Bad Weather Ski Areas in Courchevel

Discover the top Courchevel bad-weather skiing

Where?: Courchevel 1850
Updated: 3 March 2025

It can be hard to know what to do when the weather closes in and the snow falls. Courchevel has some great places to go when the clouds come in and the visibility fades, the best thing to do is to stick to the tree-lined pistes as they will give you definition in the flat light.

The high, open pistes lack the contrast required for orientation during white out conditions and slope and sky can blur into one.

However, there are certain runs that offer more contrast providing vast amounts of skiing/snowboarding when the flakes are falling.

Head for the trees

The trick is to head for the pistes that are tree-lined and more sheltered, as they help provide definition when everything else seems to be white.

Bear in mind, the valley floors can sometimes be covered in fog but the summits are bathed in glorious sunshine. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check out the webcams before you set off for the day.

Bad weather skiiing in Courchevel

When visibility is poor due to snow or a white-out, the most important thing to remember is to keep the piste markers in sight. These poles indicate the difficulty of the run with their colour—green, blue, red, or black.

Staying on piste in low visibility

A simple trick can help you stay on track: poles on the right-hand side of the piste (looking downhill) have a 20 cm orange band at the top. If you see one, keep it on your right. If the pole is a single colour all the way up, keep it on your left. Following this guide will help you stay safely on the piste.

Best areas for skiing in poor weather

If visibility deteriorates, try heading to lower pistes near the resort, as they may be below the cloud cover, offering better conditions. If the cloud is sitting in the valley, conditions could be clearer higher up, just ensure there’s an easy route down in case visibility remains poor. If it’s snowing in the valley, it’s likely snowing at the top too, making for great skiing and quieter pistes.

Tree-lined pistes for better contrast

Trees help provide definition and more shelter in white-out conditions, making skiing easier when the sky and snow blend together. The best tree-lined pistes in Courchevel include:

Le Praz runs – The black runs Jockeys and Jean Blanc and the red Brigues all run through the trees, offering improved visibility.
La Tania – The long blue Folyeres is a good option, with trees lining the piste and a lower altitude that may sit below the thickest cloud.
Lower runs in Courchevel and Courchevel Moriond – Some pistes descending into these areas are tree-lined, making them a good choice when conditions are poor. Try the red Loze, the green Verdons, and the blue runs leading down to Courchevel Moriond.

Check conditions before heading out

Before setting off on a bad weather day, check the live webcams to see what conditions are like at different heights. This can help you plan the best runs for visibility and snow quality.

Private ski lessons

Where?
Courchevel 1850

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Courchevel 1850

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Courchevel 1550

A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Meribel

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Meribel

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.
Private ski coaching

Where?
Courchevel 1850

This ski school provides excellent private tuition for "private" groups which can be composed of your children, friends or your whole family.

See all

Beginner areas in Courchevel 1850

Private ski lessons

Where?
Meribel

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Courchevel 1850

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Meribel

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.
Group ski lessons

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Courchevel 1550

A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Group ski lessons

Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in Courchevel and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.

See our Beginners Ski Areas Guide

Beginner ski hire

Home delivery & fitting service

Where?
Meribel

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.
Ski Service Snow Shop

Where?
Courchevel 1850

Want to rent skis or snowboards in Courchevel? Just visit the Skiset Ski Service Snow Shop store!
Ski Higher Mobile Delivery

Where?
La Tania

Their delivery service takes the hassle out of ski hire by avoiding queues at the shop and the inconvenience of carrying equipment to and from your chalet. Their mobile team provides high-quality rental equipment with excellent customer service, all at a highly competitive price.
Ski Hire Mobile Delivery

Where?
Courchevel 1550

They operate three ski hire shops in Courchevel and offers a mobile delivery service throughout Courchevel and La Tania, making it easy and stress-free to get your equipment wherever you are staying.
Cristal de La Roche

Where?
Courchevel 1850

Rent Skis & Snowboards Close to the Hôtel Au Rond Point des Pistes. 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!
Moriond

Where?
Courchevel 1650

Located in the dazzling Courchevel 1650 domain, Precision Ski Moriond stands out as a leader in ski rental in Courchevel. With an ideal location, their store offers direct access to the most popular slopes, ensuring an unparalleled skiing experience.

See our Ski Hire Guide

Beginner ski lessons

Private ski lessons

Where?
Meribel

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Courchevel 1850

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Meribel

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.
Group ski lessons

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.
Private ski lessons

Where?
Courchevel 1550

A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Group ski lessons

Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in Courchevel and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.

See our Ski Lessons Guide

Off-piste areas in Courchevel 1850

Oxygene off piste and mountain guiding

Where?
Courchevel 1850

These mountain guides provide excellent off-piste experiences with safety equipment provided.
Mountain guides

Based in Méribel and Courchevel, this company offers off-piste guiding along with ski and snowboard lessons.
Back country ski guides

Where?
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

A private ski or snowboard session for all ability levels – on and off-piste. It’s all about fun, improvement and discovering new off piste terrain.
FT Outdoors mountain guides

Where?
Courchevel 1850

These professional mountain guides offer a wide range of activities where you can discover remote areas of the mountain appropriate to your level of experience.
Women's mountain biking courses and guiding

Where?
Meribel

For girls who want to go mountain biking in women's specific groups, or for those who wish to develop their skills with advice from mountain bike guides, Fast Riding People mountain bike school offers guiding and courses.
Compagnie des Guides de la Vanoise

Where?
Aime La Plagne

The bureau of Mountain Guides Montchavin les Coches can tailor each activity to suit you and your group, from canyoning, hiking, and high mountain adventures.

See our Off-piste Ski Areas Guide

What should I wear when skiing or snowboarding?

Home delivery & fitting service

Where?
Meribel

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.
Ski Service Snow Shop

Where?
Courchevel 1850

Want to rent skis or snowboards in Courchevel? Just visit the Skiset Ski Service Snow Shop store!
Ski Higher Mobile Delivery

Where?
La Tania

Their delivery service takes the hassle out of ski hire by avoiding queues at the shop and the inconvenience of carrying equipment to and from your chalet. Their mobile team provides high-quality rental equipment with excellent customer service, all at a highly competitive price.
Ski Hire Mobile Delivery

Where?
Courchevel 1550

They operate three ski hire shops in Courchevel and offers a mobile delivery service throughout Courchevel and La Tania, making it easy and stress-free to get your equipment wherever you are staying.
Cristal de La Roche

Where?
Courchevel 1850

Rent Skis & Snowboards Close to the Hôtel Au Rond Point des Pistes. 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!
Moriond

Where?
Courchevel 1650

Located in the dazzling Courchevel 1650 domain, Precision Ski Moriond stands out as a leader in ski rental in Courchevel. With an ideal location, their store offers direct access to the most popular slopes, ensuring an unparalleled skiing experience.