France and French culture exude the epitome of luxury. There is a reason that prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Chanel are rooted there. From French cuisine, to fashion and joie de vivre, the French are in a league of their own.

The French have applied their obsession with world class luxury to the sport of skiing. They’ve created a place where perfectly groomed slopes are combined with endless runs that stretch over the largest ski resort in the world and where beau monde skiers look as though they’ve just stepped off the runway of an exclusive ski fashion label.

Without a doubt, après ski is more than burgers and beer but Michelin star restaurants followed by nights out in posh clubs where Moet flows non-stop.  What the French offer the skiing community is one of the finest ski experiences anywhere in the world; Courchevel.

The only ski resort in Europe with a runway for private aircraft, Courchevel France has been popular with royalty, celebrities and well-heeled travellers for decades. Comprised of 6 separate resort villages, an incredibly efficient lift system links them all to create one enormous skiing community. With 150km of slopes suited to all abilities, Courchevel’s link to the famous Trois Vallées keeps the adventurous traveller happily exploring for days on end.

Chic chalets and decadent designer stores line the streets, with the boutique brasseries adding to the air of French sophistication. With more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in the world, every inch of Courchevel oozes opulence.

Despite its reputation for glitz and glamour, the sophisticated Courchevel France was built upon humble beginnings. Originally home to quaint hamlets and farmland, the town was put on the map in the early 1940’s when the French Commission of Tourism explored the creation of a ‘super ski resort’.

Courchevel became France’s first purpose-built ski resort; but with no lifts until 1946, only the most determined thrill-seekers were brave enough to hike to the top of the region’s natural pistes and enjoy the adrenaline rush of skiing down. Since the introduction of the first chairlift in the mid-1940’s,

Courchevel has gone from strength to strength; today standing proudly as France’s star-studded skier’s paradise.

Skiing in Courchevel: Exhilarating Peaks and Vast Valleys

Sitting at one end of the world’s largest lift-linked ski area; the Trois Vallées, skiing in Courchevel is a true once in a lifetime experience. With seemingly endless north-facing slopes, the Courchevel Valley is home to some of the best snow in the entire region, and there’s diverse terrain to suit every winter sports enthusiast.

With over 150km of local slopes to choose from, Courchevel’s relentless rolling valleys know no bounds. In the Trois Vallées as a whole there are 23 green, 35 blue, 32 red and 10 black runs, meaning even the most energetic traveller never has to ski the same slope twice.

The exceptional variety of pistes allows every visitor to experience a new, breath-taking vista each day. With an excellent and efficient lift system, thrill-seekers are free to spend the whole day hopping between the different mountainsides, taking a moment to absorb the outstanding views as they go.

Experienced skiers seeking their next challenge will not be disappointed by Courchevel’s Grand Couloir. Sitting at the top of the Saulire cable car, this stretch is one of the steepest slopes in the entirety of the Alps. Starting at a hair-raising 2700m, visitors take in the heavenly 360-degree panorama of the Alps before heading over a narrow and bumpy ridge.

The Grand Couloir is an adrenaline-fuelled slalom between sharp peaks and deep chasms and a challenge for even the most experienced guests. Expert skiers relish the downwards rush, with an 80% gradient in some areas allowing them to reach top speeds. With new challenges and astounding views around every corner, the Grand Couloir is one of the top experiences when skiing in Courchevel, and promises to impress even the bravest of explorers.

After completing the Grand Couloir, many experts skiing in Courchevel turn to off-piste adventures next. Lower down the mountain in Jean Blanc and Jockeys, the runs plunge through the trees; offering an exhilarating slalom down to 1300 (Le Praz).

Intermediates skiers are spoilt for choice when skiing in Courchevel, as around 75% of the pistes in the Trois Vallées are blue or red. Receiving a refreshing groom overnight, visitors are delighted to wake up to glistening, freshly-preened slopes just waiting for the wave of excited skiers.

Intermediates enjoy the versatile terrain of La Tania; featuring the alpine forests witnessed on Jean Blanc with a more manageable gradient. The runs between Courchevel 1850 and 1550/1300 are a wise choice when there is poor visibility and feature wide open plains and unblemished mountain views.

Despite the crown of sharp slopes at higher altitudes, skiing in Courchevel is also a breeze for beginners. The best two villages for novices are Moriond (1650) and Courchevel (1850). With long and winding green runs beginners can glide across the valleys while taking in the fresh alpine air and perfecting their techniques. The broad, gentle nursery slopes allow novices to take the run at their own pace and savour the stunning views while they ski.

