| Haunts - Courchevel, France - French Alps. | |
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| We've been here twice now - Winter 97/98 & Winter 98/99. This is a large resort with the opportunity to ski in the whole three valleys of Meribel, Mottaret, Val Thorens and Courchevel. There are 4 resort heights to the mountain, these being 1300, 1550, 1650 & 1850. 1850 is the crème de la crème, a very expensive resort. The others tend to vary and be quite reasonable. You have on the front side of the mountain, 1300, 1550 & 1850, with 1650 to the side. Buses to get to the main ski area run every 30 minutes in 1350, to every 15 minutes in 1650, stopping service at 2am. | |||
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| 1850 | 1650 | 1550 | 1300 |
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| Courchevel Facts | Recommendations | Comments |
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| 1850 - This tends to be where the upper class stay, very over priced! As for skiing. It is the access point to the rest of the 3 valleys, and gets the most snow at this height of the mountain. Runs do vary from greens / blues and single / double blacks. Even to the grand coulwars at the top of the saulier cable car. Excellent facilities with designer shops. | |||
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| 1650 - This is to the left of the mountain as you look at it. It is known to the locals as Moriond, and it is the only part of Courchevel which is original. This is the old town and is where are the locals live, and is most definitely the quietest side of the mountain. Quite an easy area with lots of blues, greens, reds and the blacks leading over towards 1850. The snow tends to keep nicer over this side as it is less popular. | |||
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| 1550 - This does not get as much snow as higher up the mountain late in the season, but the resort is easy to access the main area, as it has a cable car directly below the resort of 1850. You can ski down from 1850 to 1550, and the longest run on the mountain is this link, but is a red run. | |||
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| 1300 - Le Praz & La Tania. Well, if 1550 struggles for snow, then from our experiences of two seasons there, we found that 1300 Le Praz and 1350 La Tania, didn’t have snow early and late season. Only at peak times do these resorts have enough snow to ski down to. Both are quaint little villages. If you want to experience the full French culture, or what’s left of it in the ski resorts, this is definitely for you! All the locals have moved down to these villages. | |||
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| Courchevel Facts - Based over the three valleys. | |||
| Highest Village : | 6060 Feet / 1847 Metres | Highest Lift : |
10482 Feet / 3195 Metres |
| Number of runs : | 275 | Number of Lifts : |
196 |
| Ski Area : | 600 Square Kilometres | Longest Run : | 5 Kilometres |
| Average Snowfall : | 650 cm | Snow Cannons : | 485 |
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| Recommendations | |
| Best Ski Run on the mountain : | Salauire to Verdons to base, definitely, as long as you like slalom. Verdons is the main ski run leading to the base of 1850. |
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| Best Restaurant : | On the main street of Courchevel, there is a restaurant called the inn 1650. This is the best value for money for traditional French food with superb French hospitality. In our opinion, this is the best place to go. |
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| Worst Restaurant : | Many back street cafe's, but too many to name. |
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| Pubs : | Rocky’s is a fantastic English bar in 1650, quite small but nice. Also, the sports bar in 1650 has live entertainment on almost every other night. Phillipe is the owner |
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| Ski Hire : |
Best
overall is one of the larger outlet stores, Intersport. Located in
the main town, but has more stores than all the others do. All the
latest up to date equipment is offered. The majority of stores in
Courchevel supply good equipment. But in peak season, be sure to get
to the hire shop first. |
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| Other comments about the resort. | |
| Fantastic skiing! After two seasons there, still not bored! The French can be quite arrogant, but as long as you try to communicate with them, they tend to be as polite to you as you are to them. In peek season, we found this resort to be absolutely terrible. There was stamping on skis and fights in lift queues. But overall, we tended to ski around 1650, as this is a quiet area and is a nice area to ski. Also in 1650, the food is cheaper. Be prepared to eat pack lunches during the day, as mountain restaurants are very expensive. | |
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| Information Updated 1/1/03 - ©SkiBud 2001-2005 |