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Courchevel

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Luxury alpine paradise year-round

Courchevel in France stands out as a mountain town focused on winter sports and luxury. The area features steep slopes designed for skiing with clear signage guiding visitors to different levels of difficulty. High-end hotels, restaurants and shops line the main streets, catering to travelers seeking comfort after spending time on the slopes. Public transport connects key points within the resort, making movement straightforward without needing a car. The town maintains clean pathways and well-organized facilities throughout the season, supporting both visitors and locals during peak times.

Town in France
Climate zone: Warm continental

Warm continental: Humid continental climates with warm summers, cold winters and evenly distributed precipitation, typical of northern interior mid-latitudes.

See climate table
Price level: $$$+
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 6.5
General Safety:5
Health & medical:9
Accessibility:7
Tap water:9
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
Due to its international clientele, English is widely spoken throughout Courchevel, especially in hotels, restaurants, and ski schools. Most service staff in tourism-related businesses are fluent, though some knowledge of basic French phrases is appreciat
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Courchevel Summary

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World-class for luxury skiing and alpine resorts. Ski vast slopes, ride modern lifts, enjoy gourmet restaurants and relax in upscale mountain lodges.
Place score
8.2
Best at:
Snow
10
Luxury
10
Skiing
10
Spotless
9
Fine dining
9
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 10
Families
🧓 8
Seniors
🛡️ 9
Travel Beginners
❤️ 9
Couples
France – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type E
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type E:
Diagram of a Type E power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking: Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking: Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.
Bastille Day
(July)
Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter
(March/April)
Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas
(December)
Markets and festive events.
Emergency contact: Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps: Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other: France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Courchevel, France
🌨️
Jan
🌨️
Feb
🌨️
Mar
🌤️
Apr
🌤️
May
🌤️
Jun
☀️
Jul
☀️
Aug
☀️
Sep
☀️
Oct
🌨️
Nov
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Dec
High season: Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season: April, July - Aug.
Crowdedness: 8 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Ski season mid-December to mid-April; book months ahead for Christmas, New Year and February school holidays
Most lifts, hotels and restaurants close from mid-April to late June and September to mid-December
Summer hiking and biking limited to July and August, when only some lifts and hotels operate

Why travel to Courchevel?

Courchevel offers an exceptional dual-season experience that few mountain destinations can match. In winter, it's a skier's paradise with perfectly groomed north-facing slopes ensuring excellent snow quality, state-of-the-art lift systems and terrain suitable for all levels. The resort's integration into the vast Three Valleys network means virtually unlimited skiing possibilities, while its reputation for luxury translates to exceptional service throughout. Come summer, Courchevel reveals its equally captivating warm-weather personality as the snow melts to expose lush alpine landscapes. The area transforms into a natural playground for hiking between lakes, forests and peaks, with the Vanoise National Park offering protected wilderness experiences. Whether you're seeking adrenaline through activities like via ferrata, paragliding and mountain biking or prefer gentle strolls through picturesque villages and cultural experiences, Courchevel delivers year-round. The resort's commitment to luxury means exceptional dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end accommodations – though this comes with a correspondingly high price tag that makes it one of the most expensive ski destinations in the world.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Courchevel
  • 2 Courchevel Le Praz
  • 3 Jardin Alpin
  • 4 Saulire
  • 5 Vizelle
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Altiport
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Aiguille du Fruit
  • 2 Cascade des Poux
  • 3 Col de la Loze
  • 4 Lac de la Rosière
  • 5 Lacs Merlet
  • 6 Mont Blanc
  • 7 Vanoise National Park
  • 8 Aiguille de la Vanoise
🎈Events
  • International Fireworks Festival
  • Courchevel Summer Festival
  • Mountain Bike Competitions
  • Courchevel Food Festival
  • Alpine Music Concerts
  • Winter Sports Competitions
  • Christmas and New Year Celebrations
  • Ski Racing Events
  • Summer Hiking Festival
  • Cultural Heritage Days

Knowledge before you go

  • Book ski passes early for Three Valleys access.
  • Choose villages wisely: 1850 for luxury, Moriond for value and lively après-ski scenes.
  • Prepare for high costs; budget for upscale dining, rentals and accommodations in this elite resort.
  • Advanced skiers target Grand Couloir black run and Saulire couloirs for thrilling steep descents and powder.

