Courchevel is a premier alpine destination with extensive outdoor opportunities year-round, though winter sports dominate the schedule.
Good to know
Good to Know
- Courchevel is part of Les 3 Vallées—the world's largest interconnected ski area—making it a winter sports destination of exceptional scale and variety.
- With 85% of slopes above 1,800m and Europe's largest snowmaking system (covering ~50% of terrain), winter snow reliability is excellent from December through April.
- Summer transforms the resort: ski lifts provide access to high-altitude hiking and mountain biking terrain unavailable from the base, significantly extending activity options.
- The official ski season typically runs early December to late April; February is peak season for families (and crowds).
- Five interconnected villages (Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz/1300, and La Tania) each offer different atmospheres and terrain—explore via free shuttle buses and ski lifts.
- Mountain biking trails follow FFC grading (same as ski piste difficulty) from green to black, making route selection straightforward.
- Aquamotion is a major indoor facility for rainy/off-season days, offering water slides, pools, climbing, surfing, and wellness facilities.
- Via Ferrata and climbing routes suit all levels, with state-certified instructors available; equipment typically included in guided sessions.
- The Vanoise National Park borders the resort—day hikes to alpine lakes and glacial terrain are directly accessible.
- Summer event calendar (Air Show, mountain bike festival, Tour de France stages, Punta motorcycle festival) attracts large crowds; plan accommodations early.
- Paragliding, helicopter tours, and hot air balloon rides operate seasonally; Altiport altitude (2006m) provides a unique launch point.
Hiking
- Season
- Summer and winter
- Description
- Courchevel offers a network of scenic trails ranging from gentle family-friendly walks to challenging alpine climbs. Routes include access to Vanoise National Park and alpine lakes.
Notable Trails
La Rosière Lake to Poux Waterfall
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Description
- Family-friendly trail featuring turquoise-green lake and waterfall. Relatively flat with educational signage about flora and fauna.
Lacs Merlet
- Difficulty
- Moderate to Challenging
- Description
- Mountain hike within Vanoise National Park to alpine lakes dominated by Aiguille du Fruit.
Via Cavo Del Mey
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Description
- Trail from Courchevel Moriond through Avals valley into Vanoise National Park.
Vanoise National Park
- Area Km2
- 535
- Location Relative To Courchevel
- Adjacent - Courchevel is one of 17 ski resorts within Vanoise region
- Description
- First national park in France (1963), stretches across Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys to Italian border
Wildlife
- Alpine ibex
- Chamois
- Marmots
La Rosiere Natural Site
- Accessibility
- Family-friendly day trip
Features
- Mountain lake
- Picnic areas
- Walking trails
- Chalet for snacks
Canyoning
- Age Restriction
- 13 and over
Activities
- Pool jumping
- Natural slides
- Waterfall abseiling
Lake Swimming
Locations
- Lac du Praz (summer)
- Lac de la Rosière
Aquatic Center
- Name
- Aquamotion Courchevel
- Size
- Europe's largest mountain aquatic center
- Altitude Meters
- 1650
Facilities
- 25m pool with 4 lanes
- Indoor/outdoor heated pool (30°C (86°F))
- 45m waterslide with 3 tracks
- 110m wild river
- Climbing wall
- Surf wave
- Wellness spa
- Fitness center
Via Ferrata
- Location
- Near Lac de la Rosière
- Difficulty
- Beginner-friendly with expert options
- Description
- Metal ladders and cables for secure mountain scaling with stunning views
Features
- Monkey bridge
- Rope bridge
Ice Climbing
- Availability
- Winter
Locations
- Frozen waterfalls
- Dedicated indoor wall
Mountain Biking Cycling
- Season
- Summer (lifts open with summer rates)
- Bike Rental Cost
- €16
- Children Bike Rental
- €15
- Trail Grading System
- FFC (French Federation of Cycling) - Green (very easy), Blue (easy), Red (difficult), Black (very difficult/expert only)
Summer Routes
- Fun Tracks
- 3
- Pump Track
- 1
- Downhill Trails
- 2
- Difficulty Range
- Green (beginners) to Black (expert)
- E Bike Itineraries
- 7
- Total Enduro Itineraries
- 8
Notable Routes
Col De La Loze
- Type
- Road cycling
- Altitude Meters
- 2304
- Description
- Legendary route reserved exclusively for cyclists
La Vallée Des Avals
- Difficulty
- Red
- Description
- Scenic descent featuring wild valley landscape at gateway to Vanoise
Organized Sports Leagues Tournaments
International Festival of Pyrotechnic Art
- Month
- February
- Description
- Spectacular winter festival
Courchevel Air Show
- Season
- Summer
3 Vallées VTT Mountain Bike Event
- Season
- Summer
- Description
- Multi-day festival with cross-country, downhill, and enduro racing
Tour De France Stage
- Season
- Summer
- Frequency
- Occasional
Punta Courchevel Motorcycle and Rock Music Festival
- Season
- Summer
- Description
- Motorcycle exhibitions, stunt demonstrations, competitions, concerts
Courchevel-Le Praz
- Event
- Olympic ski jump competitions
- Description
- Professional ski jumping events with spectator activities
Courchevel Mountain Bike Festival
- Season
- Summer
Races
- Cross-country
- Downhill
- Enduro
Rafting
- Age Restriction
- 12 years and up (sometimes 8+ on gentler rivers)
- Description
- Inflatable boat navigation through local rivers and rapids
Indoor Surfing
- Location
- Aquamotion center
- Description
- Artificial wave for surfing, bodyboarding, wakeboarding, tubing
Stand Up Paddling
- Season
- Summer
- Location
- Lac du Praz
Winter Sports
Skiing Snowboarding
- Season
- Early December to late April
- Main Area
- Courchevel local terrain
- Skill Levels
- All levels - beginner slopes, intermediate terrain, expert off-piste and couloirs
- Terrain Summary
- 150 km of marked slopes within Courchevel, connected to Three Valleys ski area
Altitude Range
- Snow Guarantee Percentage
- 85
- Maximum Meters
- 3230
- Minimum Meters
- 1100
Three Valleys Access
- Total Lifts
- 155
- Total Slopes
- 600 km
- Description
- World's largest interconnected ski area accessible via direct lifts from Courchevel
Other Winter Activities
- Cross-country skiing (free access trails available)
- Snowshoeing
- Dog sledding
- Ski touring
- Tobogganing
- Nordic walking
- Paragliding
Indoor Climbing
- Facility
- Aquamotion center and Forum climbing wall
- Description
- Safe indoor environment for all skill levels
Highest Via Ferrata In France
Available in Courchevel area
Other Outdoor Activities
Other Outdoor Activities
- Paragliding and tandem paragliding
- Helicopter scenic flights
- Hot air balloon rides from Altiport (2006m altitude)
- Horseback riding and mountain treks
- Tree-top adventure courses (accrobranche)
- Fishing
- Golf
- Beach volleyball
- Pétanque
- Canyoning
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
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More About Courchevel
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.