Courchevel Snow Report: 27th December 2011

Yesterday and today have been beautiful days to be in the mountains. Bright blue skies, temperature around freezing or a little bit above and fantastic snow. We skied around the 1650 area (left hand side of the ski map) most of the day. Taking the Suisse chair to the top then the black run Turcs rather than the crowded Suisses run alongside gave us access to a favourite run called Cave des Creux. This runs through the trees from the top of the Gravelles chair and, as they say, when it’s nice it’s very, very nice and conversely when it’s bad it’s awful. Well today it was freshly pisted from top to bottom and it was wonderful. After a snowfall it’s well worth seeking it out as one of the hidden gems of Courchevel.

Chanrossa chair is now open so we headed over there mid morning. There was still lots of powder to be skied below the chair. Once over the top into the Roc Merlet area it was obvious that a lot of earthmoving had occurred during last summer as this piste has been widened and remodelled for an easier run into the Bel Air sector above 1650

Late-morning involved a stop at the piste side snack bar of Bel Air for a ‘Hot Chocolate with Rhum’ and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie (neither of which should be missed on a trip to Courchevel).

On the way towards 1650 where we had a lunch reservation at Le Portetta Brasserie, the piste side restaurant attached to the hotel of the same name at the bottom of the Belvedere drag, we stopped to look at this year’s menu at Le Casserole, at the top of the Indiens run. This restaurant has been pursuing a policy of heading more and more upmarket over the past 3 years and this year is no exception. The pizzas have been ditched and starters are up to €29 with main courses in the €30 to €60 range. They didn’t seem very busy.

The Portetta Terrace, over to the right as you ski towards 1650, has a lovely sunny terrace with incredibly attentive staff and a broad menu in the €14 to €20 range for main courses. The wine is a bit pricey starting at €27 for a Gamay. The 3 course Menu du Jour is €30 if you’re hungry though.

Snow conditions are as good as it gets currently with this warm sunny weather due to continue through tomorrow then colder snowy weather on Thursday and Friday.

What a great start to the season!