Lifestyle

Tips & Tops

Things to do in Courchevel: the best experiences in an outstanding resort

Updated on September 10, 2026

Contents :

Key information :

The resort of Courchevel has achieved iconic status, becoming a symbol of the French Alps, and it offers endless things to do in winter, from skiing and snowboarding in the vast Les 3 Vallées to snowshoeing, out-of-the-ordinary activities such as paragliding and dog sledding, and extreme sports. It’s also well worth visiting to experience the premium ambiance of Courchevel 1850 Village. This is a resort that combines stunning landscapes with thrills and an Alpine lifestyle.

Courchevel is on the sunniest side of the La Tarentaise valley in Savoie, and its villages are dotted between Norway spruce forests and high-altitude ski-in / ski-out residences. It is an integral part of the Les 3 Vallées ski area and offers endless experiences, including excellent skiing, relaxation, high-adrenaline sports and unusual new discoveries. Here is your detailed guide to things to do in Courchevel throughout the winter season.

Things to do in Courchevel in winter: the art of mountain living

Courchevel is the place to ski to your heart’s content in one of the planet’s most prestigious resorts, take in iconic Alpine landscapes, have lots of family fun and enjoy the Alps’ fabled art of living.

Skiing in Les 3 Vallées

Skiing in Courchevel is an experience like no other. The resort is one of the gateways to Les 3 Vallées, the world’s biggest ski area and one of Europe’s most prestigious. Nearly 350 pistes extend over 600 kilometres (375 miles), all of them easy to get to via more than 100 ski lifts. Courchevel is a ski-on / ski-off resort with access to Méribel, Val Thorens and Les Ménuires, which means you can explore the most beautiful Alpine landscapes in Europe. Mont Blanc, the Barre des Écrins, La Meije and more rise up before your eyes. This outstanding resort culminates at an altitude of more than 3,200 metres and its pistes are meticulously groomed, but it is also renowned for its optimal snowfall throughout the winter season.

Things to do in Courchevel for non-skiers

Courchevel has long known winter is about far more than skiing. Here are some ideas for things to do outdoors and indoors in Courchevel :

Snowshoeing: there are marked routes to explore, including the Bellevue pathway starting in Courchevel 1850, while visitors looking for a physical challenge might be interested in going up the Crête des Gravelles.
Sledging: you and your family can enjoy all the thrills of a sledging run between Courchevel 1850 and Courchevel Village. This two-kilometre (one and a quarter-mile) descent through the forest is open from morning to early evening. The sledging area above the Le Praz gondola lift pick-up point is specially reserved for children.
Le Forum ice rink: open for both ice skating sessions and championship ice hockey matches. A great way to soak up Courchevel’s energy without putting on skis.

Holidaying in Courchevel 1850, a luxury Alpine icon

At an altitude of 1,850 metres, Courchevel 1850 is the highest of the six villages that make up the ski area. It also has the most legendary status and is highly sought-after by a demanding international clientele who love its luxury boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, premium wellbeing centres and very lively nightlife. From La Croisette to the Jardin Alpin, the traditional chalets and prestigious hotels’ vision for excellent mountain hospitality is rooted in authenticity and singularity. The visitor experiences are like none other in the resort, and they will shortly be enhanced by Monte-Carlo One Courchevel. This iconic new destination is adding an extra dimension to the art of Alpine living which combines contemporary elegance and mountain heritage.

Courchevel 1850 : a pioneering resort

Courchevel 1850 was created in 1946 as one of the Alps’ modern ski resorts. Its very first hotels and ski lifts were built on the pastures of the Les Tovets plateau to attract an international clientele. It was here that the snow grooming techniques were developed during the 1950s. From its earliest days, Courchevel 1850 offered direct access to the pistes and previously unheard-of levels of comfort. Its innovative vision proved to be profoundly influential on newly created mountain resorts around Europe.

Winter sports in Courchevel: snow sports & adrenalin

From traditional skiing to high-speed varieties, Courchevel offers a mixed terrain and cutting-edge infrastructure which are suited to experienced visitors and beginners alike. It serves as a truly outstanding base for winter sports.

Alpine skiing & snowboarding in Courchevel

The Courchevel ski resort offers snow sport experiences suitable for all skill levels and styles. Beginners will love the “Easy Rider” safety zones, where they can learn with total peace of mind on immaculately groomed green and blue pistes. More experienced skiers will appreciate the more technical red and black pistes, such as the famous Combe de la Saulire and Grand Couloir.

