Now this is no easy task! What are the best runs in Courchevel? Well that depends what grade slopes you like. Greens? Rolling Blues? Reds or steep Blacks? Probably the easy thing to do is split them into each category!
Greens – If you’re only a beginner or just like taking it easy, then the Bellecote piste and Verdons are both a great start. Wide, open and a consistent gradient. Both are easily accessible from gondola lifts so no chairlifts or drag-lifts needed. The Bellecote is directly off the top of the Jardin Alpin lift and the Verdons piste is just from the top of the Verdons gondola. The Bellecote piste rolls down past the Courchneige Hotel/Restaurant and the second half of the piste is really good for linking turns. This is the first Green I would take beginners on after leaving the Magic carpets. Both the Bellecote and the Verdons piste end up in Courchevel 1850.
The Bellecote also offers the opportunity of leading on the first Blue run many early intermediate Snowboarders will take. From the Bellecote piste you can easily ride down to the Parlong chairlift which has the easiest exit of any chairlift in Courchevel. Then from here the Blue run, Biolley, is right there. This piste leads directly back on to the Bellecote so makes an excellent first Blue for many Snowboarders.
The Verdons piste is also open for night skiing during the winter months. Night skiing usually finished around the start of March. Alongside the Verdons piste is the Family Park so if you have split abilities in your group then the more advanced riders can entertain themselves in the park while the other practice their turns on the Verdons piste. There is also the Renard piste on the other side of the Family Park that is easily accessible from the Verdons gondola and often quieter than the Verdons piste.
Other Green runs in Courchevel include the Loze Est. The top section of the Loze Est is ok for Snowboarders but the middle section is very flat and can be a real pain for beginner snowboarders. So I usually avoid this slope when teaching beginners/early intermediates. Plan Fontaine is also a Green piste that weaves it’s way down to La Tania. Again this piste does have some good parts but on the flip side there are sections that are narrow and a little flat.
Don’t forget to get in touch about snowboard lessons in Courchevel. RTM are the only specific Snowboard School in Courchevel.