Off-piste Ski Areas in Courchevel
Discover the top Courchevel off-piste skiing
The Three Valleys is an enormous ski area and it probably comes as no surprise to hear that in such a big place, there are plenty of places to head to on a good powder day for some incredible off-piste skiing.
Off-piste skiing in Courchevel
The easiest and safest off-piste is the Bel Aire area above Courchevel Moriond, either side of the Pyramide, Signal, and Chapelets.
The tree areas in Courchevel are great for catching some fresh snow and playing off-piste.
With a short hike from the famous Grand Couloir piste, there is excellent off-piste skiing in the Petit couloir or in the Croix de Verdons couloir if you don't mind climbing a little further. Also, the Equinox pitch, a 15-minute hike from the top of the Chanrossa chair, is one not to be missed out on a powder day.
There are also the well-known off-piste areas of Col du Fruit and Vallée des Avals, that will take you far away from any pisted areas.
Please only venture off the marked runs in the company of a guide or instructor. Only they have the essential local knowledge necessary to avoid avalanche-prone and dangerous terrain, and they will also find the very best snow. Check out our avalanche safety guide before you set off.
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Advanced areas in Courchevel 1850
Private Ski Lessons & Instructors in Courchevel
See all Private Ski Lessons & Instructors in Courchevel-
Private ski lessons
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.
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Private ski lessons
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.
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Private ski lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
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Private ski lessons
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.
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Private ski lessons
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.
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Private ski coaching
This ski school provides excellent private tuition for "private" groups which can be composed of your children, friends or your whole family.
Beginner areas in Courchevel 1850
Ski School Lessons in Courchevel
See all Ski School Lessons in Courchevel-
Private ski lessons
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
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 lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
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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.
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Private ski lessons
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.
-
Group ski lessons
This ski school in Courchevel is a school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Beginner ski hire
Ski Hire in Courchevel
See all Ski Hire in Courchevel-
Les Folyères
Ski & Snowboard Hire at the Base of Troika Lift Close to Ski School and the Tourist information. 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!
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Le Courcheneige
You can’t wait for your next ski trip? Everything is already booked except your ski equipment? Don’t worry, the team at Courcheneige will help you find the perfect equipment to fully enjoy your ski holiday in Courchevel 1850!
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White Storm 1300
Specialising in ski and snowboard hire in Courchevel Le Praz, they offer high-quality rental equipment.
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Ski Higher Courchevel
This ski hire shop in La Tania is right in the heart of the resort, just over the bridge on the ground floor of the Grand Bois, next to the main piste.
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Home delivery & fitting service
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.
Beginner ski lessons
Ski School Lessons in Courchevel
See all Ski School Lessons in Courchevel-
Private ski lessons
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
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 lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
-
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
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.
-
Group ski lessons
This ski school in Courchevel is a school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Off-piste areas in Courchevel 1850
Mountain Guides Courchevel
See all Mountain Guides Courchevel-
Oxygene off piste and mountain guiding
These mountain guides provide excellent off-piste experiences with safety equipment provided.
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Mountain guides
Based in Méribel and Courchevel, this company offers off-piste guiding along with ski and snowboard lessons.
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Back country ski guides
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.
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FT Outdoors mountain guides
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.
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Compagnie des Guides de la Vanoise
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.
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Women's mountain biking courses and guiding
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.
What should I wear when skiing or snowboarding?
Ski Hire in Courchevel
See all Ski Hire in Courchevel-
Les Folyères
Ski & Snowboard Hire at the Base of Troika Lift Close to Ski School and the Tourist information. 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!
-
Le Courcheneige
You can’t wait for your next ski trip? Everything is already booked except your ski equipment? Don’t worry, the team at Courcheneige will help you find the perfect equipment to fully enjoy your ski holiday in Courchevel 1850!
-
White Storm 1300
Specialising in ski and snowboard hire in Courchevel Le Praz, they offer high-quality rental equipment.
-
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Ski Higher Courchevel
This ski hire shop in La Tania is right in the heart of the resort, just over the bridge on the ground floor of the Grand Bois, next to the main piste.
-
Home delivery & fitting service
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.
More inspiration...
Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or find your way around with piste maps for Courchevel.
Off-piste skiing in Meribel
Méribel Village - Altiport
- Dent de Burgin: From the Loze Express chairlift, follow the Boulevard de la Loze track towards Dent de Burgin. Halfway along, drop right for wide-open powder fields. Only ski this area if the track is open, as avalanche risk is high when closed.
- Loze Express: Beneath the chairlift, there's a popular off-piste run that gets busy quickly after fresh snowfall. On a powder day, catch the first lift and try skiing through the trees for fresh tracks, all the way to Méribel Village.
Méribel-Mottaret
- Côte Brune: You'll find fresh powder all around this chairlift. A short hike from the lift can lead to incredible descents with untouched snow. Check with ski patrollers at the top for safe routes before heading out.
- Roc de Tougne: Accessed via the Combes lifts, this area features long off-piste runs either side of the drag lift. Traverse at the top to find untouched powder.
Méribel Centre - Tougnète
- Olympic to Raffort: From the Olympic Express chairlift, hike along the ridge to access untouched slopes. The further you hike, the steeper the descent. Watch out for the stream at the bottom and follow the Villages piste to Les Allues
Off-piste skiing in Val Thorens
Val Thorens offers some of Europe's most stunning off-piste terrain, surrounded by six glaciers and endless powder fields. Popular routes include:
- Pierre Lory: From the Col chair into the Maurienne Valley.
- Lac du Lou: Accessible from the Combe de Rosael black run or La Masse.
- Vallée des Encombres: A thrilling descent from La Masse.
- Jerusalem to Pramint: Renowned off-piste area near St Martin, popular with local guides.
Highlights:
- Explore iconic descents like the Gebroulaz Glacier towards Méribel or Pralognan.
- Always consider weather and snow conditions due to Val Thorens’ high altitude.
Safety first:
- Check avalanche conditions and read our avalanche safety page for tips on staying safe off-piste.
- It's always advisable to hire an off-piste mountain guide who will have extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains.
Before heading off-piste
Before you head off piste, here's a few things you should be thinking about:
- hire a guide!
- take a course in avalanche awareness and practice the techniques learned
- look at the weather and avalanche forecasts for France, reviewing the degree of local avalanche risk also
- don’t ignore advice given by local mountain guides or others if advised to ski a certain path, or to keep a specific distance between fellow members in a group
- plan the route carefully, evaluating all different options and assessing all elements of danger. Look at the timings for each route. Inform others of your route, and when you expect to arrive back
- attach your transceiver properly TO YOU and DON'T FORGET to turn it on, test the signal is working, and make sure you have all the necessary equipment.
- a transceiver is of no use if the user has not been trained in its use, it is turned off, or it is in a rucksack - unless you want just your bag to be recovered
Read more about understanding avalanches and how to try to avoid them.
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