Courchevel is turning 80. Built from scratch in 1946 to make the mountains and skiing accessible to all, the French Alpine resort marks its anniversary this winter with a year-long programme of events. Navneet Mendiratta spoke to Thierry Mugnier, President of Courchevel Tourisme, who was in India recently, with a clear message: “We have only one brand, and that is Courchevel. And, it is perfect for all seasons.” All events planned in the coming months work towards a vision that pairs international excellence with a sustainable future, he shared. With the 2030 Winter Olympics approaching, the timing could hardly be better.
The festivities open on December 4 with an evening at the Forum ice rink. Expect live performances, an anniversary film and a preview of the official photo book from Éditions de La Martinière, which runs to nearly 250 photographs. Families can race down the Saulire in the Super Game, a board game designed entirely by the local council and its residents. HEAD has created a black anniversary ski inspired by painter Pierre Soulages, limited to 199 pairs. The Société des 3 Vallées also turns 80 and marks it with a documentary and the portrait exhibition 25 visages, une histoire, open from November 20.
New addresses abound. Bârma, in La Tania, offers 51 rooms, 24 suites and a Susanne Kaufmann spa. The 31-room Bourbon Hotel in Courchevel 1850 trades mountain clichés for the hush of a London club. Hôtel Saint Roch, from Maisons Pariente, brings a dacha-inspired retreat with a Tata Harper spa. In December, Steamboat and Sundance open in Moriond, pairing luxury apartments with five-star service. Among the refreshed favourites, La Sivolière unveils Courchevel's longest pool at 25 metres, and K2 Palace presents 29 redesigned rooms and suites.
Courchevel now counts seven Michelin-starred restaurants with 11 stars between them. L'Altitude at the K2 Altitude has just earned its first. Simonetta, Simone Zanoni's Italian restaurant at the Bourbon, promises a Dolce Vita atmosphere, while ZIA at La Sivolière brings a Negroni Club to the slopes. Le Strato's two-starred restaurant reopens as Slalom 1850 under chef Thomas Prod'Homme. From December 19, ARVI at Steamboat serves Savoyard classics such as fondue, raclette and tartiflette.
Courchevel's 150 kilometres of slopes form the gateway to Les 3 Vallées, the world's largest linked ski area at 600 kilometres. Around half the terrain suits beginners and intermediates, with ten free lifts and a Mini Pass from €38.50. New this season are a 300 m² panoramic terrace at Les Chenus, a premium "Esperluette" pass for ski-school clients and Fera Lumia, a reimagined night-time toboggan run lit through the fir trees. For slower days, the Bureau des Guides offers low-carbon outings including Sunset Closing, Nordic Yoga and a history-themed snowshoe walk.
The calendar is packed. A night slalom at the Women's World Cup lights up the Émile-Allais stadium on December 22. In 2027, local Olympic champion Emily Harrop headlines the Ski Mountaineering World Cup from January 14 to 16. Alexis Pinturault's Winter Legacy follows on April 4, with the Dynastar X3 multisport challenge on April 11.
Looking ahead, Courchevel Le Praz will host the 2030 ski jumping events and the speed events on the Éclipse. As Mayor Jean-Yves Pachod puts it, the resort needs no new large-scale complexes, only to make the most of what it already has. After 80 years, Courchevel is still building on its pioneering start.