Route 7 - Val Thorens to Courchevel
Courchevel and back in a day
Courchevel and back in a day from Val Thorens is much easier (and quicker) than you might think. An intermediate skier ought to be able to get there in just over an hour on the most direct route, although you can branch out if you wish to make a day of it.
The obvious route is to ski into the Méribel Valley from the top of the 3 VALLEES FUNITEL at Mont de la Chambre. Taking the PLAN DES MAINS chairlift gains height and avoids the flattish route into Mottaret, which is to be avoided at all costs if on a snowboard! An alternative is to ski Route du Soleil down to ROC DES 3 MARCHES 2, then down the long Grand Lac blue run to either the TEPPES drag or ST MARTIN 2 (should take about 40mins). The Grand Lac is a fabulous run! Mottaret can also be reached from the top of either of these lifts.
Our intrepid Val Thorens Snow Reporter describes one of her favourite circular routes...
- From Mottaret, take the PAS DU LAC bubble to La Saulire.
- Head down the Creux (red), keeping right and carrying on down to the CHANROSSA chair. Take the CHANROSSA and ski down the back of Roc Merlet. Stay right and cross the double drag, PYRAMIDES 1 & 2. Head down to Resaturant le Casserole and take the fast SIGNAL chair to the top of Chapelets - this is a lovely fast red and generally not busy. Take the CHAPELETS chairlift back up and, if having a fast day, do Rochers back to the bottom and then the same CHAPELETS chairlift back up again.
- From here you can go back to the bottom of SIGNAL along Ariondaz, but this time take the PETITE BOSSE. Take AIGUILLE DU FRUIT and head on down past the Altiport down the Bellecôte Piste to Courchevel 1850. This is a good point to stop for lunch or a drink at Tovets restaurant.
- Once in Courchevel 1850 make for the left of the central lift system and ski through the tunnel and round to the left for the PLANTREY chair. From there, you can ski down the Bouc Blanc to the DOU DES LANCHES chairlift. Just before you arrive you will pass the restaurant Bouc Blanc, another nice refreshment stop. DOU DES LANCHES arrives at Col de la Loze; track straight on then down to La Chaudanne, or turn right for a red or black down to Meribel Altiport. Then it's the ALTIPORT chair or a horizontal draglift to get back to the Rond Point sector for a return to La Chaudanne. (NB most skiers returning to Val Thorens take PLATTIERES from Mottaret followed by COTE BRUNE and in low season this would be OK, in high season it's a nightmare).
- From Chaudanne, take PLAN DE L'HOMME and then the blue Grive piste followed by TOUGNETE 2. Ski down into Belleville Valley along the blue Gros Tougne for LES GRANGES, arriving at Roc des Trois Marches (top of PLATTIERES 3). Depending on time, you can then ski down Alouettes (Méribel Valley) for the COTE BRUNE back to Val Thorens, or towards Les Menuires for the MONT DE LA CHAMBRE chair).
Top Tips:
- The 3 Valleys Piste Map shows each valley on a single page. Spend an evening looking at the crossover points between the Belleville Valley and the Méribel Valley and the runs and lifts which connect them. There are five, and crossing back and forth makes interesting skiing, especially above St Martin and Les Teppes. Between Courchevel and Méribel, there are only two: La Saulire and La Loze.
- Be aware of lift closing times, they are strictly adhered to.
- If running short of time, make sure you are in the right Valley. From top of Tougnete 2 (Méribel), you can ski all the way back to Les Menuires.
- Pick up a Belleville Valley local bus timetable, just as a back-up plan for getting home!
- Take a quick peek at our Mountain Restaurants Guide; the two mentioned above are included in the Courchevel section and are highly rated as well as not breaking the bank!
Jump to
Advanced areas in [locality]
Private Ski Lessons & Instructors in Meribel
See all Private Ski Lessons & Instructors in Meribel-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
-
Private ski lessons
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
-
Group ski lessons
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of ski instructors is available at convenient meeting points in Méribel.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
Parallel Lines is Méribel’s biggest British Ski and Snowboard School. With 28 instructors in peak weeks, whether you’re taking your first turns or exploring the off-piste that The Three Valleys has to offer, Parallel Lines can provide fantastic lessons designed around you.
