About Courchevel & Three Valleys ski areas

The Three Valleys is a vast ski paradise with over 500 marked pistes (600km total), just under 200 lifts, and 2,300 snow cannons covering over 56% of the area. 

It's made up of eight resorts: Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Orelle, and St Martin de Belleville offering skiable terrain for all abilities. 

Courchevel delivers diverse skiing experiences, making it a standout destination in the Three Valleys. Initially developed as a summer destination, it wasn't until 1945 Courchevel made the decision to create a ski resort, with its first lift in Moriond. By 1959, the resort boasted a cable car, six drag lifts, and accommodations for 3,000 guests. Today, it comprises five villages with diverse terrain for all skill levels. 

On the northern side of the Three Valleys, Courchevel has 150km of pistes and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. It's renowned for challenging terrain, technical couloirs and favourite runs like the freshly groomed Chapelets red run. La Tania adds further excitement with the Dou des Lanches black and the Freeride Face. Off piste, options abound, from the vast powder fields of Les Avals Valley to steep, technical descents around Saulire Couloirs, Roc Merlet, and the Dou des Lanches area with cliffs, trees, and varied terrain. For freestyle, the Family Park at Courchevel 1850 caters to all levels, with gentle features ideal for beginners and progressive riders.

Courchevel (1850)

Courchevel is ideal for all levels, with gentle lower slopes and dedicated beginner zones, plus steep runs from Saulire and Europe’s steepest black, the Grand Couloir, for advanced skiers. Families will love the expanding Family Park with ski cross, kickers, and even an igloo. Off-piste enthusiasts can enjoy the Saulire couloirs and Creux Noirs bowls.

Courchevel Moriond (1650)

Courchevel Moriond is perfect for sunny, mellow reds and blues, ideal for improving technique. Off-piste skiers can enjoy tree runs at Roc Mugnier and Gravelles, or tackle advanced terrain on the Roc Merlet face and Les Avals valley. In whiteout conditions, its many tree-lined pistes provide excellent sheltered skiing.

La Tania

La Tania offers varied slopes, from the steep Dou des Lanches black to the winding blue Folyeres. Beginners benefit from the gentle Plan Fontaine green run for easier resort access. Off-piste enthusiasts can test themselves on the Freeride Face at Rocher de la Loze or explore the powder beneath the Dou des Lanches lift.

Val Thorens

A world class ski resort with excellent snow, varied terrain, and modern facilities, appealing to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Beginners benefit from dedicated areas, whilst experts enjoy glacier skiing and extensive off-piste routes. Highlights include the scenic Jerusalem run to St Martin de Belleville, the sunny slopes of Pointe de la Masse with blues and challenging blacks, and wide glacier pistes like Lac Blanc and Les Vires, perfect at sunset. To avoid crowds, use Méribel access lifts around midday and explore the quieter Orelle area. Freestyle fans will love the snowpark with kickers, rails, and boxes for all levels.

Méribel

Méribel, located in the Tarentaise Valley of Savoie at 1,450 metres, is a central resort in the Three Valleys. Surrounded by forests, valleys, and Alpine peaks, it offers stunning views of Mont Blanc. Founded in 1938 by Scotsman Peter Lindsay, it blends traditional Savoyard architecture and was chosen to host events during the 1992 Winter Olympics. Suitable for all levels, Méribel features accessible off-piste terrain, two snowparks, and attracts both families and expert skiers. Mont du Vallon, at 2,952 metres, offers challenging descents for the adventurous. Composed of several districts spread out across varying altitudes, the main five villages are Méribel Les Allues (1,100m), Méribel Centre (1,450m), Méribel Village (1,450m), Méribel Les Hauts (1,600m), Méribel Mottaret (1,750m).

Orelle - the fourth valley

Orelle is a must visit corner of the Three Valleys, offering superb snow, modern lifts, and breathtaking scenery. It joined the Three Valleys in 1996 with the introduction of the Three Vallées Express gondola, a 5km link ascending 1,470m in altitude through forests and steep terrain. The new gondola ensures faster, safer journeys, whilst the Orelle Caron Gondola soars 820m to Cime Caron in just seven minutes, with panoramic views from its glazed cabins. 

The area boasts runs ranging from gentle greens to challenging blacks, including the Coraia red, the highest piste in the Three Valleys at 3,230m. Off-piste enthusiasts will find the best terrain near the Bouchet lift, where fresh powder and exciting routes await. Suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike, Orelle combines reliable snow, varied skiing, and cutting edge lift technology, making it a rewarding destination for all.

Situated in the Tarentaise Valley, within the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Courchevel is part of the Three Valleys. 

The winter season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April, with any early lift openings depending on snow conditions. January is ideal for quiet slopes and fresh snow, February is geared towards families on their school holidays, and in March and April expect sunny pistes and relaxing on mountain restaurant terraces.

If you're coming early or late in the season

It's a good idea to check which lifts are open in Courchevel. You might want to check the webcams too, for up to the minute view of the conditions on the pistes.

Courchevel is a paradise for advanced skiers, famed for steep blacks, moguls, and legendary couloirs. In 1850, the Saulire area offers iconic descents like Combe Saulire and the Grand Couloir, while Creux Noirs delivers tough moguls and steep reds. Chapelets provides a quiet, backcountry-style run. In Moriond 1650, uncrowded blues like Grandes Bosses and Gentiane offer relaxed cruising. For tree skiing, Le Praz’s Bouc Blanc and Jean Blanc shine, while La Tania’s Dou des Lanches offers a steep finale.

Courchevel is excellent for beginners, with wide, gentle slopes above Moriond and 1850 that make returning to resort easy, even after a long day. The resort offers seven Easy Rider zones and 12 free lifts designed for novices, many known as ZEN (Zones for the Evolution of Novices). Highlights include Mickey ZEN in Moriond, Pralong ZEN and Golf ZEN in 1850, Les Roys in Courchevel Village, Envolée ZEN in Le Praz, and magic carpets in La Tania. For progression, Courchevel also offers cruisey blue runs and accessible reds for building confidence.

Courchevel has a park with gentle, small features as well as a park for those looking to progress their freestyle skills. With boxes, rails and kickers suitable for most abilities and a big air, there's something to suit everyone. Located alongside the Verdons piste just above the village at 1850, the park is sure to entertain all levels of freestyle rider. There's the airbag to test out all those gnarly new tricks without the fear of injury. 

The ski area is vast and it can be difficult to know where to start, so we have put together some of our favourite runs throughout the Courchevel ski area, whether you're into moguls, steep and long descents or simply beautiful, quiet pistes with great snow. 

Courchevel offers varied off-piste options for all levels. The Bel Aire area above Moriond is the safest and most accessible, with terrain around Pyramide, Signal, and Chapelets. Tree-lined areas provide sheltered powder skiing, perfect after fresh snowfall. For more challenge, hike from the Grand Couloir to reach the Petit or Croix de Verdons couloirs, or tackle the Equinox pitch from the top of Chanrossa. Adventurers can explore Col du Fruit and Vallée des Avals, offering remote, backcountry-style descents.

In poor visibility, Courchevel’s tree-lined pistes are the best choice, as trees provide contrast and shelter. At Le Praz, the Jockeys and Jean Blanc black runs and the Brigues red are excellent options. In La Tania, the long blue Folyeres run stays clearer thanks to its lower altitude and forest cover. Around Courchevel and Moriond, try lower runs like the red Loze, green Verdons, or blues down to Moriond. Always check webcams for current mountain conditions.