Courchevel 1850 is the most popular and most visited ski resort in the French Alps. People from all over the world come here to relax. The resort is famous for its wonderful tracks of different difficulty levels, excellent living conditions and excellent restaurants. We will discuss all this in our article today.
Gourmet Luxury Resort
Courchevel 1850 is one of the six ski resorts of the Three Valleys of the French Alps. It is not only above the rest, but also distinguished by the exquisite luxury of hotels and restaurants, shops and recreation areas. Prices are much higher than in the resorts located below. Courchevel is one of the ten most expensive places in the world. But it is never empty in the winter season: it is a favorite vacation spot not only for athletes, but also for monarchs, politicians, businessmen, film and pop stars.
Russian Courchevel
This most popular ski resort is often called Russian: a flag of Russia flutters over some buildings, large nesting dolls are installed, and restaurants have menus in Russian. Especially a lot of tourists from Russia are here on Christmas and New Year's Eve according to the old style, this period is even called the Russian week.
From Moscow to Courchevel - from 170 to 2200 euros
There are several options to get to this wonderful ski resort in Europe. The cheapest: fly to Chambery (distance - 2560 km, flight time - more than 3 hours, ticket price from Moscow from 110 euros), then take a train to the station Moutiers Salins (travel time - 1 hour 20 minutes, ticket price - 45 euros), then by bus to the lower resort, after spending half an hour on the road and paying 15 euros, go up to Courchevel 1850 by lift.
You can fly to Geneva (distance - 2500 km, flight time - just over 3 hours, ticket price from Moscow from 100 euros), take a bus to Courchevel (distance - 140 km, travel time - 4 hours, ticket price - 80 Euro). You can use the airports of Lyon (distance - 2540 km, flight time - 3.5 hours, ticket price from Moscow from 110 euros) or Grenoble (distance - 2520 km, flight time - 4 hours, ticket price from Moscow from 580 euro) and come to the resort by bus, then transfer to the lift.
Traveling on winding mountain roads by bus or car can be overshadowed by traffic jams, especially on weekends and during snowfalls. The most expensive option: from the air harbors of Geneva or Lyon to get to Courchevel 1850 airport by STOL light plane or helicopter in a few minutes, paying 2000 euros for the flight. It is important to know that this airport is one of the ten most dangerous in the world: it has a very short runway and no instrument landing system.
Weather in Courchevel
Although Courchevel is an alpine resort, the climate here is mild and comfortable even in winter. Already in early November, the first snow falls, which melts in May. The ski season lasts from late February to late April. During the day, the average air temperature in winter is minus 3-6 degrees, at night it can drop to 15. Snowfalls are not uncommon in this region, and snow cover by the end of November is 80 cm, in the future it can reach 3 meters.
In late February, there is already warming and plus temperatures are observed. But the quality of the tracks does not suffer from weather changes in Courchevel: hundreds of snow cannons create ideal conditions for skiing.
Accommodation in Courchevel
Accommodation in Courchevel (France) is very expensive, prices can be one and a half times higher than the cost of similar rooms in resort hotels located below. The choice is very large: hotels, apartments, chalets. But, despite this, you need to book in advance, especially in winter. As for the quality of service, you should not worry about this - everything is at a high level. In every institution of Courchevel they take care of the comfortable stay of their guests. The staff resolves all arising issues as soon as possible. In hotels, chalets, everything just sparkles with cleanliness, a chic interior pleases the eye, and high-quality service is provided. This is due to the huge competition and the "high" name of the resort. Let's consider some really worthy accommodation options.
Hotels
Courchevel 1850 hotels have a class of stars from 3 to 6. The cost of living depends on the season, distance from the slopes, and the range of services. All Courchevel hotels are comfortable, with free internet and satellite or cable TV, many have ski-in and ski-out - the opportunity to ski and get on the track when leaving the hotel, and the restaurants have their own Michelin stars. The most popular ratings include:
3 star:
- Chalet-style Mont Charvin, comfortable rooms with balconies, two lounges with fireplaces. Room price per night - from 300 euros.
