Advanced ski areas in Courchevel

Advanced ski areas in Courchevel

Courchevel is renowned for its challenging terrain, with steep black runs, mogul fields, and legendary couloirs that test even the most experienced skiers.

Courchevel 1850

• Saulire Area – Start your day on Combe Saulire before 09:30 for the best snow and fewer crowds. The Grand Couloir, the easiest of the famous couloirs, still offers a serious challenge, while the GoPro Couloir leads into Méribel. Other couloirs, though no longer official pistes, remain thrilling options for expert skiers.
• Creux Noirs and Saulire – High-altitude, steep reds and blacks with tough moguls. Great advanced skiing can be found from the Suisse lift, Vizelle telecabine and Saulire top station.
• Chapelets – A quiet run that feels like backcountry skiing. Starts steep, then mellows out, making for an exhilarating descent, especially when freshly groomed.

Courchevel-Moriond 1650

• Ideal for advanced skiers looking for a more relaxed run in stunning scenery. Even during peak weeks, this area stays uncrowded. Try Grandes Bosses and Gentiane for quiet, easy cruising.

Courchevel Le Praz

• Bouc Blanc – A challenging black run through the trees, perfect for low-visibility days or stunning views in clear weather.
• Jean Blanc – A fast, technical black run with off-piste opportunities and large moguls.

La Tania

• Dou des Lanches – A steep and fast black piste above La Tania, perfect for a final challenge.

With a mix of legendary descents and hidden gems, Courchevel delivers some of the best advanced skiing in the world.

Explore the Three Valleys

For expert skiers seeking thrilling descents, a Three Valleys lift pass opens up access to some of the most challenging terrain in Val Thorens and Méribel.

Val Thorens

Cime Caron and Combe de Rosael

The top of Cime Caron offers steep, demanding runs, including the popular Combe de Caron. The Combe de Rosael is another highlight, often featuring enormous moguls that will push your technical skills.

Bouchet Lift and Orelle 

The highest and most remote area in the Three Valleys, this sector provides excellent fresh powder, quiet slopes, and wide runs where you can pick up serious speed.

Point de la Masse

Home to four tricky black runs: Masse, Lac Noir, Dame Blanche, and Rocher Noir. Best skied early in the morning for untouched snow and sunshine before the Three Valleys crowds arrive.

Funitel Peclet and Glacier de Thorens

Though busier, the runs here offer steep and sustained descents. Christine is the longest and steepest, while the Col red run from Glacier de Thorens, accessed via the Moraine lift, provides a fantastic follow-up.

Méribel

Face 

An Olympic downhill run created for the 1992 Olympics, this black run is left ungroomed after snowfall, providing a deep powder experience. Best skied mid-morning when the snow is firm but softened. Take the Roc de Fer and Olympic chairlifts to access it.

Tetras and Mogul Challenges

A tough mogul-filled black run from the Loze chairlift, demanding strong legwork.

Méribel-Mottaret’s black and red runs

From Pas du Lac, advanced skiers can take the Sanglier or Grande Rosiere pistes, the latter offering a powder experience after fresh snowfall.

Bartavelle and Lagopède – ‘Back to the Wild’ 

High, north facing runs with excellent snow. Bartavelle develops large moguls, while Lagopède is a smoother alternative. Nearby, the ‘bumps’ run lets skilled skiers showcase their mogul technique.

Mauduit

 A Legendary red named after champion skier Georges Mauduit, this former World Cup piste descends over 1km from Saulire to La Chaudanne, demanding fast carving turns through the forest.

Combe du Vallon

One of the longest and most famous red runs in the Three Valleys, descending over 3km from Mont Vallon. Often filled with moguls, it features breathtaking views over Tuéda Lake and Mottaret.

Mouflon

 A hidden challenge, starting gently before narrowing and steepening, this rarely used run from the Plattières 3 gondola offers stunning views of Saulire.

Couloir Tournier

Méribel’s extreme challenge is a black run beneath Saulire Express 2 with a terrifying 37-degree entry chute. Fixed cameras record your descent, providing proof of your daring attempt.

With everything from Olympic pistes to extreme couloirs, Val Thorens and Méribel offer some of the most exciting skiing in the Three Valleys.

More inspiration...

Having cracked the advanced ski areas, now check out the off-piste areas in Courchevel.

Take a look at this year's ski pass prices for more information. Find your way around with piste maps for Courchevel.