Courchevel 1850

The highest of the four Courchevel villages, 1850 has long been a favourite spot for the rich and famous. Its top hotels and restaurants have always been among the most expensive in the Alps. 1850 is the largest village, and the focal point of the area with most of the smart nightlife and shops. Two gondolas go over its lower slopes towards the links with Meribel and the rest of the Three Valleys. You can pay a lot to stay, eat and drink, but more affordable places can be sought out.

The slopes around the village are ideal for early intermediate and beginner skiers and there is nothing in and around the village that is likely to catch out nervous skiers.

For the more mileage hungry, the position of 1850 offers skiers a great opportunity to get full value for money on the Three Valleys lift pass. A real favourite of ours close to the resort is the red Dou de Midi from the top of the Plantrey chair….. but remember to watch out for the compression in the middle, which catches many out.

Experts are well catered for with some of the most testing blacks anywhere in Europe. Tthose that know the narrow ridge to get to the Petit and Grand Couloir runs will testify to this fact!

The lift system is second to none with a huge amount of modern fast lifts and only a few slow lifts in the area.

Apres ski is lively and good fun with the Refuge (one of our favourites) and the Kudeta (formerly the Kalico) offering live music and happy hour prices.

Snowboarders are as well catered for in the Three valleys ski area as anywhere in the world. Huge investment in modern fast lifts means there are hardly any drag lifts. There is a great snow park above 1850 for those that want it.

A little known fact is that whilst most people assume Courchevel 1850 is at 1850m, it isn't. It is situated at 1747m; the resort management decided to call it Courchevel 1850 to rival the popularity of Val d'Isere. You can't trust those Frenchies you know!