Snowboarders of all skill levels flock to Courchevel 1850’s Family Park snowpark in Verdons. It offers courses tailored to different abilities, rails, border cross and meticulously maintained jump areas. It is perfect for anyone looking to perfect their tricks and brush up their style.

Ski mountaineering & off-piste skiing

If you want to test your fitness but in a more contemplative way, ski mountaineering is very popular in Courchevel. Put on your ski skins and set off on the many marked routes (some of which can be reached via ski lifts). You can explore forests perched high up on snowy plateaux and the iconic Col de la Loze.

Visitors who love pristine slopes will be interested in freeriding the resort’s upper reaches, including legendary spots like Les Avals (via the Col de Chanrossa) and the Couloirs de la Saulire. Expect unspoilt natural landscapes and demanding off-piste trails, and remember you must be accompanied by a professional guide. If you have never experienced fresh snow before, the Freeride Lab at the summit of La Vizelle has safe but ungroomed slopes for high-speed, risk-free skiing.

Extreme winter sports

Courchevel is much loved by adventurous skiers in search of thrills thanks to its unusual mountain sports :

Ice climbing: Put on your harness, helmet, crampons and ice axe and learn new skills on Courchevel 1850’s artificial ice wall before tackling the frozen waterfalls dotted around Les 3 Vallées.
Ice diving: Explore a silent world with an instructor during a session in Le Praz lake.
Heli skiing excursion: Head to the altiport for an extraordinary experience. After a panoramic flight, the helicopter will drop you off on the pristine slopes of the Swiss or Italian Alps for a memorable day’s skiing with all the guardrails off.

Out-of-the-ordinary activities in Courchevel: extra-special thrills

There are lots of things to do in Courchevel if you feel like a change from skiing. Original activities in picturesque landscapes all make for special moments to try solo or with family and friends.

Flying over the mountains

Take to the skies for a change of perspective and another way of contemplating the mountains, accompanied by spectacular views. Your hot air balloon flight takes off from Courchevel altiport. Once you are airborne, you will soar over fabulous snowy landscapes in La Vanoise National Park as part of a morning ride illuminated by the rising sun.

Other thrills await if you opt for a wintertime paragliding trip. Take off with a partner or solo and fly over the pistes and forests with your skis on for a timeless experience combining snow and air. Expect plenty of adrenalin if you go speed-riding, a hybrid of skiing and gliding for experienced skiers looking for thrills.

Nordic adventures & nighttime escapades

The mountains of Courchevel aren’t just for skiing. If you would like the type of experience you would usually expect in the Arctic, take a snowmobiling trek or dog sledding ride along snowy paths. With a musher as your guide and the pack propelling you along, you will feel unforgettably in tune with nature. You can also go dog sledding on an evening with the stars twinkling above you, for an even more original experience. In fact, as the day comes to an end, the Courchevel ski area is still an endless playground. You can hurtle down the pistes on a fat bike - an all-terrain bicycle with extra-wide tyres - and take a sled or a yooner down the slopes for an extra dose of adrenalin. Another, even more unusual option is an after-dark trip on a snow grooming machine to get a real feel for life behind the scenes in the ski area as the pistes are prepared for the next day. The mountain peaks offer fabulous views over the resort.

Winter in Courchevel is one amazing experience after the other, so get ready for snow sports on legendary pistes, sublime Alpine panoramas, a variety of fun and energetic activities, and sophisticated mountain living.

FAQ : Things to do in Courchevel

What things are there to do in Courchevel on an evening ?

Courchevel 1850 is packed with some of the Alps’ most highly reputed gourmet restaurants, bars and nightclubs, making it ideal for winter nights out. If you would like to try something a little different, certain nighttime activities such as dog sledding and snowmobiling offer another way of exploring the mountains under the stars.

Where can I shop in Courchevel ?

Most of the shops are in Courchevel 1850, clustered around La Croisette and the Jardin Alpin. International fashion boutiques, jewellers, luxury sports shops and concept stores have a sophisticated selection to choose from, combining top luxury brands with mountain specialists.

Where should I eat in Courchevel ?

Courchevel is one of the Alps’ great gastronomic destinations. The resort has several Michelin-starred restaurants as well as other elegant dining options and convivial eateries for a twist on Savoie specialties. Mountain restaurants are also highly sought-after during the daytime. They are ski-in / ski-out and have superb, sunlit terraces overlooking the mountain tops and an often-festive ambiance.