
How Courchevel became Courchevel
From alpine pass to the world's most exclusive ski resort
January 22nd, 2025
«Miu Miu, Courchevel. Tony, buy me the bag, take me dancing...» sings Valeria Palmitessa in the chorus of Tony Effe's song Miu Miu – a verse that has been heard and repeated on italian radios endlessly over the past year, bringing the name of a ski resort, Courchevel, once again to the lips of many Italians. A resort that rivals Gstaad, Zermatt, Chamonix, Aspen, and Cortina in the league of the world's most exclusive and luxurious ski destinations. Courchevel is part of the 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world, offering over 600 kilometers of ski slopes, accessible off-piste areas, as well as several villages like the picturesque Méribel, renowned for its après-ski; La Tania, Brides-les-Bains, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, or Les Menuires near Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe. A location that serves as a true stage for the European and especially French high society – where it's easy to find the crème of upper-class Paris during the winter, along with half the ultra-rich from around the world and fashion enthusiasts on vacation. Perhaps this is precisely why (in addition to the breathtaking beauty of its landscapes) Moncler chose Courchevel for its next show event, why Prince Harry and Kate Middleton recently vacationed there undercover, and why luxury hotels and restaurants are virtually everywhere in the region.
Prince William and Kate enjoy £70m luxury chalet in exclusive #Courchevel https://t.co/dt7YapkJ2c pic.twitter.com/mCepT8Du6R
— Athena Advisers (@athenaadvisers) March 21, 2016
In fact, Courchevel is known for having the highest concentration of Michelin stars per square kilometer in the world. The ski resort hosts a combination of Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, and "palaces" – a special French classification reserved for the most exclusive and prestigious hotels. But how did this fame begin? Courchevel's history predates its development as one of the world's most famous ski resorts, stretching back to antiquity, around the Iron Age, circa 750 BCE. For centuries, this remote part of the French Alps was a rural and pastoral area, inhabited by small villages and farmers working in high-altitude pastures. In 1032, the Savoie region, which includes modern-day Courchevel, came under the jurisdiction of the Holy Roman Empire. In subsequent centuries, the area became known as the "Gateway to the Alps" for its strategic location among the mountains, frequented by wealthy tourists on grand tours of the continent. It was in the late 19th century that Courchevel's story as an exceptional tourist destination began. But the journey wasn't straightforward.
The Early 1900s
At the end of the 19th century, Courchevel remained largely an unspoiled area, characterized by dense forests and mountain pastures. Some more modern structures were built during this time, including the Saint Bon town hall in 1870, serving as the region's administrative center. In 1902, a water-powered mill was constructed in La Jairaz by order of the Counts-Archbishops of Tarantaise, offering an example of early industrial development in the area. Tourism began to develop in Courchevel with the opening of the Lac Bleu Hotel in Saint Bon in 1908. This was the area's first hotel, initially catering to summer visitors seeking fresh mountain air. Its opening marked the beginning of Courchevel's reputation as a tourist destination. It's crucial to note that for decades, skiing culture simply didn't exist: the mountains were visited in summer when temperatures allowed, when passes weren't blocked by snow, and when people wanted to escape the city. In fact, the Lac Bleu Hotel began opening during winter seasons only in 1925. By the 1930s, skiing started emerging as a popular sport in the region. The Saint-Bonnais Ski Club was founded in 1930, and several hotels were built in Courchevel 1550 and Moriond to accommodate the growing number of winter visitors. During this period, ski jumps were constructed, and competitions were organized, contributing to the area's growing status as a ski destination. In 1935, the region's first ski school opened in Moriond, with five instructors, including the local ski champion Jean Blanc.
A Bad Government with Good Intentions: Vichy and Courchevel
World War II marked a turning point in Courchevel's history. In 1942, the Vichy government in France (under Marshal Philippe Pétain, who collaborated with the Nazis) sought to develop a "super ski resort" as part of a national effort to boost tourism and revive the economy. This ambitious project led to the formation of a team of three engineers, three architects, and a technician to identify a suitable location. Two French prisoners of war, Laurent Chappis and Maurice Michaud, independently devised plans for a ski resort while detained in Germany. They envisioned a site equipped with ski lifts, shelters, and slopes, laying the foundation for what would become Courchevel. In 1945, shortly after the war, construction began to transform Courchevel into a purpose-built ski resort. On Christmas Day that year, the first chairlift, Sainte Agathe, was inaugurated in Moriond under the management of Jean Blanc. This milestone coincided with the creation of Courchevel's Tourist Office. 1946 was a decisive year for Courchevel. On April 13, the Savoy Council commissioned architect Laurent Chappis to design a ski resort on the Plateau des Tovets, with plans for 6,000 beds, ski lifts, a Saulire cable car, a golf course, and ski jumps. The project received unanimous approval from the Saint Bon municipal council on May 3, and construction began in June. Early structures included pylons, telephone lines, and a road to the resort. In October, the first ski lifts, Tovets and Loze, were installed by the Pomagalski company of Grenoble. The resort was officially named Courchevel on November 30, a name derived from the local patois term "écortzevé," referring to grass that scratched calves' tongues. The transformation of Courchevel into a functioning ski resort was remarkably swift. The first hotels, including the iconic 3 Vallées Hotel, were completed in December 1947, just 18 months after construction began. That same year, the local branch of the French Ski School (ESF) was established to provide expert instruction to visitors. By 1948, the resort boasted ski lifts on the Tovets, Loze, and Bellecôte slopes.
