Things to do in Courchevel

Best things to do in Courchevel: Skiing and winter highlights

1. Ski across the Courchevel ski area

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel ski area

Best For: Skiers, families, groups and mixed abilities

Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day

Cost / Entry: Ski pass required

Skiing is naturally at the heart of a winter stay in Courchevel. The resort forms part of Les Trois Vallées, giving visitors access to more than 600 km of pistes connected by an extensive network of lifts. You can spend the morning exploring runs above Courchevel before continuing farther across the wider ski area, making it easy to find new terrain even during a longer stay.

The variety is one of Courchevel's biggest strengths. Beginners have wide, confidence-building slopes, intermediates can cover large distances on blue and red runs, and experienced skiers can seek out steeper descents and more technical terrain.

Insider tip: Start early on clear days. You will generally find quieter pistes first thing in the morning and can cover much more of the mountain before stopping for lunch.

2. Learn to ski in Courchevel Moriond

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel Moriond

Best For: Beginners, families and first-time skiers

Estimated Time Needed: Half day

Cost / Entry: Ski pass, equipment hire and lesson costs may apply

Courchevel Moriond is one of the most approachable areas for anyone learning to ski. Its broad beginner-friendly slopes give first-time skiers room to practise basic turns, stopping and controlling speed without immediately facing steep terrain or busy advanced pistes.

It is also a useful choice for families because ski schools operate throughout the area and younger visitors can develop their confidence before progressing onto longer blue runs. More experienced members of the group can still connect easily into the wider Courchevel ski system, so choosing a beginner-friendly base does not mean sacrificing access to the rest of the mountain.

Insider tip: Book morning lessons where possible. Beginners often have more energy and concentration earlier in the day, and the snow can be easier to ski before becoming heavily tracked.

3. Explore the slopes around Courchevel Village

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel Village

Best For: Beginners, improving skiers and families

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Ski pass required

Courchevel Village provides another excellent introduction to the resort's ski terrain. The area sits below Courchevel 1850 and connects into the wider lift network, giving less experienced skiers the chance to practise on manageable terrain before gradually exploring farther afield.

For families with different levels of skiing experience, this accessibility is especially useful. Beginners can stay close to comfortable slopes while stronger skiers can head higher up the mountain and reconnect with the group later in the day.

It is also a good area to spend a shorter ski session if you do not want every day of your holiday to involve covering huge distances.

Insider tip: Use your first day here to get comfortable with the lift system before attempting a longer Les Trois Vallées route.

4. Ski the higher slopes around Saulire

Location / Neighborhood: Saulire sector

Best For: Intermediate and advanced skiers

Estimated Time Needed: Half day

Cost / Entry: Ski pass required

The higher terrain around Saulire is where Courchevel really begins to open up for confident skiers. From here, you can access long descents, more challenging pistes and connections deeper into Les Trois Vallées.

The combination of altitude, mountain views and more demanding skiing makes this an area many experienced visitors return to repeatedly. Conditions can vary significantly depending on visibility, snowfall and wind, so it is always worth checking the latest piste information before heading up.

For skiers who enjoy covering ground rather than repeatedly using the same lift, Saulire can also serve as a gateway towards other parts of the Three Valleys.

Insider tip: Save the highest terrain for a clear-weather day when visibility allows you to properly enjoy both the skiing and the mountain views.

5. Go snowboarding in Courchevel

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel ski area

Best For: Snowboarders and freestyle riders

Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day

Cost / Entry: Ski pass required

Snowboarders have access to the same extensive mountain network as skiers, with a mixture of cruising pistes, steeper terrain and areas suited to riders looking for a little more variety.

Beginners can learn on the resort's gentler slopes before progressing to longer blues and reds, while experienced snowboarders can take advantage of Courchevel's natural terrain and freeride opportunities when conditions allow.

Because Courchevel connects directly into the wider Les Trois Vallées system, confident riders can also spend entire days moving between different mountain sectors rather than remaining within a single compact ski area.

Insider tip: If you are new to snowboarding, avoid planning your first lesson late in the afternoon when tired legs can make the learning curve significantly harder.

6. Book a lesson with a Courchevel ski school

Location / Neighborhood: Across Courchevel

Best For: Beginners, children and improving skiers

Estimated Time Needed: 2 hours to full day

Cost / Entry: Paid lessons

Even confident skiers can benefit from professional instruction in Courchevel. Ski schools operating in the resort include ESF, Oxygène and New Generation, with lessons ranging from children's beginner sessions to private tuition, technique coaching and advanced mountain guidance.

