Luxury holidays in Courchevel

When to 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.

Getting there

• Planes

  Chambéry airport is nearest and just under 90 minutes' drive away. It’s about three hours to Lyon and Geneva airports. Helicopter and private plane transfers to the Courchevel Altiport are the most convenient, but the landings and take-offs look quite terrifying if you ask us. Contact Whitetracks (+44 (0)779 664 0841) for helicopter transfers.

• Trains

  Eurostar operates a convenient overnight Ski Train service in season. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays stopping at Moûtiers, 30 minutes from Courchevel (www.eurostar.com).

• Automobiles

  Follow the E711 and E70 from Lyon, or the E25 and E712 from Geneva to Chambéry. Take the péage to Albertville and then the N90 dual carriageway to Moûtiers. Just beyond the town, the road to Courchevel climbs the mountainside in a series of tight hairpin bends.

• Taxis

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