Courchevel at 80: The Mountain That Reinvented Itself

Eighty years after its inauguration, Courchevel stands at a rare crossroads. It is both a pioneer and a benchmark, a resort built from scratch that has grown into one of the world’s most recognisable alpine destinations. As it prepares for a new era shaped by the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Courchevel is celebrating its heritage while unveiling a wave of developments that signal ambition, confidence and a deep respect for the mountains that made it.

This feature explores the resort’s evolving identity: its history, its craftsmanship, its new hotels and restaurants, its sporting culture, and the people who continue to shape it.

A Resort Born of Vision, Now Entering a New Chapter

Courchevel’s story began in 1946 with an audacious idea: to build a ski resort from the ground up, designed for accessibility, modernity and excellence. Eight decades later, that founding spirit still drives the destination.

The anniversary season opens on 4 December with a large-scale celebration at the Forum ice rink. Residents, athletes and partners will gather for an evening of performances, artistic staging and a tribute to the pioneers who transformed mountain pastures into a world-class ski area. A preview of the Courchevel 80 photo book and the unveiling of the intergenerational Super Game will anchor the event in both heritage and forward momentum.

With the Olympic flame set to return to the region in 2030, Courchevel is using this milestone to reaffirm its identity: a resort shaped by craftsmanship, sporting excellence and a commitment to sustainable development.

A Collector’s Book Capturing Courchevel’s Dual Identity

To mark the anniversary, Courchevel has partnered with Éditions de La Martinière to publish a large-format book that explores the resort’s character through two lenses: Inside and Outside.

Photographer Clarisse de Lauriston spent months documenting the slopes, peaks, hamlets and summer landscapes, while journalist Catherine Deydier gathered testimonies from the people who give Courchevel its soul. The result is a richly illustrated work blending contemporary photography with archival material from municipal and regional collections.

Inside celebrates refined alpine living: exceptional chalets, craftsmanship, gastronomy and the intimate atmosphere of Courchevel’s most iconic hotels.
Outside reveals the raw beauty of the mountains, the sporting culture, the villages and the personalities who shaped the resort’s reputation.

It is a portrait of a destination where Savoyard heritage meets modernity, and where tradition evolves without losing its roots.

Super Game: Courchevel’s Story Told Through Play

Among the anniversary projects, one stands out for its originality: a board game created entirely by local residents. Developed by the council and the media library, Super Game invites players to race down legendary slopes while answering questions about local culture, architecture, gastronomy, flora, fauna and sport.

The board features three emblematic challenges: the Saulire opening run, the Super-G course on the Éclipse slope, and the Olympic ski jump at Le Praz. It is both a family game and a cultural archive, designed to transmit Courchevel’s identity in a playful, accessible way.

A Limited-Edition Ski Celebrating Excellence

Courchevel’s long-standing partnership with HEAD has produced a striking anniversary ski inspired by the work of Pierre Soulages. The design embraces a deep, elegant black aesthetic, enhanced by embossed detailing and a laser-engraved Courchevel signature on the binding.

Based on HEAD’s Supershape e-Magnum model, the ski is engineered for advanced and expert skiers seeking precision and power. Only 199 pairs have been produced, available exclusively through authorised retailers in the resort.

It is both a collector’s item and a high-performance tool, embodying Courchevel’s blend of artistry and sporting excellence.

S3V at 80: A Tribute to the People Behind the Slopes

The Société des 3 Vallées, founded alongside Courchevel in 1946, is also celebrating its 80th anniversary. Its message is simple: thank you.

A documentary film, S3V, Guardian of the Mountain, traces the company’s evolution through interviews and archival footage, highlighting the technical challenges, innovations and human dedication that have shaped the ski area. A series of eight video episodes will be released throughout the winter, exploring winter and summer roles, innovation, environmental commitment and the company’s vision.

A photographic exhibition, 25 Faces, One Story, showcases portraits of long-serving employees, from metalworkers to lift operators, celebrating the people who have kept the resort running for decades.

A New Era of Alpine Hospitality

Courchevel’s accommodation landscape is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in years, with new openings across La Tania, Courchevel 1850 and Moriond.

Barma, Courchevel La Tania

Inspired by traditional stone shelters, Barma blends minimalist design with natural materials. The property includes 51 rooms, 24 suites and 70 luxury apartments, alongside a Susanne Kaufmann spa, Kids’ Room, concierge service and multiple dining concepts.

Bourbon Hotel, Courchevel 1850

The Chapitre Six group introduces a bold reinterpretation of mountain luxury. Designed like a London club, the hotel features dark wood, velvet, onyx and a music-library lounge bar. Michelin-starred chef Simone Zanoni oversees the Italian restaurant Simonetta, while the mineral spa focuses on contrast therapy.

Hôtel Saint Roch, Courchevel 1850

Maisons Pariente unveils a warm, elegant retreat inspired by Eastern country houses. With 37 rooms, a cosy restaurant, a kids’ club and a Tata Harper spa, the hotel blends handcrafted décor with refined comfort.

Steamboat and Sundance, Courchevel Moriond

Two new 5-star properties from Alpine Resorts offer luxury apartments and penthouses with full hotel services, including swimming pools, spas, fitness centres, ski shops and concierge teams. Steamboat focuses on gatherings, while Sundance emphasises effortless luxury.

Maison Pinturault

The Annapurna hotel unveils redesigned suites and an upgraded wellness area, while the new Chalet Belrio in Courchevel Village offers 520 m² of private luxury with Japanese baths, a hammam, a Norwegian sauna and a fitness room.

K2 Palace and La Sivolière

K2 Palace reveals redesigned rooms inspired by Tibetan high-altitude expeditions, while La Sivolière expands with new luxury apartments and redesigned common areas blending raw materials with contemporary elegance.

Fouquet’s Courchevel

A new immersive Kids Club enhances the family offering, with creative workshops and mountain-themed experiences.

A Gastronomic Scene Defined by Excellence

Courchevel’s culinary landscape continues to shine, with seven Michelin-starred restaurants totalling eleven stars.

The standout achievement of the season is the first Michelin star awarded to L’Altitude at K2 Altitude. Chefs Guillaume Duchemin and Davide Sessa reinterpret French classics with technical precision and modern flair, establishing the restaurant as a must-visit address.

Their partnership blends Duchemin’s international experience and rigour with Sessa’s contemporary sensibility, creating a cuisine that reflects Courchevel’s dual identity: refined, ambitious and deeply rooted in craftsmanship.

A Resort Looking Toward the Summit

As Courchevel celebrates its 80th anniversary, it is not simply honouring its past. It is preparing for a future shaped by innovation, sustainability and global sporting ambition. With the 2030 Winter Olympics on the horizon, new hotels redefining alpine luxury, and cultural projects that deepen its identity, the resort is entering a new era with clarity and confidence.

Courchevel remains what it has always been: a place where excellence is a way of life, where heritage inspires innovation, and where the mountains continue to shape the people who call them home.