Courchevel

The best and most luxurious hotels and chalets in the world are located in Courchevel, France.

Courchevel has arguably the best ski chalets on the planet, is home to 6-star “Palace” hotels and offers the most luxury 5-star hotels and Michelin starred restaurants than any other ski resort in Europe.

To top it off, Courchevel is situated in the largest linked ski area in the world – The 3 Valleys, with over 600km of runs.

If you are looking for the ultimate winter alpine chalet experience, look no further than Courchevel Ski Resort.

Courchevel is most suited for families or groups of friends looking to catch up and spend quality time together in their own private chalets away from the crowds, whether it be self-catered or fully-catered complete with your own private butler and French chef (not for people on a small budget).

The exquisite luxury hotels of Courchevel with their ski-in ski-out quality designs, top-class service, restaurants, spas and facilities, and awe-inspiring views, equally appeal to romantic couples.

The ski resort itself consists of 6 unique but interconnected ski-in-ski-out villages, each with its own charm and appeal:

1) Saint-Bon – the birthplace of Courchevel
2) Courchevel Le Praz – discreet charm
3) Courchevel La Tania – nestled in the forest
4) Courchevel Village – family ambiance
5) Courchevel Moriond – sunshine and après-ski
6) Courchevel 1850 – Exceptional all-round!

Shopping lovers will take delight in all the high end boutiques on offer in Courchevel 1850 such as Hermès, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Moncler and Louis Vuitton just to name a few.

The non-skiing winter activities in Courchevel are endless and include:

Adventure Camp (inuit experience, ice diving, snowmobiling, dog sledding, theme evening dinner up in a refuge on the mountain etc);  Aquamotion (biggest and best water park in the French Alps incl indoor surfing infinity wave, spas, treatments, rock climbing, fitness classes); Bowling, Cinéma, Climbing, Dancing, Dog sledding, Fat Bike, Fitness, Flying, Hang-gliding, Helicopter, Hiking and Snowshoeing, Hot-air balloon, Ice climbing, Ice skating, Languages and other courses, Library, Paragliding, Private functions, Sightseeing, Skydiving, Snow cat driving, Snow-scooter, Snowmobile, Spas, Theme evenings, Tobogganing, Torchlit descent, Yoga.. and the list goes on!

Courchevel is a 2-hour drive by private transfer from either Lyon or Geneva Airport.
It’s a 25min drive from Moutiers train station, the closest train station in France to Courchevel.

A shared shuttle transfer from Geneva will take over 4hrs and will only drop you off at the village bus stop, not at your accommodation – not ideal if you are travelling with ski gear and luggage and don’t know your way around.

Top Snow Travel can also arrange helicopter or scenic flight transfers from all airports or other ski resort altiports in the region.

Next winter, Courchevel Ski Resort is scheduled to open from December 9^th 2023 to April 21^st 2024.

There are 7 ski resorts which are part of the 3 Valleys system which include: Courchevel, Meribel, Bride-les-Bains, Les Menuires, St Martin de Bellevile, Val Thorens and Orelle.

January 3^rd to Feb 7^th 2026 is the cheapest and best time to go (low season), followed by 7^th March until mid-April 2026 (the shoulder season).

For Australians travelling to France to ski during our January summer holidays, we benefit from the cheaper rates on offer in the French ski resorts’ low season.  This happens to be when the French and Europeans go back to work and school after the 2 week Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Europeans and the Brits flock to the resorts through February into March (DO NOT TRAVEL from 7^th Feb to 7^th Mar 2026 as this is the French school holidays). The slopes are extremely busy, the queues at the lifts are long and the price for accommodation is very expensive during that time.  Even all the restaurants are booked out!

Typically, in January, the snow is dry with the largest build up. It is also the coldest time, so you will need to make sure that you dress warmly. It is still wise to choose a high-altitude resort in case mother nature has not been kind earlier in the season. Bear in mind though, that snow-making is used to supplement natural snowfall in high traffic areas.

So, not only is January the cheapest time to go skiing in the French Alps, it is also the best time to go thanks to the weather conditions, the lack of queues, more availability and choice of accommodation and you get to breathe fresh air with your loved ones, rather than with thousands of other people!