Courchevel Family Holidays & Breaks

Overview

Occupying one of the famous interlinked Three Valleys or Trois Vallées (the other resorts in this area are Méribel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires), Courchevel offers access to more than 600km of piste accessed by almost 200 lifts.

Courchevel actually comprises four different resorts named by altitude: 1850, 1650, 1550 and 1300 (La Praz). The last, the most attractive, is connected to 1850 and above by gondola.

Like many mountain resorts, Courchevel is also a great place to escape to in summer, with activities for all ages that make it a fantastic alternative to the beach.

Things to do with kids in Courchevel

Ski on a choice of 275 pistes. Beginners generally learn at Courchevel 1850 with its extensive nursery slopes. Intermediates and advanced skiers can't fail to enjoy themselves immensely, either – if the groomed pistes don't excite, book a guided off-piste tour. Snowboarders and cross-country skiers are well catered for too, and there are enchanting torchlit descents to take part in.

Enjoy a whole range of other activities including snowcat-driving, skating on an Olympic rink, snowmobiling, sledging, 'fat-biking' (snow mountain-biking), paragliding, Segway, ski joering, snowshoeing and hot-air ballooning. Don't miss the fantastic 3,000m toboggan run from the top of the Moriond bubble lift to the village, floodlit by night. Indoors, take your pick from bowling, language-learning and more.

In summer, choose from an even greater array of outdoor delights, including hiking amidst the wildlife of the Vanoise National Park, via ferrata, canyoning and rafting, orienteering, mountain-biking, horse-riding, ziplining, wakeboarding, fishing and yoga. The resort is also lively with the likes of archery, 'beach' volleyball, 'bubble football' and paintballing, and there's even a Nerf park.

All year round, have fun at Aquamotion, the largest waterpark in the mountains of Europe, including a racer slider and an indoor-outdoor lagoon.

Wildlife in winter.

Eat

If you're staying in a chalet or hotel, dinner will be included, but at lunch you can sample fare at around 50 restaurants serving local mountain cuisine and/or international favourites.

Spa pool at Aquamotion.

When to go to Courchevel

Because of its altitude, the Three Valleys ski region offers good snow cover into spring, and Courchevel's ski season runs from mid-December to mid-April. With younger kids, try to come in January (much cheaper than February half term but extremely cold) or March (more expensive than January but less cold).

Goats in summer.

Cost

Courchevel is a popular ski resort, and in February half-term, adults won't get much change from £1,500, before ski passes and equipment. At other times, prices can be half that. Self-catering options can keep prices down.