One hundred and fifteen properties. That’s what confronts you when browsing Courchevel ski rentals for the first time. Studios, apartments, chalets, duplexes—each promising mountain views and unforgettable holidays. The reality? Without clear selection criteria, you risk overpaying for a location that disappoints or booking a property that doesn’t match your group’s needs.
Courchevel is a resort with many faces, as it is made up of 6 villages spread up the mountainside, according to Les 3 Vallées official data. Each village—from prestigious 1850 to traditional Le Praz—offers distinct atmospheres, price points, and slope access. The difference between a successful ski holiday and a frustrating one often comes down to matching the right property type to your specific party.
This guide cuts through the marketing language to reveal which accommodation genuinely delivers on its promises. You’ll learn to compare property types, understand resort level differences, and verify ski-in/ski-out claims before committing your deposit.
Apartments, Chalets, or Duplexes: Matching Property Type to Your Group
The assumption that chalets always offer better value for groups is one worth challenging. From handling Courchevel bookings, the most common mismatch occurs when families squeeze into undersized apartments because chalets seemed too expensive—only to discover they could have secured a larger Village chalet for similar weekly rates.
Booking example: British family, February half-term 2024
A family of six—parents and four children aged 8-16—initially targeted a Courchevel 1850 apartment with a €8,000 weekly budget. Capacity proved too tight for comfortable living. The solution? A Courchevel Village chalet with outdoor jacuzzi, extra bedroom, larger living space, and 40% cost saving. The trade-off was a 5-minute gondola ride to 1850 slopes. Worth it.
Property types serve different purposes. Studios and compact apartments suit couples or solo travellers prioritising location over space. Standard apartments accommodate families of 4-6 guests with separate bedrooms and equipped kitchens. Duplexes offer multi-level living with enhanced privacy between generations. Chalets provide standalone properties with premium amenities—fireplaces, terraces, sometimes private saunas or jacuzzis.
Capacity matters more than you might expect. Properties listing “sleeps 6” often count sofa beds in living areas—fine for young children, less comfortable for teenagers or visiting friends. Verify actual bedroom count and bed configurations before booking. Ask whether capacity includes children specifically.
| Property Type | Ideal Group Size | Price Range/Week | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/Compact Apartment | 2 guests | €2,250-3,500 | Central location, basic kitchen | Couples, solo skiers |
| Standard Apartment | 4-6 guests | €3,800-6,500 | Separate bedrooms, equipped kitchen, balcony | Families with children |
| Duplex | 6-8 guests | €5,500-9,000 | Multi-level, privacy between floors | Multi-generational groups |
| Chalet | 6-10 guests | €7,500-13,800+ | Standalone, fireplace, terrace, premium amenities | Groups of friends, luxury seekers |
Large families face particular challenges finding appropriate space without excessive cost. Understanding types of accommodation for large families helps narrow options before browsing individual properties. My recommendation: start with required bedroom count, then filter by resort level rather than beginning with location and compromising on space.
Courchevel 1850, Moriond, Village, or Le Praz: Choosing Your Resort Level
A 30-40% price difference separates comparable properties in Courchevel Village from those in 1850. That’s €3,000-4,000 saved on a typical family chalet—enough to cover ski passes and transfers for the entire party. The question isn’t whether 1850 is better; it’s whether the premium delivers value matching your priorities.
Price reality check: Weekly rentals range from 2250 € (compact apartment in Moriond) to €13,800+ (premium chalet in 1850). Village and Le Praz typically offer 30-40% savings versus 1850 for comparable space and amenities.
Courchevel 1850 offers incomparable quality of service with seventeen 5-star hotels and 3 ‘palaces’, according to Les 3 Vallées tourism data. This concentration of luxury creates an atmosphere distinct from other resort levels—designer boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, international clientele. Properties here command premium rates regardless of size or specific features.
Courchevel Moriond (1,650m) is bathed in sunlight and offers an exceptional view of the surrounding mountains. The atmosphere here skews younger, more lively—good après-ski options, family-friendly pricing, direct lift access to the main ski area. Properties book quickly for half-term weeks.
What the property listings don’t tell you: First-time visitors to Courchevel 1850 often assume every property offers direct slope access. The reality varies significantly by location within the resort. Properties in Jardin Alpin or Nogentil areas typically deliver true ski-in/ski-out convenience, while others may require shuttle transfers during peak morning hours—sometimes 15-20 minutes of waiting.
Village (1,550m) and Le Praz (1,300m) attract families seeking quieter evenings and authentic village atmosphere. Le Praz hosted Olympic ski jumping events and retains traditional Savoyard character—stone buildings, local restaurants, genuine community feel. The trade-off: longer gondola rides to reach upper slopes.
For exploring property availability across all four resort levels, altitude-courchevel.com provides listings filtered by location, capacity, and amenities. Comparing options side-by-side clarifies which level matches your expectations.
Which Courchevel level suits your priorities?
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Priority: Prestige and central location
Choose 1850. Accept premium pricing for designer shopping, fine dining, and international atmosphere.
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Priority: Value and lively après-ski
Choose Moriond. Similar slope access, younger vibe, 25-30% savings versus 1850.
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Priority: Family atmosphere and quieter pace
Choose Village or Le Praz. Traditional character, 30-40% savings, gondola access to upper slopes.
Ski-In/Ski-Out, Services, and Booking: Practical Essentials
The term ski-in/ski-out appears in countless property descriptions. Not all claims are equal. The most common mistake visitors make is assuming this phrase means stepping directly from your door onto pistes. In practice, definitions vary—some properties require 100-metre walks to lifts, others involve shuttle rides to gondola stations marketed as “ski access.”
Verify specifics before booking. Ask the exact distance to the nearest lift or piste. Request the name of that lift—you can then check its location on resort maps. Properties in Jardin Alpin, Nogentil, or directly on the Bellecôte piste genuinely deliver door-to-slope convenience. Others require more honesty about morning routines.
When NOT to prioritise ski-in/ski-out: families with young children who won’t ski full days may prefer quieter locations away from slope traffic. Budget-conscious groups can accept 5-minute shuttle rides in exchange for significantly larger properties. Readers seeking peaceful evenings may prefer Le Praz’s village setting over the convenience of noisy slope-side apartments.
Peak season properties in Courchevel book 6-9 months ahead, according to analysis by Ski Solutions travel experts. The most popular times to travel are generally during the holiday periods, particularly over Christmas and New Year, and the half-term week in February. Secure your deposit 4-6 months before arrival to guarantee your preferred accommodation. Finalise additional services—transfers, ski passes, equipment delivery—2-3 months out.
Ski resorts were major winners during the year-end holidays, achieving an 85% occupancy rate according to latest tourism statistics from France. This demand pressure means desirable properties disappear quickly. Waiting until autumn for February bookings typically leaves only overpriced or poorly-located options.
Pre-booking verification for Courchevel rentals
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Confirm exact distance to nearest lift or piste (request lift name) -
Verify guest capacity includes children counts separately -
Check parking availability if driving from UK -
Confirm Wi-Fi speed and included amenities (linens, towels, cleaning) -
Ask about bundled services: airport transfers, ski pass collection, equipment delivery
Groups travelling with friends may prefer standalone properties offering privacy and shared living spaces. Exploring chalet rentals for your mountain stay provides options specifically suited to social skiing holidays where après-ski happens at home.
The 2025-2026 ski season runs from to , according to official ski pass pricing for 2025-2026. Courchevel Valley ski passes are free for children under 5 and over 75—worth noting when calculating total holiday costs. Start your property search now if targeting Christmas or February dates. Your ideal rental exists. Finding it requires asking the right questions before someone else secures it.