There are in effect four Courchevels that make up the single resort. Courchevel 1850, the highest of the cluster, is now better known for its Russian visitors and sky-high prices than for the superb skiing it offers, while the villages at 1650 and 1550 metres provide more affordable holiday locations and excellent skiing to boot.

Courchevel 1300 or 'Courchevel Le Praz' as it is known by the locals, is the original village that dates from the 17th Century. It is packed with rural French charm, with quaint narrow streets bordered by rustic old-timbered farm buildings (many of which are now chic restaurants or shops).

Dominating the hillside are the ski jumps built for the 1992 Olympics, whilst elsewhere in the village one can find a selection of over 60 shops, 8 restaurants (including the famous Bistro du Praz) and a wealth of cosy bars in which to unwind after a day in the mountains.

Almost all of the village's chalet and hotel accommodation is set away from the lift station, but Ted Bentley's properties are both within 100m of the lift station, and can be skied back to in the right snow conditions.

Ski buses
A handy way to travel around the Three Valleys is to use the resort's efficient bus service. It is free to connect between the Courchevel villages, and buses run until midnight.

It is also simple to take a bus to La Tania or Meribel if you would rather start your day there. Alternatively, a 15-minute bus ride down to Champagny lets you connect with the La Plagne and Les Arcs ski areas - where you are entitled to ski for a day on your 6-day Three Valleys lift pass.