As the weather has been so good for the past few days with burning sunshine, blue skies and no wind, I’ve been venturing further afield. All lifts and pistes are now open (with one notable exception being the Praz gondola which is suffering from gearbox failure. I was told ‘Thursday maybe Friday’ for the replacement parts to be installed so let’s hope tomorrow is the day), so it’s been really easy to just meander from one valley to the next without worrying that lifts might close and leave you stranded.
Courchevel Snow Report: 12th January 2012
Perfect snow and perfect weather in Courchevel
I like to get into the Meribel valley by the highest access point on Saulire rather than over the Col de la Loze lower down. So the Fôret bubble followed by the 3 chairs, Crêtes, Biollay and Suisses. Then the route into Meribel that I personally like from the top is to ‘just fork right at every choice’. This is a long blue blast down Biche and Geai towards the Altiport area where a welcome hot choc., coffee or beer can be had on the big sunny terrace of the Rhododendron restaurant. Plat du jour is €13.00 here if you are arriving at lunchtime and there is a bunch of other reasonably priced dishes at their self service restaurant.
I decided to go lower down into Meribel via the Rhodos piste through the trees past one of my favourite restaurants, the Coeur de Cristal. This is way more upmarket as shown by the €23 plat du jour with other dishes in the €18 to €30 range. On the opposite side of the piste is an interesting monument to the Founder of Meribel – a Scot called Peter Lindsay. I find it does wonders for entente cordial to point out to any locals in the vicinity that skiing in Meribel is a British, not a French, invention!
The Adret chairlift from just below Rond Point gives easy access to the new Saulire Express 2 gondola which whisks you to the top of Saulire again where you can watch people skiing the narrow ridge that gives access to the Courchevel Couloirs and also, if you’re very brave, the left turn down the couloir under the Saulire Express back into the Meribel Valley.
Not being very brave, I took the easier route down La Combe de la Saulire and into 1850 then under the tunnel on the left and down Brigues to Le Praz. Brigues seems have been transformed this year from being simply ‘the route home’ to a really enjoyable red run. It’s been widened and is a long roller coaster of a run down through the trees and if it wasn’t for the fact that I live at the bottom end of it, I’d probably have gone round and done it again but with a warm bath and a glass of wine beckoning I left it for another day.
The current idyllic conditions are set to remain with us for at least another week with it getting perhaps a few degrees colder over this weekend. I’m off for a trip to the other end of the 3 Valleys to meet some friends on Friday or Saturday so I’ll be able to tell you what conditions are like in Val Thorens when I report back on Sunday.
Airport Transfers in Courchevel
Transfers for Courchevel
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Shared Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Courchevel from €85 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Run by a long-established Three Valleys transfer specialist, the service combines the lower cost of sharing your journey with many of the things you would normally associate with a private transfer: small vehicles, experienced drivers and, importantly, a door-to-door journey between Geneva Airport and your accommodation in Courchevel.
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Shared Airport Transfers
Geneva to Courchevel from CHF 82.50 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Travel directly to your accommodation with a convenient minivan connection, frequent scheduled departures and helpful local representatives. This affordable shared service combines comfortable coach travel with a final transfer to your chalet, hotel or apartment in Courchevel.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Courchevel from €275 per budget minivan one-way (weekend rate)
This is a long-established Alpine transfer specialist that has been operating since 2008, with close to two decades of experience transporting skiers through the Three Valleys. The emphasis is on making the entire journey easy: professional drivers, genuine knowledge of the mountain roads, vehicles prepared for winter conditions and a choice of transfer styles ranging from practical minivans to luxury Mercedes vehicles.
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Private Airport Transfers
Low-cost private transfer service from Geneva Airport
Comfortable private airport transfer service connecting Courchevel with Geneva Airport, with a choice of standard and premium vehicles.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Courchevel from €359 per vehicle one-way (weekend rate)
Travel from Geneva Airport to Courchevel with an experienced Alpine transfer service operating since 2012. Enjoy a private, door-to-door journey with professional drivers who know the mountain roads and flight monitoring to help manage delays. Choose between standard or VIP minibuses, with free child seats available for families. Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi and handy pick-up reminders are among the thoughtful extras that make getting to the mountains easier.