For families, lessons also make it easier for children and adults to ski at their own level before meeting again later in the day. More experienced visitors can use private instruction to improve technique, learn unfamiliar terrain or discover quieter routes they may otherwise overlook.

Insider tip: During school-holiday periods, arrange lessons before you arrive rather than expecting the most convenient time slots to remain available.

Staying for a ski trip? Explore our Courchevel chalets for homes close to the resort's slopes and lifts.

Best non-skiing things to do in Courchevel

7. Go snowshoeing through the mountains

Location / Neighborhood: Trails around Courchevel

Best For: Non-skiers, couples, families and nature lovers

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Free on some routes; equipment and guided tours extra

Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to see Courchevel away from its lifts and busy pistes. Using specially designed footwear, you can walk over deeper snow and follow quieter routes through woodland, open mountain terrain and snow-covered valleys.

Gentler trails make the activity accessible even if you have little winter-sports experience, while guided excursions can take you farther from the resort and introduce you to the Alpine landscape, mountain ecology and local wildlife.

It is particularly useful for mixed groups where some guests ski and others would prefer a quieter way to enjoy the snow.

Insider tip: Choose a guided walk after fresh snowfall if you want to experience the mountains at their most atmospheric.

8. Try cross-country skiing

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel and surrounding Nordic trails

Best For: Active travellers and experienced skiers looking for something different

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Equipment hire may apply

Cross-country skiing offers a completely different experience from spending the day on Courchevel's downhill pistes. Instead of relying on lifts, skiers move under their own power along prepared trails through forests and quieter mountain areas.

The activity is excellent exercise and gives you much more time to take in the landscape. Beginner-friendly routes allow newcomers to learn the technique, while longer circuits provide a surprisingly demanding workout for experienced visitors.

It can also be a good choice midway through a ski holiday when you want to remain active but would like a change from chairlifts and downhill runs.

Insider tip: Do not underestimate the physical effort involved. Start with a shorter route if you have never tried Nordic skiing before.

9. Go dog sledding

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel mountain area

Best For: Families, couples and memorable winter experiences

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid activity

Dog sledding gives visitors the chance to experience Courchevel's winter scenery without skis, snowboards or chairlifts. Teams of huskies pull sleds along snowy routes while passengers enjoy views of forests and mountains from a completely different perspective.

Some experiences are largely passenger-based, while others may introduce guests to the dogs, explain how the teams are managed or allow greater involvement under professional supervision.

It is particularly popular with families and couples and works well as a memorable activity on a day away from the pistes.

Insider tip: Book early in your stay rather than saving it for your final day, as weather conditions can sometimes affect scheduled mountain activities.

10. Try ice driving

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel area

Best For: Adults, groups and adrenaline seekers

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid activity

Ice driving replaces mountain pistes with a frozen circuit and challenges drivers to manage a vehicle on an extremely low-grip surface. Under instruction, participants learn how to respond to skids, control slides and understand how a car behaves when traction is dramatically reduced.

It is one of Courchevel's most unusual non-ski winter experiences and can be particularly good for groups who want something competitive or adrenaline-focused away from the mountain.

You do not need to sacrifice an entire ski day either, as sessions are usually compact enough to fit around other activities.

Insider tip: Wear warm layers even though you will spend much of the activity inside a vehicle, as waiting and briefing periods can still involve time outdoors.

11. Race around an ice-karting circuit

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel area

Best For: Groups, friends and older families

Estimated Time Needed: Around 1 hour

Cost / Entry: Paid activity

Ice karting takes the familiar idea of go-kart racing and makes it considerably more unpredictable by moving the action onto a frozen track. Drivers have to manage reduced grip, sliding corners and changing traction while attempting to race friends or family.

It is a relatively short experience, making it an easy addition to an afternoon that might also include lunch, shopping or time at the pool.

For groups where not everybody wants to ski every day, activities like this help keep the trip varied without losing the winter atmosphere.

Insider tip: Do not dress as though you are visiting a normal indoor karting circuit. Winter footwear, gloves and warm outer layers are far more comfortable.

