Make the most of your Courchevel ski pass

Whilst it's possible to buy your lift passes when you get to resort, instead of spending your first morning standing in a long lift pass queue in the cold, buying in advance means you're straight up the mountain on day one. Buying online couldn't be easier, and the pass card itself can be reloaded / recharged if you visit resort again.

Rather than opt for them to be mailed to your home address, simply pick them up in resort - it's just one less thing to remember to pack. There are usually pick up boxes/machines you can collect them from on arrival.

As with many things these days, the deals tend to be online, and that's no different when it comes to lift passes, especially if you buy well in advance taking advantage of any 'early bird' specials.

Web-only deals
Web exclusive deals offer fantastic value for duos, families and groups on the six-days plus passes especially, these are only available if you buy online (even though you can opt to pick them up in resort or have them posted to you).

The Family Package (two adults + at least two children) essentially means everyone skis at the children's rate, and if you're coming in a group of friends take a look at the web exclusive 'Tribu' package for savings galore.

If you're topping up existing passes card, reference numbers are required. It's also worth knowing that you'll buy your passes safe in the knowledge that up until the day before all passes bought online are fully refundable.

To make the most of your lift pass, set yourself the goal of experiencing the whole area. Get up early and catch the first and last lifts every day for six days in a row and ski it all. Then if there's time start on the off-piste. This way, you'll be maximising your piste-to-buck ratio. More realistically, take your time, enjoy it, and like us, take a long leisurely lunch after three pistes.

The Three Valleys ski area has:

• 328 piste-basher prepared slopes
• 600km of skiable distance
• 166 ski lifts
• 50% of the slopes in the Three Valleys are green and blue
• For intermediate skiers and snowboarders a tailor-made itinerary has been produced so you can easily ski all three valleys without having to take off your skis or snowboards
• Fun zones
• Snow parks

The lift-barriers check hands-free passes on the LEFT SIDE.

Remember to:

• Put your lift pass in a pocket on the left side of your ski jacket or trousers and you'll whizz through the turnstiles. Often ski jackets come with a small pocket on the left sleeve exactly for this purpose.
• Don't put any credit cards or phones in the same pocket as your pass, you'll simply confuse the machines.
• Kids trouser pockets are often lower than the sensors - use their sleeve pockets.

There are often single person lift queues to fill spaces on the chairlifts, don't neglect to use these and make some new friends on the way up.

And in all seriousness, take-off rucksacks and hold them in front of you. The straps can get caught on the lifts if they're still on your back, or you can be pushed to the front of the seat with the extra depth, and this is dangerous.

There is so much to do in the resort's fun zones. The Camp des Indiens in Courchevel Moriond is open every day, and the Family Park is popular with kids of all ages, you'll find boarder cross, jumps and inflatables.

Try the famous 3km toboggan run at "Moriond Racing", whizz through eight tunnels, slide up the walls, and get a free snapshot of yourself to show the folks back home.

Also available at night when the track is floodlit, adding a whole new element to this magical experience.

With your six-days plus pass you will have access to the largest ski area in the world with inter-linked resorts.

You'll be able to take in the high altitude slopes of Val Thorens, the stunning pine forests of Courchevel Moriond, and ski amongst the chocolate box chalets of Meribel. In fact you will have eight different resorts in total completely at your disposal - maybe a bit of a stretch on a week's skiing trip, but the opportunity is there.

Holders of a Courchevel pass of two days duration or more are entitled to one entry into the Aquamotion Spa & Wellness Centre in Courchevel Village. An indoor/outdoor waterpark with heated pools, slides and a spa, it's the perfect place to escape to during your holiday to wind down after a hard day's skiing or to simply tire out the kids.

If you're not already exhausted by the prospect of all that skiing, and you think you'll still have some energy for dancing in your ski gear, you're in luck. The famous Folie Douce Meribel-Courchevel is 'the' party on the mountain, only accessible if you head up via the lifts. Open every day for fun and frolics, with DJs, live performers, loud music and an unforgettable après-ski experience.

Just make sure you leave enough time to get the last lift down to resort, a last minute helicopter taxi home isn't going to be cheap.