St. Moritz charges $800 nightly for Belle Époque hotels while offering 350 miles of disconnected slopes. Meanwhile, Courchevel 1850 delivers Europe’s largest linked ski area at $550 per night. The math favors powder over prestige.
Russian oligarchs and Middle Eastern royalty discovered this decades ago. They chose substance over Swiss social theater.
Why St. Moritz became a luxury trap
St. Moritz built its reputation on 19th-century glamour and Olympic history. Today, that translates to $200 lunches and aging lifts from the 1970s. The Corviglia area requires shuttle buses between mountains.
Visitors pay premium prices for disconnected terrain. You ski one valley, take transport, ski another valley. The Three Valleys system eliminates this frustration entirely.
Better than St. Moritz’s scattered approach, Courchevel 1850 connects seamlessly to 372 miles of slopes without removing your skis once.
Courchevel 1850’s Three Valleys advantage
The numbers tell the complete story. Three Valleys spans 372 miles of interconnected pistes across eight resorts. St. Moritz offers 217 miles split between four separate mountains requiring transfers.
Europe’s largest linked ski domain
From Courchevel 1850’s village at 6,070 feet, skiers access La Saulire peak at 8,990 feet. The gondola connects directly to Méribel and Val Thorens without interruption. One lift ticket covers the entire domain.
The new Chenus gondola opening December 2025 features 10-seater cabins transporting 2,400 people hourly. St. Moritz’s Corviglia funicular handles 1,200 people per hour maximum.
The real price comparison
Luxury chalets in Courchevel 1850 average $550-770 nightly during peak season. St. Moritz demands $800-1,100 for equivalent accommodations. Ski passes cost $75 daily versus $105 in Swiss francs.
Le 1947’s three Michelin stars offer tasting menus at $450. St. Moritz’s equivalent restaurants charge $650 minimum. Even elite dining costs 30% less in the French Alps.
What ultra-wealthy clients actually choose
Atmosphere 1850 opened December 2025 with ski-in/ski-out access and underground parking for 743 vehicles. The development includes private spas, Lalique boutiques, and year-round grocery services.
Why oligarchs prefer French discretion
St. Moritz revolves around public social displays at the Kulm Hotel and via Serlas shopping. Courchevel 1850’s chalet culture emphasizes privacy through underground tunnel networks connecting luxury hotels.
Helicopter pads accommodate private arrivals without public spectacle. The resort’s Savoyard architecture blends traditional alpine charm with modern luxury amenities.
Skiing infrastructure that justifies the investment
Courchevel maintains 85% of slopes above 5,900 feet elevation ensuring reliable snow. The resort operates 2,800 snow cannons covering 56% of terrain when needed.
St. Moritz’s village sits at 5,971 feet with limited snowmaking capacity. Climate change threatens lower-elevation Swiss resorts more severely than high-altitude French destinations.
The practical reality favors France
Geneva Airport sits 2.5 hours from Courchevel 1850 via direct highways. St. Moritz requires 3+ hours through narrow Alpine passes that close during storms.
The TGV high-speed train reaches Moûtiers in 4.5 hours from Paris. From there, shuttle services complete the 33-mile journey in 45 minutes. Switzerland’s train connections require multiple transfers through Zurich or Chur.
Courchevel’s season runs December 5 through April 19 with guaranteed snow coverage. The 300cm annual snowfall exceeds St. Moritz’s 250cm average significantly.
Your questions about Courchevel 1850 answered
How does ski terrain actually compare?
Three Valleys offers 372 miles of interconnected pistes across 8 resorts. St. Moritz provides 217 miles split between 4 disconnected mountains. You can ski from Courchevel to Val Thorens without removing skis – impossible in Switzerland.
Why do wealthy Russians choose France over Switzerland?
Courchevel 1850’s chalet culture prioritizes privacy through underground networks and helicopter access. St. Moritz emphasizes public social scenes at historic hotels. French hospitality focuses on discretion rather than display.
Which destination offers better value for luxury travelers?
Courchevel 1850 delivers 30% savings on accommodations, dining, and lift tickets while providing superior skiing infrastructure. The Three Valleys system eliminates transport between mountains that plagues Swiss resorts.
Morning light touches La Saulire peak as fresh powder settles on 372 miles of connected terrain. St. Moritz sells history. Courchevel 1850 delivers skiing. Choose accordingly.