Courchevel, France

I've spent a season in Les menuires, which is the "cheapest" resort of the 3 valees. With courchevel, you definitely chose the fanciest of the towns. So be nice to the guests, and you can be in for a huge tip!
The most important thing about the resort is that the resort is really huge. (It's the biggest connected ski domain in the world) Getting from one end to the other and back, you will probably need most of the day.
The parks I remember best are the one in Val Thorens, and even more the park in Meribel. While Val Thorens will be too far away for you, as it's exactly on the other side of the resort, you should def. check out DC park in Meribel. There are is also at least one smaller park in courchevel, which was also funny - depends on what you are looking for.
Another pro tip: Lifts will close on time. Be sure to catch the last lift to be able to get back to your valley. If you end up in the wrong valley at the end of the day, you will have to take a taxi to bring you back to courchevel, which will have to take the route via moutiers, taking at least 1.5h, and costing you something like 150 euros...

Oh, and in case you don't already speak french, try to pick it up: Not everyone speaks good english.

**This post was edited on Sep 22nd 2017 at 5:34:18am

What moe6 said is all correct.

Courch is where the rich russians like to ski. They speak more english than french. They have very weird eating habits that you'll have to get used to if you serve them (they always ask for fish soup even if it's not on the menu and they have no concept of starter, main, desert), but they do tip very generously if you give them good service.

The shops are naturally very expensive. If you have to buy any food, try to buy it in bulk at the bottom of the valley and cook yourself. You will save a ton of money that way. What's your skiing ability/preferences? I'll be there from November, I can show you around the valleys if you like?

Agree with everything said above. Also worth noting that slightly down the road from the main town in Courchevel is Courchevel 1650, which is smaller, less busy and much more like a standard alpine ski town, way more relaxed and less of the uber rich russian vibes if you want a break from all that. The riding is awesome generally although not much in the park department. There's a small one above 1850 called the family park but for bigger ones you'll have to head over the valleyto Meribel & Val thorens. Courchevel's sick for fast lapping groomers and little bits of sidecountry though

You have to ski Couloir L'Echelle (commonly known as Death Couloir) at least once.

Snxw_What moe6 said is all correct.

Courch is where the rich russians like to ski. They speak more english than french. They have very weird eating habits that you'll have to get used to if you serve them (they always ask for fish soup even if it's not on the menu and they have no concept of starter, main, desert), but they do tip very generously if you give them good service.

The shops are naturally very expensive. If you have to buy any food, try to buy it in bulk at the bottom of the valley and cook yourself. You will save a ton of money that way. What's your skiing ability/preferences? I'll be there from November, I can show you around the valleys if you like?

I'm actually working back of house in a hotel run by a tour operator called inghams who just told me i would be here. I've been going to Bourg St Maurice for 7 years and have heard all about the Russians in Courchevel and how crazy the prices are but luckily the hotel accommodates and feeds us. Skiing wise, I'd say I'm a pretty high level, and enjoy skiing just about anything, normally ski all mountain at high speeds when with people and if I'm alone I ski bumps or park (both of which I'm teaching myself) so if you're about it would be awesome to meet someone who knows the area.

Camerontaylor158I'm actually working back of house in a hotel run by a tour operator called inghams who just told me i would be here. I've been going to Bourg St Maurice for 7 years and have heard all about the Russians in Courchevel and how crazy the prices are but luckily the hotel accommodates and feeds us. Skiing wise, I'd say I'm a pretty high level, and enjoy skiing just about anything, normally ski all mountain at high speeds when with people and if I'm alone I ski bumps or park (both of which I'm teaching myself) so if you're about it would be awesome to meet someone who knows the area.

Ok sweet, sounds like you ride well. You got Instagram or something I can message you on? Hopefully there's enough snow this year. Last year was so poor for snow :'(

If you guys ever make your way up to Les Portes du Soleil, hit me up!

Snxw_Ok sweet, sounds like you ride well. You got Instagram or something I can message you on? Hopefully there's enough snow this year. Last year was so poor for snow :'(

I do indeed, it's @camtaylor1996. Same for Snapchat.
I know man, I had some friends taking instructor exams in courchevel early December and they sent us pictures, it was grim. But nowhere in France did great for snow this year sadly...

Camerontaylor158I do indeed, it's @camtaylor1996. Same for Snapchat.
I know man, I had some friends taking instructor exams in courchevel early December and they sent us pictures, it was grim. But nowhere in France did great for snow this year sadly...

I'm doing my L2 in Courch in December! haha I hope it isn't completely fucked...

Followed u on insta

Snxw_I'm doing my L2 in Courch in December! haha I hope it isn't completely fucked...

Followed u on insta

Ah good luck man, I'm sure you'll get it. I took mine back in July but failed on short turns and central theme.

I'll follow you back now

Camerontaylor158Ah good luck man, I'm sure you'll get it. I took mine back in July but failed on short turns and central theme.

I'll follow you back now

Did you fail the whole thing because of it? How did you fail exactly if you don't mind me asking?

Snxw_Did you fail the whole thing because of it? How did you fail exactly if you don't mind me asking?

I did indeed. You fail any of the modules and you fail the whole thing.
I failed because I couldn't grip early enough consistently on short turns and my plough turns and plough parallel just weren't quite there.

Camerontaylor158I did indeed. You fail any of the modules and you fail the whole thing.
I failed because I couldn't grip early enough consistently on short turns and my plough turns and plough parallel just weren't quite there.

Damn that sucks. Did you do any training before the exam? I'm in Tignes for two weeks in November to train.

Snxw_Damn that sucks. Did you do any training before the exam? I'm in Tignes for two weeks in November to train.

I did training with snoworks in November in tignes. I'd definitely advise training with a good instructor or someone who knows what they're doing.
I never asked what style of skiing you prefer, are you a park skier or all mountain or?

Camerontaylor158I did training with snoworks in November in tignes. I'd definitely advise training with a good instructor or someone who knows what they're doing.
I never asked what style of skiing you prefer, are you a park skier or all mountain or?

I'll be training with New Gen :) I like a little bit of everything. Racing down groomers, powder when it falls and I started park last year. I'm not very good at park but I really enjoy it and want to progress more.

Snxw_I'll be training with New Gen :) I like a little bit of everything. Racing down groomers, powder when it falls and I started park last year. I'm not very good at park but I really enjoy it and want to progress more.

Ah I met the head of new gen in Val D'Isere late last season, seemed like a really nice guy.
Ah awesome, sounds very similar to me then. Can't wait to ski with you man