The resort
Courchevel is six villages at different elevations on one side of the Tarentaise: Saint-Bon in the valley, historic Le Praz at 1,300 m, Courchevel Village at 1,550 m, sunny Moriond at 1,650 m, forest-set La Tania, and Courchevel 1850 at the top, an early purpose-built French ski resort.
The skiing
Courchevel has 150 km of local slopes, much of the area above 1,800 m. Beginners have dedicated zones at Pralong, Ariondaz and Bellecôte; more demanding runs include Jean-Blanc, Jockeys and the Combe de la Saulire. The Saulire cable car reaches the summit shared with Méribel.
The Praz and Grangettes gondolas connect lower villages with the ski area and run into the evening. Check their last departures if you plan dinner in 1850. A 3 Vallées pass extends coverage to 600 km.
Snow & weather
The spread of altitudes is the thing to plan around: 1850 and the upper slopes are colder, while Le Praz and Saint-Bon sit low enough that snow can soften earlier. The month-by-month record, in °C and °F, is on the Courchevel snow & weather page.
Lessons & ski schools
Choose a ski school and meeting point in the Courchevel village where you want to start the day. Children’s lessons and nursery services have different age limits, so check both before arranging the rest of a family trip.
Passes
The Courchevel pass covers the full local 150 km from every village; the 3 Vallées pass opens the whole 600 km. A Minipass covers the beginner zones at one price for adults and children alike. All are sold through the lift company's official shop at skipasscourchevel.com.
Where to stay
Compare village prices and lift access before booking. 1850 has five-star hotels and lift-side accommodation; Moriond offers a sunnier setting; Courchevel Village and La Tania offer quieter bases with gondolas into the system; Le Praz is an older village around a lake and bell tower, with a gondola connection. Saint-Bon is the non-ski valley base.
Getting there
Lyon (176 km) and Geneva (179 km) are both about two hours by road. The railhead is Moûtiers, roughly 30 minutes below the resort by road, and Courchevel keeps its own altiport for private and some commercial flights. Winter tires or chains apply (November 1 to March 31).
Beyond the pistes
Aquamotion has pools, slides and wellness facilities; the Forum at Courchevel 1850 offers an ice rink and bowling. Guided snowshoe walks and dog-sledding outings provide outdoor options. Restaurants range from village dining rooms to Michelin-starred establishments, so check menus and reservations against your plans.
Who it suits
Courchevel can suit families and mixed-ability groups who want access to a large ski area. Compare the six villages by budget, lift access and evening atmosphere. The choice of village matters as much as the resort name.
Quick answers
What are the Courchevel villages? Courchevel has six villages: Courchevel 1850 (at the top), Moriond at 1,650 m, Courchevel Village at 1,550 m, historic Le Praz at 1,300 m, forest-set La Tania, and Saint-Bon in the valley. All six share the local pass, but lift access and accommodation differ.
Do you need the 3 Vallées pass in Courchevel? Not necessarily: the Courchevel-only pass covers 150 km across all six villages. The 3 Vallées pass adds Méribel, Val Thorens and the rest of the 600 km. Choose it if you plan to ski beyond Courchevel.
How do you get to Courchevel? Lyon and Geneva airports are both about 2 hours away (176 and 179 km); the railhead is Moûtiers, about 30 minutes below the resort by road. Courchevel also keeps its own altiport for private and some commercial flights.