- Mercure - with spacious rooms, a swimming pool, two restaurants, a bar, a terrace with lake and mountain views, a games room and a children's playground; in summer, bicycles for rent, horse riding, and golf. Room price per night - from 110 euros.
4 star:
- Htel des Trois Valles - near a ski run, 400 m to the center, rooms with balconies, a hotel restaurant, bar, Russian bath, spa. Room price per night - from 280 euros.
- Pomme de Pin - direct access to the slopes, to the center 500 m, the hotel has a sauna, hammam, a restaurant with a spacious terrace, a panoramic bar. Room price per night - from 420 euros;
- Htel des Neiges - on the slope, 350 m to the center, with indoor pool, gym, spa, piano bar, terrace. Room price per night - from 256 euros;
- Bellecote in a chalet style, 300 m to the center, direct access to the slopes, each room has a balcony or terrace, has an indoor pool, gym, sauna, bathhouse, restaurant, piano bar. Room price per night - from 650 euros.
5 star:
- Le Saint Joseph (luxury) - next to the slopes and lifts, 400 m to the center, with two restaurants (Italian and Thai cuisine). Room price per night - from 650 euros;
- Le Strato - close to slopes and pistes, with spa, swimming pool, sauna, gym, Mediterranean restaurant. Room price per night - from 1800 euros;
- Hotel La Sivolire is 650 meters from the center with a restaurant, indoor pool, Turkish bath. Room price per night - from 740 euros.
Chalet rental in Courchevel 1850
For those who want to relax in Courchevel with their family or in the company of friends, the best option is to rent a chalet, which will cost less than hotel rooms. You need to book the chalet three months before the trip.
The first places in the ranking of popularity of chalets, designed for 8 people (prices per week):
- Courchevel 293 is a small cozy chalet 250 m from the ski lift, with four bedrooms, full service (breakfast, snacks, three-course dinner with wine), paid parking (price from 5050 euros).
- Courchevel 043 - a three-level chalet in the center of the resort, 50 meters from the ski lift, with 4 bedrooms, including a children's room with a 2-level bed, terrace, balcony, living room with fireplace, kitchen, dining area, parking (price from 8300 euros).
- Courchevel 262 is 100 meters from the ski-in / ski-out ski lift; upon arrival, guests are welcomed with champagne and canapes, with full service (breakfast, snacks, a three-course dinner with wine), with public and paid covered parking (price from 9900 euros).
- AGACOEUR - 4-storey alpine-style chalet in the center of the resort, 150 meters from the ski lift, with balcony, fireplace, sauna, laundry, parking (price from 8900 euros).
- Courchevel 193 - 3-level chalet, 450 m to the center, next to the slope, ski-in / ski-out, upon arrival, residents are welcomed with champagne and cakes, with a balcony, a dining room, a fireplace, a laundry (price from 8900 euros).
- Chalet AGACOEUR is a cozy 4-storey chalet in the center of the resort, 150 meters from the ski lift, with fireplace, dining room, balcony, sauna, laundry (price from 8900 euros). Courchevel 146 - 3-level chalet for 10 people, with a welcome basket with champagne and macaroons (meringue with almonds), with panoramic views, 100 meters from the slopes, 1,500 meters from the center, with 5 bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace and balcony, laundry, parking (price from 16500 euros).
- Courchevel 059 - a 3-storey chalet for 12 people, next to the Office du Turisme and the center, 150 m from the ski lift, upon arrival, residents are welcomed with champagne, with a sauna, terrace, fireplace, governess services, fresh flowers, concierge service ( price from 22,000 euros).
- Courchevel 474 - 3-level chalet for 16 people), in the center of the resort, 150 meters from the ski lift, ski-in / ski-out, with a living room with fireplace and terrace, dining room, laundry (price from 15,000 euros).
