Courchevel has a reputation as the most expensive resort in the Alps — and it is partly deserved. But 'expensive' covers a very wide range here, from €280 a night in a four-star in neighbouring 1650 to €4,500 for a palace suite in peak February. Here is what makes up the price, and what to budget for a week.
The honest answer: a comfortable week for two runs from roughly €4,000 to €8,000 all-in, a luxury week €12,000–€25,000, and a palace-and-chalet week can pass €60,000 without trying. Accommodation is by far the biggest lever. Here is the breakdown.
Accommodation — the biggest line by far
Where you sleep sets the whole budget. Nightly rates in Courchevel 1850 climb steeply from four-star to the official "Palace" tier:
| Tier | Per night | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 4-star (more common in 1650) | ~€280–€500 | Comfortable, good value, a short hop to 1850 |
| 5-star hotel | €600–€1,800 | Full service, spa, ski concierge |
| Palace | €1,200–€4,500 | France's top rating; top end is peak February |
| Private staffed chalet | €15,000–€120,000+/week | Chef, driver, housekeeping; sleeps 8–14 |
The single biggest saving is timing: rates in early January and late March can sit 40–60% below the Christmas and February peaks for the same room. See our cost guide and the hotels directory.
Lift pass and ski hire
A six-day Les 3 Vallées lift pass — the full 600 km network — costs roughly €380 for an adult, with a cheaper Courchevel-only pass if you never leave the valley. Ski and boot hire runs about €150–€300 for the week depending on the kit. Group lessons add roughly €200–€350 for six half-days; a private instructor is €400–€600 a day. Children under five ride the lifts free.
Dining: from the bakery to three stars
This is where the range is widest. A village boulangerie breakfast is a few euros; a two-course bistro dinner with wine runs about €80–€140 for two, more in 1850 than in 1650. A classic lunch on the slopes at Cap Horn or Bel Air — champagne, seafood, a terrace — is easily €150–€400 for two. At the top, the tasting menu at three-starred Le 1947 is a €€€€ evening before wine. Self-catering from the village traiteurs keeps a chalet week far cheaper.
Getting there: the Geneva transfer
Most visitors fly to Geneva, about 2h30 by road. A private transfer for the group is roughly €400–€700 each way; a shared shuttle is far less per head; a helicopter from Geneva or Chambéry is the fast, spectacular and expensive option (four figures). Our how to get to Courchevel guide compares every route.
The costs people forget
Three line items catch first-timers out. The taxe de séjour (tourist tax) adds roughly €2–€5 per adult per night, billed by the hotel. Ski hire, lessons and lift passes are separate from the room and add up fast for a family. And service — drivers, ski-room staff, a nanny, restaurant tips — is discretionary but expected at the top end. Budget a cushion of 10–15% over the headline figures for extras; a staffed chalet folds many of these into one price.
What to budget for a week
Three realistic all-in scenarios for two people, excluding flights:
| Style | What it covers | Roughly |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable (4★ in 1650, shared transfer, mixed dining) | Hotel + pass + food + transfer | €4,000–€8,000 |
| Luxury (5★ in 1850, private transfer, some Michelin) | Hotel + pass + food + transfer | €12,000–€25,000 |
| Palace / chalet (palace suite or staffed chalet) | Accommodation-led | €40,000–€120,000+ |
The takeaway: the headline prices are real at the top, but Courchevel is far more flexible than its reputation suggests — the levers are where you sleep and when you come. For the cheapest weeks and the fullest picture, see when to go.
