Courchevel Overview

Courchevel

Best for: Intermediates of all standards

Highlights: Excellent lift system, many north-facing runs, great snow record, free beginners' lifts, huge selection of intermediate runs allowing you to clock-up the miles, well-run kids' clubs, freqeuent bus service linking villages

Non-skiers: Aquamotion centre has indoor and outdoor pools, a surfing area, water slides, rapids, spa and climbing wall. If you have money to burn, there are plenty of high-end boutiques where you can get kitted out in designer ski wear or book a table at Chabichou for a two-Michelin-star dining treat.

Nearest airports: Chambery (110km/1hr30mins), Geneva (190km/2hrs)

Nearest station: Moutiers (25km/30mins). Regular buses run from the station

Six-day ski pass: €256

Courchevel is a winter playground for the rich and famous – attracting a steady influx of stars from Beyonce to Beckham. Ironically, the resort was originally planned to create jobs and skiing for the masses, but somewhere along the lines it morphed into the luxury resort of The Alps.

There are 50 five-star hotels in the whole of France and nine of them are in Courchevel. As well as top hotels, the resort now boasts three Michelin-star restaurants. The multi-level resort, complete with heated pavements, is dotted with more than 100 boutiques - you’ll find as many diamond dealers here as ski-hire shops. The tourist board does stress they offer a range of amenities for a wider clientele; it’s not all Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Valentino.

The resort consists of four ski villages: Courchevel 1300 (La Praz), Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1850. While 1850 has the most high-end hotels and shops, its modern development is decidedly lacking in charm. Fans of the traditional French feel should head to Courchevel 1650.

Courchevel is a good all-round resort. Its ski area offers a good selection of runs for all levels and it is also popular with families, off-pisters and non-skiers. The resort’s 150 kilometres is enough for most, but the avid skier can buy a pass to the vast Three Valleys ski area, opening up 600 kilometres of lift-linked runs. Ski Pass for access to the vast lift-linked ski area in the world (600km).