Courchevel Sets Up For Winter Season

They’re preparing a wonderful winter for you in Courchevel… Here’s an exclusive sneak-peek at some of  new developments for next winter!

SKI AREA Even more comfort

A new 10-seater gondola lift The snow front in Courchevel Le Praz, the entry point to the ski area, has been completely reconfigured. Following a redesigned route, a new 10-seater gondola lift will connect Courchevel Le Praz to the centre of Courchevel 1850 in under 6 minutes. The departure station will be housed in the new Alpinium multiservice building; the arrival station will be just underneath Courchevel 1850’s Croisette. The latter’s entire snow front has been redesigned to provide easier and more practical links for pedestrians, the top of the toboggan run has been reorganised and the Tovets chair lift has been moved to a slightly new position.

A new 4-seater chair lift Better connections to the ski area: a new 4-seater Grandes Combes chair lift linking the new 4-star Hôtel L’Écrin Blanc (openning in December 2019), right opposite the Aquamotion centre, to Courchevel 1850. A new 1-kilometre blue run will serve the site.

FREERIDE

Les Creux Noirs, THE powder snow spot Welcome to Freeride LAB, Courchevel’s powder snow laboratory, the perfect place to become an unparalleled allterrain skier! This demanding high-altitude sector providing access to renowned offpiste areas and unique panoramic views is adopting a new look: 2 red runs and the black run will be left ungroomed but made safe throughout the winter.

SPORTS CLUB

A move on the horizon The Courchevel Sports Club will be moving location to a brand new 3,000square metre building at the bottom of the slalom stadium (completion planned for 2023). It will comprise the administrative offices, 2 events halls including one that can be used as a training hall, changing rooms and a car park for 20 cars. The project has largely been enabled thanks to a gift from British businessman and sports fan Jim Ratcliffe, whose daughter is a Club member. He wanted to make the Club financially independent and provide it with high-tech infrastructure to welcome young skiers.

EQUIPMENT

18,000m2 of services Alpinium, a new multiservice building that blends perfectly into the landscape, is set to open this winter. The aim is to modernise and improve the resort’s facilities, rejig the snow front in Courchevel Le Praz’s and provide more parking. • 2 storey car park for 500 cars • 350m2 modern multimedia library • Sports ground that will be home to the 2023 World Ski Championships finish line, with a roof terrace viewing point • New gondola lift station with a new gondola lift connecting Courchevel Le Praz to Courchevel 1850 • As well as: children’s area, multipurpose hall, entrance lobby with skipass sales desk, French Ski School and Courchevel Tourism reception areas, toilets, ski lockers, ski lift offices as well as an office for associations.

SKI ALPIN

The 2023 World Championships in the starting blocks A word from Perrine Pelen, appointed Organisation Committee Director in April 2019 “The World Championships will be an opportunity to showcase the sports DNA that’s been part of the resort for so long now. Our goal is to make people want to be a part of this incredible skiing experience and to join us in a huge celebration. This will be the skiing world’s flagship event of the next 15 years, and a chance to let Courchevel, Méribel, Savoie and France shine…”

EVENTS

Major sporting highlights! • January 2020: The Roc Merlet Derby is changing format. You need to be invited by a resort ambassador to take part. After a course recce the day before, participants will set off from the Courchevel Moriond summit (top of the Pyramides ski tow) and head down to the snow front. • 11th April 2020: Winter Legacy by Alexis Pinturault is a new fun, celebratory event combining skiing and music. On the programme: a 4-person or individual start for a brand-new ski race comprising a series of several disciplines over the Combe de la Saulire (moguls, giant, ski cross, waterslide…), with entertainment and a concert. • The PLUM MOONtain Races are returning after a 5-year absence. This exceptional ski mountaineering climb to the Col de la Loze takes place under a full-moon (10th January, 7th February and 6th March). After a meal at Le 1928 slopeside restaurant, everyone skis back down holding a torch aloft. An accessible, highly unusual sporting event!

FRENCH SKI SCHOOL

A range of new developments • A Made In Courchevel uniform The French Ski School Collection uniform was designed by instructors from the Courchevel 1850 French Ski School, for the ski school’s instructors, in collaboration with CEPOVETT, France’s leader in professional apparel: a ski school first. Worn in extreme weather conditions, these outfits needed to be adaptable so were designed to have multiple layers able to be worn on top of each other (down jacket interior, softshell outer layer, etc). Ultra-technical and attractive, this collection was tested and approved by a dozen ski instructors last winter. Bonus: to be eco-friendly, the uniforms will be recycled into ski gear accessories (rucksacks, belts…) available to purchase at the French Ski School shop. • A French Ski School office is opening in Courchevel Le Praz It will now be possible to book ski lessons directly in Courchevel Le Praz, in an office housed in the Alpinium building. • A new reception for Moriond French Ski School’s Club Piou-Piou Extending over 160m2, this new area will be somewhere warm for children aged between 3 and 5 to come before ski lessons and during breaks. It will offer a dedicated reception, a large room for mid-morning and afternoon snacks, a ski room with boot warmers, etc. Following the Adventures of Piou-Piou has never been so comfortable!

FUN ZONE

Native Americans are returning to their territory in the wild canyon of Courchevel Moriond. Skiers will be able to follow in the tracks of brave young Native American Kaya and meet the mountain spirits while having a great time: pass underneath the giant chief’s headdress, slalom between the spirits of nature and pose for a photo with Kaya and his little silver fox. La Chamane camp boasts games to delight all 5 senses.

GUIDES

Even higher up! This winter the Mountain Guides Office has 4 new products to catch your eye:

• MOUNTAIN COACHING Skiing and sharing tips: adapting to different snow types, managing your exertion levels, nutrition, packing your bag, learning to get your bearings, getting the best from your equipment, carrying out a rescue.
• SKI N’FLY: A ski touring climb with a paragliding descent as your reward!
• SKI FITNESS NATURE: Combining fitness and ski touring, in the heart of nature.
• EVEN HIGHER UP: In a roped party with a guide, climb an ice waterfall on a route along a wild mountain ridge.