© Courchevel OT
© Oxygene
© Tesla
© Mountain Heaven
© Hotel Le Melezin
© Tesla
© Cimalpes
© CoolBus
© Hotel Le Melezin
© Courchevel Mairie
© Courchevel Mairie
© Hotel Le Melezin
What's new in Courchevel this winter 2017-18
Ski area developments, airport transfers, accommodation & more...
Winter is fast approaching and there's even been a bit of fresh snow on the mountain tops this last week.
As ever at this time of year we're getting ready for the coming winter and there's plenty of new developments and news to share with you. Find out what's new in Courchevel this winter.
Electric Airport Transfers
SnowDrone Transfers have added a Tesla Model X 100D to their fleet, with more electric vehicles to come over time. It can seat up to 6 passengers in luxurious leather seats. On board passengers will also have access to individual iPads packed with films, Bose noise cancelling headphones, WiFi and more. These vehicles are fully equipped for winter with all wheel drive and winter tyres.
CoolBus airport transfer company are now offering carbon emission free transfers in not just one, but two fully electric vehicles. The Tesla Model X's are comfortable 7-seater SUV's with substantial luggage space with a range of around 350km. The plan is that the business will keep adding electric vehicles until they've phased out all of their diesel powered vehicles. Electric transfers from CoolBus are available this winter in Val d’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, La Rosiere, Ste. Foy. Read more about CoolBus going electric in their blog.
Mountain Heaven expand their portfolio
Local tour operator and accommodation provider, Mountain Heaven, have expanded their Courchevel offer with two new self-catered properties in Le Praz. The first is the six- person Chalet Le Praz and the second is two-person apartment Los Robles, and both are situated close to the main lifts up to Courchevel and La Tania. Take a look at their website via the link above to search for these and other properties.
The Evolution of Magic
Last year Oxygène Ski & Snowboard School grew and strengthened their offering across the French Alps by bringing Magic (in Motion) into their family. Together they have become one of France’s longest standing and most popular ski schools. Now fully integrated, Magic are adopting the Oxygène name from here on. So look out for your favourite Magic instructors, who will be wearing their new bright blue and orange uniforms and big smiles.
Magic and Oxygène have a shared history; both were founded in 1992 to provide a real alternative to traditional ski instruction for the English speaking market. They continue to encourage the laughter, play and good practice on the slopes Magic and Oxygène have always been famous for. Their Magic Fun Factory kids lessons will now run across all resorts; lessons full of fun, engaging games and activities to encourage a positive learning experience. They are also excited to announce their expansion into Les Menuires meaning you can now book lessons with them in 8 of the best, most snow sure ski resorts in France: Val d’Isère, La Plagne, Belle Plagne, Méribel, La Tania, Courchevel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires.
New luge track in Moriond
A new 3 kilometre long luge track will be opening in Moriond this winter, running from the top of the Ariondaz gondola. You get the chance to compete against friends or family, whizzing through 8 tunnels and around all the corners and straights. It will be open every afternoon and then on evenings from 19:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
New 4 hour ski pass
A brand new lift pass, the 3 Valleys 4 hours pass, will be introduced this winter. The four-hour period starts at whatever time you wish. This replaces the previous morning and afternoon passes, giving skiers more flexibility and freedom to ski when they want.
Ski area developments
New Ariondaz gondola
This will start operating in December 2017 and will double the capacity of skiers that it can carry. The comfortable cabins travel faster and are more aesthetically pleasing too. The lift, in Moriond will now only take 7 minutes to the top instead of around 10 minutes and will seat 8 people per cabin.
Western ski park
Cowboys & Indians come to Courchevel Moriond with a friendly beginner area, designed with gentle slopes and wide pistes. There's an Indian camp for the children to visit complete with makeup, archery and toasting marshmallows on the BBQ. Nearby you'll find a picnic area with a microwave, tap for drinking water and a mezzanine full of games for the kids. There's also plenty of places to charge your iPad or phone and free WiFi.
Discover the best of the 3 valleys
This winter First Tracks ski coaching will be offering ski guiding around the 3 Valleys. It's a four day programme (Monday morning, Tuesday all day, Thursday morning and Friday all day). It costs €349 per person with a maximum of 8 people per group. It’s for people who don’t want ski lessons but do want to be shown around the ski area to the best slopes and spots. Their ski guides are fully qualified English speaking instructors.
Cimalpes launch new website
Cimalpes have launched a new, much more user-friendly website helping you search for properties in a much more visual and inviting way. Use the new mapping tool to browse, search faster and fine tune your searches with the advanced filters.
Huski extends into more resorts
Food & drink delivery company Huski, have expanded their footprint this season, from 6 to 14 resorts: Tignes, Val D'Isere, St Foy, La Rosiere, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets & Chatel. They've also improved their food range and now offer 70 dishes for teatime, to canapés, to dinners and desserts. And it's not just the food that's improved; they've improved wine list working with boutique supplier Le Verre Gourmand and have added a local craft beer range and pre-mixed cocktails from London's Pontoon Cocktails.
New Spa at Le Melezin Hotel
Set to open on 17th December 2017 is the enormous, new spa at Hotel Le Melezin in 1850. Over the summer they've literally raised the hotel onto stilts and dug out a whole new floor, which will become their new wellness area. It's a whopping 767m2 and includes the following facilities:
Five treatment rooms, double treatment rooms for couples, a Thai massage room, a wood sauna, an authentic stone hammam and scrub room, a state-of-the-art fitness studio, a subterranean pool with Jacuzzis and a TRX-equipped yoga studio.
More inspiration...
Courchevel is set to open for the ski season on 9th December 2017, the same date as the main 3 Valleys ski area.
See you on the slopes!