Trails
The ski slopes of the Courchevel 1850 resort are considered the best in the country: with excellent cover, of varying difficulty and length, in picturesque places: 10 black, 38 red, 44 blue and 27 green. This is a favorite place for skiing aces and confident skiers, because the black slopes of this resort are one of the most difficult in the world. Feature - the abundance of unprepared slopes, allowing you not to repeat the route.
The most difficult tracks:
- Saulire station (2738 m) in the areas of Col du Pas du Lac, Grand Couloir, Les Avals.
- Col de la Loze station (2274 m) - two 1.5-km black tracks;
- difficult sections on the slopes of Emile Allais, Jean Blanc.
Numerous lifts allow you to get to the selected track without waiting in line. Trainers work with beginners and those wishing to improve their skills. It is important to know: Courchevel ski school is considered the best in the world.
Ski pass
As in all ski resorts, Courchevel (France) has a two-pass ski pass system: the Three Valleys (600 thousand km of pistes) and Courchevel (200 thousand km of pistes):
- 1 day: adults - 60/55, children - 50/44 euros;
- 6 days: adults - 300/255, children - 240/205 euros;
- 13 days: adults - 630/550, children - 505/4405 euros.
Families with children and large companies have their own rates. Children under five are free of charge. A special ski area with gentle slopes and a cottage is provided for kids, where they can relax, play, eat under supervision.
Holidays without skiing
The resort has many options for spending time: cross-country skiing tracks, sledging track, skating rink, curling, toboggan track, three snow parks, halfpipe, Forum sports complex, dog sledding, paragliding, helicopter, ballooning, racing snowmobiles. Here, skater performances, competitions of skiers, ice shows, celebrity concerts are held. Art lovers will appreciate the works of masters not only in the art galleries of the resort, but also in the design of streets and highways.
Restaurants
The Courchevel 1850 resort is famous for restaurants (there are 70 of them in the resort): six are assigned 2 Michelin stars, which indicates the high qualifications of the cooks and impeccable service, because Michelin stars are rarely awarded to seasonal restaurants, especially repeatedly.
Michelin-starred restaurants in Courchevel 1850 (price per per visitor):
- Le 1947 (at the Cheval Blanc hotel) - 250-400 euros;
- Le Chabichou - lunch - 60, dinner 90-210 euros;
- Le Kintessence - 170-300 euros;
- Le Strato - 150-280 euros;
- Pierre Gagnaire Pour Les - 190-340 euros;
- - La Table Du Kilimandjaro - 100-225 euros.
Prices in "starless" restaurants: a hot meal - from 30 to 50 euros, a bottle of wine - from 25 to 150 euros, a meal of the day - 15-20 euros, children's lunch - 15 euros.
The best restaurants:
- for lunch: Le Chalet de Pierres, Le Cap Horn, Le Tremplin;
- for dinner: La Fromagerie, La Mangeoire (this is also the best night club), L'Aventure, La Via Ferrata.
Regardless of whether the restaurant has a star or not, each visitor will be served at a decent level. The best chefs from all over the world work in every establishment. Even the most sophisticated tourist can choose a dish to his taste.
Entertainment
In the evening and at night, the inhabitants of Courchevel move to numerous bars, restaurants, nightclubs, discos, where there are bright parties and colorful shows. The most popular clubs are Les Caves, Le Coyotte and La Grange.
Aprs-ski
In little Courchevel there are hundreds of boutiques, shops with products of famous brands. The assortment of goods is the most diverse: jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, watches, clothes, shoes, interior items, accessories and, of course, everything you need for winter sports. Almost every hotel has several shops.
Holidays in Courchevel at any time of the year are full of events, experiences, new skills and a desire to visit the highland starry corner again. Everyone who has been here at least once wants to come back here again and enjoy an unforgettable pastime. The Courchevel 1850 ski resort is always recommended to be considered as an option for a vacation, a winter vacation or to visit it for any other reason.