Courchevel
Courchevel is 150 km from Geneva Airport, about 2 h 15 by road, in the French Alps at the eastern end of Les 3 Vallées. Beyond its glamorous reputation, it is a very practical family resort, with several villages at different levels and plenty of easy slopes. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you directly to your chalet or hotel, with child seats ready in the vehicle.
- Distance from GVA: 150 km by road
- Drive time: around 2 h 15, more on winter Saturdays
- Border crossing: the route crosses the border into France
- Family appeal: several villages, wide beginner areas and a large aquatic centre
- Best family bases: Courchevel Moriond (1650) and Courchevel Village (1550)
Getting there with children
The route crosses into France and follows motorways past Annecy and Albertville, then up the Tarentaise valley to Moûtiers. From there, the road climbs through a series of bends to the Courchevel villages. The whole journey takes a little over two hours, so a short stop before the mountain road is a good idea for children who suffer from car sickness.
Saturday is the main changeover day, and the Tarentaise valley can be congested. Choosing an early flight or travelling on a different day can help. The chauffeur drops you directly at your accommodation, which matters in Courchevel, where many chalets are on steep, narrow roads and carrying luggage on foot is difficult.
Choosing the right village for your family
Courchevel is made up of several villages: Le Praz (1300), Courchevel Village (1550), Courchevel Moriond (1650) and Courchevel (1850), plus nearby La Tania. Courchevel 1850 is the most famous, with its luxury hotels and boutiques, but families often prefer 1650 and 1550, which are quieter, more relaxed and have excellent access to easy slopes.
Courchevel Moriond has a sunny, family-friendly ski area with wide blue runs, while Courchevel Village has gentle slopes and a calm atmosphere. Le Praz, at the bottom, is a traditional village with tree-lined runs, ideal on cloudy days. All are linked by lifts and free buses, so you can ski across the whole of Courchevel and further into Les 3 Vallées.
Ski schools and lessons
Courchevel has many ski schools offering lessons for children of all ages, from first steps in snow gardens to advanced coaching. Beginner areas are found in each village, often with magic carpets and gentle slopes. Lessons are available in English as well as French, which helps international families.
Book lessons well in advance for school holidays, especially in February. For young children, kindergarten-style clubs combine snow play with indoor activities. Families with mixed abilities can ski together on easy runs connecting the villages, while confident older children can explore the wider 3 Vallées with an instructor.
Beyond skiing: activities for children
Courchevel Village (1550) is home to a large aquatic and wellness centre with pools, slides and wave features, which is a favourite with children on a rest day or after skiing. There is an ice rink, sledging areas and a long toboggan run, as well as snowshoe outings and dog sledding in the area. The ski jumps at Le Praz, built for the 1992 Albertville Olympics, are impressive to see.
The Altiport, a mountain airstrip above 1850, is fascinating for children who love aeroplanes, and the surrounding area has gentle slopes and cross-country trails. In the evening, each village has restaurants and cafés, with more choice in 1850 and a more relaxed atmosphere in 1650 and 1550.
Courchevel's large ski area also makes it a good choice for families with teenagers who are keen to explore. Once older children are confident, they can follow an instructor through Les 3 Vallées towards Méribel, while younger siblings stay on the gentle slopes near the village.
Packing and arrival-day planning
Pack warm layers, helmets, goggles, spare gloves and sun cream. Shops in Courchevel can be expensive, so bring the essentials your children need. Declare skis, snowboards and buggies at booking so the vehicle has enough space.
On arrival, keep the afternoon simple with equipment hire and a short walk to find the lifts and lesson meeting points. For your return, leave Courchevel about three and a half hours before your flight, more on Saturdays, when the road down to Moûtiers and the valley can be slow.
Book your family transfer to Courchevel
AirportsTransfers.ch shows the fixed price for the vehicle before you pay, with payment online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you in arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight and includes waiting time if you land late. Child seats and boosters are fitted on request.
The Mercedes V-Class van carries up to seven passengers with ten bags and skis, which suits most families, while the Sprinter minibus is available for larger groups. For questions, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
