Courchevel 1850, is it as expensive as we think?

A snowHead

Pedantica, they're common in Courchevel according to friends there, though perhaps more so during the three week Russian holiday period.

Reports last year of the pistes being dead outside of that period too, with hotels closing early etc. Be interesting this season given the collapse of Russian middle-class tourism that we've witnessed in the south of France (and reportedly even in Finland!).

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@kiteman69, roughly speaking, they take our Christmas and new year to the end of their one mid Jan (maybe add on a week or two extra at the end for good measure).

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@ansta1, yes agreed and those easy greens are accessed by gondola which for learners will be much easier to handle than a chair or drag

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

For absolute beginners the greens above Courchevel 1850 are great. As above, variety accessed by gondola. If you look at my TR for La Tania from jan 2014 there's lots of info about them. Even with slow progress by the end of the week Bouc Blanc above La Tania (a short blue only to the restaurant, then an easy green or blue to get to the chairlift back to the ridge, then easy green/blue back to 1850) is easily accessible. Easier to regain 1850 by skiing down to the Bouc Blanc chair than Dou des Lanches on the way back, significant poling is needed unless you are travelling at decent rate. 1650 (easy blues) and 1550, Le Praz (by gondola) and La Tania (green, but more tricky or moderate blue) are all places beginners could be having lunch. All on the local area pass and give a decent sense of travelling round the mountains. It's a very good resort to learn at if you sort good instruction.

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@albinomountainbadger, mmm..looks good to me........hungry.....see if I find a few roubles down the back of the sofa.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

We've had reasonable meals at Bouc Blanc, Courchneige and Bel Air. We had some great vouchers for La Folie Douce lunch last year too for about 10 or 15 Euros. We also went to an English pub down in either 1650 or 1550 and had a great fry up. I'll try and remember the name, there was a very jolly Welsh lady cooking

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@albinomountainbadger, you can tell there will be no Brits at that place, as nothing in English. I doubt there would be many French there either. 3v might be a bit quieter this New Year with fewer Russians about

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Lunching on a budget in and around 1850 isn't hard at all, having been for the last 3 seasons trying to spend as little as possible you can manage a simple lunch (baguette, drink and maybe a cake) for under 10 euro per person, maybe 12/15 for hot food. Sandwich shop in shopping centre in 1850 is great for a bargain baguette, ski down to La Tania and try Pub Le Ski for the same and also hot food as a reasonable price. Alternatively get over to 1650 and there's a great patisserie/boulangerie right next to the second elevator down from the foot of the slopes. If you fancy treating yourself I'd definitely recommend Courcheneige, this past January I believe it was about 25 euro for soup, croque monsieur with chips and a large beer so actually not too bad! Alternatively get yourself to the Spar, make some simple sandwiches and take them up with you - more time to ski then Smile

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We used to lunch for years in the Self-Service at the top of the Chenus lift - was great value. Disapppointed to return there last year to find had been turned into waiter service, reduced menu, and prices to match, and 'We don't serve tap water - is a regulation in Courchevel to save water' - yeah, of course...
Still looking for a self-service nearer than le Menuires...

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

There are loads of comparatively reasonably priced places to eat in Courchevel and 3V

L'Arc en Ciel in 1650 just ski down and follow the gap in the buildings (they used to be under the Saulire Cable car). Great pizza and regional dishes.

Not been recently but Roc Tania used to be good, top of Col d'Loze

Oeil de Boeuf in 1550 is great for chalet night off, they cook the meat over an open fire, small place so need to book, not recommended for veggies or people who aren't meat lovers.

Never eaten there but Courchniege is great for hot chocolate. Might try that one day this year based upon the recommendations. Bel Air does great vin chaud, food is good also.

Further afield if you can, try to ski down to St Martin - a great trip- La Voulte is a good and reasonable lunch spot with stunning views of a Savoie church.

Chalet Marine in VT is good (below top of Cascades chair), they have an expensive table service operation if you are feeling flush, but there is also a self service restaurant below which is really good and inexpensive.

You can even go for Michelin star cuisine at Le Farcon in La Tania, the fixed price menu is great value, though probably not one for this trip!

Avoid all the restaurants near the Altiport and Croisette in the main, if you are concerned about cost.

Help!!

Courchevel 1850, is it as expensive as we think?

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