Courchevel ski area

With 150km of piste skiing and over 600 snow cannons, you'll find snow-sure terrain suitable for any skier.

Courchevel (1850)

This area of Courchevel caters to all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. Lower slopes around Courchevel Village offer fenced beginner zones, while red runs like Creux, Jean Pachot, and Park City provide varied intermediate terrain. For experts, Saulire features Europe’s steepest black, the Grand Couloir, and challenging couloirs in the Creux Noirs bowls. Powder lovers can enjoy off-piste lines, while tree runs below 1850m help on white-out days. The ever-expanding Family Park along Verdons piste offers features for all abilities, from gentle ski cross to gnarly red kickers and a quarter pipe, with igloos providing a unique rest stop.

Courchevel Moriond 

Courchevel Moriond is perfect for finishing the day, enjoying long, mellow red and blue runs ideal for improving technique. Powder enthusiasts can explore tree skiing around Roc Mugnier, Chapelets, and Gravelles, especially in white-out conditions, or tackle the more challenging Roc Merlet face after a short hike. The highlight is the off-piste descent through the Les Avals valley from the Pyramide lift down to 1,650m. Guided lessons, such as those from New Generation Ski School, are recommended to safely enjoy the area’s extensive off-piste opportunities.

La Tania 

The La Tania ski area offers a mix of piste and off-piste options above the resort. Piste skiers can enjoy the challenging black Dou des Lanches, which links to the scenic blue Folyeres winding through the trees back to town. Beginners benefit from the green Plan Fontaine for an easier return. For powder seekers, the Freeride Face on Rocher de la Loze provides steep chutes, drops, and tight couloirs for experts, while terrain beneath the Dou des Lanches lift offers accessible powder, cliffs, steeps, and tree runs, delivering varied and exciting skiing for all adventurous levels.

Situated in the Tarentaise Valley, within the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Courchevel is part of the Three Valleys. 

Snow conditions permitting, the ski season in Meribel usually runs from early December until the end of April or even early May. 

That strong southern sun means the snow can turn from ice to slush pretty quickly if you're here late in the season. But whenever you choose to come, the local pisteurs will make the best of the conditions and groom the pistes to perfection.

If you're coming early or late in the season

It's a good idea to check which lifts are open at Meribel. You might want to check the Meribel webcams too, for an up-to-the minute view of conditions on the ground.

In the higher parts of Courchevel, advanced skiers will find challenging red and black pistes, mogul fields, and steep couloirs, especially near the Saulire cable car. The Grand Couloir and Couloir Tournier are the most famous, with Tournier linking into Méribel. 

Other black runs with tough moguls are found at the top of the Susses lift, Vizelle bubble, and Saulire, as well as around Creux Noirs. For tree-lined challenges, Jean Blanc from Plantray or Bouc Blanc is ideal, whilst above La Tania, the Dou des Lanches provides another demanding black piste. These areas combine high altitude, steep gradients, and varied terrain, making Courchevel a prime destination for experienced skiers seeking serious adventure.

Courchevel offers several designated beginner areas known as ZEN zones (Zones for the Evolution of Novices). In Courchevel 1850, Pralong ZEN near the Ferme and Altiport drag lifts provides a spacious area to start skiing or snowboarding, while Golf ZEN, next to the Jardin Alpin bubble, has two magic carpets ideal for children. Mickey ZEN in Courchevel Moriond is a fenced-off beginner area with a free drag lift, and Envolée ZEN in Courchevel Le Praz sits beside the Envolée lift. Wide, shallow, perfectly groomed pistes from the Verdon bubble to the resort allow beginners to build confidence, practice skills, and return safely to the village even after a long day on the mountain.

Courchevel offers a versatile family and freestyle park located alongside the Verdons piste above the village at 1850. The Family Park features gentle snow cross courses, green kickers, and boxes for beginners, whilst more advanced riders can tackle red kickers, blue boxes, a quarter pipe, and a swimming pool section to refine tricks. A giant airbag allows skiers and snowboarders to practice jumps safely, with affordable rates for single or multiple attempts. Continuously expanding each winter, the park caters to all abilities, providing fun, progression, and a safe environment for freestyle enthusiasts to enjoy and develop their skills.

Courchevel offers a wide variety of pistes for all levels, from cruisy blues to challenging reds and blacks. Intermediates can enjoy Combe Saulire early in the morning or the peaceful blue runs above Courchevel-Moriond 1650, including Grandes Bosses and Gentiane. Advanced skiers can explore Chapelets, a quiet, scenic run ideal first thing in the morning, or tackle fast, steep blacks like Jean Blanc with moguls and Dou des Lanches above La Tania. With a mix of groomed pistes, back-country-style runs, and off-piste connections, Courchevel provides exciting options for skiers seeking both relaxation and challenge.

The tree areas in Courchevel offer excellent off-piste skiing, perfect for enjoying fresh snow, but helmets and safety precautions are essential. Short hikes from the Grand Couloir lead to Petit Couloir and Croix de Verdons Couloir, while the Equinox pitch, a 15-minute hike from the Chanrossa chair, is a must on powder days. Well-known off-piste runs like Col du Fruit and Vallée des Avals take you far from the pistes. For safety, especially on remote terrain, hiring a mountain guide and carrying a Three Valleys lift pass is strongly recommended.

It’s easy to become bewildered by the choice of over 300 pistes that are available in the Three Valleys, so we (and our intrepid snow reporters) have compiled a handful of routes that we hope will help you discover new terrain in this enormous ski area. 

In whiteout conditions, tree-lined pistes improve visibility by providing contrast against the sky and snow. Black runs into Le Praz, such as Jockeys and Jean Blanc, and the red Brigues run are good options, whilst the long blue Folyeres into La Tania is also safer at lower altitude. On bad weather days, lower tree-lined runs in Courchevel and Courchevel Moriond, like the red Loze, green Verdons, and blues descending to Moriond, offer safer skiing. Always check webcams before heading out to assess mountain conditions and plan your day accordingly.