A combination of convivial moments, gourmet meals and outdoor activities, winter sports epitomize the French art of living. It's an art that culminates in Courchevel, the pioneer of French ski resorts, which since 1957 has been home to the perfect place to recharge your batteries at altitude: the Courcheneige. At the center of the world's largest ski area, the 3 vallées, this 4-star mountain hotel welcomes sports and nature lovers all year round.
That's how you might describe Courchevel, the internationally renowned ski resort that opened its doors in 1946. Comprising 6 villages linked by an attractive winding road and lifts offering views of majestic panoramas, it takes its name from one of these 6 historic little towns: Courchevel 1850.
This is the ideal starting point for enjoying the slopes, renowned for their exceptional grooming, with 160 people taking turns every day to make them passable.
And, to make the most of it as soon as the groomers have finished (at 7 a.m.), this 4-star Courchevel hotel is perfect with:
For an even more complete immersion in the mountain world, the Hotel Courcheneige also offers:
Finally, this top-of-the-range establishment nestled in the heart of Savoie offers 2 lifts to the summit of La Sauline (2,738 m), Courchevel's highest point, from where skiers can choose between easy skiing, committed skiing in the mythical Grand Couloir or departure for the 3 Valleys.
The 650 km of skiable slopes in the 3 Vallées area have inevitably benefited Courchevel, but its reputation also owes much to the excellence it has sought since its very beginnings: Michelin-starred restaurants, night-time entertainment (illuminations, fireworks), fashion boutiques...
The Courcheneige is part of this chic setting, even if the historic establishment differs from its luxurious neighbors in its “casual chic” approach to alpine refuge.
It's a positioning defined by its manager, a Swiss from the Jura who has worked on 3 continents in the luxury hotel sector, from which he has retained a taste for elegance, charm and refined atmospheres. The 4-star hotel in Courchevel features all three:
On site, a festival of flavors punctuates the day with homemade dishes based on local and organic produce. It all starts with the all-you-can-eat breakfast served in a restaurant with large windows opening onto the mountains. A hearty sweet and savoury breakfast in a light-filled room, inviting sports enthusiasts to hit the slopes early in the morning.
If those early risers wish to warm up between 2 laps of the slopes, they can then take a break in the hotel bar with a spiced mulled wine or hot chocolate topped with Chamallow or Chantilly (to evoke the snow or regain even more strength?).
After an invigorating first half-day, De Laroche's homemade wood-fired pizzas provide a quick bite to eat in a friendly ski atmosphere.
Alternatively, those who prefer a good meat meal can enjoy the burgers at Le Grizzly snack bar (reputed to be the best in Courchevel) or, for skiers in a real hurry, the new Tonnerre de Breizh pancake bar, easily accessible on skis or on foot, awaits them on the Bellecôte piste.
In this decidedly protean spot, the diners offer a completely different atmosphere, with a menu of French cuisine partly inspired by the mountains. Reblochon, Tome de Savoie and Beaufort cheeses are featured in soups and savory tarts.
De Laroche also offers traditional dishes (farmhouse chicken supreme, roast duck breast...) for those whose appetite has been particularly stimulated by a day in the great outdoors.
Meat, or vegan dishes, to accompany a red, white or rosé wine, as the Courcheneige bar offers a rich wine list, as well as drinks to enjoy before or after dinner, by the crackling fire in the hearth. In this hushed, slightly British atmosphere, cocktails feature aromatic herbs (lavender, thyme, rosemary, hibiscus) and a perch invites you to admire chickadees and alpine accenteurs, the typical birds of the high mountains. All of these elements contribute to the total rejuvenation of your stay at Le Courcheneige.
A restaurant well worth the detour! The food is very good
and the setting ideal, I recommend it :).
While it's logical to come to Courchevel for the skiing, it's not the resort's only attraction.
You can enjoy a variety of activities, including dog sledding, snowshoe trekking, ice skating and yoga in the heart of nature. It's also possible to book a massage at a spa or take advantage of activities at the Aquamotion water sports and wellness center, where Courcheneige guests also enjoy a special welcome.
And, of course, it would be a shame to be in Savoie without taking the time to appreciate the rich biodiversity of the Alps on some exotic walks: chamois, ibex, lynx or golden eagle can all be spotted here, and in the many lakes and rivers of the 3 valleys, pike and trout can be caught. The area is also popular in spring for its vast meadows dotted with wild flowers. Another good reason to come and stay at Le Courcheneige?
Have a great vacation.
Valérie from Comme des Français
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