At the pinnacle of the snowy peaks known as the Three Valleys is the French Alps’ most exclusive resort, Courchevel 1850. For more than four decades, the ski world’s jet-set has ascended to the highest hotel on the mountain where guests ski-out directly onto Courchevel’s most thrilling slopes. This is the grand dame of Courchevel’s lodging providing a taste of the Haute Savoie lifestyle. Named after the highest summit in the Himalayas, this is the Hotel Annapurna.

Courchevel 1850 is the most exclusive of all the Courchevel resorts each named for their altitude. It provides magnificent skiing opportunities in addition to plenty of lavish lifestyle choices off the slopes. Courchevel 1850 is known as the premier destination for Savoie skiing as well as fine dining with eight Michelin restaurants holding 14 stars between them and hundreds of fine gourmet establishments. All of this reinforces Courchevel’s status as a playground for the rich and famous and celebrities with ski holidays had by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Beckhams to name a few.  There is enough fur there to clothe a small nation and scores of designer boutiques frequented by shoppers dripping in diamonds.
Opened in 1974, this traditional chalet-style retreat is one of the two last luxury hotels in Courchevel still owned and managed by a founding family. The Hotel Annapurna is the childhood home of champion skier Alexis Pinturault who is an Olympic silver and twice bronze medal holder as well as a two-time World Champion. His trophies are displayed in the hotel and to this day, his fans come to stay at the Annapurna and ski down the same slopes where Alexis took his first turns as a toddler.
The hotel provides the best’ ski in and out’ opportunities on the mountain with a slope-side position to the Pralong piste. Perfect for all abilities, the run leads on to 600km of terrain. At the end of the day, tired legs don’t have too far to go as one can ski back from the lift just moments away.

The high altitude provides stunning views from the south-facing rooms, with natural light pouring in through the large panoramic windows from dawn to dusk. The hotel fuses ‘Arolle’ wood with creamy light and warm tones conveying class and opulence in a modern and minimalistic style.  A great selection of rooms is available from interconnecting apartments perfect for families to large suites with saunas, sitting rooms, and open fireplaces. This includes 57 double and family rooms decorated in traditional chalet style with contemporary furnishings of Savoie ‘Arolle’ wood, and 13 modern suites featuring mountain view balconies with incredible alpine views.

The exclusive K2 and Everest suites are the largest and feature a private sauna overlooking the slopes. Guests enjoy the sitting room with a fireplace and dining area, double room as well as a side balcony with commanding views of the indulgent alpine scenery. At 150m², Everest features an additional sitting room in a mezzanine, an additional double room, bathroom with a bathtub and showers.
Away from the extravagant suites, pre-dinner cocktails can be enjoyed by the fireplace as a concert pianist creates a magical ambiance for dinner guests of L’Altitude 1900 restaurant.  The dining room is decorated again in local wood, rich hues, and stone. Just beyond the sun terrace, light streams through large windows that frame a wonderful panorama of the Pralong piste. The cuisine is presented with a flourish, as waiters lift silver covers concurrently to reveal the wonders beneath. This menu offers an international fusion created by Lionel Blodin who chooses locally sourced ingredients to rustle up for delicious al-a-carte mains.
To celebrate a special occasion, guests can ask concierge to book one of the eight Michelin star restaurants holding 14 stars, within the resort including: Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc by chef Yannick Alléno (three stars), Le Montgomerie at Le K2 Altitude by Pieter Riedijk (two stars), Le Kintessence by Jean-Rémi Caillon (two stars) and Sarkara, the world’s first gourmet dessert restaurant by Sebastien Vauxion (two stars) both at Le K2 Palace, Chabichou Relais & Chateaux  by Stephane Buron (two stars), Le Baumanière 1850 by Thomas Prod’homme at Hôtel Le Strato (one star), Le Farçon by Julien Machet  (one star) or Azimut by François Moureaux: (one-star).
Back at the Annapurna guests enjoy drinks late into the evening. The iconic bar itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, fashioned from wood with a glass top that appears chiselled out of ice.
After a long day on the slopes, guests unwind in the Annapurna spa featuring two Turkish baths. There is a 15m indoor pool as well as offering exquisite alpine views. This leads to Courchevel’s only outdoor heated swimming pool where travellers can unwind as the cleansing mountain elements rejuvenate their bodies. Beauty treatments and massages are available at the spa, with two wellness rooms dedicated to Condage brand products, and a gym for guests to work out. Travellers with children will be pleased to know there is a kids club with a dedicated animator, a playroom for under-eights, babysitter service, and a games room and theatre for teenagers with a pool table, table tennis, and football as well as game consoles.
Annapurna offers skiers a taste of the high life at the top of the mountain, with wonderful skiing opportunities that allow skiers to be en-piste in moments. Coupled with its amenities, this champion hotel’s unique sporting heritage makes it a place the discerning traveller will not want to leave, but at the end of the holiday, the concierge can arrange private jet and helicopter transfers back to Geneva.