Local knowledge

Taxis

Call +33 (0)4 79 01 10 10 to pre-order a taxi from Locatax, based in the heart of Courchevel.

Tipping culture

A service charge is normally added to your bill (‘service compris’) in restaurants and cafés but it’s still customary to leave a small tip. For taxi fares, add 10 per cent to the metered charge

Siesta and fiesta

Keen skiers start their day early, with most slopes up and running from around 9am until around 5pm – then the après-ski scene kicks in – most bars and clubs stay open until early morning.

Cuisine

Raclette, tartiflette and fondue are deliciously filling and will replace all the energy you’ve expended on the slopes. Wild mushrooms are particularly good in fondues while the local smoked pork and cured ham are full of flavour. Epogne is baked dough filled with cheese and vegetables and makes for a great snack. Forest berries and orchard fruits are often made into irresistible desserts.

Regional specialities

Savoyard specialities include the region’s strong Beaufort and Reblochon cheeses. Pike, perch and trout come from the Alpine rivers and from Lake Annecy; Fera fish paté is a delicacy. You should also try the herb-laden pormoniers sausages and the terrines; both are excellent with the local Mondeuse red. Chez le Gaulois at Le Forum in Courchevel has an extensive selection of gourmet goodies, including hams, cheeses, and a superb range of Cognac.

Currency

Euro.

Time zone

GMT +1.

Dialling codes

Country code for France: +33. Courchevel: (0)4.

Do go/don't go

The ski season lasts from early December until April, with Christmas the busiest time. The resort is popular with Russians so Orthodox Christmas on 7 January is lively too. Courchevel needs the rest of the year to recover; it’s very quiet out of season.