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Manicured pistes and cold temperatures signal a white Christmas in Courchevel
Snow conditions in Courchevel are immense for December with perfectly manicured fresh snow and cold temperatures as Christmas approaches.
Regular arrivals of fresh snow over the past 2 opening weeks give skiers the best December skiing in years. Most of the lifts and pistes are now open and running smoothly, with the last few set to open over the weekend.
Packed powder on the trails totals at least 100cm in depth from top to bottom. At the summit of Saulire, there is now a base of over 127cm and, despite baltic temperatures, icy patches continue to stay at a minimum. Lift and piste openings smoothly roll out across the valleys with Courchevel offering 42 out of 52 lifts with 92 of the 100 trails ready for action. The remainder are set to open this weekend before Christmas day on Monday.
This week, sunny spells have returned for glorious skiing conditions after weeks of low cloud and snow. Anyone lucky enough to have been in resort through the middle of the month will have been delighted with fresh tracks all day, every day. As quickly as pistes could be groomed they were greeted with a new layer, some mornings there has even been knee-deep skiing on the pistes.
The sun offered itself through the middle of this week, finally allowing the snow to be manicured and the piste skiing is now as good as it gets. Air temperatures have remained extremely cold, rarely touching 0ºC. It's definitely time to stay wrapped up warm especially early in the morning with the wind chill making it feel like -10ºC or less.
Things might get a little warmer over Christmas as the freezing level looks to break 2000m through Monday. One this is for sure, we won’t be dreaming of a white Christmas in Courchevel. Snow glistens in the valley from top to bottom. The quiet slopes sit in wait for more happy arrivals this weekend but as usual, there is plenty of skiing available for everyone over the festive period.
Courchevel’s modern high-speed lift network is always a gift and despite the school holidays and busy town, you’re unlikely to be stood in a lift queue. Ariondaz gondola has been upgraded this year whisking people out of 1650 into the Three Valleys ski area. Below this, families will enjoy the sparkling introduction of a luge run which takes you from the top of the gondola right to the base of the Marquis piste. There are hair-raising hairpins, crisscrossing tunnels and lightning fast luges for an adrenaline-fueled apres-ski activity.
If you’re keeping an eye on the snow forecast for the coming week then more happiness awaits. The sun is expected to stay through the weekend and Christmas day so those looking forward to skiing on the 25th December won’t be disappointed. Boxing day signals a turn in the weather once again. Temperatures should drop down well below freezing, maybe even around -10ºC above 2000m. Snowfall will flicker through Tuesday and begin to get heavier overnight and into Wednesday. Well over 50cm is predicted to fall at the moment, if you’ve got powder skis sitting in the garage then you should seriously think of getting a fresh layer of wax on them.
The avalanche risk has been downgraded to a 3/5, which is still considerable, in recent days but it is easy to see the danger on the mountains. Even with settled conditions and temperatures, there have been many avalanches around the ski area due to the sheer volume of snow. It can be tempting to venture off-piste with such enticing fresh snow on offer but make sure you stay safe with the correct equipment and a guide. The next bump of snow early next week will probably take the avalanche risk back up to a 4/5, so stay safe and stay aware.
Eliot Prince is a freelance writer with a focus on the ski industry, he offers services to small and bespoke companies.
Skip the queues and heavy lifting with this delivery service. Their mobile team brings high-quality skis and snowboards straight to your chalet, fitted with expert care and friendly service, and all at a highly competitive price.
Discover the ideal place for exceptional ski rentals at Courchevel 1550. Located in the magnificent French Alps, their shop provides direct access to the beautiful slopes of Courchevel, as well as first-class rental services suitable for all skiing levels, from beginners to professionals.
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Courchevel? Just visit the Skiset Serge Sport store!
They operate three ski hire shops in Courchevel and offer a mobile delivery service throughout Courchevel and La Tania, making it easy and stress-free to get your equipment wherever you are staying.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Backed by more than 30 years of excellence teaching across the French Alps, their mission is to transform your time on snow into something unforgettable.
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.
This company offers private transfers from Geneva Airport to Courchevel. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
From the airport to the slopes, they handle the rest. Geneva's most trusted private ski transfers.
Enjoy safe, reliable airport transfers to Méribel, Courchevel, and the wider Three Valleys, taking the stress out of your journey to the mountains. This service isn’t a call centre or a fleet - it’s a network of independent, owner-operated drivers who live and work in the Alps year-round, bringing decades of local knowledge and experience to every trip.
This company provides private transfers from Geneva Airport to Courchevel, nearby areas, and other resorts across the Alps. With excellent value and top-quality service, they’re an ideal choice for your next trip.
The Loyal Transfers team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.
A key booking portal for local coach and bus transfers in the French ski resorts. Using this service to coordinate your travel means getting to resort could not be easier.
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
Head out into the mountains with experienced guides in either summer or winter for some amazing experiences.
Laurence is a certified mountain leader, who enjoys taking clients away from the busy pistes and spicing up your ski holiday with a guided snowshoeing trip.
Located in the centre of Courchevel 1850 is the indoor ice skating rink.
Find out all about what is happening in the Courchevel area and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the region. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsThere are loads of events in Courchevel and the 3 Valleys year round. From quirky local events to large scale sporting spectacles, there is always something worth visiting. Every February, the spectacular International Festival of Pyrotechnic Art comes to resort. Summer highlights include the Courchevel Air Show, the 3 Vallées VTT mountain bike event and the occasional stage of the Tour de France.
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