Family holidays in Courchevel

If you’re coming for a ski holiday with a young family, look for accommodation near any of the lifts. The fewer steps your little people have to take in ski boots, the better (for all concerned!). Courchevel consists of five villages, each of which has a different feel and a wide range of hotels, chalets and apartments.

Courchevel 1850

• a good mix of terrain for people of all abilities, direct access to play zones for families and green runs for beginners.
• five star hotels and many of the best ski in-ski out chalets 
• lots of large family-sized accommodation
• a great selection of high-end bars and restaurants

Courchevel-Moriond is always popular with families. It has: 

• a good mix of terrain for people of all abilities, play zones for families and green runs for beginners.
• some ski in-ski out chalets that are more affordable than 1850
• It is a bit of trek to access the rest of the Three Valleys ski area from here, but the speedy lift system ensures quick connections.
• lots of family-sized accommodation
• a good selection of bars and restaurants

Courchevel Village

• quieter resort with more affordable accommodation
• direct gondola access to Courchevel ski areas.
• the amazing aquamotion swimming complex which is popular for familes

La Tania

• the furthest of the connected villages but with good access everywhere.
• this area caters mainly for families 
• good selection of chalet companies and nanny services
• there is a small nursery area for beginners
• a good selection of bars and restaurants

La Praz

• traditional alpine village
• no nursery slopes
• is connected to Courchevel via two gondolas

Lift passes make up a significant portion of the cost of a family holiday to the mountains, so it pays to check you’re buying the right ticket for your group. 

Here in Courchevel there are various concessions to help you keep your costs down, such as:

• family discount passes
• group discounts
• children under 5 use the lifts for free
• reduced rates for children up to 12
• buy a Courchevel pass instead of three valleys
• beginner areas offer reduced rates and some lifts are free to use 

You can buy half day lift tickets if a full day on the mountain seems too long for the little ones. It’s not a lot cheaper than an all day ticket, but it’ll save you a little bit. 

Lift passes in Courchevel for families of four or more

If you're a family of four or more, you'll be able to save money on the regular ticket price by buying a 'family lift pass'

• family discount, 2 adults pay kids' prices when booking as a family (2 adults + 2 to 7 children)
• TRIBU group discount - reduced rate when buy online for groups of 3 to 20 people

If you have designs on raising the next Shaun White or Chemmy Alcott, then getting your kids into ski school is going to be a priority!

The ski schools all:

• offer full and half-day sessions
• have English speaking guides
• will take your kids to a dedicated area where they can learn how to snow plough, stop, turn and glide safely

Ski schools usually take weekly bookings, so if you're only here for a few days it's good to check if there's any space for your kids.

What age can children start ski lessons

Ski schools will take them from 3 years old. At this age, the focus is on having fun in the snow, so there are normally inflatables and games to play. 

Most beginner areas also have a ‘magic carpet’ travelator (a bit like the ones you get at airports) to get kids and beginner adults to the top of the slopes without having to contend with lifts.

Whether you’re a kid or an adult, half-day lessons are normally more than enough if you’re a novice.

What’s included in the price of a lesson

The price you pay for a ski lesson is for tuition only. Ski passes are not included.

So for kids aged 5 and over, you’ll need to make sure they have: 

• a valid ski pass (you can get discounted passes if you're only using the nursery slopes)
• skis, helmets, goggles - you can hire these from one of the many ski hire shops in the resort
• appropriate clothing, like salopettes and a jacket, warm layers and gloves  
• sunscreen

A ski pass isn’t necessary for those under five, but you'll still need to buy a hands-free card for them to use on the turnstiles. You can get one of these from any lift station, take ID to prove their age.

A decent mix of terrain should keep all the family happy.  

Again, Courchevel is popular with families. There is a good range of nursery areas and wide green runs for you to practice your turns on.

All of the nursery areas (in each of the villages) have drag lifts you can use for free.

If you have beginners in your family you may want to check out:

• the green runs designated 'Easy Rider' runs off the Verdons gondola
• family friendly zones - the Wood Park (beginner freestyle park) and the Stop Zone
• Courchevel Moriond has long green 'Easy Rider' runs, two family friendly parks and an Indian camp

Family skiing in the Three Valleys

There is one snow park in Courchevel and further parks in both Méribel and Val Thorens. The Family Park is just above Courchevel, off the Verdons gondola, and has something for everyone, no matter your ability. From small whoops for beginners to boxes and rails for more advanced riders, there is also a Big Air bag where you can practice your jumps in relative safety. There is a timed slalom course at the BMW XDrive by the Loze lift. There's no way your experienced teenagers will get bored here!

During the winter, if the kids are only skiing for half a day, then there are plenty of other activities available in resort to keep them happy.

On the snow
Staying on the slopes, there are dedicated sledging zones at top of the Tovets ski lift in Courchevel, and by the Belle Etoile holiday complex in Courchevel Moriond. There is also a dedicated adventure luge track - a 2km adrenaline-fuelled run down a 15% incline with banked turns through the forest from Courchevel to Courchevel Village. It's open every day and in the evenings during the season, and is free with your lift pass. Other fun snow zones especially designed for children can be found above Courchevel Moriond in the Indian Camp. You can wear war paint, traditional costumes, dance and sing songs around the camp fire. Or learn to hunt with a bow and arrow and play real Indians with all the family in the camp with its three new tepees. If you head to the Altiport (by road or by slope) in the afternoons your kids (from age six) can join an Adventure Camp where they can try airboards, paret or snake-gliss, or even snow-mobiling! No reservation required but there is a charge for the activities.

Ice skating
In Courchevel, there is Forum Centre which has an indoor ice skating rink, an indoor climbing wall and a bowling alley. There is also an indoor adventure mini-trail where children from seven years can scale Nepalese bridges, monkey bridges, ladders and giant spider's webs. Or for five years and over, let them loose on 'Tarzan vines' in the Forum's atrium. Other activities to consider for your children include snowman building, snowball fun, and if you want a real treat, try husky dog sledding where the little ones can ride in a passenger sledge with you - please note there is usually only one passenger sled per trip, so booking in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Also try horse drawn sleigh rides.

Indoors
In Courchevel Village (on the way to Courchevel Moriond) is the Aquamotion swimming and leisure complex. From indoor and outdoor pools to baby pools and surf pools, river rapids and diving pools, all the family can enjoy this complex. You can also go indoor climbing or take aqua fitness classes, and there is a spa area with beauty treatments. Other activities include cinema (look out for films in VOST for films in English). You can find out more about Non-Skiing Activities in Courchevel in our guide.

Non-skiers
For adults that aren't quite so sure of the skiing, there are plenty of spas you can try for some indulgence, as well as fitness classes, or perhaps some snow shoeing. Pedestrian ski passes are available at a reduced rate so you can join the rest of your group up in the high mountains for lunch and spectacular views.

Entertainments
During school holidays, the tourist office organises plenty of events designed for children. Over Christmas you can expect street parades, lantern processions, carol concerts, and Santa Claus. Check our Events Calendar for details.

Summer
Summer holidays in Courchevel are all about being active and there are a wealth of activities on offer here for all ages and members of the family. Our dedicated guide to activities in Courchevel includes a section specifically on kids' activities with information on horse riding, short family hikes, high ropes courses, where to go swimming, nature parks, and numerous other fun things that will help make your family holiday as unique and memorable as possible!

There are several options for childcare in Courchevel. You can contact the local tourist office for a list of available babysitters.

If you're here during summer

The sports centre of each village sometimes hosts a kids club during the summer holidays, with activities like swimming, climbing, tennis, basketball and ice-skating.