2026 marks a milestone year for Courchevel with its 80th anniversary of sport and innovation in the mountains.

History of Courchevel

Courchevels tourism industry began in 1908 with the opening of the first hotel in Saint-Bon which, at the time, had primarily focussed on the summer tourism market. It was in 1946 that the resorts winter tourism industry really took off. Architect Laurent Chappis oversaw the installation of two new ski lifts, a cable car to La Saulire, a gold course and a ski jump, making Courchevel the first ski resort in France to be built entirely from the ground up, and therefore embodying a new and innovative vision of mountain development. 

The birth of the world's largest ski area

Since then, Courchevel has reigned as a pioneering resort and a true symbol of modernity. Most notably, the 1950s saw the creation of the infamous Trois Vallées ski area, linking Courchevel to Méribel in what would become the largest skiable domain in the world. The acquisition of the Sno-Cat – a revolutionary tracked vehicle designed to travel over snow - led to the introduction of mechanical snow grooming, or ‘piste bashers’. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s, the resort experienced rapid growth with the creation of the world’s first altiport, making the resort more accessible and gradually establishing itself as an internationally renowned destination. The 1980s saw the inauguration of the new Saulire cable car – the largest in Europe at the time.

The home of sporting competitions

For more than half a century, Courchevel has been the host of major international sporting competitions.

In 1966, the resort hosted the Grand Prix downhill race on the Jean Blanc piste, the first skiing competition to be televised. In 1979, Courchevel organised a men's giant slalom and officially joined the World Cup circuit.

In 1992, the Winter Olympics came to Courchevel with ski jumping and Nordic combine events. This great momentum continued in 2011 with the Women's Alpine Skiing World Cup, later followed by the 2023 Courchevel–Méribel Alpine Skiing World Championships. This array of exceptional events established Courchevel as a leading sporting destination.

What's in store for 2026?

To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Courchevel has an exciting line up for the upcoming season:

- Millet Ski Touring: a unique ski mountaineering event, taking place every Wednesday evening from December until the end of February.

⁃ 14 and 15 March 2026: Men's Alpine Skiing World Cup - an event not seen in Courchevel for over 45 years 

⁃ 5 April 2026: 5th edition of Winter Legacy, a competition created by French alpine ski racer and Olympic medallist Alexis Pinturault

⁃ 12 to 18 April 2026: French Ski Instructors' Championships, widely known as the Challenge des Moniteurs

⁃ 12 April 2026: the 13th edition of the Dynastar X3, a challenging vertical triathlon

⁃ 19 April 2026: a new edition of the iconic Derbike event

Discover our selection of exceptional chalets and apartments in the heart of Courchevel.

Whether you are looking for a second home, a property investment or to enjoy a stay in an exceptional mountain resort, our multilingual team are ready to assist you with their in-depth knowledge of the local market.