12. Spend an afternoon at Aquamotion

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel

Best For: Families, swimmers, non-skiers and rest days

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission required

Aquamotion is one of the most useful places to know about when planning a Courchevel trip because it gives you a substantial indoor alternative to skiing. The leisure and wellness complex includes swimming and aquatic facilities alongside fitness and relaxation areas.

Families can use it to break up a week of ski school, while adults may prefer to visit after several demanding days on the mountain. It is also an obvious choice when visibility or weather conditions make a full ski day less appealing.

For groups containing both skiers and non-skiers, Aquamotion helps ensure there is plenty to do away from the pistes.

Insider tip: Keep it in reserve for the middle of your trip when tired legs begin to make another full ski day less attractive.

Best things to do in Courchevel with kids

13. Spend time in the beginner ski areas

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel Village

Best For: Families with younger children and first-time skiers

Estimated Time Needed: Half day

Cost / Entry: Ski pass and lesson costs may apply

Courchevel's beginner areas allow younger visitors to learn without being immediately exposed to steep or intimidating pistes. Wide slopes and dedicated learning environments give children space to practise turning, stopping and using lifts while building confidence at their own pace.

Families can combine formal ski lessons with shorter sessions together, which often works better than expecting young children to remain on the mountain all day.

Once their confidence improves, nearby blue runs offer an obvious next step without forcing them onto terrain that feels dramatically more difficult.

Insider tip: Avoid overplanning your child's first ski day. A shorter successful session is often far better than pushing through tiredness until the experience stops being enjoyable.

14. Go sledging

Location / Neighborhood: Designated Courchevel sledging areas

Best For: Children, families and groups

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Equipment or activity charges may apply

Sledging is an easy way to keep children entertained after ski school or on an afternoon when nobody wants to spend more time wearing ski boots. Designated winter areas allow families to enjoy the snow in a much more informal way than a full day on the pistes.

It can also be surprisingly entertaining for adults, especially when several families or a larger group get involved.

Evening sledging is particularly atmospheric when the resort lights begin to appear across the surrounding villages and mountains.

Insider tip: Waterproof trousers and gloves make a huge difference, especially for children who will inevitably spend as much time sitting in the snow as riding down it.

15. Try snakesledding

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel

Best For: Families with older children and groups

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid activity

Snakesledding links several sleds together to create a long articulated train that twists and turns as it travels down the snow. The result feels more like a group ride than ordinary individual sledging and makes it especially well suited to families or friends looking for something they can enjoy together.

The experience adds variety to a ski-heavy holiday and is particularly good for children who are confident on the snow but want something less structured than another lesson.

Insider tip: Check age and participation requirements when booking, as they may differ according to the operator and route.

16. Try a Yooner-style snow ride

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel

Best For: Older children, teenagers and adventurous families

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Equipment hire or activity fee may apply

A Yooner is a low, lightweight snow seat designed to turn and slide more dynamically than a traditional sledge. It provides an entertaining middle ground between skiing and ordinary sledging, particularly for visitors who enjoy speed but do not necessarily want another full day on skis.

Because riders sit close to the snow, even modest slopes can feel fast and exciting. It is also relatively quick to learn, making it suitable for an afternoon activity rather than something requiring several days of lessons.

Insider tip: Expect to end up in the snow occasionally. Proper ski clothing makes the experience much more enjoyable.

Food, après-ski and nightlife in Courchevel

1. Experience Courchevel après-ski

Location / Neighborhood: Across Courchevel

Best For: Adults, couples and groups

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Drinks and food extra

Après-ski is almost as important to some Courchevel visitors as the skiing itself. The resort offers everything from sunny terraces where you can stop immediately after your final run to sophisticated bars and lively venues that continue well into the evening.

You can keep things simple with a drink overlooking the slopes or turn the afternoon into a full evening with live music, dinner and nightlife.

Because the atmosphere varies considerably between venues, Courchevel works equally well for visitors looking for an energetic party and those who simply want a relaxed glass of wine after skiing.

Insider tip: If you plan on drinking, make sure you know how you are getting back to your accommodation before the lift network closes.

18. Visit La Folie Douce

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel ski area

Best For: Groups, lively après-ski and adult trips

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Food and drinks extra

La Folie Douce has become synonymous with high-energy Alpine après-ski. Music, dancing and live entertainment turn a mountain stop into an event in its own right, and the atmosphere is considerably livelier than a conventional slope-side restaurant.

For groups of friends, it can become one of the standout afternoons of a Courchevel trip, particularly when the weather is clear enough to enjoy the mountain setting.

