With big snow falls and a one day opening on November 11th, the resort is now getting ready for the official opening on December 10th and the Ladies Alpine Ski World Cup on December 20th.

Important snowfalls occurred in early November allowing the resort to open on November 11th. This early opening has been a huge success, with over 3,000 participants for one day and a traffic of 8,800 at Les Verdons ski lift and 10,000 at Biollay chairlift. Extraordinary at this time of year, around one meter of snow has been noticed at the top of La Saulire (2738m) !
Thanks to its privileged geographic situation, Courchevel guarantees optimum snow cover from the start to the end of the season. 80% of the ski area is located above 1,800 meters which make the quality of the snow well-recognised. To optimize natural snow cover all season long, no fewer than 600 snowmaking machines are dotted over the entire ski area of Courchevel and guarantee the largest number of open connected runs in Europe during the whole season with the 3 Vallées.
Located on the biggest ski area in the world, the 3 Vallées, Courchevel offers 1001 skis, sporty or more contemplative for unique, totally different and varied ski experiences.

As well as an exceptional ski area, Courchevel is also an indulgent destination, inviting guests to seize the moment. Everything here is a good reason to rekindle the joy of being together. With the 70th birthday celebrations of the resort, Courchevel will be the place to be this winter! The resort will host 126 events during the season, giving guests a chance to meet up in a good-humoured atmosphere. Major events will take place at the core of Courchevel; including the Ladies Alpine Ski World Cup (December 20th), Christmas and New Year’s festivities. Those events are an amazing opportunity for sharing, conviviality and togetherness. The excellence is a norm in the resort, with english spoken everywhere !

LADIES ALPINE AUDI FIS SKI WORLD CUP

December 19th :
– 6 PM : Bibs’ draw, with the 15 world ladies best skiers and the former ski champion Didier Cuche/ Free
– Followed by an exceptional show : high level ice-skating gala, acrobat on ice, mountain bike on ice and bear’s dressage demonstration/Free

December 20th :
– From 9 AM / Free :
Partner village at the finish area opens;
DJ, free entertainment and activities
Fanfare band
Aerobatics exhibition
– 10.30 AM : 1st run of Audi FIS World Cup Women’s Giant Slalom, Emile-Allais Stadium
– 1.30 PM : 2nd run of Audi FIS World Cup Women’s Giant Slalom
– 2.15 PM : Flower ceremony in the finish area and entertainment
– 2.45 PM : Press conference

For the 8th year in a row, “L’Art au Sommet” exhibition will transform Courchevel into an open-air museum. For years, the resort stands out by its initiatives and investment into contemporary art, reaching this season the highest figures of artists and artisitic works exposed in a resort. Many street art artists, such as Gully, Mr. Brainwash, Noe Two, JonOne, Madc, Cope2 et Miss Tic will illuminate all Courchevel villages and Verdons’ gondola.
JonOne, graffiti artist from New-York will embellish one cable car (la Saulire) this winter and another New-Yorker artist, Seen, will join him for a live painting performance during Christmas holidays (on December 21st and 22nd).

World renowned for its gastronomy, Courchevel offers new tables this winter, reaching 110 dining establishments. Whatever your tastes and your budget are, you will find an address to suit you!
With the opening of a new five-stars hotel, Barrière Les Neiges 5*, the famous and parisian-based brasserie Fouquet’s opens in Courchevel this year, with a Harcourt gallery and a stunning terrace with direct access to ski slopes. A wide range of gastronomic choices will be proposed, from traditional French meals to regional specialties as well as an insight of Argentinian gastronomy at the B Fire with chef Mauro Colagreco, two Michelin-starred chef.
The K2 Altitude 5* hotel and its Michelin-starred restaurant named Le Montgomerie. With its south oriented terrace, the K2 Altitude Base Camp is the perfect option to enjoy a lovely break at lunchtime.
With Le Rendez-Vous, Courcheneige Hotel offers one of the largest and best-oriented terrace of the resort combined with an excellent price-quality ratio (daily’s special: 18€).

Last but not least, the world’s largest ski area is also the largest ski playground for kids! Le Village des Enfants ESF 1850 is a 3 hectares wonderland surface, with a gondola, 4 platter-lifts, one free ski travelator and a hut. A model to teach ski to the kids! Between “Alice in Wonderland” and fortified castles era, kids learn how to ski, have fun and rest when needed, making the most of it!

KEY FACTS

– Located in the 3 Vallées, Courchevel is part of the largest ski area in the world : 328 ski slopes – 600 km of slopes
– Around two-hours drive from both Lyon (France) and Geneva (Switzerland) international airports’
– 80% of the Courchevel’s ski area is above 1,800 metres
– 600 snowmaking machines
– The resort has its own altiport, at an altitude of 2,006 meters, which remains the only one in Europe to be cleared of snow in winter.