Courchevel Celebrates 80 Years
Courchevel, the frst French ski resort built from the ground up to make winter sports and the mountains accessible to all, has embodied a pioneering spirit and showcased French modernity, innovation, and excellence since 1946.
80 years on, with major international sporting events on the horizon, including the 2030 Olympic Games, this founding vision remains intact. Today, Courchevel is much more than a resort; it has become an iconic destination, renowned worldwide for its exacting standards, its art de vivre, and its ability to bring people together and inspire them.
Everything in Courchevel inspires movement, exploration and discovery. From the endless slopes of the 3 Valleys, including the legendary Éclipse slope to the Olympic ski jumps and ice rink, the Avals Valley with its wild, unspoilt landscapes, the snow‑covered La Rosière Lake, the Émile Allais stadium, and the permanent Millet Ski Touring route, there is something for everyone. It’s the perfect destination to experience the mountains in a new way, combining adrenaline, contemplation, and the chance to push yourself to new heights.
New chapter for La Croisette: after 55 years, the Chenus gondola lift will be replaced by a state‑of‑the‑art transport link operated by POMA in winter 2025/2026. The transformation begins at the departure station, now repositioned at the heart of the front de neige to improve passenger fow and ease congestion around the Verdons area. At the summit, a more spacious arrival station will also offer new guest facilities: a picnic room, public restrooms, and a logistics area, designed to reduce the need for snow groomers and snowmobiles. A panoramic terrace and a relaxation area with wide bay windows offering sunshine right through to 1:50 p.m. in winter have also been created. Following the same route as before, the new installation will double capacity to 2,400 passengers per hour in 10‑seat EVO 2 cabins. Sustainability is central to the project, with 400 m² of solar panels, a rainwater recovery system, and specifc measures to protect biodiversity, such as work schedules adapted to local wildlife and reseeding impacted areas. A sustainable transformation perfectly aligned with the resort’s tradition of innovation, as summarised by Philippe Mottier, head of Courchevel’s ski lifts: ’Combining modernity, cutting‑edge technology and sustainability, this new gondola will welcome its frst passengers at the opening of the season. It will provide comfortable, fast and seamless access to the summit of the Loze massif. With this project, S3V champions a responsible and forward‑thinking vision for mountain tourism.’
A fagship destination for learning to ski in Courchevel, the Courchevel 1850 Children’s Village, one of the largest facilities of its kind in France, has undergone an ambitious transformation to offer even more comfort, safety and fun for young skiers. The traditional gondola lift has been replaced by three covered conveyor carpets measuring 90, 106 and 140 metres, to provide more variety and help children progress more easily throughout their learning process. The slopes have been completely redesigned to create skiing areas suitable for all levels, from Piou Piou, Ourson, Blanchot and Siffote to Flocon. To maximise fun, the lower part of the village will feature an imaginative new mini boardercross, complete with banked turns and whoops, offering a fun introduction to the thrill of speed. Also new: the conveyor carpets and the slope have been equipped with lighting and a sound system, allowing for private events outside regular hours, such as private lessons, sledding activities, exclusive bookings and more.
Especially since Courchevel, as is well known, has a knack for welcoming visitors wholeheartedly! Ever since Le Chalet Curtet café restaurant was established in Saint‑Bon in 1908, quickly becoming the Lac Bleu hotel, the resort has cultivated a sense of hospitality that has become its strength and signature.
Excellence à la française and Alpine art de vivre are celebrated in every village, at every level, with the resort boasting a lifestyle offering unrivalled anywhere else in the world: 43 hotels, including fve offcially designated ‘Palace’ luxury hotels, more Michelin stars than any other mountain resort, the world’s most prestigious brands, art galleries as well as a myriad of cultural, sporting and leisure activities.
Drawing on this unique blend of excellence, Courchevel will celebrate 80 years of history, skiing, passion, world‑class competitions, Michelin‑starred chefs, legendary champions, and visionary pioneers in 2026 A shared and unifying story, brought to life by locals and lovers of the resort, celebrated all year long through a rich program of events More than just an anniversary, these celebrations will be a living expression of Courchevel’s dual heritage of ‘sport and art of living’.
The new Maya hotel offers superbly appointed bedrooms and suites, ranging from 18 m² to 240 m², decorated in elegant shade of orange or blue grey. The Lalique Master Suite and Lalique Apartment both offer breathtaking mountain views, as well as a private massage room and artwork by Lalique and Takashi Murakami. The wellness offering is by Maya Well in partnership with the acclaimed high‑end Japanese skincare brand Forlle’d. Open to non‑residents, the MayaBay restaurant takes diners on a culinary voyage seasoned to perfection with Thai and Japanese flavours. Customers can also enjoy exquisite beverages from the mixology bar or a wine cellar stocked with exceptional vintages. Lalique, an exclusive partner of the hotel, will also offer a selection of unique pieces available for purchase in a dedicated boutique.
Just a stone’s throw from the slopes, Atmosphère 1850 covers 13 foors and 5,800 m², making it the tallest building in the resort. Designed by architect Rémi Giffon, the building is an ultra‑luxurious retreat clad in raw, noble materials such as solid wood, natural stone and bronze. The furniture, entirely crafted in the Rhône‑Alpes region, was custom‑ designed to create a seamlessly intimate and refined atmosphere, combining artisanal pieces, bold design and unparalleled comfort. The result is a stunning expression of French style, expertise and excellence.
