Guide to: Courchevel

By: C. Guimaraes

Courchevel is an enchanting little ski town in the French Alps, near to the Italian border. I went there for Carnival in February with my family and learned how to snowboard. The town itself is perfect for no more than a one-week trip. I suggest that you stay in a chalet; it is very comfortable and much better than staying in a hotel. Try the cheese fondue, as it’s one of the best ones I’ve ever had and, finally, drink the hot chocolate!
 
You should go during the first trimester of the year, around late January or February, because the snow is perfect: it’s cold, but not unbearably freezing, and soft to the touch.
 
Other than skiing, we ate out pretty much every day. There isn’t much to do there other than eat, and ski or snowboard, but then you don’t really have the energy to do much else after you come home from an action packed day.
 
The one place you must go is La Folie Dolce, a restaurant on one of the mountains. You have to take a ski lift to get there but I promise it is absolutely worth the trip. On the other hand, if you are more of a night owl and want something fun during those twilight hours, you should go to the Lark Nightclub.  
 
I would suggest visiting Courchevel even if you don’t know how to ski or snowboard because, for such a small town, it has an abundance of ski schools for you to choose from. Being a first timer myself, I thought the teaching was at the perfect pace and the training and meeting places for the ski schools were beautiful. It’s a good place for casual skiers as they have multiple shops for ski rentals; thus, you don’t have carry or worry about your own equipment.