attractive Scandinavian-style chalets set in the woods above the village adds to the cosy mountain ambience. The cost of lunch or dinner here is lower than anywhere else in the Trois Vallees.”  We wholeheartedly agree!

Courchevel Le Praz

Courchevel Le Praz is a typical alpine village in a picturesque wooded setting and with magnificent views.

Ideal for skiers who like to experience a smaller French resort but don’t want to compromise on a top ski area, this charming village has a chic but relaxed feel, with pretty lights in the trees and an excellent selection of bars and restaurants.

Accessing the skiing is easy: you can ski back to the village via the red ‘Brigues’ or to the lift stations via red ‘Murettes’. There is a nursery slope with drag lift for beginners, and for those heading further afield into Courchevel and the Three Valleys there are two options: the Le Praz gondola and the super speedy Foret chair. You can ski back to our Le Praz chalet, Loup Blanc, to within 200m of the chalet via the Brigues piste.

Le Praz is a great place for a relaxed ski holiday as there are lovely spots for a civilised pre-ski coffee, or an apres-ski vin chaud before you head back to the chalet. The local restaurants range from cheap and cheerful pub grub to seriously fine dining with the Michelin-starred L’Azimut or the renowned Bistrot du Praz, La Petite Bergerie, Table de Mon Grand-Pere.

Out and about in Courchevel…

Courchevel Village is a friendly place with a parade of shops, a good value pizzeria (the Cortona) and L’Oeil de Boeuf where the chef cooks meat on the open fire. There’s also a handful of little terraces on which to enjoy a drink in the sunshine.

Courchevel Moriond is home to a good selection of skiing and snowboarding shops, foodie outlets and boutiques selling gifts and postcards. We recommend ‘Chez le Gaulois’ for their raclette sandwiches or La Boulotte for a cosy lunch – try the falafel wraps or the juicy burgers. If you’re struggling with sore feet then pop into The Boot Lab next to the boulangerie.

Courchevel 1850 is the largest village and has masses of shops, bars and restaurants, not all of which are over-priced! Try popping into Le Forum to the boulangerie for a value lunch, or to the Polar Cafe, just underneath the Jardin Alpin lift. Near the bus stop (enter under the bubble lifts and go down the stairs) you’ll find a little indoor soft play centre which is great for children. Across from the bus stop is a chocolaterie called ‘Piste Noire’ – great for gifts and our top tip for the most delicious hot chocolate in the resort!

Things to do in Courchevel

Away from the slopes, Le Forum in Courchevel 1850 is home to an ice-skating rink (usually opens at 3pm), bowling alley and a climbing wall (opens at 5pm).

Aquamotion is an incredible new addition to the resort: a fantastic pool with slides, an area for tiny swimmers and an outside area which is fun even when snowing. There’s an adults’ area with steam room, hydrotherapy and a relaxing atmosphere. Access to the pool is easy using the free bus.

Why not try a snow-shoe walk? It’s a fun way to experience the wilder side of the mountains, especially with a guide who will show you points of interest and help you to spot the animal tracks. You may even be lucky enough to see chamois or ibex.

Other activities available are husky sledging, paragliding and skidoo and hot air balloon rides, all of which can be arranged for you. In La Tania is a small gym, swimming pool and sauna located in the Montana Hotel in the village which is open in the afternoons and evening for non residents.