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Courchevel & the Three Valleys Lift Pass Options - Winter
| Lift Pass Options for Courchevel & the Three Valleys - Winter |
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In winter there are various different passes on offer, and the choice can be bewildering. All passes are now hands-free and don't require photos - they stay in your pocket and you no longer need to show your pass to the lift attendants. |
| Three Valleys or Courchevel Lift Pass? |
Intermediates and advanced skiers usually take advantage of the Three Valley Pass which offers unlimited access to all 600km of pistes (a 6 day adult pass costs €220).
The Courchevel Valley pass is the local area pass that gives you unlimited access to all the lifts in the Courchevel domain (150kms of piste). If you are quite happy skiing at your own pace or perhaps have get back to meet your children from ski school for example, then this pass could be just what you’re after. It is also possible to “top up” this pass on a daily basis if you fancy skiing the whole Three Valley area during your stay. A one day extension costs €21.50 adults, €16 children or €17.50 for seniors (winter 07/08 prices).
It is also possible to buy one day or half day passes (a.m. or p.m.) for the lifts in Couchevel 1650 only. If you are staying in 1650 and like to ski as and when you please but are not fussed about being out all day then this pass makes an ideal choice.
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last updated 1-Feb-2008 |
| Beginners Lift Passes & Free Lifts |
There are a couple of options for beginner skiers, starting with simply using the free beginner lifts for the first day or so, and then progress to buying a local day or half day pass. In Courchevel the free lifts are: Troika (La Tania); Envolée (Le Praz 1300); Roys (1550); Belvedere and Mickey (1650); and Cospillot, Bellecote, and Etoiles (1850) . NB not all of these are marked on the lift map.
All lifts are free for the under-fives and those over seventy-two - you will need to provide proof of date of birth to obtain these free passes.
However, Courchevel also offers a ”Mini Pass” which gives you unlimited access to the Ferme, Altiport and Ecureuil draglifts, the Jardin Alpin, Grangettes, Praz and Verdons gondolas and the Tovets chairlift.
The disadvantage of buying your pass in this manner is that you will need to queue up each day to buy your ticket, and if you are in ski school lessons, your instructor may decide to take the group to another area which is not covered by your pass. It is generally less hassle to buy a week-long pass for the Courchevel Valley. |
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last updated 22-Feb-2008 |
| Family Pass |
If you are on holiday “en famille” then Courchevel has special lift pass offers for families. Reductions of up to 20% are available for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (between 5-18 years), when you buy all your passes at the same time (minimum 6 days). Subsequent discounts for a 3rd or 4th child are also available and the under 5’s ski for free! Proof of age is required.
Family passes are available for both the Courchevel Valley and all Three Valleys but not during the “Premieres Neiges” weeks in December or during the last week of the season.
The French Ski School (ESF) offers children’s lessons with slightly cheaper lift passes included in the price. |
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last updated 1-Feb-2008 |
| Pedestrian Passes |
Not everyone comes to Courchevel to ski, and when there are such beautiful panoramas to take in and mountain restaurants to enjoy, we can understand why!
Pedestrian rates are available for 1-7 day duration lift passes or a season ticket that are valid on the following pedestrian lifts:
Courchevel / La Tania - Télécabines, Saulire téléphérique, chairlifts : Tovets, Col de la Loze, Crêtes, Gravelles, Trois Vallées, Dou des Lanches.
Méribel, Méribel-Mottaret, Menuires - Télécabines.
St Martin de Belleville - Télécabine, St Martin 2 Chairlift.
Val Thorens - Télécabines, Péclet Funitel, Caron Téléphérique.
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last updated 22-Feb-2008 |
| Discounted Rate Passes |
Free Passes for Seniors and Youngsters
Lift passes are free for those over 75 or under 5 years of age. The Three Valleys lift pass company are now offering additional discounts to skiers aged between 65-75. Proof of age is required as is a photograph for passes of 3 days or more.
Disabled Skiers
Up to 50% discount is also available for disabled skiers and their helpers upon the presentation of a disability badge, see here for further details.
Cross Country Skiing
Access to the 67kms of cross country ski trails in the Courchevel area is absolutely free!
Other Discounts
During the first and last weeks of the season, reduced rates apply to both the local and area passes:
“First Snow” - ”Premieres Neiges” prices
“Spring Snow” - Courchevel area or 3 Valleys. |
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last updated 4-Feb-2008 |
| Lift Passes - Additional Information |
Photographs are only required for season passes, passes of 12 days duration or more and senior passes for 3 days +.
Since winter 2005/2006, all passes operate on a hands free system which automatically detects and scans your lift pass as you approach the lift turnstiles. Two options of hands free cards are available; a free recyclable card which is usable with all types of pass except for season passes. Or for €3 you can have a P@S card which is rechargeable on the internet for subsequent visits and can be used for all types of pass. It comes free with pass purchases of 10 days or more. It is also insured against loss or theft and can be easily replaced simply by taking your sales receipt along to the cash desk and paying an administration fee of €10.
It goes without saying that you must be properly insured before taking to the slopes, but you can also purchase insurance on a daily basis as you buy your lift pass. ”Carré Neige” is the instantly recognised mountain sports insurance in France that covers you for:
- Search and rescue expenses, first aid and rescue transport
- Medical expenses and repatriation costs (within France only)
- Reimbursement of unused days ski pass (restrictions apply)
Carré Neige costs just €2.70 per day for adults (€2.30 for children). |
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last updated 1-Feb-2008 |
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