Not everyone skis, and a week in the mountains is about more than lifts. Courchevel, and Le Praz in particular, can fill whole days without ever putting on ski boots.
Walking and breathing
- —A loop of Le Praz lake, on foot from the chalet
- —Snowshoe trails through larch forest, guided or not
- —A walk up to the 1992 Olympic ski jumps
- —Take the gondola up and lunch on the mountain without skiing
Adrenaline
Husky sledding at first light, snowmobiles on closed pistes in the evening, tandem paragliding from the Saulire, sledging on a dedicated run: book these the day before, and note that some run only a few days a week.
Wellbeing
Aquamotion, the largest mountain aquatic centre in Europe, is in Courchevel Village. But the advantage of a well-equipped chalet is not having to leave: a private 10-metre indoor pool, sauna, and in-house massages we arrange with therapists from the valley.
Culture and village life
Le Praz has kept its 17th-century church, wooden farms and village atmosphere, a world away from 1850. It is also the site of the Albertville Olympic ski jumps, visible from the lake. In winter, exhibitions and concerts run through the resort.
Shopping and food
Courchevel 1850 concentrates the luxury boutiques and starred restaurants: an afternoon covers it, and the Le Praz gondola means no driving. For local produce, the valley markets and cheesemakers are worth the trip.
A typical non-ski day
Snowshoeing in the morning, lunch in the village, pool and sauna at the chalet in the afternoon, dinner cooked by the chef: the mountains at your own pace, with no lift queues.