Resort comparison · 2026/27
Val Thorens vs Courchevel: which suits your ski trip?
A side-by-side comparison on the things that change a ski week: altitude, how much terrain and of what difficulty, what the lift pass costs and how far each is from the airport.
| Val Thorens | Courchevel | |
|---|---|---|
| Ski area | Val Thorens - Orelle | Courchevel |
| Top / base altitude | 3,221 m / 1,726 m | 2,702 m / 1,110 m |
| Vertical drop | 1,495 m | 1,591 m |
| Mapped pistes | 141 km | 151 km |
| Lifts | 33 | 59 |
| Green & blue runs | 60% | 57% |
| Black & harder | 6% | 12% |
| Six-day adult pass | €421 (≈ €70/day) | €421 (≈ €70/day) |
| Nearest airport transfer | Chambéry, 122 km (1 h 40 min), from €395 | Chambéry, 111 km (1 h 35 min), from €381 |
Ski-area figures are OpenSkiMap mapped data (OpenStreetMap contributors, 1 October 2026) for the whole linked area each village belongs to. Pass prices from official 2026/27 tariffs; transfers from partner route pages.
France
Choose Val Thorens for…
- higher skiing (top 3,221 m) for snow-sure early and late season
- a higher base (1,726 m), so more snow down to the village
France
Choose Courchevel for…
- more challenging terrain (12% black and harder)
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, Val Thorens or Courchevel?
Courchevel: about 151 km of mapped pistes and 59 lifts in Courchevel, against 141 km and 33 lifts in Val Thorens - Orelle.
Which is higher, Val Thorens or Courchevel?
Val Thorens reaches 3,221 m (base 1,726 m); Courchevel reaches 2,702 m (base 1,110 m). Higher resorts usually hold snow better early and late in the season.
Which is cheaper to ski, Val Thorens or Courchevel?
On six-day adult passes, Val Thorens: €421 (about €70 a day) against €421 for Courchevel.
Which is easier to get to?
Val Thorens: Chambéry, 122 km (1 h 40 min), from €395. Courchevel: Chambéry, 111 km (1 h 35 min), from €381.
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