Visitors looking for quiet drinks may prefer another venue, but if the aim is music and atmosphere, this is one of the resort's obvious après-ski choices.

Insider tip: Arrive before the busiest part of the afternoon if you want time to settle in rather than appearing when the venue is already packed.

19. Stop for drinks at Le Tremplin

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel

Best For: Couples, groups and relaxed après-ski

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Food and drinks extra

Le Tremplin offers a more convenient resort-level après-ski stop for visitors who would rather finish skiing before settling in for drinks. Its terrace atmosphere makes it a good place for people-watching and a late-afternoon drink as skiers begin returning from the mountain.

This type of venue works particularly well for mixed groups because non-skiers can meet those coming off the slopes without having to travel to a high-altitude mountain bar.

You can stay for a quick drink before returning to your chalet or use it as the beginning of a longer evening in the resort.

Insider tip: Arrange a meeting time rather than relying on everybody finishing their final ski run together.

20. Spend an evening at Le Mangeoire

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel 1850

Best For: Adults, couples and evening entertainment

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Food and drinks extra

Le Mangeoire combines dinner and entertainment, making it more suitable for a full evening than a quick après-ski stop. Live music and a lively atmosphere mean the venue becomes progressively more energetic as the night continues.

It is a good option for visitors who want an evening that feels more special than simply booking a conventional restaurant but who do not necessarily want to head straight to a nightclub.

For couples and groups staying around Courchevel 1850, it can easily form the centrepiece of an evening out.

Insider tip: Reserve ahead during peak weeks if you want dinner rather than arriving later purely for drinks.

21. Try traditional Savoyard food

Location / Neighborhood: Restaurants throughout Courchevel

Best For: Families, couples and food lovers

Estimated Time Needed: 1½–2½ hours

Cost / Entry: Restaurant prices vary

Cold mountain evenings are the perfect excuse to explore traditional Savoyard cooking. Fondue, raclette and tartiflette feature heavily across the region, using Alpine cheeses and hearty ingredients that feel particularly well suited to a day spent outdoors in winter.

A relaxed bistro meal can also offer a welcome contrast to Courchevel's more glamorous dining scene. Instead of formal tasting menus, you can sit around a bubbling fondue pot or share plates of local food over wine.

It is one of the easiest experiences to include in almost any Courchevel itinerary.

Insider tip: Do not schedule your biggest fondue or raclette meal immediately before an early-morning ski lesson.

22. Book a Michelin-star dining experience

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel and La Tania

Best For: Food lovers, couples and special occasions

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Premium

Courchevel has built an international reputation for fine dining as well as skiing. Restaurants highlighted in the resort's existing dining scene include Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc, Le Chabichou and Le Farçon, each providing a very different take on high-end Alpine dining.

For many visitors, a carefully planned restaurant evening becomes one of the main experiences of the trip rather than simply somewhere to eat after skiing.

Tasting menus and longer services also encourage you to slow down after several energetic days on the mountain.

Insider tip: If there is one particular restaurant you consider essential, reserve it before travelling rather than waiting until you arrive in Courchevel.

Unique and luxury things to do in Courchevel

23. Spend a day at the spa

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel

Best For: Couples, wellness trips and ski recovery

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Spa and treatment costs vary

A spa afternoon can feel extremely welcome once you have spent several consecutive days skiing. Courchevel's wellness scene includes swimming pools, treatment rooms, hydrotherapy and relaxation facilities, while selected chalets also offer private amenities such as hot tubs, saunas, gyms and pools.

Rather than viewing a spa visit as wasted mountain time, it can help break up the trip and make the following ski day far more enjoyable.

It is equally useful for non-skiers who want a quieter experience while the rest of their group is on the slopes.

Insider tip: Midweek is often the ideal point to schedule a spa session because that is when tired legs usually begin to catch up with you.

24. Visit Six Senses Spa Courchevel

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel

Best For: Couples, adults and wellness-focused stays

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Premium spa experience

Six Senses Spa Courchevel provides one of the resort's dedicated wellness experiences, with treatments and facilities designed around relaxation and post-ski recovery.

It is particularly appealing if your Courchevel trip is intended to balance mountain activities with quieter time rather than focusing exclusively on skiing. A morning or afternoon here also works well on a poor-visibility day when conditions on the mountain are less inviting.

