1850, Moriond, Le Praz or La Tania? We've skied all four. Prices, piste access and atmosphere compared honestly — book the right village first time.
The most common question we get from first-time visitors: which village should I book? The honest answer is that most people ask too late, after they've already fallen in love with a chalet in the wrong place.
Courchevel 1850
1850 is the number most associated with Courchevel internationally, and for good reason. The Croisette has Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton. The restaurants include multiple Michelin stars within walking distance of each other. The chalets at the top of the market — the ones with indoor pools, private cinemas, and full staff — are mostly here.
What 1850 is not: particularly family-friendly in the traditional sense, or forgiving to anyone on a tight budget. A week in a decent chalet here during February half-term costs more than most people's annual salary. The guests who choose it know that, and it's precisely why they choose it.
Courchevel 1850 at a glance
Suits
- • Guests who want the full luxury package
- • Fine dining as a priority
- • Designer shopping on the slopes
- • Prestige address matters
Consider elsewhere if
- • Travelling with young children (under 8)
- • Budget is a meaningful constraint
- • Quiet village atmosphere preferred
Courchevel Moriond (1650)
Moriond is where experienced Courchevel guests often end up after a few seasons at 1850. Same mountain. Same lifts. Same 600km of skiing. Chalets that would be the best property in most resorts go for 30-40% less than their 1850 equivalents.
Aquamotion, the purpose-built aquatic and wellness centre, is here. The nursery slopes are excellent. The village square has a genuine, lived-in quality that 1850's Croisette doesn't always manage.
The trade-off is address. For clients who care what it says on their booking confirmation, 1850 wins. For those who want the best skiing holiday per pound spent, Moriond is the better answer.
Moriond (1650) at a glance
Suits
- • Families with children of all ages
- • Groups wanting value without compromise on skiing
- • Guests who know the resort well
Consider elsewhere if
- • Michelin dining within walking distance is essential
- • Prestige address is part of the trip
Courchevel Village (1550) and Le Praz (1300)
These two are genuinely different propositions. Village (1550) has a gondola to 1850, a traditional Savoyard character, and chalets that represent some of the best value in the entire resort system. It's quiet in the evenings, which is either a feature or a drawback depending on your group.
Le Praz is at the bottom of the valley. The 1992 Olympic ski jump is here. The village square has a butcher, a baker, a bar where locals actually drink. Prices reflect the distance from the prestige centre: up to 50% less than 1850 for comparable properties.
The skiing from both is the same Three Valleys domain. The commute to it is slightly longer. Whether that matters depends entirely on what the trip is actually for.
Village (1550)
- • Gondola direct to 1850
- • Traditional Savoyard architecture
- • 25-35% less than 1850
- • Quiet evenings
Le Praz (1300)
- • Most authentic village feel
- • Olympic heritage (1992 ski jump)
- • Up to 50% less than 1850
- • Forest skiing on the doorstep
Price difference between 1850 and Le Praz for the same week: roughly 40-50%. The skiing is identical. Make of that what you will.
