Courchevel

FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

Can I fly directly into Courchevel?

Yes. Courchevel Altiport is one of Europe's most demanding mountain airports, with a 537-metre runway and an 18.5% gradient. It's used by private aircraft, air taxis and helicopters during the winter season, and only specially qualified pilots are authorised to operate there. Many guests also choose a helicopter transfer from Geneva, Chambéry or Lyon, with flights typically taking around 30–40 minutes. Compared with a Saturday road transfer (which could exceed four hours) it's often the quickest and most convenient way to arrive.

Can I fly by private jet to Courchevel?

We arrange private jet flights to Courchevel Altiport from across Europe using aircraft suited to its short, steep runway — typically the Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna 208 Caravan, both purpose-built for demanding mountain airstrips. Often the fastest way to reach the resort door-to-door and available from a wide range of departure points beyond the main hub airports. Indicative flight times include: Chambéry — 0h15 Geneva — 0h18 Lyon — 0h25 Nice/Cannes — 0h39 Milan — 0h40 Saint-Tropez — 0h40 Saint-Moritz — 0h50 Zurich — 0h55 Paris — 1h25 Munich — 1h30 During the winter season, three aircraft are permanently based at Courchevel itself, with a further two based at Chambéry (just a 15-minute flight from the resort) giving us fast, flexible availability even at short notice during peak periods.

Can I take a helicopter from Geneva to Courchevel?

Yes. Helicopter transfers from Geneva are one of the fastest ways to reach Courchevel, with flights typically taking around 30–40 minutes. Aircraft usually accommodate five or six passengers, with both private charter and shared-seat options available depending on availability. Helicopters land at Courchevel Altiport, just minutes from the village. Because demand increases significantly during Christmas, New Year and February half-term, we recommend booking helicopter transfers well in advance.

Which airport should I fly into?

It depends on priorities. Chambéry is closest (around 90 minutes to resort) but has fewer flight options, often via charter. Geneva offers by far the widest choice of international flights, at roughly 2–2.5 hours by road (or around 20 minutes by helicopter). Lyon and Grenoble are both roughly 2–2.5 hours away and worth considering if they offer better-timed flights for your route. For most international guests, Geneva remains the most practical choice despite not being the closest. The flight options outweigh the extra road time.

How exclusive is Courchevel 1850?

Its exclusivity comes from supply as much as reputation. Courchevel 1850 has exceptionally limited chalet inventory, with strict planning regulations and very little opportunity for new development. Most prime chalets remain in long-term private ownership, while many of the finest rental properties are reserved by returning guests year after year. Demand consistently exceeds supply during peak weeks, which is why the best ski-in/ski-out chalets are often secured many months before the season begins. French media have long reported that even Bernard Arnault was unable to acquire the type of prime chalet he wanted in Courchevel 1850, ultimately leading LVMH to develop Cheval Blanc Courchevel instead. A reflection of just how tightly held the resort's best real estate has become.

How far in advance should I book?

For Christmas, New Year and February half-term, we recommend beginning your search 9–12 months before travel. The finest chalets are frequently rebooked by returning guests before they ever reach the open market. Outside peak weeks, availability is naturally more flexible, although the most desirable properties with exceptional locations, wellness facilities or large staff teams, still book well ahead.

What's included with an ultra-luxury chalet?

Every chalet we represent comes with a dedicated team built around your stay: a chalet manager overseeing the property throughout, a private chef preparing breakfast, afternoon tea and multi-course dinners tailored to your preferences, and full housekeeping with daily cleaning and turndown service. Most properties also include a concierge to handle reservations, activities and logistics, along with amenities such as private spas, indoor pools, cinema rooms and wine cellars. Beyond the essentials, many of our chalets offer chauffeured transport, ski concierge services (boot fitting, equipment storage, lift pass delivery), and access to in-house wellness treatments.

How private and secure are Courchevel chalets?

Privacy is central to how Courchevel 1850 operates. Many of the chalets we represent sit on secluded, private plots with dedicated entrances, private parking or underground garages, and staff trained to work discreetly around guests rather than around them. For clients who require it, additional security arrangements can typically be organised, including close-protection teams, secure and vetted transport, and discreet arrival and departure logistics that avoid the main village where needed. We're happy to discuss specific requirements confidentially as part of the booking process.

Why is Courchevel considered Europe's premier ski destination?

Courchevel sits within Les Trois Vallées, the world's largest linked ski area, offering around 600 kilometres of interconnected pistes. Yet what distinguishes Courchevel 1850 isn't simply the skiing. It's the concentration of exceptional hotels, private chalets, Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury boutiques and highly personalised service. For many travellers, it's one of the few destinations where outstanding skiing and uncompromising luxury coexist at the highest level.

Is Courchevel the same as Courchevel 1850?

When people say Courchevel, they usually mean Courchevel 1850, the resort's highest and most prestigious village. Courchevel is technically made up of five linked villages at different altitudes: 1850, 1650 (Moriond), 1550 (Courchevel Village), Le Praz (1300) and La Tania. But 1850 is where the majority of the ultra-luxury chalets, Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels are concentrated. We work exclusively in Courchevel 1850, and unless stated otherwise, every reference on this site refers to this village specifically.