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Private Airport Transfers
Stress-free airport transfers to Méribel, Courchevel and the Three Valleys
Enjoy safe, reliable airport transfers to Méribel, Courchevel, and the wider Three Valleys, taking the stress out of your journey to the mountains. This service isn’t a call centre or a fleet - it’s a network of independent, owner-operated drivers who live and work in the Alps year-round, bringing decades of local knowledge and experience to every trip.
Ski Hire in Courchevel
Ski Hire in Courchevel
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White Storm 1650
Friendly ski hire and delivery, right to your door in Courchevel and Meribel
With 20 years of experience, they are an independent company run by passionate skiers and snowboarders. Their expert team carefully selects and fits your equipment to the highest standards.
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Cascades
Ski hire in the centre of resort opposite ESF's offices
Hire skis and snowboards at the Bottom of the Pistes in Courchevel Moriond, near the ESF. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
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L'Atelier 1650
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
Welcome to your premier destination for top-notch ski rental experience in Courchevel 1650. Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, their shop not only offers privileged access to Courchevel's pristine slopes but also a range of high-end rental services suitable for all skiing enthusiasts, from beginners to experts.
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Regis Sports
Hire skis & snowboards at bottom of Grangettes telecabine
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Courchevel? Just visit the Skiset Regis Sports store!
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Home delivery & fitting service
Ski and snowboard rental delivered anywhere in La Tania, with easy online booking
Rent your equipment the easy way! This company delivers and fits your skis or snowboards at your accommodation, so there’s no need to traipse to the shop after a long journey.
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White Storm 1850
Friendly ski hire and delivery, right to your door in Courchevel and Meribel
With 20 years of experience, this independent company is run by passionate skiers and snowboarders. Their expert team carefully selects and fits your equipment to the highest standards.
Ski Schools in Courchevel
Ski School Lessons in Courchevel
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Private ski lessons
Private skiing and snowboarding lessons with highly rated instructors
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
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Private ski lessons
On and off-piste, English-speaking instructors with top local knowledge
Parallel Lines is Meribel’s biggest British Ski and Snowboard School, offering private lessons in La Tania and Courchevel tailor-made to focus on developing your skiing/snowboarding technique.
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Group ski lessons
Group ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Private ski lessons
Bespoke ski and snowboard lessons in Courchevel
Backed by more than 30 years of excellence teaching across the French Alps, their mission is to transform your time on snow into something unforgettable.
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Private ski lessons
British school offering a wide range of private lesson options tailored to all ages and abilities
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in Courchevel. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
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Private ski lessons
Tailored ski and snowboard lessons with multilingual instructors in Courchevel
Run by an Anglo-French team since 2001, this ski school knows the Three Valleys inside out. Their highly qualified, multilingual instructors specialise in tailor-made lessons designed to suit every skier or snowboarder.
Winter Things To Do in Courchevel
Wintersport Things To Do in Courchevel
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Helicopter tours
10, 30 or 60 minute private helicopter tours for up to five people
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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Heliskiing/boarding
Heliskiing/boarding trip in Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass.
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
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Ice Skating rink
Patinoire Du Forum - indoor ice skating for all and enjoy ice hockey matches
Located in the centre of Courchevel 1850 is the indoor ice skating rink.
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Bureau des Guides winter and summer activities
Off piste ski touring, heliskiing, glacier walks, snowshoeing and much more
Head out into the mountains with experienced guides in either summer or winter for some amazing experiences.
Read more about Bureau des Guides winter and summer activities
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Snow shoe walks
Half and full day guided snowshoe walks in and around Courchevel
Laurence is a certified mountain leader, who enjoys taking clients away from the busy pistes and spicing up your ski holiday with a guided snowshoeing trip.
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