Now the borders are open again to Brits, focus once more is on upcoming trips and how to make the most of that long awaited ski holiday. If you’re coming to Courchevel or La Tania this winter and want some insider tips then you’ve come to the right place. With many years spent skiing the slopes of Courchevel we’ve a few perfectly honed itineraries to make your ski day one to remember. In the spirit of sharing, this is our idea of a perfect day skiing in Courchevel, setting off from Ski Dazzle’s home in La Tania.

Make the most of fresh corduroy in La Tania

First off, it’s worth checking where has been pisted and prioritise those runs first. There is a grooming report at most major lift stations, as well as online at S3V. The two runs down to La Tania – Folyeres and Plan Fontaine for example are cracking pistes when nicely groomed, but you likely only ski them home at the end of the day when they’re all cut up. So, if they’re freshly pisted and looking slick, it might be worth giving them a quick run, before heading up, up and away.

Ski wide open pistes in Courchevel (1850)

Courchevel 1850 area has some nice wide open pistes, but can also get quite busy, so if you’re here on a busy week it’s worth avoiding key lift stations like Verdons and Chenus, and staying higher up. So, coming up from La Tania, take the bubble, then the Bouc Blanc chair and hang a right to take the blue run down to pick up the Biollay chair.

From the top of Biollay, ski the cruisey blue of the same name back to the chair, before lapping it again, this time taking skiers left to ski Marquetty (so long as it’s been pisted) before taking the chair again. If you fancy skiing through the family park you can do another lap here to take that in. Then, from the top of Biollay, if you head right you can ski blue run Pralong which has a few fun but gentle rollers towards the end.

If it’s a nice day and you fancy a drink in the sun, head down to the snack bar by the bottom of the Pralong chair where you can take a break in the picnic benches in the sun.

Ski through the trees to Courchevel Village (1550)

From there, there is a little-used run through the trees down to Courchevel Village (1550) called Cospilot. It snakes through the fancy chalets and takes a scenic route away from the crowds. You can then ski down to Village, and pick up the Tovets chair which will take you back to Courchevel.

Ski down, staying left, to pick up the Plantrey chair, under which you might be lucky enough to watch the kids training skiing the gates, making it look effortless! From the top of the chair take a left and ski gentle red Loze, staying to the right so that you can take the boulevard half way down which will take you back to Biollay. From the top of the chair ski straight on to to ski Pralong-Suisses, down to the Suisses chair. This will then take you up to the top of Saulire where you can take in the views and grab a selfie or two.

It’s likely getting to lunchtime now, which means the pistes should be quietening down. To make the most of this quiet time it’s worth taking a late lunch.

Enjoy the late sun in Courchevel Moriond

The pistes above Courchevel Moriond (1650) get the sun later in the day so it’s a great area to spend late afternoon. So, if you head straight on from the top of Suisses and take the boulevard in the direction of Méribel, you’ll find yourself at the top of Creux. Enjoy this popular and long blue run, skiing it’s length down to valley bottom before taking the Roc Mugnier chair.

If you’re getting peckish and ready for lunch, the Bel Air, at the top of the Ariondaz bubble is a good choice. On sunny days their sun terrace is spectacular, with stunning views. Or, if it’s cold and snowy, enjoy the cozy interior beside the fire. We’d highly recommend their vin chaud! Or, if you’re on a budget, their snack bar is another great option.

After lunch, if you still have some time left, enjoy the myriad of cruisey blues and gentle reds that run beneath the Signal chair (Grande Bosses, Gentianes and Ariondaz), as well as the fun reds lapable by the Chapelets chair (Chapelets, Bel Air and Rochers). Just make sure you leave enough time to make it back to La Tania.

Head back to La Tania, stopping for a drink at après enroute

From the top of Signal or Chapelets you can reach the Aiguille du Fruit bowl by the red Roc Mugnier, although the blue boulevard which is accessed to the left at the bottom of Gentianes is often a much nicer option. Either way, take the Aiguille du Fruit chair and turn right at the top, taking the blue down past the Altiport (airport). If you’re lucky, you might see someone land or take off. Keep heading down under the Pralong chair but stay high and to the left to pick up the Bellecote blue piste which will take you back to Courchevel.

Here you have two options, depending on timing and your preference….