How to travel to Courchevel

Courchevel is easily accessible despite its mountain location, with multiple transportation options available. By air, four international airports are within 200km: Geneva (149km, 2h15), Lyon (187km, 2h), Grenoble (170km, 2h05) and Chambéry (110km, 1h20). For a truly luxurious arrival, Courchevel has its own altiport where you can land by small plane or helicopter. By train, the nearest major station is Moûtiers, approximately 30 minutes away, with connections to France's high-speed rail network. From Moûtiers, regular buses and taxis complete the journey to the resort. If driving, the roads are well-maintained and always cleared in winter, though checking road conditions is advisable during heavy snowfall periods.

Access summary

  • From Geneva (GVA): Shared or private shuttle, usually about 2.5–3 hours.
  • From Lyon: Train or bus via Moûtiers, then shuttle, around 3–4 hours.
  • From Chambéry (CMF): Seasonal ski transfers or taxi, typically 1.5–2 hours.

Where to stay in Courchevel

Courchevel is renowned for its high-end accommodations, with options varying dramatically across its six villages. Courchevel 1850 represents the pinnacle of luxury with exclusive hotels and chalets that cater to an elite clientele, many featuring Michelin-starred restaurants and exceptional spa facilities. Le Praz offers more rustic charm with traditional accommodations, while Courchevel Moriond provides vibrant nightlife. Budget-conscious travelers should look to Courchevel Village for more affordable options. The resort offers everything from palatial chalets and 5-star hotels to more modest apartments, though even mid-range options tend to be pricier than comparable accommodations in other ski resorts.

How to get around Courchevel

Getting around Courchevel is remarkably convenient, with a comprehensive free shuttle bus service connecting all six villages and neighboring hamlets. These shuttles run throughout the day and into the evening in both winter and summer seasons. The network is built around a main axis linking Saint-Bon to Courchevel 1850, with secondary routes to residential areas like Brigues, Belvédère, Chenus, Jardin Alpin and Altiport. For those who prefer not to drive, the resort encourages the use of Covoit'go, a free carpooling service for daily or occasional trips. During operating seasons, ski lifts also provide an enjoyable way to travel between villages while taking in the scenic views.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-0 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 0% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Chambery, France - 58 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£95
£306
£912
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£53
£226
£677
🍝 Food per day
£30
£68
£198
🚕 Transportation per day
£12
£12
£38
Notable additional fees: Adult day pass about €80 (£67) for the full Three Valleys or around €70 (£58.62) for Courchevel alone. Ski, boot and pole hire runs roughly €30 – 40 (£25.12 – 33.50) a day.
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£27
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£13
🍟 Fast food combo
£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£10.50
☕ Cappuccino
£2.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£4.80
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£2.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£21
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.60
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£11
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£23
🤧 Cold medication
£5
💇 Basic haircut
£14

Safety information overview

General safety
5
Courchevel is extremely safe with minimal crime. The main safety concerns relate to mountain activities rather than personal security. In winter, be aware of avalanche risks when skiing off-piste and in summer, follow marked trails to avoid accidents in remote areas.
Health & Medical
9
Medical facilities in Courchevel are excellent, with clinics specializing in sports injuries. The high altitude (up to 1850m) may cause mild symptoms in some visitors initially. Comprehensive travel insurance covering mountain rescue is strongly recommended, as evacuation costs can be extremely high.
Accessi­bility
7
Accessibility varies across villages. Modern facilities in Courchevel 1850 are generally well-equipped for visitors with mobility challenges, but the mountainous terrain and historic areas in lower villages present natural obstacles. Free shuttle buses are accessible, but some activities and viewpoints require significant physical mobility.
Tap water
9
Tap water in Courchevel is safe to drink and comes from pure mountain sources. Public water fountains are available in village centers. The dry mountain air and higher altitude can increase dehydration risk, so drinking more water than usual is advisable.

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