It’s undeniable that Courchevel’s reputation precedes it. A resort dripping in class, luxury and style, it’s somewhere I have always wanted to visit, yet felt I never had the budget for. However, this winter, I found that it is indeed possible to experience that famous Courchevel luxury at a suprisingly affordable price.
Offering some of the most beautiful apartments I’ve ever seen, Alpine Residences provide exceptionally high quality accommodation at very reasonable prices. Usually, apartments of this quality are only available to those who can afford to buy them. So how do Alpine Residences keep their prices down when in the midst of one of the most expensive ski resorts of all?
Built by the construction arm of Alpine Residences, Alpine Lodges, these beautiful top-end apartments are sold to private owners. These owners then have the option to rent out their properties year round, via the management of Alpine Residences. Alpine Residences effectively manage the relationship between property owners and holidaymakers, making the process of renting an apartment, or renting out your apartment, as easy as possible.
This means that if, like me, the idea of buying your own luxury Courchevel apartment is as far away from reality as a flying pig, you can still live the high life by renting one out for a week. An apartment that is, not a flying pig.
While these are self-catered apartments, renters gain access to Alpine Residence’s impressive range of flexible management services, which can be tailored to give you the perfect luxury getaway. To make life that little bit easier, you can choose from housekeeping, breakfast delivery and grocery options. Or, for those looking to really pamper themselves, there are private chefs and butlers alongside spa treatments and in-room massages available!
So, which apartment to choose?
There are a number of Alpine Residences in Courchevel, with our favourites being in Courchevel 1650. Here, they tend to be much cheaper than offerings in the more glitzy 1850, while still offering access to the same incredible ski area.
Their apartments in Courchevel offer direct access to the slopes, a fully-equipped kitchen and stunning views across the peaks of the 3 Valleys ski area. The interiors of all the properties have been designed by a dedicated team, with sumptuous furnishings, modern appliances and a cosy, warm finish consistent throughout the apartments.
There are five different apartment lodges currently in Courchevel 1650; Keystone Lodge, Mammoth Lodge, Le C, Whistler Lodge and Aspen Lodge, each with their own distinctive style.
Keystone Lodge houses one of our favourite Alpine Residence apartments, C15. The first thing you notice in this apartment is the huge window overlooking the mountains. Not only does this allow you a stunning view from your sofa, but it gives the whole apartment an airy, light atmosphere. To really pamper yourself, the large balcony also holds a hot tub, perfect for relaxing those muscles after a long day’s skiing.
There are also many smaller apartments in this lodge, such as C14, all of which have a lovely cosy feel. With one double bedroom and a cabin bedroom with two bunk beds. Alpine Residences are very talented at making great use of the space they have available, with these rooms comfortably fitting up to four people.
In Whistler Lodge and Aspen Lodge, 6 to 11-bed apartments offer a perfect taste of the luxury life for mid-sized groups. With gorgeous wood and stone interiors running throughout the apartments, modern appliances and comfortable furnishings complete with beautifully soft fur throws, these apartments are the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Alpine Residence’s Mammoth Lodge is home to one of the most luxurious of their apartments, the D15 penthouse. Whilst probably not one you’re going to want to rent on a budget, it’s definitely one worth mentioning if you want to splash out a little more for a truly luxurious experience. 345m², this apartment can sleep up to 14 people in an incredible setting. A stunning open plan living space and large terrace area will really make you feel like you have stepped into a dream. Curl up on the sumptuous sofas in front of the fire or relax in either the sauna, indoor hot tub or outdoor jacuzzi (oh yeah, this place has both). Either cook for yourselves in the fully furnished kitchen or go the whole hog and hire a private chef to really make the most of it. This apartment is definitely on the higher end of the price scale, but between 14 of you, it’s not quite as pocket-burning as you’d expect!
Across the road, the Le C residence is Alpine Residence’s more modern developments, with accommodation ranging from family apartments sleeping 4 to penthouses sleeping up to 10. Here you benefit from the best of Alpine Residence’s luxury services, with an in-house ski rental, wellness centre and a highly stylish new Bistro restaurant.
Bistro Le C
Brand new and within the Le C residence, the Bistro Le C is a fabulous place to relax and enjoy some local cuisine. With a varied menu that will delight hungry stomachs after a long day’s skiing and an elegantly designed interior that makes aperitifs at the bar always a good idea, Bistro Le C brings the best of luxury Courchevel right to your door. In the mornings, a full continental or English breakfast is served here, or you could choose to have your breakfast (or your evening meal for that matter) delivered from Le C right to your Alpine Residences apartment door.
The Skiing
Thanks to Courchevel’s world-famous reputation as a resort of wealth and luxury, it’s easy to forget that it also boasts one of the biggest and best ski areas in the world, which is only 100m or so from many of these apartments.
With around 600km of runs, Les 3 Vallées area links Courchevel to the resorts of Méribel and Val Thorens, providing a quality and quantity of skiing that is truly remarkable. The area is impressively snow-sure thanks to its high altitude and there is a huge variety of skiing available – from beginners to pros to powder hounds, this area is sure to delight.
With each resort having its own snow park, it’s great for freestyle fans, whilst the new slalom park offers a permanent competition-level stadium that’s open to everyone, allowing skiers of all ages and abilities to try their hand at racing.
Courchevel itself has also hugely developed its family friendly features over the last few years. France’s largest children’s ski area, the French Ski School’s Children’s Village in Courchevel 1850, covers five-hectares and is a specially equipped, safe “ski area within a ski area”, reserved just for little ones. Furthermore, children can start learning to ski at just 18 months at the ESF French Ski School 1850 thanks to specially trained teams and adapted equipment.
And off the Slopes?
While Les 3 Vallèes is an incredible ski area, Courchevel also has a lot to offer aside from the slopes. From designer shops and jewellery stores, to a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants, there are a huge range of ways for you to splurge all that money you saved staying with Alpine Residences!
You can also take part in a snowmobile experience, try out the incredible £50 million aquatic centre, Aquamotion, or even give husky sledding a go! There’s a great amount of entertainment to enjoy in one of the most picturesque areas of Les 3 Vallèes.
While we have been focusing on rental here, if you do have the money to spare and are thinking of buying in Courchevel, Alpine Residences provide the best way to do so. They take care of all property maintenance, all booking administration and all rental revenue, which means that you as an owner simply get to enjoy your apartment as and when you choose, while also making sure that the space is made use of when you’re not around.
Alpine Lodges are developing two new properties in Courchevel next year, so if you are interested in purchasing one of their luxury apartments, head to https://alpine-lodges.co.uk/
