Buying a Property in Courchevel with Alice Autran Garcia, Athena Advisers.

If in the summer, the high society anchors in St Tropez, it’s in the Courchevel valley that they clink their champagne glasses in the winter. Charming, sophisticated, and above all, perfect for alpine sports, this valley of four completely different resorts, brings together the perfect conditions for skiing and all sorts of fun. It’s no wonder that there is so much interest from people looking for properties for sale in Courchevel.

Courchevel has some of the best skiing across Les Trois Vallées, The Three Valleys, which is the largest and most well-connected ski area in the world. There are more than 600 kilometres of pistes, connected by 180 lifts where every season is a parade of characters from the international jet-set to local families who live nearby.

“Courchevel is very internationally known if you look at the nationalities who come here. Of course, we have the French, all the Europeans, even our British friends, but also across the border or Europe with Americans, Brazilians, South Americans, so it is very, very international here.” (Charles Antoine Sialelli, Destination Adviser, Athena Advisers)

Composed of four different villages, each named after its altitude, they are quite different amongst themselves. In 1850, the most luxurious of the four, you can have a Michelin star dinner, or rub shoulders with royalty. Catch a wave in 1650’s impressive multi-million Euro aqua centre; get a ride on one of the world’s fastest lifts in 1550; or feel like you are time-travelling into a Savoyard wonderland at 1300.

But, the most special thing about Courchevel is the quality of its slopes for all levels of adrenalin. Most of them are for beginners, which makes it a family paradise, but Courchevel can also boast having some of the most challenging slopes on earth. Yet, here there is life beyond the snow season. For some, it is when everything melts that the holidays begin. Who would have thought that you could surf artificial waves in a mountain resort? In Courchevel, anything and everything is possible.

With huge renovation plans underway, there is excellent potential for capital appreciation in this resort as well as generating strong rental yields, especially during the 2023 World Ski Championships.

In Courchevel, the most expensive properties tend to be found in the highest villages and, as many of the piste-side plots here are already occupied up by hotels, ski-in ski-out properties are especially sought-after.

One of the most popular resorts in the French Alps, Courchevel was named the 3rd best European ski destination in CN Traveler’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards. Its international appeal means that owning a property here not only allows you to have a home away from home in one of the chicest resorts in the Alps, but it also enables you to generate strong rental yields when you are not occupying the property yourself. The Alpine World Ski Championships will also have a significant impact on rental demand throughout the 14-day event as around 20,000 visitors per day will be heading to Courchevel and Méribel. See our Complete Guide to Renting Out Ski Property in the French Alps to learn how to reclaim the VAT from a new-build property in Courchevel and some tips for maximising rental income.

Property prices in Courchevel continue to rise with an increase of 2.3% recorded in 2019 (UBS) and with regeneration plans in action to help the resort prepare for the Alpine World Ski Championships, there is strong potential for capital appreciation.

Though Courchevel is most famous for its skiing, it becomes a great hiking destination during the summer with more than 260km of paths to explore. Whilst routes vary in difficulty, you can expect breathtaking Alpine scenery at every turn.

Mountain bike enthusiasts should check out Courchevel’s MTB trails. All of the routes are marked and if you do not fancy cycling uphill there are several free ski lifts in operation during the summer. 

There are also several cultural and sporting events held throughout the warmer months including Pyro Symphony Live. Held at nightfall, this Pyro Symphony Live marries classical music, ballet and fireworks in a spectacular open-air event.

Alongside Méribel, Courchevel will be hosting the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2023 and the front de neige of Courchevel Le Praz is undergoing an ambitious €26.6m renovation project which includes a brand-new super leisure centre called Alpinium and a new highspeed lift which can take skiers from Courchevel Le Praz up to Courchevel 1850 in just under six minutes. However, the star of the show is the new black run which descends 3,200m from Col de la Loze and ends atop the Alpinium sports centre: l’Éclipse. The run has already been recognised as one of the most challenging in the pistes in the world, making it a must-visit for seasoned skiers. Head to Athena Journal and take a look at our article covering the Alpine World Ski Championships 2023, to learn more about the new infrastructure plans and the effect that the event will have on Courchevel. 

The lake in Le Praz is also having a makeover to improve the resort’s snowmaking facilities and to make it a pleasant destination during the summer by expanding the promenade.

One of the most glamorous resorts in the French Alps, Courchevel was conceptualised by architect and avid-skier Laurent Chappis whilst he was held as a prisoner of war in Austria.  Once liberated, Chappis was able to put his plans into action and Courchevel 1850 became the very first French ski resort to be created completely from scratch. At the time, other resorts were based around existing villages. 

By 1959, Courchevel was well on the way to becoming the world-class resort it is today with several lifts and cable cars in action as well as plenty of accommodation for tourists. Another first for Courchevel, in 1961 construction began on the Courchevel altiport which was first mountain international airport and is famous for its short runway of just over 500m.

Courchevel had an important role during the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympic Games, as Courchevel Le Praz hosted the ski jumping events as well as the Nordic combined competitions. Since the games, Courchevel as solidified itself as one of the most upmarket resorts in the French Alps. It is here that you will find seven Michelin-starred restaurants, a plethora of high-end boutiques and a number of iconic hotels, including two prestigious hotels which have been awarded the coveted ‘Palace’ status.

Part of the largest interconnected ski domain in the world, the Three Valleys, Courchevel boasts access to 600km of groomed pistes as well as more than 120km of cross-country skiing. Impressive skiing credentials aside, Courchevel is also famous for its unique villages, each of which has a different atmosphere and appeal. When buying a ski property in Courchevel, take some time to familiarise yourself with each of the villages to work out which one is best suited to your lifestyle and budget. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we would be delighted to arrange a call to discuss your options.

Courchevel 1850 is the highest and most prestigious of the resorts and it is here where you can rub shoulders with royalty or enjoy palatial living yourself by staying in Palace status hotel. The resort boasts an impressive array of boutiques and high-end designer stores as well as myriad fine dining establishments, including Le 1947 which has been awarded three Michelin stars.

A little lower down, Courchevel Moriond, previously called Courchevel 1650, offers easy access to Courchevel 1850 but it is a destination in its own right, not a mere satellite village. The most famous attraction in this village is the impressive Aquamotion aqua centre which has a dazzling array of pools, waterslides, diving boards and spa treatments.

Courchevel Village, formerly known as Courchevel 1550, is one of the most reasonably priced neighbourhoods in the resort. With everything centralised, the village is hugely popular with families and boasts a diverse array of restaurants and a fun toboggan run.

Finally, Courchevel Le Praz, or Courchevel 1300, is arguably the most authentic village in the resort and exudes Savoyard charm with its narrow streets and traditional wood and stone architecture. From here, it takes just under six minutes to get to Courchevel 1850 via the new ski lift.