Courchevel: Summer's Unexpected Art of Sport

Courchevel may be synonymous with legendary winter ski slopes, but come summer, this iconic French Alpine resort reveals another, more intimate, and incredibly vibrant side. This summer 2026, Courchevel is rewriting the rulebook, transforming itself into a dynamic destination where the art of sport and the spirit of life collide, offering a captivating blend of adrenaline-fueled challenges, authentic mountain heritage, and contemporary culture. Forget everything you thought you knew about summer in the Alps – this is Courchevel, reimagined.

Beyond the Slopes: A Summer of Reinvention

While winter remains Courchevel's flagship season, the summer months are no longer just a quiet interlude. The resort is actively investing in new experiences and infrastructure, with a particular focus on catering to the growing demand for diverse outdoor activities. This summer sees a significant investment in the Courchevel Bike Park, which is being completely rebranded with a playful and accessible new identity. This means clearer signposting, improved services, and two freshly revitalized tracks:

• La Louza (Plantrey to Courchevel 1850): Previously a demanding red run, La Louza has been given a complete makeover. Now, it's a progressive and engaging trail, still categorized as red but with added alternatives, allowing riders to adapt the descent to their skills and offering a new experience with every run.

• La Godille (Verdons to Courchevel 1850): This classic blue run has been entirely redesigned. The new track is smoother, easier, and more reassuring, creating the perfect entry point for beginners and families to experience the thrills of downhill mountain biking in optimal conditions.

Complementing these track updates are brand-new, conveniently located MTB service areas in the center of Courchevel 1850 and in Le Praz village, offering washing, inflation, and repair facilities, along with e-bike charging. And for those seeking a different kind of two-wheeled challenge, the newly opened multi-activity pumptrack in Courchevel Village provides progressive loops from beginner green to expert red, catering to everything from skateboards and scooters to BMX and mountain bikes.

The High-Altitude Racket Revolution

Courchevel is also expanding its sporting repertoire beyond bikes. This summer, experience padel tennis at new heights! Two permanent padel courts are now available year-round in Courchevel 1850. Located opposite the INEOS Club House, these are among the highest courts in France, offering a truly unique high-altitude experience. This initiative, developed in partnership with the iconic French sports brand Lacoste, perfectly aligns with the resort's identity where elegance and performance meet impeccable quality.

Unearthing a Hidden Heritage

Beyond the high-octane sports, summer in Courchevel invites exploration. This is a time to slow down the pace, breathe, and explore the resort's rich cultural, architectural, and natural heritage. With 32 distinct villages and hamlets stretching from Vignotan to Courchevel 1850, there's a wealth of local history waiting to be discovered.

Wander through the narrow streets, explore traditional bread ovens, covered wash houses, and ancient stone water troughs (bachals). Find traces of the Alpine Maginot Line with a visit to the blockhouse at La Perrière chapel. Learn about the early days of skiing on "Slope A", created in the 1950s by champions Émile Allais and Jean Blanc. The dedicated Heritage Traditions Hikes and detailed Valley Heritage Guide available at the Tourist Offices provide indispensable tools for uncovering these hidden treasures.

David Déréani, tour guide and heritage expert, emphasizes the uniqueness of Courchevel's legacy: "Within the same municipality, you’ll find heritage from very different periods and of very different kinds – from listed 20th-century Historic Monuments in Courchevel 1850 to the 17th-century Baroque church of Saint-Bon. This diversity is a unique illustration of how uses and lifestyles have evolved in this Alpine valley."

A Festival of Traditions

Courchevel's deep-rooted traditions are brought to life through a calendar of authentic summer festivals.

• Fête de la Saint-Jean (June 19): Kickstart the summer season with this traditional bonfire celebration in Courchevel Le Praz. An evening of picnic, music, and simple joy, marking the arrival of summer.

• Fête de la Madelon (July 25-26): Dive into the heart of Le Praz's history. Prepare to share a shared ritual as you savor the popular broad bean and vegetable soup, prepared in an extraordinary 600-liter cauldron. This age-old tradition, championed by the La Route des Tommes association, also features music, dancing, and a bustling craft and food market.

• Fête des Bûcherons (July 19): Witness spectacular lumberjack competitions in La Tania, showcasing the strength, precision, and mastery of craftsmanship that has shaped the Alpine landscape.

• Villarnard "Fête du Patrimoine" (August 1-2): A truly timeless experience in a typical mountain hamlet, focused on understanding, protecting, and passing on local tradition. Explore the Maison du Patrimoine and unmissable sights like the Saint-Roch and Saint-Bernard chapel and the ancient bread oven.

