Barn in Courchevel Le Praz - Three Valleys

Ski Resort: Courchevel Le Praz

Le Praz is a charming ski resort based around a pretty, traditional mountain village. Even as the resort grows the centre remains full of character with narrow streets and attractive old buildings and in the main the new developments have been done with taste in the traditional materials of wood and stone. It has a small lake as its focus next to which the two ski lifts are situated.   It is a very popular resort due to its authentic, welcoming feel with the small centre providing a daily meeting point for regulars so new arrivals can quickly settle in and get to know who’s who and what’s where. Its prices compare very favourably to the more expensive resorts higher up the valley, and it offers enough to keep most members of a group happy. It welcomes a wide range of visitors; families, those with a basic budget, and a wealthier clientele who don’t subscribe to the glitz of 1850.   It has a life of its own throughout the year although it is very quiet out of season with just a shop, bar and restaurant remaining open. In the main summer season, July and August, it is also fully open and the winter season usually runs from mid December to the end of April.   The lake, frozen in winter, makes a stunning backdrop for the huge fireworks competition held here each year along with many music festivals both summer and winter. At the back of the lake is a huge ski jump which is used on the national and international competition circuit which along with walking, horse riding, parapointing, painting, golf, flying, climbing and many other superb mountain activities brings life beyond skiing to this village.   Le Praz boasts a good selection of lively bars, mouth-watering creperies and fine restaurants including "La Table de Mon Grand-Père" in Hotel Les Peupliers - a favourite treat of mine. It has a good standard of accommodation with a mix of hotels, apartments and chalets.   It is situated at the foot of the Courchevel ski area and is also known as the ski resort of Courchevel 1300. The Courchevel ski area links in to the massive 3 Valleys ski area. From the foot of the Gondola lift you are 2 lifts away from either Méribel or Courchevel 1850. So for skiing Le Praz is excellently situated with the two télécabine lifts, the Praz and Foret running from the centre. These can become hectic at peak weeks but locals and seasonnaires (winter workers) know it’s just a matter of timing your departure.   The Praz télécabine lift takes you directly into the centre of Courchevel 1850. The Foret télécabine lift takes you up towards the summit of "La Loze" at 2196m, giving easy access to the wonderful skiing of Courchevel and La Tania or the Meribel valley. Skiing back to Le Praz is a breathtaking experience in itself; tree lined pistes, some of the prettiest in the three valleys, lead you to the village. The jockey’s black run into Le Praz is quite something and a superb challenge to those who like to ski a bit closer to the edge. But don’t worry there are red runs too or the option to come down in the lift or free ski buses which run non-stop throughout the day.   The traditionally good snow, north facing slopes and extensive network of snow cannons enable you to ski back to the village throughout the season, but regardless just in case the pistes get a little scratchy you can always catch the bubble down.