Immaculately groomed pistes provide a huge variety of runs: gentle greens for beginners, with an easy progression onto seemingly endless blues and reds for intermediates, severely narrow couloirs below La Saulire and long, knee-buckling black mogul slopes and extensive off-piste for experts, who want to hire a guide. Three snow parks and reserved slopes for boarders offer freeride, freestyle and boarder cross

Many of the slopes are attractively tree-lined, and high altitude, an abundance of snow cannons and many north and north-east facing slopes ensure reliably good snow from early December to late April.

The lift system is highly efficient, with minimal queuing and easy access to Méribel and Val Thorens, to make the most of the amazing variety and extent of "The 3 Valleys"

Mountain restaurants in Courchevel take lunch to a different level of cuisine, and sophistication (and sometimes price!) especially. Cap Horn, Le Chalet des Pierres and Bel Air.

Nightlife is sophisticated rather than boisterous, with piano bars, jazz clubs and smart night clubs to the fore.

Les Caves de Courchevel is an institution and favoured by Parisians, La Bergerie has theme nights, including a Russian night with plenty of Vodka, Kalico is more casual and always busy. For more informal pub-style apres-ski try La Potiniere or Chez Jacques.

For something more energetic Courchevel 1850 has an ice rink and squash courts or if you just want to relax before dinner many hotels have spas, beauty centres or indoor pools open to non-residents