Courchevel 1850 vs 1650
Two of the six Courchevel villages, two very different stays. A side-by-side, written for travellers choosing between them for the first time.
At a glance
Atmosphere
1850 vs 1650
1850 is dressed-up evenings, fur coats outside Le Strato, valet parking. 1650 is families in ski jackets, a single main street, a handful of bars — closer to a traditional Savoyard village than a luxury hub.
Hotels
Where you sleep
1850 holds all eight of Courchevel's Palace and 5★ properties — Cheval Blanc, Les Airelles, K2, Le Strato. 1650 offers comfortable 3–4★ hotels and aparthotels, plus mid-market family chalets. No palaces.
Dining
Stars on the plate
1850 carries 12 Michelin stars across seven restaurants. 1650 has two well-regarded one-stars (Le Bouc Blanc, Le Farçon nearby in La Tania) plus solid bistros — enough for a week, but not the same density.
Prices
Order of magnitude
1850 in February: €1,200–€4,500/night for 5★, €350+ for a tasting menu. 1650 in February: €350–€800/night for 4★, €60–€110 for a serious bistro dinner. Lift passes are identical (single Trois Vallées pass).
Ski access
Same mountain, different door
Both are ski-in/ski-out into the Trois Vallées (600 km of pistes). From 1650 the Ariondaz gondola feeds straight into the main bowl; reaching Méribel or Val Thorens takes ~15 minutes more than from 1850.
Best for
Match to traveller
1850 suits couples and groups prioritising hotel quality, dining and a polished social scene. 1650 suits families and skiers who want the Trois Vallées at a calmer pace and a fraction of the cost.
1850 vs 1650, line by line
| Courchevel 1850 | Courchevel 1650 (Moriond) | |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 1,850 m — highest village | 1,650 m — two valleys east |
| Character | Showcase luxury, social centre | Quiet, sunny, family Savoyard |
| Top hotels | All 8 Palace / 5★ (Cheval Blanc, Airelles, K2…) | Comfortable 3–4★ + aparthotels |
| Michelin stars | 12 across 7 restaurants | Two 1★ (Le Bouc Blanc; Le Farçon nearby) |
| 5★ night, February | €1,200–€4,500 | n/a — 4★ runs €350–€800 |
| Serious dinner | €350+ tasting menu | €60–€110 bistro |
| Lift pass | Trois Vallées — identical | Trois Vallées — identical |
| Ski access | Straight into the main bowl | Ariondaz gondola → bowl (~15 min more to VT) |
| Sun | Afternoon shade in places | South-facing, sunnier all day |
| Best for | Couples, groups, hotel + dining | Families, value, calm Trois Vallées |
Prices are indicative February (peak) ranges for orientation, not live quotes. Lift passes are sold for the whole Trois Vallées, so the skiing is identical from either village.
“Courchevel” is six villages, not one
Most first-time visitors mean 1850 when they say “Courchevel,” but the name covers six linked villages on one lift pass. Knowing which is which is half the booking decision.
- Courchevel 1850The flagship — palaces, Michelin, shopping, the social scene. Highest and priciest.
- Courchevel 1650 (Moriond)Sunny, family-friendly, roughly half the price. The value pick on the same mountain.
- Courchevel 1550 (Village)Residential and quiet, a gondola below 1850 — cheaper beds within reach of the centre.
- Courchevel 1300 (Le Praz)The old village by the lake — Savoyard character, the Olympic jump, a Michelin star at Azimut.
- La TaniaPurpose-built, tree-lined and great for families and beginners; links to Méribel.
- Saint-BonThe original hamlet below it all — historic church, almost no tourism.
Pick by who you are
Couple, hotel-and-dining trip
1850
The point of the trip is the palace and the table.
Family with children
1650
Walkable, sunnier, apartments, calmer — and the same skiing.
Budget-conscious Trois Vallées skier
1650 or 1550
Identical 600 km of pistes for 40–60 % less per night.
First-timer who wants the icon
1850
If you’ve only heard of one Courchevel, it’s this one.
Beginners / ski-school week
La Tania or 1650
Gentle nursery areas and a relaxed base.
Character over polish
1300 (Le Praz)
Old-village charm by the lake, still on the full lift pass.
Frequently asked
What does the 1850 in Courchevel 1850 mean?
The number is the village's altitude in metres above sea level. Courchevel has six villages, named for their altitude: Le Praz (1300), Village (1550), Moriond (1650), Courchevel proper (1850), plus La Tania and Saint-Bon. 1850 is the highest and the most developed.
How do you get from 1650 to 1850?
On skis: the Ariondaz gondola from 1650 connects to the main bowl; ski across in roughly 20 minutes. By car or taxi: a 10-minute drive on the D91A road, about €30–€40 by taxi each way. Free shuttle buses (Skibus) run between the two villages every 15–20 minutes during the season.
Are 1850 and 1650 on the same lift system?
Yes. Both share the Courchevel ski area and the wider Trois Vallées. A single lift pass covers both, and you can ski between them in under 20 minutes.
Is Courchevel 1650 cheaper than 1850?
Significantly. Comparable accommodation in 1650 typically runs 40–60 % less than in 1850, and restaurants are roughly half the price.
Which is better for families?
1650. It is quieter, the main street is walkable with children, and family-sized apartments and 4★ hotels dominate the market. 1850 works for families staying at K2 or Les Airelles, but everything around it is built around adult luxury.
Can you stay in 1650 and ski to 1850 for dinner?
Yes, by car or taxi (10 minutes) — the slopes close before most starred kitchens serve. A taxi from 1650 to 1850 for a Michelin dinner runs around €30–€40 each way.
Which village do most first-time visitors choose?
1850 if the trip is built around the hotel and dining experience; 1650 if it is built around skiing the Trois Vallées on a sensible budget.