Eighteen luxury suites for up to eight guests, together with a spectacular 680 m² suspended penthouse, are spread over three levels throughout the hotel. The residence not only includes a dream children’s playroom – a paradise for little ones, complete with a Lego® wall, climbing holds, a ball pit, and a library – it is also home to a 680 m² wellness area, a true sanctuary dedicated to well‑being. This remarkable cocoon for recharging your mind and body offers a 22‑metre indoor swimming pool, a panoramic sauna, a salt cave, a hammam, ftness, yoga and coaching studios, and three treatment rooms. Rounding out the experience are a restaurant, a ski shop and a dedicated concierge service, which orchestrates every last detail of your stay (from booking a chef or housekeeper to arranging unique activities such as snowmobile rides or hot air balloon fights).
Nestled in Courchevel 1850, the new Thai and Japanese restaurant MayaBay, set at the heart of Maya Hotel Courchevel, celebrates the fnest in Thai and Japanese cuisine in a serene, immersive, and delightfully exotic ambiance. Every detail has been considered to offer refned service and an epicurean journey to be shared, with each dish revealing delicate Asian favours. The promise of a truly unique sensory experience unfolds with every bite of hand roll gunkan urakami, tempura ikura tiger roll, grilled wagyu beef, prick prao lobster, ‘crying tiger’ beef or spice‑rubbed black cod. A few steps away, the MayaBay Bar & Lounge prolong this enchanting atmosphere with its creative mixology. Offering signature cocktails and expertly selected wines, this elegant setting is perfect for lingering into the evening or simply enjoying timeless moments.
Nestled in Courchevel 1850, the new Thai and Japanese restaurant MayaBay, set at the heart of Maya Hotel Courchevel, celebrates the fnest in Thai and Japanese cuisine in a serene, immersive, and delightfully exotic ambiance. Every detail has been considered to offer refned service and an epicurean journey to be shared, with each dish revealing delicate Asian favours. The promise of a truly unique sensory experience unfolds with every bite of hand roll gunkan urakami, tempura ikura tiger roll, grilled wagyu beef, prick prao lobster, ‘crying tiger’ beef or spice‑rubbed black cod. A few steps away, the MayaBay Bar & Lounge prolong this enchanting atmosphere with its creative mixology. Offering signature cocktails and expertly selected wines, this elegant setting is perfect for lingering into the evening or simply enjoying timeless moments.
From 20 December 2025, La Bokka, a new Italian restaurant and lively bar in Courchevel Moriond, will host spirited evenings celebrating gourmet cuisine and the timeless allure of la dolce vita. Designed with a friendly, festive and generous atmosphere in mind, the venue will host DJ sets and offer an array of transalpine specialities (pizzas, arancini, risottos, pasta, and more) in a reimagined baroque setting with a chic, show‑stopping vibe. For customers seeking a quieter atmosphere or those in a hurry, takeaway pizzas will be available to order. More than just a lively bar, the venue will take guests on a journey to Italy, treating them to its most delicious favours.
Fresh direction and menu for L’Apogée Courchevel (Oetker Collection) as it welcomes a Beefbar restaurant set in an entirely remodelled space from 12 December. The two separate dining rooms, along with the bar formerly situated to the left of the front desk, have been transformed into an all‑ new bar‑restaurant concept accessible from the majestic central staircase on the lower foor. The new layout is the brainchild of American designer Kelly Wearstler. Renowned for her bold style blending modernism, vintage pieces, and unexpected materials, this Courchevel project marks her European debut. Some pieces of furniture were even designed specifically for the occasion. Guests can anticipate an exquisite menu celebrating the fnest meats sourced from Japan, Australia, and the United States, presented with a chic cosmopolitan fair that redefnes the classic steakhouse cuisine.
A landmark address since 1979, the former “Le Gaulois” boutique in Courchevel Moriond has become the Grenier des Alpages. Entirely redesigned, this establishment blends authenticity and modernity to offer a warm welcome and a refreshed gourmet experience. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., it invites guests to enjoy a hot drink on its friendly terrace or in its cozy café area. Regional favors take center stage: Beaufort d’alpage from the Vallée des Avals, artisanal jams and honeys, award‑winning organic fir honey, Savoie wines and rare vintages, original liqueurs like Génépi Noir, and local craft beers.On the food side, visitors can indulge in a freshly made raclette sandwich, takeaway dishes, or ready‑to‑enjoy fondues and raclettes. This winter, Le Grenier des Alpages is also offering private candlelit raclette or fondue evenings with valley views, home catering services with full meal preparation, including their signature dessert, Pat’s apple omelet, as well as gourmet hampers and appetizer platters for events and seminars.
Located within the fve‑star Le Strato hotel, the two‑Michelin‑ starred restaurant Baumanière 1850, led by chef Thomas Prod’homme, joined the exclusive circle of two‑Michelin‑starred establishments last spring. A well‑deserved recognition for this intimate restaurant of just five tables, its uncompromisingly distinctive favours, unconventional dish names, elegantly clean plating and bold combinations. The chef’s training at L’Oustau de Baumanière, in Les Baux‑de‑Provence, guides guests on a culinary journey that marries alpine ingredients with vibrant southern infuences. According to the famous red guide, the menu at Baumanière 1850** displays a certain ‘creativity, ambition and level of risk‑taking’. Signature dishes include homemade farfalle served with chicken oysters, onion and Tomme de Savoie cheese, inspired by the nostalgia of childhood memories.
At every turn, in every season, the resort invites you to savour nature’s playground, whether you’re on your own or with family and friends. Whether you’re pushing yourself to new limits or simply reconnecting, you’ll fnd the pure joy of soaking up exceptional landscapes in the heart of the Alps.