Unwind in Style: Courchevel Après Ski              

In line with their exceptional hotels and restaurants, Courchevel’s splendid après ski experiences offer a serene space for guests to rest their ski legs. With a relaxed and glamourous ambiance, Courchevel France promises to impress even the most well-heeled travellers with its cultured collection of bistros, bars and brasseries.

Travellers looking to unwind in style enjoy curling up in Katz for a refreshing cocktail or light lunch. The glimmering jewel of 5-star luxury hotel Le Chabichou, Katz is proud of its sophisticated ‘bistronomy’ and invites guests to savour the local flavours showcased in their curated small plates.

Sitting beside the gleaming marble bar, guests exhale as they sink into the comfortable modern furniture with the soft, golden lighting creating the perfect atmosphere for a well-earned rest. Paying close attention to every detail, Katz’s cuisine is a feast for the eyes and a delight to every traveller’s taste buds.

The perfect ski-in destination, Les Verdons promises an après ski afternoon to remember. Sitting at the foot of the Saulire chair lift, visitors enjoy a remarkable mountain view and the constant table-side entertainment of watching skiers race down the slopes. Basking in the alpine sun, guests savour a selection of traditional cuisine while soaking up the celebratory atmosphere created by the restaurant’s house DJ.

An experience tailored to every traveller, guests can opt for sophisticated table service within the restaurant, or take a glass of regional wine down to Les Verdon’s deck chairs and watch the marvellous mountain world go by.

A celebration of Savoyard tradition, Le Tremplin is well-known for its exceptional wine selection. Offering the highest quality Romanée-Conti and Château Pétrus, the sommeliers of Le Tremplin hope to transport travellers to cloud 9 with each sip they take. From full-bodied reds to delightfully light whites, the wines are carefully tailored to suit all palettes.

Guests can relax on Le Tremplin’s sun-soaked grand terrace or head upstairs for some unspoilt mountain views in one of the restaurants cosy booths.

Promising to be the the Alps’ wildest outdoor party, La Folie Douce offers the most animated après ski in Courchevel.  The only place in the Trois Vallées  where guests can dance on the tables, topple champagne towers and  take in the mountain view, travellers delight in the cheerful atmosphere.

With live music and dancers all day, visitors are welcomed to an afternoon of extraordinary entertainment. A gondola ride away from some of Courchevel’s most popular slopes, many skiers make the journey here to burn off the day’s adrenaline rush and start their night of celebration.

Although the lifts stop at 4:30pm, every Folie Douce visitor feels the joyous energy for the whole taxi ride back to Courchevel 1850, some even taking the party to the next level with a scenic helicopter ride home.

The Peak of Sophistication: Staying in Courchevel 

Famed for its abundance of 5-star hotels, the toughest decision visitors to Courchevel are confronted with is deciding which of these luxurious locations to select for their stay. The majestic Grande Alpes Hotel towers over the town centre with an air of alpine charm and modern elegance.

Cheval Blanc and Le Chabichou battle to provide the peak of gastronomic excellence, both home to Michelin-starred restaurants. With so many opulent options, visitors often choose their hotel based on décor, with excellent quality being a given in any of Courchevel’s luxury establishments.

Perched upon one of the town’s impressive slopes, L’Apogée Courchevel is a wondrous combination of Savoyard sophistication and modern luxury. Coated in dramatic chalet-style, guests look forward to reposing in the cosy rooms accentuated with soft furs, plaid carpets and warm wooden décor.

Designed to be a paradise of relaxation, soft lighting is used throughout the hotel to create a calm ambiance and a break from the Alps’ bright sunshine.  Home to a luxurious spa with mountain-side whirlpools, L’Apogée Courchevel invites guests to a serene and sophisticated stay.

Visitors seeking to experience the wonders of Savoie’s cultural history delight in the hotel’s ski and gastronomy experience. L’Apogée’s esteemed chef invites guests and exclusively members of their party to a guided ski-tour of the challenging Grand Couloir followed by a once-in-a-lifetime private dining experience. Travellers enjoy a gourmet picnic on-piste, surrounded by the spiky peaks and deep chasms of Courchevel’s toughest run.

After an afternoon of heart-racing skiing, guests are welcomed to one of L’Apogée Courchevel’s most exclusive dining rooms where Chef Jean-Luc prepares one of his gourmet specialties in front of their eyes. Topped off by fine champagne, this experience allows expert skiers to make the most of their alpine experience through an appreciation of Savoyard’s cultural and culinary history.

