Courchevel is part of Les Trois Vallées in the French Alps and the largest interconnected ski area in the world. Kudos to this country, known for its spectacular natural beauty, impressive skiing scene and wide range of sporting opportunities is universal. Courchevel comprises six interconnected villages, each located at a different elevation.
The most prominent village, widely represented in the media and shaping its public image, is Courchevel 1850, which, as its name suggests, is located at an altitude of 1,850 meters. With its five-star resorts, convenient access to the ski slopes, luxury shops and après-ski scene, it is undoubtedly the most charming village.
If you identify Courchevel only with the materialistic paradise that is 1850, much of the country’s nuances are obscured. The character of each village that comprises Courchevel is, in fact, unique. Courchevel 1650 and 1550, for example, which are just a gondola ride away from 1850, offer family-friendly amenities, accommodation and dining options that meet a range of budgets.
But no matter which village you choose to stay in, free ski lifts and shuttles connect you to the slopes. As I chat with locals, I become increasingly aware that, apart from the adrenaline-pumping activities (skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, husky safaris, ice diving, snowmobiling – all wonderful ways to experience the landscape), there is a deep cultural and introspective aspect to Courchevel.
The beauty of St. Boni
Saint Bon, at an altitude of 1100 meters, is a revelation for me. This village, the birthplace of Courchevel, has preserved its originality. Before the introduction of hydropower and the emergence of winter sports tourism, these valleys thrived with an agro-pastoral economy. Today, St. Bon continues to display his traditional charm.
Alpine architecture and traditional houses, with stone and wooden exteriors, stand next to simple barns (where the cattle are fed), an old mill and a communal oven that line the narrow cobbled streets, all seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape. And what a landscape it is. Glorious views of mountains and valleys capture my attention everywhere.
That is until I step inside the 17th century St. Bon’s Church. Typical of an alpine setting, churches often feature plain facades with ornate interiors; this is no exception. Inside, I’m faced with gilded wood, twisted columns, smiling cherubs and carved flowers – all bursting with the vitality of folk art. In its characteristic baroque expressiveness, the altarpiece reflects the concerns and dogmas of the time in which it was created. In a wonderful altar piece, I see souls struggling in purgatory, serving as a reminder to the faithful of their obligation to attend Mass and underscoring the universal nature of death. Thus, sacred art was often intertwined with dogmas and concerns from everyday life, and saints were assigned specific roles that reflected the affairs of the country. Saint Anthony, for example, is the patron saint of mules; Saint Grat, the protector of crops; and Saint Bernard des Alpes, patron of the lost in the mountains.
In the neighboring village, 1300 meters, Le Praz takes me back in time. There is a 15th-century chapel, a natural lake where locals fish for rainbow and brook trout, and a spruce forest. In the cafe, I enjoy products from the surrounding pastures and farms at high altitudes. Delicacies such as chestnuts, wild fruits and polenta, as well as cheeses such as Beaufort and Reblochon, along with other Savoia specialties such as honey, meat and wine, are among the local treasures. Finally, I pass through traditional houses to reach the iconic ski jumping hill, Tremplin du Praz, built for the 1992 Winter Olympics.
Beyond snow activities
If you visit Courchevel only for the snow activities, you miss out on some of the country’s wonders. Florenti, a local resident, takes me on a hike to Lac de la Rosière, often described as the Green Diamond of the Alps. Along the way, we navigate breathtaking mountain scenery, including pine forests, waterfalls and babbling brooks, before eventually walking along a footbridge to what looks like an enchanted, turquoise lake.
In addition to its wonderful hiking trails, Courchevel also serves as the entry point to the Vanoise National Park, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023.
No matter which route you choose from the network of over 500 km of hiking trails, you will be greeted by a diverse alpine ecosystem. In summer, among the lush meadows full of flowers, pine forests and stunning mountain scenery, you can come across wild genepi, edelweiss, ijes, marmots and golden eagles.
After all, no matter which Courchevel village you choose to stay in, or which ski clothing or equipment you choose to rent, once you’re in the lap of nature, facing the majesty of the mountains – whether skiing, Nordic walking or enjoying a kayak outing on the lake – they’re all, regardless of their balance, likely to be the same. Nature is truly the great equalizer.
