Courchevel Information

Apres-ski

Courchevel ski resort is too sophisticated and too 'French' to get terribly rowdy (resorts in France have a reputation for low-key nightlife). But there are lively bars to be found on occasion, especially in Courchevel where most of the après-ski nightlife is concentrated.

There are a handful of lively après-ski nightclubs here including: La Grange (tel: +33 479 081 461; www.maisontournier.com), L'Arcs (tel: +33 479 081 274; www.larc-courchevel.com) and La Mangeoire (tel: +33 479 080 209). These stay open until the early hours.

For those in search of a more relaxed bar environment, Le Tremplin (tel: +33 479 080 619) has a laid-back feel although does get busy, whilst Le Coyotte (Porte de Courchevel) maintains a more tranquil and sophisticated air.

Eating out

When it comes to gastronomy Courchevel is hard to beat, with more than 70 different restaurants spread between its five different bases.

Gourmands are spoilt for choice, with seven eateries accounting for 12 stars in the Michelin Guide. Among the most famous is Le Chabichou (tel: +33 479 080 055; www.chabichou-courchevel.com), which holds a two-star rating. Here, chef Michel Rochedy provides inventive cooking with meals served in the wonderful dining room.

There are, of course, many other options on offer elsewhere in the resort; including Italian, Asian and Savoyard food. For traditional Alpine food such as crêpes, fondue and raclette, La Crêperie du Moulin (tel: +33 243 077 720; www.creperiedumoulin.fr) in Courchevel is the best option. Le Petit Savoyard (tel: +33 479 082 744), located close to the piste in 1650, serves excellent pizza, and Azimut (tel: +33 479 062 590) in Le Praz, has four and five course set menus available.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

There is a wide choice of activities in Courchevel besides skiing and snowboarding. Outdoor options include snowshoeing, quad biking, ice karting, toboggan runs, snow rafting or a leisurely sleigh ride. While indoors Le Forum has an Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, 13m-high (45ft) climbing wall, games room and a bowling alley. Spa facilities are available in numerous upscale hotels, and in many cases are open to the public.

For those with a head for heights, paragliding and hang-gliding are available. The same views can also be enjoyed by helicopter, balloon or scenic plane flight – with the option of learning to fly the plane yourself.

More unusual opportunities include a cultural tour of Courchevel, cookery courses with a Michelin-starred chef, or language lessons in a resort where some 60 different nationalities are normally present. And, after years of collaboration with the renowned Galeries Bartoux, Courchevel has also established itself as a centre of contemporary art in the mountains, with galleries in the resort and ski area.

Family fun

Courchavel keeps a firm eye on satisfying the needs of its younger clientele; indeed in this sector Courchevel initiated a world first, pioneering a clever system involving magnets that help to keep kids safe on chairlifts.

When the lifts close, toboggan runs are set up; running down from Courchevel's slopes to its villages, where a fast gondola is waiting to whisk sledders back up.

Off the slopes, Le Forum sports centre in Courchevel has a rope swing and 'mini-guides' course. There's also a specially designed bowling alley for children aged five and over, and the resort's cinemas show family films in school-holiday periods.

Children aged from 18 months and up can be cared for by the École de Ski Français (ESF) nursery (tel: +33 479 080 772; www.esfcourchevel.com).

Retail therapy

With more than 150 shops in Courchevel as a whole, the resort is a shopaholic's paradise. The majority of stores are concentrated in the main Courchevel resort and, as you would expect given its upmarket reputation, these include the kind of designer fashion, jewellery, lingerie and perfumery boutiques you would find in the most exclusive districts of Paris, London or New York.

There are plenty of non-designer establishments available too, ranging from souvenir shops to bakeries.

Splashing out

Courchevel's Animation Services (tel: +33 479 220 107; www.animationservices.net) can organise amazing treats and feats limited only by imagination and budget. Its 'Declaration of Love' concept involves a series of 20 increasingly wonderful surprises, many set against spectacular mountain scenery, with the aim of leaving the woman or man in your life lost for words.

Hotels

There's a wide range of slopeside accommodation in the form of traditional wood-clad apartments, private chalets and hotels in Courchevel. Back from the slopes, punters will find lodging to satisfy every budget, from ritzy hotel rooms to dingy, cell-like dorms. The ubiquitous chalets are a popular choice and are readily available in all resort areas, with many boasting saunas, steam rooms and catering facilities.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap