Courchevel 1550 )also known as Courchevel Village) is quieter than its higher neighbouring resorts with the advantage of having essentially the same position as Courchevel 1850 but with cheaper accommodation and restaurants. Some of the accommodation is a fair distance from the gondola link with Courchevel 1850 but if you are situated in the Brigues area, you will have the advantage of ski-in ski-out accommodation. The resort is rather quiet at night, with only a few bars to choose from, nevertheless, Courchevel 1550 is fantastic spot to access the 3 Valleys and suits groups of families and friends looking to enjoy great skiing at much lower price.
Courchevel Le Praz (also known as Courchevel 1300), is a more traditional rustic village set on plateau and surrounded by picturesque forests. This is an attractive village which has lost little of its original mountain charm, even after the expansion triggered by the 1992 Winter Olympics. It remains quiet, pleasant and is an especially good base for families with children or adults looking for some great value fine dining.
Just a short lift ride away from the larger more vibrant villages of Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1850, both Courchevel 1550 and Courchevel Le Praz are both very much a separate base with a life of its own and its own selection of facilities and affordable family friendly chalets. There’s perhaps more of a family focus here and yet the number of great bars and restaurants continues to grow giving plenty of choice for apres ski on top of the world’s best choice of ski terrain the 3 Valleys.
The skiing around Courchevel Moriond is often accurately described as “an intermediates’ paradise” with superb runs like Les Indiens which cuts down through the woods above the village to enjoy.
As you have the world’s biggest ski area at your ski tips however everyone but novice skiers should invest in the full 3 Valleys pass and make some excursions over to Courchevel 1850’s world-class ski area and then on to the Meribel Valley and even over to the furthest Belleville valley to visit St Martin, Les Menuires and Val Thorens.
For expert skiers, there are plenty of challenging red and black runs, including Jean Blanc, which was Courchevel’s original World Cup run back in the day. The off-piste is, of course, legendary, but then if you are a good skier you won’t need us to tell you that.
Thanks to Courchevel Moriond being part of one of the world’s biggest and best-equipped ski resorts, as well as a very family-friendly ski resort, there are lots of options for beginner adults, as well as for children and babies needing care in your chalet or lessons on the slopes. One particular strength is that there are British-run nanny services like ‘Snowbugs’ available to come and look after your baby in your chalets as well as British-run ski schools offering private lessons for kids and group lessons in the school holidays. Adult beginners can also choose between group or private lessons.
On top of all these options there’s a municipal creche and a variety of group and private ski school options for children from age two offered by the Ecole du Ski Francais, which operates from the foot of the slopes allowing parents to watch from the terrace of the Portetta Hotel.
It’s worth also considering that Courchevel has invested like no other in child safety on ski lifts. Almost all lifts use their ‘Magnestick’ system which holds children on the seat and makes sure the safety bar stays down until it’s time to get off.
In addition the resort invested in that state-of-the-art watersports centres, one of the best in the world, which opened just below Courchevel Moriond only a few winters ago.
