This story originally appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of Elite Traveler.
This small town in the French Alps is known for glitz, glamour and spectacular skiing. Get your chicest snow gear and hit the slopes in Les Trois Vallées — but, as it’s a place to see and be seen, it’s where you go for après ski that matters.
Slope Style
Courchevel 1850 is all about glamour. A Moncler jacket is chic and will withstand the elements — pick one up from Moncler at Le Chalet de Pierres. Don’t forget to pack (or buy) a pair of Vuarnet sunglasses, the eponymous sunglass line of French Olympic downhill skier Jean Vuarnet, who wore a pair when he won Olympic gold in 1960. CEO Lionel Giraud is continually inspired by the region, and his glasses mix functionality (they’re hydrophobic and oleophobic) and elegance. And G-loft-insulated Hestra gloves, made of goat leather, are designed for warmth and movability.
Moncler Venant jacket, $1,750, Moncler in Courchevel 1850, +33 479 013 897, moncler.com
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Vuarnet Ice Round sunglasses, $340, vuarnet.com
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Hestra Army Leather Patrol gloves, $130, hestragloves.com
Alpine après
Courchevel’s restaurants have an impressive 12 Michelin stars among them, but the après-ski scene is where it’s at. Ski straight to Le Pilatus at the foot of the slopes for fresh seafood and well-deserved cocktails, or sip on a glass of wine at the more understated Piggy’s Bar. Head to La Mangeoire for dinner before it turns into an all-out party at midnight or, if you can make it onto the guest lists, Nokken and L’Equipe are the perfect places to cut loose. Cheval Blanc and L’Apogée are the places to see and be seen — cozy up in one of the hotel bars or restaurants.
altibar.com, mangeoirecourchevel.com, nokken.fr, maisontournier.com, chevalblanc.com, oetkercollection.com
Suit up
This stylish ski town is just as much about what you wear off the slopes as on, and a slim-fitted ski suit from Bogner is ideal for hitting the powder and at après-ski bars. A pair of Louis Vuitton ski goggles will ensure you’ll have the most stylish eye protection as you zip down the mountain. Before leaving your chalet, slip on a pair of heated-insole boots from Jimmy Choo — they’re controlled via a mobile app.
Louis Vuitton Intergalactic ski goggles, $585, Louis Vuitton in Courchevel 1850, +33 181 931 740, louisvuitton.com
Jimmy Choo calf and shearling heated-insole boots, $2,175, Jimmy Choo in New York, jimmychoo.com
Bogner Perfect Moment jumpsuit, $753, farfetch.com
Mountain prep
There’s no shortage of luxury shops on Rue du Rocher, Courchevel’s answer to Fifth Avenue. For skis, L’Atelier Courchevel runs the gamut from beginner-friendly to ultra-high-performance skis; and for skiwear, look no further than Moncler and Rossignol for men’s, women’s and children’s alpine gear. Boutique Bernard Orcel is known for its exclusive collections of Fendi Sportswear and other designers, while Blu&Berry exclusively carries French designers. Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior and Graff have boutiques here as well.
atelier-courchevel.com, rossignol.com, bernard-orcel.com, bluandberry.com
Photos: Fabrizio Marco Nannini, Karen Bengall Photography
[Related: Top suites in the world – Penthouse, L’Apogee, Courchevel]
