Courchevel Travel Guide

Courchevel is part of the ski area known as les Trois Vallées (the Three Valleys). This contiguous skiable domain is the largest in the world, comprising of a total of 600 kms of pistes, and 8 ski resorts! La Vallée de Courchevel is only one of those three; the other two are Vallée de Méribel and Vallée de Belleville, whose main ski resorts are...

What else would one do in Courchevel? The resort offers some of the best skiing in the world, so make the most of it! Of course, snow-boarding is an option too. Courchevel alone has 119 runs, 150 kms of pistes, which go from an altitude of 2700 metres down to 1300 metres - a total vertical drop of 1400 metres.

Although not the highest peak around, Col de la Loze is still an impressive backdrop to many photos in Courchevel. The peak rises to a height of only 2274 metres and it separates la Vallée de Courchevel with that of Méribel. It is from this point that one can cross from one valley to the other on skis.

At 3855 metres, la Grande Casse is the highest mountain in the Massif de la Vanoise, the central Alps of France. Although not within the skiable terrain of Courchevel, the giant mountain dominates the views on the opposite side. Immediately next to it is a peak known as Pointe Matthews, in reference to William Matthews, who was the first person to...

The highest peak within the skiable domain of Courchevel, Saulire rises to an altitude of 2733 metres. Immediately below it is the highest skiable point in the resort of Courchevel, at just below 2700 metres. The majestic peak provides a breathtaking backdrop to the views in Courchevel 1850.

La Croisette is the base of the ski lifts at Courchevel 1850. It is from here that one purchases ski passes, reserves ski lessons and obtains information related to the ski resort. The complex also contains a bank and other amenities.

A great option for a low key evening, le P'tit Drink serves wine and tapas. It is located in the heart of Courchevel 1850. I recommend dining here if you want something casual, yet good.rue des Tovets, Courchevel 1850+33.4.79.08.65.52

Located next to "La Croisette", the base of the ski lifts at Courchevel 1850, le Tremplin is a convenient place for any meal. The restaurant is open from 8am until 10:30pm, so one could come here breakfast, lunch, dinner or an après-ski drink. It is in fact a complex of restaurants that include a café, a sushi bar, seafood restaurant and regular...

One cannot leave Courchevel without trying Alpine specialties and le Mountain is the perfect place for it. The elegant restaurant, located in the heart of 1850, serves dishes associated with the local region, le Savoie. Typical dishes include, of course, fondue and raclette.

A small restaurant in the heart of Courchevel, la Chapelle is perhaps one of the town's most charming. A large fire place dominates the tiny dining room. It serves great French food that appears to have been prepared in a home, accompanied by excellent wines. It's only open for dinner and a reservation is a must.

Brought to Courchevel by Enrico Bernardo, said to be the world's best sommelier, il Vino is a branch of the same restaurant in Paris. It serves excellent dishes paired with the best of wines, a concept designed for lovers of wine. The pairings, though, are not obligatory, so one could choose a different wine, or none at all. The price tag is...

An upscale Italian restaurant, le Hussard is part of the chic hotel, le Saint Joseph. It serves excellent Italian food in an elegant dining room, right in the heart of Courchevel 1850. Dinner only.

Upon entering its super charming dining, one instantly falls in love with la Soucoupe: wooden furniture, floral curtains, chandeliers and breathtaking views. It is considered the best restaurant on the slopes of Courchevel, naturally only open for lunch, whose specialty is meats grilled on an open fire. It is so popular that in busy seasons a...

Nothing will replenish lost calories better than one (or more) crêpes here at the end of a ski day. Crêperie Grand Marnier serve the best crêpes in France and is one of a few locations that operate in the Alps in winter and on the Côte d'Azur in the summer (what a lovely life!). Their crêpes are served with many available toppings, such as sugar,...

Push a button on the phone for Petit Dejuener "breakfast"Served atop a silver platter there is a basket of fresh croissants, apple tarts, baguettes and raisin toast, served with jelly and preserves. There is also fruit, yogurt and fresh squeezed OJ. Coffee or Hot chocolate - When in Europe I can never pass up Hot Chocolate!! Served on this platter...