Courchevel 1850: The Complete Guide to the Resort's Most Famous Village (2026-2027)

What is Courchevel 1850?

Courchevel 1850 is the highest ski village of Courchevel, in the Savoie department of the French Alps. Courchevel Tourism calls it the historic and symbolic heart of the resort, and the village where most of the main facilities are concentrated: direct access to the ski area, cultural and sports venues, shops, restaurants and everyday services.

It is one of five ski villages that share the same lift network. The town hall lists them by altitude, from Courchevel 1850 at 1,850 m down to Le Praz at 1,300 m. Since 1 January 2017, the former communes of Saint-Bon and La Perrière have formed the single commune of Courchevel, according to the town hall.

You will see the village called both "Courchevel 1850" and simply "Courchevel". The France.fr history of the resort records that on 8 September 2011 the council dropped the altitudes from the village names, and that Courchevel 1850 became Courchevel. The old name is still in everyday use, including on the tourist office website. For a comparison of all the villages, see our Courchevel villages guide.

How did Courchevel 1850 begin?

The resort was planned from scratch after the Second World War. According to the history published by France.fr, the Savoie Council decided in 1946 to create a ski resort in the valley of Saint-Bon and commissioned the architect Laurent Chappis to plan it on the Plateau des Tovets. The first hotels opened at the end of 1947, the Courchevel ski school (ESF) was founded the same year, and the Council officially named the resort Courchevel in November 1954.

The same document explains the name: shepherds kept calves away from the Tovets area because the thick grass scratched their tongues, and the local word for it, "écortzevé", became Courchevel. The Altiport followed in the early 1960s; the town hall's altiport website dates the first landing to 31 January 1962.

Which lifts leave from Courchevel 1850?

The main lifts start from La Croisette, the building at the snow front in the centre of the village, where there is also a lift pass office. From there, Courchevel Tourism and the lift operators describe these departures:

• Verdons gondola, accessed from La Croisette at the snow front. Les 3 Vallées gives the route to La Saulire (2,740 m) as the Verdons gondola, then the Saulire cable car.
• Chenus gondola, rebuilt with a departure station at the heart of the snow front. Skipass Courchevel states it carries up to 10 people per cabin and 2,400 people per hour, with a top station around 2,240 m.
• Jardin Alpin gondola, also at La Croisette, which Oxygène ski school uses as the meeting point for its children's group lessons.

For winter 2026-2027, Les 3 Vallées announces a new 300 sq m wooden panoramic terrace at the top of Chenus, open to skiers and pedestrians.

Courchevel itself has 150 km of marked slopes, according to Courchevel Tourism, and it connects to the 600 km of Les 3 Vallées, which lists 169 lifts and a top altitude of 3,230 m.

What is La Croisette, and where is the shopping in Courchevel 1850?

La Croisette is the hub of the village. The France.fr history describes it as the meeting point that brought together the ski lifts, ski schools, technical services and tourist information. Today it is where you buy passes, meet instructors and take the main gondolas.

For shopping, Courchevel Tourism states that the luxury shops are concentrated along the Croisette street, in the heart of the resort, and that the village also has a shopping centre with everyday shops and services. The Forum, in Courchevel 1850, houses the ice rink, which the tourist office lists as open from 11 December 2026 to 18 April 2027, with skating, shows, hockey matches and ice karting.

Courchevel 1850 also has many of the resort's best-known tables. Our Courchevel restaurants guide lists the Michelin-starred addresses with their current ratings.

How close is the Courchevel Altiport to the village?

Very close. The tourist office gives the Altiport's address as Courchevel 1850, and describes it as the highest point of the resort, with ski slopes a few metres from the runway. A marked winter walk, "The heights of Courchevel 1850", runs 3 km from the top of the Altiport down to the centre of the resort in about 1 hour 15 minutes, with 260 m of descent. It is graded easy and free.

The town hall's altiport website gives a runway of 537 m by 40 m, with a gradient of up to 18.5%, at 2,007 m. Our Courchevel Altiport guide covers flights, operators and the best places to watch planes land.

Where can you stay in Courchevel 1850?

The tourist office booking platform offers three types of accommodation in Courchevel 1850: hotels, chalets and apartments. Courchevel Tourism recommends the village for a first stay, because of its central position and the range of services within walking distance.

Courchevel is also known for its top category of hotel. In the 2026 list published by Atout France, the national tourism agency, five establishments in Courchevel hold the Palace distinction: Airelles Courchevel Les Airelles, Cheval Blanc Courchevel, Fouquet's Courchevel, L'Apogée Courchevel and Le K2 Palace. For 2026-2027, Les 3 Vallées also announces the opening of Hôtel Saint Roch in Courchevel 1850 on 18 December 2026.

Chalets are a long tradition here. The France.fr history notes that the first luxury chalets were marketed for sale and rent in the hamlet of Bellecôte, one of the slopes above the village.

How do you get to Courchevel 1850?

Most visitors come by road through Moûtiers. Courchevel Tourism describes motorway and dual carriageway to Moûtiers, then about 30 minutes on a wide road up to the resort. Moûtiers is also the nearest railway station, with taxis and Altibus coaches up to Courchevel.

Figures are those published by Courchevel Tourism. Travellers who prefer to fly in can use the Altiport, which accepts certain private and commercial flights, or a helicopter transfer from nearby airports and resorts. Once in the resort, a free shuttle bus serves all the villages of Courchevel, with real-time stops in the Mobilité Courchevel app.

When is Courchevel 1850 open in 2026-2027?

According to Les 3 Vallées, the Courchevel lifts open on 4 December 2026 and close on 18 April 2027. The full 3 Vallées area is linked from 5 December 2026. The lower sectors of Moriond and La Tania close a week earlier, on 11 April 2027, so a late-season stay in Courchevel 1850 keeps more lifts within reach.

Planning around the holidays? Our Christmas and New Year guide covers the festive period, and things to do in Courchevel lists activities off the slopes.

Can you book a photographer in Courchevel 1850?

Yes. Riva Photography Courchevel connects visitors with private photographers who ski, so a session can start at your hotel or chalet, continue at La Croisette and finish on the slopes above the village. Sessions on the pistes add the photographer's lift pass at the public price. The first photos arrive within 48 hours and the full gallery within 7 days.

For ideas on the day, see our best photo spots in Courchevel. To check availability for your dates, write to us on WhatsApp via the contact page and tell us where you are staying.

Frequently asked questions

What altitude is Courchevel 1850?

Courchevel 1850 sits at 1,850 m, according to the town hall of Courchevel. It is the highest of the resort's five ski villages, above Moriond, Village, La Tania and Le Praz.

Is Courchevel 1850 the same as Courchevel?

Yes. In September 2011 the council removed the altitudes from the village names and Courchevel 1850 officially became Courchevel. Both names are still used, including by the tourist office.

When do the Courchevel 1850 lifts open for 2026-2027?

Les 3 Vallées gives 4 December 2026 to 18 April 2027 for the Courchevel lifts, with the full 3 Vallées link from 5 December 2026.

How long does it take to reach Courchevel 1850 from Geneva?

Courchevel Tourism gives about 2 hours by road from Geneva airport, a distance of 179 km. Helicopter transfers and certain flights to the Altiport are also possible.

Where are the luxury shops in Courchevel 1850?

Courchevel Tourism states that the luxury shops are concentrated along the Croisette street, in the heart of the resort, close to the slopes.