travel
Courchevel
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Where to stay, what to do and what to eat in Courchevel
The 2016/17 season sees Courchevel celebrating its 70th anniversary. From its humble beginnings in the 1940s, Courchevel is now one of the most chic ski resorts within ‘Les Trois Vallées’, said to be the world’s largest lift-connected ski area, with some 600km of pistes. Courchevel encompasses four resort villages (at one time distinguished by their altitude in metres): Courchevel (formerly Courchevel 1850); Courchevel Moriond (1650); Courchevel Village (1550); and Courchevel Le Praz (1330).
STAY:
Portetta - Courchevel Moriond
Portetta Hotel
The village of Courchevel Moriond is a favourite for visitors thanks to sunny slopes, many of which are ideal for beginners and intermediates. There’s also easy access to more demanding, wild off-piste mountains and summit skiing, as well as the glitzy glamour of the highest sector of Courchevel.
The place to stay in Moriond is Portetta, a mountain retreat hotel with a relaxed ambiance. This ski-in/ski-out property has an elegant Alpine lodge style balanced with friendly, attentive service.
The hotel’s in-house spa offers wellness treatments with products by Bamford, Oskia & Opi - I can certainly recommend the destress massage.
There are 38 guest rooms, including family rooms and suites, with Valley or Piste orientation many of which offer sunrise views.
The hotel’s top two floors are dedicated to stylish, spacious self-contained loft apartments, with kitchens - ideal for families who want flexible accommodation but also hotel services.
There is an on-site winter sports store that will kit you out with every you need.
Prices for a double room start from €220 per person per night for double occupancy and include dinner, bed and breakfast.
Mountain Lodges - Courchevel Moriond
Chamois Lodge
These 4 luxury lodges, at Belvedere right by the lifts, are part of Portetta, and the only ones in the Les Tres Vallées with star ratings. Blanchot, Chamois and Marmotte all have 5* ratings whilst the intimate Petite Marmotte is 4*. I visited Chamois, which at over 350 square metres and with 7 double rooms, comfortably accommodates 14 people, with the additional wow factor of private sauna and an outdoor hot tub from where you can take in the slopes of Courchevel 1650.
EAT:
Le Soucoupe - Courchevel Village
One of the more than 16 mountain restaurants in Courchevel, Le Soucoupe, at the top of La Loze, is full of French Alpine charm – a memorable place to stop for lunch. The menu offers tempting, robust Savoyard fare; try the Savoie Tomme cheese soufflé, meat from the charcoal grill, or tasty Diot sausage with polenta. The black pudding with apple and chestnut is surprisingly light.
Fire & Ice - Courchevel Moriond
Rire & Ice Bar
If you’re looking to enjoy a lively après ski scene then take a break at Fire and Ice, the sunny outdoor bar at Portetta, right at the bottom of the main piste. Said to be the largest terrace in Courchevel, you’ll find warming fire pits, flaming torches, heated bar seating and cosy faux fur and sheepskin snugs on the chairs. It’s the place for drinks, cocktails, tasty Alpine snacks and Italian pizzas from the wood-burning oven.
Cucina Angelina - Courchevel Moriond
Courchevel has stylish bistros, gourmet cafés, and more than a half a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants. Yet it’s not all French cusine. On the contrary, take Cucina Angelina, a casual, yet chic mountain restaurant, the first international project for Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett. Here Angela, Chef Patron at the renowned Murano restaurant in London, and one of Britain’s most recognised chefs, brings her passion for Italian food to the Alps. Cucina Angelina reflects the local Savoyard food culture that combines Italian and French influences. Angela together with her resident Head Chef Colin McSherry, celebrate local and international produce with warming Italian dishes such rustic country terrines with toasted bread from the grill, chicory salad with pecorino & local pears; and expertly prepared meats from the grill including British beef dry-aged in Himalayan salt. Daily specials too.
SEE & DO:
Snow, fire and ski
Skiing/Boarding/Touring
Courchevel makes up about a third of the vast Three Valleys winter sports area with runs for all abilities. In fact experts say that at least half of the ski area runs are suitable for beginners. Add the easy access to the nursery slopes, and secure children’s areas, and it’s a compelling reason to make this the winter your family learns to ski!
Mountain passes
Choose from a pedestrian sightseeing pass for non-skiers, the partner Duo Pass; ad-hoc Three Valleys passes; as well as the fully flexible ‘Liberté’ pass.
Aquamotion – Courchevel Moriond
Aquamotion
A striking modern water theme park, with flumes, water canyons, surfing, a climbing wall, as well as a spa.
L’Art au Sommet – Courchevel
Running until April 17, 2017, the resort is collaborating with Galeries Bartoux to show Graffiti and Street Artists.
Snowshoeing
A great way to explore the beauty of the Alps - what’s more snowshoeing requires no prior experience.
TRAVEL:
Flights
Courchevel is served by several regional airports. However Geneva is served by the greatest number of international flights including direct services by Easyjet. Transfer to Courchevel is between 2-3 hours (unless you take a helicopter!).
Holidays
The Oxford Ski Company creates tailormade winter sports holidays, including hotels, dining, flights, activities, ski & boarding tuition as well as a responsive concierge service.
