Courchevel

Courchevel 1850 is not subtle, and it doesn't try to be. This is the resort where Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern royal families, and European industrialists spend GBP 50,000-200,000/week on chalets, and where the village infrastructure has been built to match. Three Michelin-starred restaurants at altitude. Helicopter transfers direct to the piste. Private shopping appointments at Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

The chalet stock reflects this market position. The top tier features cinema rooms, indoor pools, hammams, and staff quarters for teams of 6-8. Even mid-range luxury chalets (GBP 15,000-25,000/week) come with standards that would be exceptional anywhere else: private chef, daily housekeeping, driver, and a level of finish that hotel suites struggle to match.

The skiing itself is world-class. The 3 Vallees system is the largest linked ski area in the world (600km of pistes), and Courchevel's north-facing slopes hold snow better than most French resorts. For families, the range of terrain from gentle nursery slopes to serious off-piste is unmatched.

Courchevel's dining scene is extraordinary for a ski resort. Le 1947 by Yannick Alleno holds three Michelin stars and offers a tasting menu that rivals any fine dining experience in Paris. Baumaniere 1850, Le Montgomerie, and Azimut each hold their own stars. The mountain restaurants - particularly Le Cap Horn and Le Bel Air on the Courchevel pistes - serve lunches that would be destination dining in any other context. When your chalet chef takes a night off, the restaurant options are genuinely world-class.

The resort infrastructure extends beyond dining. The Croisette - Courchevel 1850's main street - is lined with luxury boutiques: Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Prada all maintain seasonal stores. The Aquamotion water park (a EUR 50 million investment) offers pools, water slides, and spa facilities that give non-skiing family members an alternative activity. The Altiport allows private aviation directly into the resort, eliminating the 2-hour transfer from Chambery or Geneva.

For families, Courchevel has the strongest infrastructure in the Alps. ESF and New Generation ski schools offer English-speaking instruction from age 3 upward. The Village des Enfants provides childcare and snow gardens for younger children. The terrain naturally funnels beginners and intermediates through gentle, wide runs, while advanced skiers can access the steeper pitches of La Saulire and the couloirs above Meribel. The ability for a family to scatter across ability levels and reconvene for a mountain lunch is one of Courchevel's genuine advantages over smaller resorts.