Courchevel flights and travel guide

Courchevel is in the heart of the Three Valleys, the largest known skiing area in the world, popular for miles of well-tended runs as well as plenty of off-piste skiing. Skiers arriving from Courchevel flights head for one of the four separate villages that make up the resort. The highest, Courchevel 1850 is the main ski base and the glitziest of the three, boasting five star hotels, chichi boutique shops and appealing increasingly to Russian millionaires – who all but take over for certain weeks of the season. Courchevel 1650 is where most of the saisonnaires stay and is lively and cheaper. Further down the mountain, Courchevel 1550 has less of the good looks of its neighbours: less wooden chalets and more apartment blocks. It does connect directly with 1850 via the bubble lift. La Praz is lower still with good nursery slopes and is more suitable for young families.

In summer the golf course and the lake re-appear, and the lift system is used for activities such as walking and mountain biking.

Flights to Courchevel arrive at Geneva Airport, from where the transfer time is around two hours.

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When to fly to Courchevel

Peak season:

The season runs from late November through to April. Because of the way its mountains face, the snow tends to stay good in Courchevel very late in the season, even when that in neighbouring Meribel is poor. Even if the snow in the resort itself is not good, from Courchevel it is just a short hop to the glacier at Val Thorens, where snow cover is pretty much guaranteed.

Off season:

There is still a host of activities to enjoy in the summer months in the French Alps. As the snow recedes, green pastures emerge, along with a lake close to the altiport and a number of hiking trails. Many of the lifts remain open in the summer and hikers can explore some of the popular skiing runs, such as La Saulire, in completely different conditions.

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Getting into town Courchevel

Courchevel is 140km from Geneva Airport. Altibus operates up to eight buses a day from the airport to the resort. The journey takes just over three hours and costs €64 one-way. By rail, travel via Champery to Moutiers, 37km from Courchevel. Then take a forty minute bus or taxi ride from the station to the resort.

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Courchevel insider information

• If you decide to ski the Three Valleys in one day (over to Val Thorens through the Meribel valley), take a lot of euros in your pocket or make sure you catch the last lift up from Meribel. There is no public transport between the valleys and the taxis are expensive.
• The Three Valleys lift pass is available at La Croisette and is good value if you do intend to ski all valleys. If you are unsure get a Courchevel pass and buy a day pass for the other areas when you want to ski them. When you are not skiing or drinking vin chaud there are other activities such as bowling and wall climbing in La Croisette.
• Take the toboggan run in 1850 next to the Kaliko night club and the skiing piste. It’s fast and furious but you won’t be stranded in the darkness as the bubble will get you back up to 1850 late in the evening. The other lift that stays open later is the Jardin d’Alpin so you don’t have to trudge through knee high snow when your skis are off.
• For the perfect hot chocolate or after-ski tea go to Le Chabichou, or pawn everything you have just for the experience of their three course set meal. Late night munchies? Find La Vache Qui Ski in 1850. When you want to go out for an evening meal it is a good idea to make a reservation in advance. Restaurants can get very booked up particularly on the chalet nights off.

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Courchevel airports

Geneva International Airport(GVA) (website: www.gva.ch/en)

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