Beginner areas in [locality]
Ski School Lessons in Meribel
See all Ski School Lessons in Meribel-
Group ski lessons
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
-
Group ski lessons
This ski school is the largest in France and one of the oldest, having been established in 1945. Offering a wide range of lessons and childcare from 18 months upwards they can ensure the needs of your entire family/group are met. They even offer English only children's lessons.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Group ski lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Beginner ski hire
Ski Hire in Meribel
See all Ski Hire in Meribel-
White Storm Meribel
Specialising in ski and snowboard hire in Méribel, they offer high-quality rental equipment.
-
Sports 1600
SPORTS 1600 is located at Altitude 1600, between the Route des chalets and the route de la renarde. Kerry and Romuald and team are on hand to welcome and assist you.
-
Le Chatelet
Ski & snowboard rental shop visible from the Chatelet car park and just above the Minimarket 8 to 8. Save time and money by booking online have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive enabling you to hit the slopes straight away!
-
Ski Evasion
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
-
Le Hameau
This ski hire shop is located inside the Odalys residence on the same level as reception. The residence is situated towards the top of Meribel Mottaret.
-
Home delivery & fitting service
Rent your equipment the easy way! This company delivers and fits your skis or snowboards at your accommodation, so there’s no need to traipse to the shop after a long journey.
Beginner ski lessons
Ski School Lessons in Meribel
See all Ski School Lessons in Meribel-
Group ski lessons
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
-
Group ski lessons
This ski school is the largest in France and one of the oldest, having been established in 1945. Offering a wide range of lessons and childcare from 18 months upwards they can ensure the needs of your entire family/group are met. They even offer English only children's lessons.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Private ski lessons
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
-
Private ski lessons
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.
-
Group ski lessons
A ski school that brings technique and pleasure together throughout the Alps.
Off-piste areas in [locality]
Mountain Guides Meribel
See all Mountain Guides Meribel-
Mountain guides
Based in Méribel and Courchevel, this company offers off-piste guiding along with ski and snowboard lessons.
-
Mountain guides
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of expert mountain guides is available at convenient meeting points in Méribel.
-
Oxygene off piste and mountain guiding
These mountain guides provide excellent off-piste experiences with safety equipment provided.
-
ESF mountain guiding and off piste
This ski school offers off piste lessons in Meribel for those looking to take their skiing or snowboarding to the next level.
-
Back country ski guides
A private ski or snowboard session for all ability levels – on and off-piste. It’s all about fun, improvement and discovering new off piste terrain.
-
FT Outdoors mountain guides
These professional mountain guides offer a wide range of activities where you can discover remote areas of the mountain appropriate to your level of experience.
What should I wear when skiing or snowboarding?
Ski Hire in Meribel
See all Ski Hire in Meribel-
White Storm Meribel
Specialising in ski and snowboard hire in Méribel, they offer high-quality rental equipment.
-
Sports 1600
SPORTS 1600 is located at Altitude 1600, between the Route des chalets and the route de la renarde. Kerry and Romuald and team are on hand to welcome and assist you.
-
Le Chatelet
Ski & snowboard rental shop visible from the Chatelet car park and just above the Minimarket 8 to 8. Save time and money by booking online have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive enabling you to hit the slopes straight away!
-
Ski Evasion
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
-
Le Hameau
This ski hire shop is located inside the Odalys residence on the same level as reception. The residence is situated towards the top of Meribel Mottaret.
-
Home delivery & fitting service
Rent your equipment the easy way! This company delivers and fits your skis or snowboards at your accommodation, so there’s no need to traipse to the shop after a long journey.
More inspiration...
Find your way around with Piste Maps for Meribel.
Take a look at this year's Ski Lift Pass Prices and if you're not sure which one to buy, read our Guide for more information.
Book My Group Ski Lesson Book My Private Ski Lesson Book My Ski Hire
