Courchevel & the Three Valleys Lift Pass Options - Winter

The decision whether to buy a Courchevel or Three Valley lift pass really depends on your skiing level and how much you want to ski.  Here are a few pointers to help you choose:

Courchevel Valley:
This is the local area pass that gives you unlimited access to the 62 lifts in the Courchevel Ski Area (150kms of piste). If you are a complete beginner* or have 1-2 weeks of skiing or boarding experience, you will probably find that the Courchevel Valley pass has more than enough to keep you challenged and entertained during your stay.  Alternatively, if you don’t plan on skiing hard all day, every day, or have to get back to meet your kids from ski school, then this local area pass will also suit you; and remember, passes of 2 days or more can be upgraded on a daily basis to include the whole of the 3 Valley area.

If you are staying in Courchevel 1650, it is also possible to buy a day or half day pass (a.m. or p.m.) for the lifts in this sector of Courchevel only. Perfect for a quick couple of hours blast on your doorstep.

* There are additional pass options for beginners - see Beginner Passes for more info

Three Valleys:
The 3 Valleys is the largest linked ski area in the world and anyone of intermediate ability and above usually takes advantage of the full area pass.  It offers unlimited access to 180 lifts, 600kms of piste and 8 resorts: Meribel/Mottaret, Courchevel, La Tania, Val Thorens, Les Menuires/St Martin, Orelle and Brides Les Bains.

Both passes are available for ½ to 21 day durations, 12 non-consecutive days or for the season.

There are a couple of options for beginner skiers, starting with simply using the free beginner lifts for the first day or so, and then progress to buying a local day or half day pass. In Courchevel the free lifts are:

• La Tania: Troika
• Le Praz 1300 : Envolée
• Cou 1550: Roys
• Cou 1650: Belvedere and Mickey
• Cou 1850: Cospillot, Bellecote, and Etoiles

NB. not all of these are marked on the lift map.

Courchevel also offers a Mini Pass which gives you unlimited access to the Ferme, Altiport and Ecureuil draglifts, the Jardin Alpin, Grangettes, Praz and Verdons gondolas and the Tovets chairlift. The mini pass can be purchased daily for 16€, or a half day will set you back just 13€ and these prices applies to both adults and children.  The disadvantage of buying your pass in this manner is that you will need to queue up each day to buy your ticket, and if you are in ski school lessons, your instructor may decide to take the group to another area which is not covered by your pass. It is generally less hassle to buy a week-long pass for the Courchevel Valley.

If you are skiing “en famille” then the Family Pass option offers 20% discount on 6-21 day or season passes for two adults and two children under 18 (from the same family) when you buy all your passes at the same time.  3rd and subsequent children only have to pay the child rate and don't forget that the under 5's ski for free! Proof of age will be required and each member of the family will have their own hands free pass.

Family passes are available for both the Courchevel Valley and all Three Valleys but not during the “Premieres Neiges” weeks in December or during the last week of the season.  You can pre-purchase your family lift pass online with the Sociéte des Trois Vallées.

The French Ski School (ESF) offers children’s lessons with slightly cheaper lift passes included in the price.   Children must be under 13 years of age and from complete beginner to 2* level ski ability.

Not everyone comes to Courchevel to ski, and when there are such beautiful panoramas to take in and cosy mountain restaurants to enjoy, we can understand why! Pedestrian rates are available for 1-7 day duration lift passes, one-way trips or you can buy a season ticket.  The pedestrian pass is valid on the following lifts:

Good news for cross-country skiers - you do not need to buy any pass! Equipment can be hired from most sports shops and you can set off along the 67kms of trails in the Courchevel valley completely free of charge!

Please go to Winter Activities to find out more about cross-country skiing in Courchevel.

Early/Late Season Discounts
During the first and last few weeks of the season reduced rates apply to both the local and full area passes.  The snow cover may not be as guaranteed as during peak season, but the pistes will be quieter, the service in bars and restaurants less frenetic and you could touch lucky with the weather!

Free Passes for Seniors and Youngsters
Lift passes are free for those over 75 or under 5 years of age and the Three Valleys lift pass company also offers additional discounts to skiers aged between 65-75. Proof of age is required as is a photograph for passes of 3 days or more.

Disabled Skiers
Up to 50% discount is also available for disabled skiers and their helpers upon the presentation of a disability badge, see here for further details.

Photographs:
Only required for passes of 12 days duration or more, season passes and senior passes for 3 days +.

Since winter 2005/2006, all passes operate on a hands free system which automatically detects and scans your lift pass as you approach the lift turnstiles meaning no more cold hands as you fumble to get it out of your pocket. Two options of hands free cards are available; a free recyclable card which is usable with all types of pass except season tickets; or for €3 you can have a P@S card which is rechargeable on the internet or at the cash desk for subsequent visits. It comes free with pass purchases of 10 days or more.

With the P@S system, you no longer need to worry about losing the receipt for your lift ticket.  If your pass is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the lift pass office and they will be able to re-issue you with a new one on production of valid ID and €3 for the new card.

It goes without saying that you must be properly insured before taking to the slopes, but you can also purchase insurance on a daily basis as you buy your lift pass. ”Carré Neige” is the instantly recognised mountain sports insurance in France that covers you for:

• Search and rescue expenses, first aid and rescue transport
• Medical expenses and repatriation costs (within France only)
• Reimbursement of unused days ski pass (restrictions apply)

Carré Neige costs just €2.70 per day for adults (€2.30 for children).  To read more about ski insurance please read our article on Travel & Sports Insurance.