The Dolce Vita Years of Courchevel
The 1950s and 1960s were the years of the boom. Courchevel experienced rapid development fueled by its growing reputation as a high-level ski destination among the emerging jet set, which began to rise with immense wealth from the ruins of the war. Wealthy aristocrats, industrialists, movie divas, and all members of the most affluent class began to create the fame of luxury resorts across Europe, much like what happened with Capri in Italy. Now that technology made it easier to protect against the cold, skiing became widespread, and hotels became modern and comfortable, the myth of the snow vacation as we know it today began to take shape: luxurious chalets, gourmet restaurants, wines served by tuxedoed waiters, and so on. In 1950, the Burgin-Saulire cable car was built, connecting Méribel and Courchevel, forming part of the 3 Vallées ski area. The Saulire cable car, inaugurated in December 1952, provided access to the highest peaks with a capacity of 360 passengers per hour. The resort’s infrastructure continued to evolve under the guidance of Emile Allais, who was appointed technical and sports director of Courchevel in November 1954.
Allais redesigned the slopes to improve accessibility and founded the role of ski patrollers to ensure safety. In 1959, he introduced the first snow groomer, the "Sno-cat," for mechanical trail maintenance. The ESF branch in Courchevel 1850 expanded significantly, with 70 instructors active in the resort by 1960. The construction of Courchevel's altiport in 1961, founded by Michel Ziegler, further enhanced the resort's international appeal. The altiport, the first of its kind in the world, received extensive media coverage, solidifying Courchevel's reputation as a world-class ski destination. In 1963, the film *Charade* starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant was released in America – the film was partially set in the Alps but mostly shot in nearby Megève. In 1966, the Courchevel Grand Prix, an alpine skiing competition, was broadcast across Europe, marking another milestone in the resort's history. The following years saw the creation of La Croisette in 1970, a central hub connecting ski lifts, ski schools, and the Tourist Office.
International Fame and the Age of Consumerism
The 1970s and 1980s marked a period of great achievements for Courchevel. In 1971, the first unified 3 Vallées ski pass was introduced, granting access to 250 kilometers of interconnected slopes. This innovation eliminated the need to purchase separate tickets for each resort in the ski area. Courchevel gained national attention in February 1975 when French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing vacationed there with his family, attracting a delegation of 60 journalists. The resort hosted its first Men’s Alpine Ski World Cup on January 7, 1979, further affirming its status as an elite ski destination. The 1980s saw Courchevel embrace luxury and modernization. In 1979, Le Chabichou became the resort's first Michelin-starred restaurant, reflecting the growing sophistication of the area. In 1984, the modern Saulire cable car was inaugurated, with a capacity of 160 passengers, the largest cable car in the world at the time. In 1990, one of the resort's most legendary hotels, Les Airelles, opened. The dream of entrepreneur Raymonde Fenestraz, this "snow castle" quickly became the seat of the Olympic committee and a favorite spot for Princess Anne, sister of Queen Elizabeth, and Albert of Monaco. Courchevel also played a key role in the 1992 Winter Olympics, hosting ski jumping trials and Nordic combined events. French athletes Fabrice Guy and Sylvain Guillaume won gold and silver, respectively, on the Le Praz ski jump hill. This event cemented Courchevel’s international fame.
The 1990s and 2000s saw Courchevel transform into a global symbol of luxury and excellence. By 1992, the resort boasted eleven 4-star hotels, including five with spa facilities. In 1997, Courchevel hosted a stage of the Tour de France for the first time, with the race finishing at the altiport. Subsequent stages took place in 2000 and 2005. With the start of the new millennium, Courchevel became synonymous with premium accommodations. By 2006, the resort offered 18 luxury chalets with hotel-style services. In 2009, Courchevel set a new standard of opulence, with six of its hotels rated 5-star out of a total of eleven in all of France. Courchevel returned to the Alpine Ski World Cup circuit in December 2010, hosting a women's slalom event that attracted 20,000 spectators. In 2011, the hotels Les Airelles and Cheval Blanc Courchevel received the prestigious "palace" classification in France, further solidifying the resort's reputation. That same year, areas within Courchevel were renamed: Le Praz became Courchevel Le Praz, Courchevel 1550 became Courchevel Village, Courchevel 1650 was renamed Courchevel Moriond, and Courchevel 1850 was simply renamed Courchevel.