• Fête de Notre-Dame des Neiges (August 2): Celebrate Courchevel Moriond's heritage and community spirit. The day features a Mass at the iconic Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel, followed by a festive afternoon and evening of shared meals, games, and music.

• Fête des Tovets (August 15-16): Don't miss the much-awaited summer highlight in Courchevel 1850. Centered around the grand braderie street market held by local traders, this is a vibrant two days of bargain-hunting, food trucks, and free concerts.

• Fête de Courchevel Village (August 22-23): Centered around a traditional rustic meal and family entertainment, this festival offers a gentle reminder to slow down, disconnect, and reconnect with the mountain lifestyle and the pleasure of quality time together.

Sport, Adrenaline, and Peak Performances

Courchevel in summer is the ultimate mountain experience for test-your-limits athletes, with iconic events designed for those who love to push beyond their boundaries while discovering the mountains in a whole new way.

• Björka X3 Courchevel (July 12): This spectacular triathlon – indoor rowing, road cycling, and trail running – culminates in a legendary finish at 2,006 meters on the altiport runway, right in front of Mont Blanc! A race of grit, mental resilience, and absolute adrenaline.

• Millet X-Trail (July 26): A truly one-of-a-kind and flexible ultra-trail event! Set off before sunrise and then listening to your body and listen to the mountain, choosing your distance – from 11 to 66 km – as you run. Decisions are made at timed checkpoints, giving you the choice to stop there or push on to ever more ambitious targets on a stunning route through Vanoise National Park.

• Marathon des Sables – Crazy Loops (July 31-August 2): More than just kilometres covered, this human adventure is about sharing the challenge. Run, walk, and support teams with disabilities on a 3-5 km loop for 24 hours in a truly extraordinary atmosphere of human connection and personal challenge.

• Ski Jumping World Cup (August 8-9): Courchevel is the exclusive French host for this summit event on the summer ski jumping calendar. Witness breathtaking aerobatics as the world’s elite compete on the iconic Olympic jumps in Le Praz, accompanied by a spectacular mountain air show featuring the Rafale Solo Display, free concerts, and a grand finale fireworks display.

• Cycling Event Courchevel (August 14-16): Three days, several disciplines, and one common challenge! From the urban Street Bike urban race to the staggering Max Enduro downhill race from Saulire peak with over 2,000m of elevation loss, and the demanding 50km XC des Avals endurance challenge – this is the ultimate playground for all sorts of MTB activities and ages.

Nature's Unspoilt Sanctuary

Courchevel also serves as an exceptional sanctuary of unspoilt nature and biodiversity. Explore Vanoise National Park, France’s first national park, and discover the truly treasure-like Merlet lakes. Witness ibex, chamois, marmots, and remarkable rare plant species like the edelweiss and lady's slipper orchid. Take a journey to the summit of the Dent du Villard for a spectacular 360° panoramic view over the great Vanoise peaks, exploring unique gypsum craters along the trail. The resort is also deeply committed to preserving this environmental wealth, with the launch of a Municipal Biodiversity Atlas project and a commitment to raise public awareness through field activities and educational events.

Cultural Encounters, Illusion, and Illumination

Experience a Summer of Encounters in Courchevel with a diverse and captivating cultural programme.

• Punta Courchevel 2026 (July 3-5): A fully-fledged custom culture festival. Motorcycle bike shows, live rock concerts, custom creators, and iconic mountain runs from Le Praz to Courchevel altiport – a vibrant celebration of freedom and thrills.

• Alti’Fest (July 10-11): An artistic interlude blending nature and celebration, featuring open-air concerts on the shores of Le Praz lake, an arts & crafts village, and nature awareness initiatives.

• Festival des 3 Coups (July 12-17): Six days of powerful, generous, and deeply human performances as ten amateur theatre companies from all over France take over Courchevel La Tania and Courchevel 1850.

• Theatre outdoors with Le Gros Tuyau (early August): A performance that champions collective creation, deeply connected to its territory and the mountains.

• Courchevel Magic Festival (August 3-7): sponsored by Dani Lary, this summer highlight features performances from illusionists, mentalists, hypnotists, and animal magic on five days.

• Courchevel Symphonies Lumières (July 29): An outdoor musical event like no other! Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf is performed by the Youth Orchestra of Baden-Wuerttemberg against the breathtaking backdrop of the Olympic ski jumps in Le Praz, enhanced by special light effects.

This summer 2026, Courchevel is inviting you to experience the mountains with fresh eyes – freer, more supportive, and entirely focused on what truly matters. Book your unforgettable summer adventure now and discover the true art of sport, the spirit of life, in Courchevel!