Option 1: Ski through Courchevel, under the bridge, stay left and ski past the Plantrey chair to your right, taking Brigues down to Courchevel Le Praz. Enjoy a vin chaud at the Peupliers hotel in this quaint village, before hopping on the bus back to La Tania.

Option 2: Take the Plantrey chair, then ski down Bouc Blanc before taking the Dou de Lanches chair to the top of Col de la Loze and enjoy a tipple at 1928 restaurant while watching the sun drop, before skiing home to La Tania via Lanches (red) or Dou de Lanches (black) then Folyeres.

OK, so France isn’t exactly renowned for vegetarian cuisine. Vegetarians living in France in the past have had to endure many a green salad and plate of chips over the years, while watching friends tuck into juicy steaks. Thankfully however, the French are starting to catch on, with vegetarian options starting to pop up on most restaurant menus. So, if you’re a veggie – or you’re trying to eat less meat (labels not required) – then here is our list of some of the best restaurants in the Three Valleys for vegetarians.

Vegetarian options – on the mountain

Bouc Blanc, at the top of the La Tania bubble

The Bouc Blanc is a winner for skiers looking for tasty food, decent portions and great value. It’s also a great option for veggies, offering a selection of dishes including a ginormous and delicious Beaufort tart, a whopping cheese omelette with mounds of fries, a vegan bowl, pesto linguine and some nice but simple salads. Save some room for dessert though – their café gourmand is not to be missed!

Cucina Angelina, bottom of the slopes in Courchevel Moriond

Named after owner and celebrity chef Angelina Hartnett, Cucina Angelina serves Italian food with a sprinkling of French Savoyard flavours. It’s not cheap, but with slippers to replace your ski boots and a swanky lounge area to enjoy an aperitif, it’s worth the splurge. Veggie options include a flavour-packed salad, and a number of pizzas and pasta dishes – including a porcini tagliatelle and four cheese pizza.

Jacks Bar, bottom of the slopes in Méribel

British-run restaurant Jacks serves tasty pub food done well. They also cater well for veggies serving up veggie nachos, bang bang cauliflower, a super tasty veggie burger (made from beetroot and beans), tofu drunken noodles and several veggie pizza options.

Wok Ski, near the bottom of the Moraine and Portet chairlifts, Val Thorens

Wok Ski is an Asian fusion restaurant popular with seasonnaires and holiday makers alike – and for good reason. They serve super tasty vegetarian noodles, soups and wraps which are cooked fresh and great value. Their menu is based on a build-your-own concept, so you can choose your base (rice or noodles), then pick from meat or veggie additions and finally your choice of sauce. If you like yours packed with flavour you can also help yourself to fresh coriander and chilli to finish it off. Best for sunny days, the food comes in take away boxes which you can feast from in the sun on their terrace of deck chairs.

Vegetarian options – in resort

Copiña, Courchevel Moriond

Tapas bar-come-restaurant Copiña, serves a selection of delicious tapas dishes, which work well for vegetarians looking to try a number of dishes. Veggie options include padron peppers, patatas bravas, Jerusalem artichoke chips, spanish omelette, olives and a manchego salad.

Le Petit Savoyard, Courchevel Moriond

Run by the charming Pascal and his wife Babette, Le Petit Savoyard is a Courchevel favourite. As well as the traditional Savoyard veggie options of fondue and raclette, this year they’ve added a number of decent veggie options to their repertoire. Choose from a delicious hot goats cheese salad, creamy mushroom ravioli and a veggie burger.

Le Farçon, La Tania

Michelin-starred Le Farçon isn’t an obvious choice for vegetarians, renowned for serving up sumptuous meat and fish dishes inspired by the Savoie and local mountain regions. However, if you ring ahead and tell them you’re vegetarian they cater very well – offering delicious veggie options for each course. And, starting at 42€ for a 3-course (closer to 6-courses all in) feast, it’s well worth a visit.

Barometer, Méribel Centre

Based in the centre of Méribel, Barometer serves delicious pub food, with an Italian influence. Head chef James has introduced a number of veggie options including an amazing veggie lasagne which is highly recommended! As well as a mushroom soup, burrata salad, pesto genovese tagliatelle and a boite chaude (hot melted local cheese served with roasted new potatoes and salad). Think fresh, tasty and hearty portions).

The perfect day skiing Courchevel and La Tania