SNOW

Ski hire - there are plenty of options but we’d recommend Skiset by the main entrance to our building. If you mention our name you should get 20% discount. Or email in advance to the manager
Nadège Costallat <nadege.costallat@sfr.fr>. She’s lovely and a great source for info on conditions.

Ski pass - you get these from the information office next door. You don’t even have to leave the building, just walk out of locker room take a left and then down the stairs.

Ski lifts - the main bubble (Ariondaz) leaves from behind our building. Ski schools meet in the same area. There is a free bus up to 1850 if you prefer which leaves from across the road. NEW FOR 2020 - a new ski lift Les Grandes Combes has opened by Aquamotion below 1650, connecting the area direct to 1850. And Le Praz snowfront has been redesigned with a fast gondola to 1850 as well.

Ski schools and guides – they all set off from the back of our building by the bubble lift. Besides ESF you can also use New Generation https://www.skinewgen.com/ski-schools/courchevel-1650/. If you want a private guide ask us as we may be able to help.

Luge - over 3kms of spine wrecking sledging from the top of the Ariondaz back down to our building. New for 2018 this runs at night on Tues & Thurs. You can buy tickets in advance with your ski pass to dodge queues. Not for the very small kids or very heavy Dads.

To get to the snow walk out of the door at the top of the steps by the ski locker room.

ANd more to do besides

Food Shopping - Spar across the road is large but expensive, Carrefour at the other end of 1650 is cheapest but further away, Utile in the middle of town next to the pharmacy is good, with a nice priced wine selection. Boulangerie Gandy is on the other side of the road on the left. There are a couple of good delicatessens in 1650 selling local produce such as Comte chees and invigorating Genepi.

Retail therapy - there’s plenty of shopping in 1650 while up the hill in 1850 you’ll find haut-coutre brands at eye watering prices. Ski wear is on sale at more attractive prices towards the end of the season.

Swimming - the Aquamotion pool is amazing, but not cheap. Take the escalators on the other side of the road opposite the Cabane bar, and then walk for about 10m downhill at the bottom. Take a half day off the slopes and enjoy the slides or a sauna instead.

Summer - there is plenty to do when the snow is gone, including biking, fishing, climbing and walking. Head down to La Praz as the best starting point. The Vanoise National Park is in within easy range, and follow the road up from Moriond to find the beautiful Lac Rosiere

Cash machine - there is one outside the main information centre.

Health centre - there is a small one next to tourist info in 1650, but the main one is in 1850.

EAT & DRINK on the SLOPES

You may well need to book tables in advance for lunches in the most popular spots on the slopes during busy weeks.

Bel Air - great views, steak hache, giant salads and cold rose at the top of the Ariondaz bubble. Perfect for a sunny day an easy option home, and less expensive than other mountain spots.

Pilatus - in 1850 just above the Altiport. Try to get a table in the main restaurant (ie not in the extension) in winter. Good food and good wine list. Not the cheapest but you can watch the billionaire’s helicopters arrive while you eat. No.2 son says it’s the best burger around.

Soucoupe - expensive but great blow out for the boys/girls weekend longest lunch on the slopes.  See also Le Cap Horn.

La Cave des Creux – upper mid-range, dependably good with a wine list

Le Table de Mon Grand Pere - sort of on the slopes but lower down in La Praz. Great burger.

Le Bistrot de Praz - again down in La Praz, opposite the lake.  Excellent food which would be far more expensive in 1850. Worth the trip.

Le Clos Bernard - fantastic spot hidden in the woods above Meribel Village, with access by the Loze chairlift. Enormous grill with specialties, great wine list and lovely enclosed outdoor area. And usually a horse & sled to get out to road - the ski in/out is a little challenging, especially after the wine…

Le Roc Tania - good stopping point on way to/from Méribel via the Col de la Loze chairlift. Good hot chocolate and good salads.

Le Bouc Blanc - above La Tania and Le Praz.  Less expensive, nice terrace and the roast chicken is huge. Amazing puddings.

Le Monchu - new management for a good spot under the Rhodos lift in Méribel. Good (very, says one of our boys) steak tartare, pastries and a very rich Reblochon pizza.

La Folie Douce - no need to explain. Not really the family lunch venue you might be seeking and make sure you have enough cash for the taxi home once you miss the last lift.

Le Tremplin - end of day drink on the croisettte in 1850. There is a restaurant but we’ve never got that far.

EAT LOCAL

Le Petit Savoyard - family run restaurant, probably the nicest in 1650. Good takeaway pizza.

Le Table de Marie - basic eatery with good pizza, burgers and Alpine favourites just to the right of our building.  Carafe of wine is good value for Courchevel.

La Portetta - from the good people who run Limewood in the UK this restaurant, bar and hotel is in 1650 to the right of us (left if facing the slopes out the back). Good pizzeria for lunch, nice terrace for drink and good restaurant. Bit pricey but worth it. Cocktails and free pizza on the fessing terrace apres ski.

Bistrot Le C – down the first escalator on the right, in the Le Residence. Its smart, not a Bistro but not pretentious with really good food that is different from typical Savoyard.

La Cabane - tiny drinking venue in the middle of 1650, with a seafood shop attached. The best bar in town..

Schuss Café – warm, good quality bar for all ages. Some burgers and charcuterie, beers and shows important sport (6 Nations etc) at the back.

Farenheit 7 - couldn’t be closer and a few different choices. Breakfast for €15 from 7am till 10:30 is an easy option. Piste side coffee and  chocolat chaud at Le Rotiserrie.  Late bar 2 floors away so live music shouldn’t be an issue and they are strict on noise anyway.

La Copina - new for 2019, a Spanish tapas bar & restaurant that is meant to be good and a bit different.

Creperie – not sure of the name, but it’s in the centre of the village and is good for crepes.

Funky Fox - are you 18-30? Do you wish you were? Want live music and sticky floors? End up here in 1650.

Bubble Bar – if you can’t find your teenage child look here.