Ski resorts

Méribel, the ideal neighbour for a change of scene

Set in the centre of the Three Valleys, Méribel is the easiest resort to fit into a stay in Courchevel: ski there in the morning, lunch in the sun and head back at the end of the day without ever leaving the same ski area.

Its village of steep-roofed chalets with stone and timber façades has a more authentic feel than the grand hotels of Courchevel 1850, popular with families and lovers of traditional mountain life.

For non-skiers, the snowshoe trails around Lac de Tuéda in Mottaret and the shops in the village centre are worth half a day on their own.

Our chauffeur can take you there one way or stay with you all day, bringing you back to Courchevel at the time you choose.

In the evening, the restaurants and bars in the centre stay lively until late, a more relaxed alternative to the Courchevel 1850 scene for dinner with friends; your chauffeur comes back for you at the agreed time.

Val Thorens, for reliable skiing early and late in the season

When the snow is slow to arrive in December or starts to melt in April, Val Thorens remains the safe bet of the Three Valleys: its altitude, the highest of any ski resort in Europe, keeps conditions good long after most of its neighbours.

Its young, festive atmosphere, international competitions and lively snow front make it a favourite with groups of friends, with nightlife very different from Courchevel's.

At the far end of the Belleville valley, the resort is reached by car via Moûtiers, a longer route than to Méribel but easy to arrange with a chauffeur used to snowy roads.

For an evening up there, a chauffeur by the hour lets you return to Courchevel whenever you like, even late at night, without hunting for a taxi at altitude.

Families will find fun areas for children, while keen skiers enjoy runs laid out at more than 3,000 metres.

Val d'Isère, an escape beyond the Three Valleys

The only resort in this selection outside the Three Valleys, Val d'Isère opens up a whole other playground, the Espace Killy shared with Tignes, ideal for varying your runs during a week in Courchevel.

Experienced skiers will find vast off-piste routes and legendary slopes, starting with the Face de Bellevarde, which hosts a round of the Alpine Ski World Cup every winter.

Allow around an hour and a half by road from Courchevel: the transfer is arranged the day before, with an early start to make the most of your day there.

Your chauffeur stays available while you ski, then drives you back to Courchevel in the late afternoon or after dinner in the old village.

The village is also worth a visit in its own right: its shops, restaurants and old church make it a pleasant outing for family members who do not ski.

A full day lets you discover another ski area without changing accommodation, an idea that appeals to skiers spending the whole week in Courchevel.

Courchevel 1850, the hub of your stay

Even if you are staying in Courchevel 1650, 1550 or Le Praz, 1850 is where most of the resort's fine-dining restaurants, designer boutiques and nightlife are concentrated.

Getting there in your own car is impractical, though: steep streets, scarce parking and heavy traffic at the end of the day complicate every trip, especially in high season.

A private chauffeur removes these constraints by dropping you at the door of each address, for lunch on the slopes, an afternoon of shopping or dinner in the heart of the village.

Several trips on the same day can be combined into a single booking by the hour, simpler and often better value than a series of separate rides.

For guests staying in Moriond or Le Praz, a chauffeur also means reaching 1850 in the evening without relying on the shuttle buses, which run less often once the slopes close, then heading back whenever suits you.

La Tania, the family choice

Smaller and quieter than its neighbours, La Tania appeals to families looking for a stay at the foot of the slopes, away from the bustle of Courchevel 1850, while staying connected to the whole of the Three Valleys.

Its fir-lined runs, sheltered from the wind, are invaluable on bad-weather days when visibility deteriorates on the peaks.

It is just a few minutes' drive from Le Praz: a real advantage for dinner in Courchevel in the evening before returning to peace and quiet.

Pushchairs, sledges and the whole family's skis fit in a Mercedes V-Class, with child seats fitted before you arrive.

Ski schools and children's snow gardens are at the foot of the village, so the youngest can start learning a stone's throw from your accommodation.

For parents treating themselves to a romantic evening in Courchevel, a return trip with a chauffeur means no driving on the mountain road on the way back.

In the evening the village stays peaceful, an ideal atmosphere for resting after a long day on the slopes with the children.