Cheval Blanc CourchevelOne of Courchevel’s most extravagant hotels, Cheval Blanc has a reputation of executing perfection in every aspect. Featuring contemporary yet cosy décor, the hotel welcomes guests to unwind in a beautiful crumple of cashmere blankets, feathered pillows, and divine duvets. Ski-in, ski-out, Cheval Blanc is perfectly prepared for the adventurous holiday-goers, eager to head out early in the morning to make the most of the Trois Vallées’ magnificent slopes.

Host to so many thrill-seekers, Cheval Blanc have made winter-inspired wellness a priority. The spa exudes Savoyard sophistication, featuring local stone, warm lighting, tree detail and icy blues reminiscent of the glorious Alps. Home to a sumptuous sauna, a chromotherapy hammam-steam room and a large mosaic swimming pool, there is no shortage of places for guests to unwind.

The piece de resistance is certainly the outdoor Russian banya; a steaming pool of joy where guests can melt their worries away while gazing up at Courchevel’s breath-taking peaks. Cheval Blanc is a contemporary utopia of serenity where visitors can look forward to being pampered in peace.

Taking Gastronomy to New Heights: Dining in Courchevel

Visitors to Courchevel are astonished by the enormous array of star-studded restaurants waiting to cater to their every need. Synonymous with the opulent streets, designer shops and air of sophistication, Courchevel’s restaurants are dressed to impress and have the ingredients to match.

Courchevel. 1850 retains the highest concentration of Michelin Stars around the world with an impressive 11 Stars held by 7 different restaurants in the village. It’s certainly safe to say that Courchevel’s dining scene fits in perfectly with its glamourous reputation.

Settled into the sophisticated Savoyard-style cabin, Le Saulire celebrates Savoie’s rich culinary history in an exceptional fashion. Diners feel at ease surrounded by candlelight and antique alpine treasures; Le Saulire is ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner to satisfy every traveller’s palette.

Head Chef Benoît Redondo enjoys showcasing his love of the land through including ingredients such as locally-foraged black truffle in his dishes. Showing true regional pride, Le Saulire’s wine list is frequently described as a ‘bible’, including an immense range of wines with all the famous Grands Crus from Bordeaux as well as the most prestigious spirits and liquors.

Bathed in the bright mountain sun streaming in through the vast windows, diners at Le Chabichou are taken on a contemporary culinary journey like no other. In an airy room exuding modern elegance and muted alpine décor, guests feel at ease as the polite and professional staff see to their every need.

Boasting two Michelin stars, the restaurant’s head chef Stéphane Buron  draws on modern techniques to reinvent France’s classic dishes, all while selecting the finest ingredients. Buron strives to achieve perfection ‘without fuss’ and enjoys creating exceptional flavours with simple yet impressive presentation.

One of the highest restaurants in the three valleys, Cap Horn is the pinnacle of fine dining. Sitting at 2000m, guests can enjoy a fine dining experience like no other, all while surrounded by the beautiful Alps. In authentic chalet style, Cap Horn celebrates the region’s history through its traditional fireplace, scale models and artefacts from the SS France. With maritime influences, diners can choose from a wide range of gourmet dishes; from local delicacies to seafood platters.

The impressive wine list offers a choice of over 500 bottles and promises to provide the perfect companion for every flavour on the menu. Guests settle into the glorious south-facing terrace to feel the warmth of the alpine sun on their skin as they savour the rich and delectable flavours.

One of the obvious perks of staying in Courchevel is its glorious surroundings and there is plenty to explore even in the frosty winter months. One walk frequented by curious travellers is the route to Lac de la Rosière. This gorgeous lake is in a natural setting at the heart of a mountain forest and is home to a sense of stillness and tranquillity that can be difficult to find in Europe’s busy ski resorts.

An hour’s walk from Courchevel 1650, the path descends through glorious valleys and along evergreen forests, allowing visitors to get in touch with nature in a pure, peaceful setting. Guests capture perfect pictures on the lake’s boardwalk and delight in gazing into the sapphire depths below the frozen surface. A chance to explore the Alps’ beautiful natural landscape, a trip to Lac de la Rosière is a fantastic start to any day in Courchevel.

Achieving the highest level of luxury in every aspect, Courchevel France is among the finest ski resorts in the world.  The diverse slopes attract skiers of all abilities and the welcoming glow of the town’s sophisticated streets dotted with grand 5-star hotels, gourmet restaurants and serene spas give guests a sense of calm as their every need is carefully catered for. Surrounded by stunning valley views, Courchevel is a hill-top haven where visitors want to stay forever.