Courchevel 1850, Moriond, Village, Le Praz or La Tania: Which Village to Choose?

In short

Courchevel has five ski villages: Courchevel 1850 (1,850 m), Moriond (1,650 m), Village (1,550 m), La Tania (1,400 m) and Le Praz (1,300 m). Courchevel 1850 suits a first visit and anyone who wants the main shops, restaurants and facilities. Moriond, Village and La Tania suit families who want calm and direct slope access. Le Praz suits travellers who prefer a traditional village.

What are the villages of Courchevel?

Courchevel is one resort spread over several villages at different altitudes, all in the commune of Courchevel and all linked to the same ski area. Courchevel Tourism presents six villages: the five ski villages below plus Saint-Bon, where the town hall stands, at 1,150 m according to the commune.

VillageFormer nameAltitudeCharacter, in the tourist office's words
Courchevel 1850Unchanged1,850 mThe historic and symbolic heart of the resort, with a lively atmosphere
Courchevel MoriondCourchevel 16501,650 mA naturally sunny balcony with a lively, relaxed atmosphere
Courchevel VillageCourchevel 15501,550 mDiscreet yet central, peaceful, with well-established local life
Courchevel La TaniaUnchanged1,400 mA forest clearing, discreet and peaceful, family-friendly
Courchevel Le PrazCourchevel 13001,300 mThe historic village, with a lake, bell tower and narrow streets

Altitudes are those given by Courchevel Tourism. The town hall lists Courchevel Village at 1,500 m, so you may see both figures. The old numbered names are still widely used, and the tourist office confirms that Courchevel Village and Courchevel 1550 refer to the same place, as do Moriond and 1650.

Which Courchevel village is best for a first visit?

Courchevel 1850 is the simplest choice for a first stay. Courchevel Tourism describes it as the place where the resort began and where most of the destination's main facilities are concentrated: direct access to the ski area, cultural and sports venues, shops, restaurants and everyday services. Its FAQ recommends it as a straightforward starting point for discovering Courchevel.

It is also where the luxury boutiques are, mainly along the Croisette, near the grand hotels and the slopes, according to the tourist office. For families, the Family Park in Courchevel 1850 is listed among the resort's fun zones. The tourist office describes its atmosphere as lively, set by the rhythm of the seasons, events and local life, so it suits those who want to be at the centre of things more than those looking for quiet.

Which Courchevel village is best for families?

Several villages are presented by the tourist office as family-friendly, each with a different feel:

For beginners of any age, Courchevel Tourism points to its Easy Rider areas, which are wide, gently sloping zones with covered magic carpets designed for first turns.

Which Courchevel village feels the most traditional?

Le Praz is the answer most visitors are looking for. The tourist office calls it the historic village of the resort, built around its lake, bell tower and narrow streets, with a more local feel and Savoyard traditions. It also notes that Le Praz works for a non-ski or mixed stay, thanks to its lake, walks and shops.

La Tania offers a different kind of quiet. It was designed from the start to blend into the forest, with simple architecture, and the tourist office stresses its discreet location and true village feel. If you want trees around you rather than open slopes, La Tania is the one to look at.

Do all the villages open on the same date in 2026-2027?

Not quite. According to the official lift opening page of Les 3 Vallées, the lower sectors open a day later and two of them close a week earlier than the main area.

SectorLifts openLifts close
Courchevel (main opening)4 December 202618 April 2027
Courchevel Village5 December 202618 April 2027
Moriond5 December 202611 April 2027
La Tania5 December 202611 April 2027
Full 3 Vallées area5 December 202618 April 2027

If your trip falls in the last week of the season, staying higher up keeps more lifts on your doorstep. For snow, Courchevel Tourism notes that 85% of the 3 Vallées ski area lies above 1,800 m, so you can ski higher even when you stay lower down.

How do you get between the Courchevel villages?

Easily, and without a car. In winter, a free shuttle service links all the villages of Courchevel and the neighbouring hamlets, with real-time stops on the Mobilité Courchevel app. Urban lifts also help you move between levels, and Courchevel Tourism states that all the villages are connected by slopes and lifts during the day, so no transfer is needed while you ski.

Wherever you stay, you are on the same lift network: 150 km of marked slopes in Courchevel itself, linked to the 600 km of the 3 Vallées, which the tourist office describes as the largest ski area in the world, with 155 lifts and a top altitude of 3,230 m.

Which Courchevel village suits you? A quick comparison

If you wantConsiderWhy
The main shops, restaurants and facilities on footCourchevel 1850Where most of the resort's facilities and the luxury boutiques are concentrated
Sun and a relaxed, convivial villageMoriondSunny balcony, accommodation close to the slopes, lively but measured evenings
A calm, central base with direct slope accessCourchevel VillagePeaceful, central in the valley, connected by lifts and shuttles
Forest setting and a small, quiet resortLa TaniaHuman-sized, easy to navigate, direct access to the 3 Vallées
A traditional village and non-ski activitiesLe PrazLake, bell tower, narrow streets, village life in summer and winter

Planning around the holidays? Our Christmas and New Year guide covers the 2026-2027 dates, and our winter wedding guide explains the rules for couples.

Can you book a photo session wherever you stay in Courchevel?

Yes. Riva Photography Courchevel connects visitors with private photographers who ski, so a session can be built around your village, whether that is portraits in front of your chalet, a family run on the slopes, or a walk around the lake at Le Praz. The partner photographer invoices you directly.

DurationPhotos deliveredPrice (all taxes included)
1 hour30€590
2 hours60€790
Half day (4 hours)120€1,290
Full day (8 hours)250€1,970
Weekend (2 days)500+€2,970

For sessions on the slopes, the photographer's lift pass is added to the quote at the public price. First photos arrive within 48 hours and the full gallery within 7 days. If the weather turns, rescheduling is free when requested more than 72 hours before the session; below that, 10% of the price is due.

To plan a session, send your dates and the village you are staying in to Riva Photography Courchevel on WhatsApp at +33 6 30 85 92 05, or use the contact section.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Courchevel 1850 and Courchevel 1650?

Courchevel 1850 is the highest ski village, at 1,850 m, and the one where most of the resort's shops, restaurants and facilities are concentrated. Courchevel 1650, now called Moriond, sits at 1,650 m on a sunny balcony and has a more relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

Is Courchevel Village the same as Courchevel 1550?

Yes. Courchevel Tourism confirms that Courchevel Village is the current name of the village historically called Courchevel 1550. Both names refer to the same area, at 1,550 m according to the tourist office.

Is La Tania part of Courchevel?

Yes. La Tania is one of the ski villages within the commune of Courchevel, at 1,400 m, and Courchevel Tourism markets it as Courchevel La Tania. It has direct access to the Courchevel ski area and the 3 Vallées.

Which Courchevel village is best without a car?

All of them. Free shuttles link every village of Courchevel in winter, urban lifts connect levels, and the villages are connected by slopes and lifts during the day.

Which Courchevel village closes earliest in spring 2027?

The Moriond and La Tania sectors close on 11 April 2027, a week before the rest of Courchevel and the 3 Vallées, which close on 18 April 2027.

Planning a session in Courchevel?

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Sources

Facts, times and rules in this guide come from these sources, checked in October 2026.

Paul Compain founded Riva and writes the studio journal. He plans the sessions our partner photographers shoot in Courchevel and on the French Riviera.