Courchevel
Courchevel
The world’s winter wonderland
Nestled within Les Trois Vallées in the French Alps is the awe-inspiring destination of Courchevel. Renowned as the ski capital of the world, this immaculate wonderland is a dazzling escape for relaxation and adventure. In 2013, L’Apogée Courchevel established its home at the top of Le Jardin Alpin in Courchevel 1850 and has been the retreat of choice for discerning ski and snow lovers ever since.
Courchevel history
1908
The development of the railroad station in Moutiers and the Brides-les-Bains thermal spa created summer tourism in the region at the beginning of the 20th century. The first restaurant opened, "Le Chalet Curtet," which soon became the iconic Hotel du Lac Bleu.
1910
Still the home of agricultural fields and small hamlets, only those skiers familiar with the area adventured to Courchevel’s slopes. With no access to chairlifts, adventurous mountaineers had to climb the hills on foot in order to ski back down.
1925
Hotel du Lac Bleu opened its doors for its first winter season, attracting only winter sports enthusiasts with the fitness level and courage to scale the slopes on foot. The Lyon ski club was created to accommodate the increased interest and began offering lessons and competitions.
1930
At the beginning of the '30s, several Chalet-hotels were built in Courchevel 1550 and Moriond to adapt to skiing’s rising popularity. Sheep barns were often converted for a few weeks to house enthusiastic skiers, giving them access to the very best slopes.
1942
During the Second World War, the original idea of Courchevel as a “super ski resort” was conceived. The French Commission of Tourism envisioned an international ski area that would compare to Italian, Swiss, and Austrian resorts.
1946
It was this pivotal year that Courchevel was officially born. Laurent Chappis toured the Trois Vallées on skis while planning a resort that was "as close to nature as possible." The construction of the first ski lift broke ground, and a chairlift between Courchevel and Les Tovets was created.
1961
As Courchevel became increasingly fashionable in the early ‘60s, the area’s altiport was constructed. Mountain aviation expert Michael Zieger established the first international mountain airport renowned for having one of the shortest runways in the world.
1973
During the '70s, Courchevel's reputation as a world-class mountain resort spread to global travellers. Following the first 3 Vallées ski pass, neighbouring resorts were connected to Courchevel, creating the world's largest ski area.
1992
In the 1992 Olympics, Le Praz hosted the ski jumping and Nordic combined events producing double French Olympic champions. Around the same time, a rush of hotels popped up in the area totalling eleven 4-star resorts.
2013
On December 12, 2013, L'Apogée Courchevel opened its doors in the heart of the Jardin Alpin. The impressive structure sits on the very top of the former Olympic ski jump installed for the 1992 Winter Games.
The villages of Courchevel
With six unique villages within close proximity, skiers and snow bunnies alike can discover a variety of Alpine ambiances. Each beautifully distinct area is connected by a network of ski lifts making it possible to travel swiftly between them while enjoying the spectacular scenery. As you glide along the valley, a sublime selection of regional Savoyard cuisine, boutique shopping, dazzling nightlife and family adventures are all just a stone’s throw away.
Jardin Alpin
Moriond
Courchevel Village
Courchevel La Tania
Le Praz
Saint-Bon
The World’s Premier Ski Destination
Ski Courchevel
Courchevel is one of 8 resorts in Les 3 Vallées, renowned for being the largest ski area in the world. Infinite possibilities for skiing await you with 600 km of slopes and an array of over 300 beginner and advanced runs, all seamlessly connected by lifts via the centre of the village.
L'éclipse, a piste for champions
Rise to the challenge on Courchevel’s legendary new ski run, L'éclipse. Already notorious amongst the world’s elite ski circuit, the complex run begins beneath La Loze in Courchevel 1850 and plummets over 900m through lush forests before emerging in La Praz village.
Winter adventures
Courchevel ski resort offers endless snowy adventures to make your mountain getaway in the French Alps truly unforgettable. Explore the surrounding villages while you discover the perfect activities to fill your itinerary. From dog sledding, night skiing, tobogganing to snowmobiling, a spirit of magic awaits you in Courchevel.
Toboggan runs
Activity:
Leave your skis behind and go for a sensational thrill with friends and family at the Moriond Racing toboggan run. Two dedicated tracks come complete with 3km of hairpin turns and straights where racers can reach speeds up to 30 kmh.
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Fat biking
Activity:
Experience the mountain in a whole new way after dark on a Fat Bike. Organised through the Courchevel Village ski school, riders will start the exciting two-hour descent at Jardin Alpin or Les Verdons and emerge in Courchevel Village.
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Ice diving
Activity:
Scuba dive beneath the icy layers of Le Praz Lake and transport to where time stands still. Instructors are ready to outfit you in a warm wetsuit and guide you through the underwater world.
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Ice climbing
Activity:
For a new cold-weather adventure off the slopes, climb one of the various frozen waterfalls around Les 3 Vallées or the artificial ice climbing wall at the Altiport. Mountain guides are available to assist both beginner and expert climbers.
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Dog sledding
Activity:
Set forth on a dog sledding excursion over the hills and through the lush forests of Courchevel. A professional musher will drive as you relax in your seated sledge and enjoy the scenery with this traditional mode of mountain travel.
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Snowmobiling
Activity:
Take to the slopes after dark on an hour-long snowmobiling tour. This Alpine outing is the best way to see the most of Courchevel’s snowy landscape in the shortest amount of time.
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Skydiving
Activity:
Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush by skydiving in Courchevel. After encountering 360˚ views of the French Alps from your helicopter, you’ll jump with your instructor, parachute overhead, and land over the ski area.
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Night skiing
Activity:
Grab your friends and meet for après-ski at the top of the resort and ski down the last track after sunset. You’ll have the slope all to yourself except for the starry sky above.
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Monster dameur
Activity:
Make your childhood dream a reality and drive a snowcat through Courchevel resort after closing. Following an introduction from a professional guide, you’ll take command of the powerful machinery to explore as you wish.
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Hot air balloon
Activity:
The incredible hot air balloon ride above Courchevel will be ingrained into your memory forever. While the sun rises or sets, hop into your ride with your trusted pilot and float over the wondrous white terrain below.
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L’Art au Sommet
The 13th annual L'Art au Sommet exhibition is flourishing in Courchevel, featuring large-scale sculptures, ice carvings and original works across the ski mountain and the resort. This year, the open-air exhibition features Richard Orlinski's famous "Born Wild" collection, a series exploring the duality of the animal and human within all of us. While French artist Michel Bassompierre's fibreglass, marble and bronze animal sculptures also make a major appearance alongside the mountain.
Shopping in Courchevel 1850
3 perfect days
Preserving our pristine surroundings
L’Apogée Courchevel is highly conscious of nature’s fragility being located on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, a protected habitat for the mountain ibex. We observe, listen, wonder and endeavour to live sustainably.