For couples, combining spa time with a long dinner later in the evening can create a completely different type of Courchevel day.

Insider tip: Book treatments early in the holiday if you already know which day you want to take away from skiing.

25. Take a scenic helicopter flight

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel and surrounding Alps

Best For: Couples, photographers and special occasions

Estimated Time Needed: Varies

Cost / Entry: Premium

A helicopter flight gives you a completely different perspective on the scale of the mountains surrounding Courchevel. Rather than seeing individual valleys from the slopes, you can take in broad Alpine panoramas from the air and appreciate how the resort sits within the wider mountain landscape.

For special occasions, it is one of the most memorable experiences available in the area and does not require you to be an experienced skier or particularly adventurous.

Helicopter services can also be used for selected transfers, but scenic flights are the more obvious choice for visitors simply looking for a standout experience.

Insider tip: Clear weather is essential to getting the most from the views, so build some flexibility into your plans where possible.

26. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel

Best For: Couples and families

Estimated Time Needed: Around 1 hour

Cost / Entry: Paid experience

A horse-drawn sleigh ride offers a much gentler way to enjoy Courchevel's snowy landscape. Instead of concentrating on ski technique or navigating mountain trails, you can simply sit back and travel through the winter scenery at a slower pace.

The experience is particularly atmospheric towards dusk, when the light begins fading from the mountains and the villages start to illuminate.

It can work equally well as a romantic activity for couples or as a memorable family experience for children who want to spend time in the snow without another energetic activity.

Insider tip: An early-evening booking often gives you the best combination of remaining daylight and illuminated resort scenery.

Best things to do in Courchevel in summer

27. Hike around Lac de la Rosière

Location / Neighborhood: Lac de la Rosière

Best For: Families, couples, walkers and nature lovers

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

Once the winter snow has disappeared, Courchevel becomes a completely different destination. Lac de la Rosière is one of the most attractive places for a gentler summer day, surrounded by Alpine scenery and walking routes suitable for visitors who do not necessarily want a demanding mountain hike.

You can spend time exploring the area, enjoying the lake and looking for local wildlife before continuing onto nearby trails.

Summer hiking also provides opportunities to spot wildflowers, marmots and mountain birdlife that would be much harder to notice during the busy winter season.

Insider tip: Start earlier on hotter summer days and carry water even if you are only planning a relatively short walk.

28. Go mountain biking or e-biking

Location / Neighborhood: Courchevel mountain trails

Best For: Active travellers, couples and families with older children

Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day

Cost / Entry: Bike hire and lift access may apply

Courchevel's slopes do not sit unused once the ski season finishes. During summer, the mountains become a network of biking routes with downhill tracks, cross-country trails and opportunities for longer rides between different parts of the resort.

Experienced riders can tackle more technical terrain, while e-bikes make the mountain environment accessible to visitors who want to cover greater distances without spending the entire day struggling uphill.

Guided rides are particularly useful if it is your first time cycling in the area, as they can combine trails with viewpoints, villages and mountain stops.

Insider tip: Choose an e-bike if sightseeing is more important to you than the physical challenge of the climb.

Seasonal events in Courchevel

Courchevel's calendar changes significantly between the winter ski season and the quieter summer months. If events are important to your trip, check the latest programme before travelling because exact dates, locations and activities can change from year to year.

Winter ski and snow events

Winter brings the busiest events calendar, with ski-related competitions, mountain activities and entertainment taking place throughout the main season.

These events can create a particularly lively atmosphere around the resort, although they can also make accommodation and popular restaurants busier than usual.

Summer cycling events

Once the snow disappears, cycling becomes a much bigger part of life in the mountains. Courchevel and the surrounding Alpine roads attract road cyclists and mountain bikers, with organised rides and competitive events appearing throughout the warmer months.

The same climbs that feel effortless from a ski lift in winter become serious cycling challenges in summer.

Trail-running events

Mountain running forms another important part of Courchevel's summer activity calendar. Trail-running events take advantage of steep climbs, ridgelines and high-altitude routes across the surrounding landscape.

Even if you are not competing, organised events can add extra atmosphere to a summer stay.

Music, markets and local cultural events

Courchevel also hosts a mixture of live music, cultural activities and local markets during the summer season.

Open-air events offer a much more relaxed way to experience the mountains than winter skiing, while markets provide opportunities to discover local produce, regional food and Savoyard traditions.

Plan your Courchevel trip