How does Courchevel compare to St Moritz or Gstaad?

All three are among the Alps' most prestigious addresses, but each offers a different experience. Courchevel 1850 pairs some of the world's most exclusive private chalets with direct access to Les Trois Vallées, the largest linked ski area on earth. Genuine scale alongside genuine exclusivity. St Moritz brings over 150 years of glamorous winter-sport heritage in a historic Swiss setting, while Gstaad is prized for its discretion, with a quieter, more understated village atmosphere. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise ski terrain, historic pedigree, or absolute privacy. Many of our clients enjoy more than one over time.

Which hotels in Courchevel 1850 are hardest to book?

Courchevel 1850 is home to some of the most sought-after hotels in the Alps, and a handful sell out for peak weeks the moment booking windows open. Cheval Blanc Courchevel, Les Airelles, and Aman Le Mélézin are consistently the three hardest to secure. This is particularly the case over Christmas, New Year and February half-term, when many rooms are held by returning guests before public availability is even released. Booking 9–12 months ahead is standard practice for these properties during peak season.

Is Courchevel good for non-skiers?

Yes. Courchevel 1850 offers a genuine luxury experience even without skiing — Michelin-starred dining, high-end boutiques, spa and wellness facilities, and a lively village atmosphere all stand on their own. Non-skiing guests are increasingly common, particularly among multi-generational families where not everyone in the group skis.

Can I ski from Courchevel into Val Thorens?

Yes. Courchevel and Val Thorens are both part of Les 3 Vallées, the world's largest linked ski area, so it's possible to ski between them via connecting lifts and pistes without leaving the resort network. It's a full day's outing rather than a quick hop, so worth planning with a guide if it's your first time linking the valleys.

Is Courchevel suitable for complete beginners?

Yes, and this often surprises people given the resort's reputation. Courchevel 1850 has excellent, gentle beginner terrain close to the village, along with highly regarded ski schools. Beginners simply stay on easier terrain lower down, while more advanced members of the group can access the demanding terrain Les 3 Vallées is known for. Everyone skis the same resort at their own level.

Which restaurants require early booking?

Courchevel's most popular restaurants often need booking several weeks ahead, and for peak holiday periods it's wise to reserve as soon as your trip is confirmed. Bagatelle, Le Cap Horn, La Saulire, Le Chalet de Pierres, Kinugawa and Beefbar are consistently among the most in-demand tables — particularly for Christmas, New Year and February half-term, when the best time slots go quickly. We recommend confirming key dinners early rather than waiting until you arrive.

What are the best fine dining and destination restaurants in Courchevel?

Courchevel has long held more Michelin stars than any other ski resort in the world, giving it one of the highest concentrations of fine dining anywhere in the Alps.

Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc holds three Michelin stars and is widely regarded as one of the world's highest three-starred restaurants. With just 25 covers each evening, Chef Yannick Alléno delivers one of the most exclusive dining experiences in European skiing.

Baumanière 1850 at Le Strato brings the celebrated Baumanière philosophy to Courchevel, pairing refined French technique with exceptional Alpine produce.

Le Chabichou, a Courchevel institution since 1963, continues to define modern mountain gastronomy under Michelin-starred chef Stéphane Buron.

Alpage, at Hôtel Annapurna, has quickly become one of the resort's standout tables under chef Jean-Rémi Caillon, whose nature-led cuisine celebrates the flavours and landscapes of Savoie.

Le Farçon, in nearby La Tania, offers Michelin-starred cooking rooted in the traditions of the French Alps, while Le K2 Palace completes the resort's extraordinary culinary offering with tasting-menu dining from one of France's most accomplished chefs.

Beyond the starred tables, Courchevel's destination restaurants carry their own reputations. Bagatelle, part of the international Bagatelle group (New York, Ibiza, St Barth, Dubai, London), is known for glamorous mountain dining and atmosphere as much as food. Le Cap Horn is a nautical-themed slopeside address known for seafood, rotisserie, sushi and an exceptional wine list.

La Saulire is one of Courchevel's longest-standing in-vogue addresses, favoured by locals and regulars, with an exceptional wine list and a strong reputation for truffle-driven cooking. Le Chalet de Pierres, a former mountain station on the Verdon slope, has become one of the resort's most iconic ski-in/ski-out stops, famous for its sun-soaked terrace, DJ sets, and a lounge menu running from breakfast pastries through to lobster rolls and Kobe beef in the afternoon.

Kinugawa, the Courchevel outpost of the acclaimed Parisian and Saint-Tropez restaurant, brings French-Japanese cuisine and cocktails into a bespoke Japanese-chalet setting and one of the resort's most festive dinner destinations. Beefbar, the internationally recognised steakhouse group founded by Riccardo Giraudi, has recently arrived at Hotel L'Apogée Courchevel, pairing the world's finest cuts of Black Angus, Wagyu, Kobe with the label's signature blend of contemporary elegance and alpine charm. Given the concentration of demand on a small number of tables, reservations for the starred restaurants in particular are worth confirming as early as possible, especially during peak periods.