 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
Lying to the west of Lyon the resorts of the Three Valleys must have the greatest concentration of British skiers. More chalet operators offer packages to Méribel than any other resort. Resorts include Courchevel, Méribel, St Martin de Belleville, Les Menuires and Val Thorens.
There is a direct train to this area from London on Friday nights and Saturdays and it is relatively easy to make an overnight connection via Paris, Lille or Brussels. Courchevel is not just one resort but five; Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz 1300 and La Tania. They all share the same skiing and are an important part of the Trois Vallées. They are all different in character; from the sophisticated chic of 1850 to the charming and traditional villagey atmosphere of Le Praz. The immediate skiing of Courchevel is hard to beat and offers slopes for all abilities; anybody who tires of it always has the rest of the Trois Vallées at their disposal. With over 470 snow cannons and 22 piste bashers, the pistes are always immaculately groomed and snow is perhaps more reliable than the rest of the Trois Vallées as most of the slopes are North facing. The lift system is also very modern, fast and efficient. Ski schools abound and offer classes in 8 languages for every standard and discipline, from snowboarding to telemark. Courchevel 1850’s chic rubs off on the mountain restaurants, which are plentiful but more expensive than other resorts.
Courchevel 1850 is the highest, smartest and priciest, but it wins these accolades because it has the most to offer; more hotels, more restaurants, more bars, more nightclubs and more facilities and from a skiing point of view, the easiest access to the pistes. You can also fly into its airport direct from Geneva.
Courchevel 1650 is very welcoming and friendly. It is popular with families and its skiing is set apart so is less crowded but has 2 good links into the skiing above 1850.
Courchevel 1300 Le Praz is a pretty village with narrow streets and direct links to 1850 and easy access to Méribel. It offers a quiet night life centred round the local bars.
Courchevel La Tania is new and purpose built with attractive wooden chalets dotted amongst the trees. The lifts link into the skiing above Courchevel 1850 and Méribel and it is becoming increasingly popular as it offers good value.
Igluski.com Team Tip