first family ski holiday want it all at new year !!!

many thanks to you all I am going off andorra
and I like the sound of 1850 whatever that is I will take a look will it be ok for snow and beginners at New Year ??

Courchevel 1850 is as snow sure as anywhere!
Huge abundance of snow making if the real stuff doesn't arrive but at Xmas it would have to be a very strange season for there not to be plenty of snow.

It is one of the top resorts in the world - the skiing is truly amazing for all abilities from total beginner (some of the best easy slopes around) to the expert.

But - many people are put off by the idea that it is unbelievably expensive. It can be, but then again it needn't be, what you spend and where you choose to go to eat and drink etc is really down to you.

Thanks
this sounds like a stupid question but
I am axpecting it to be very very busy
and getting on and off the slopes to be queueing european style everyman for themsleves??
rude and aggresive people ??

I was in Courchevel for Xmas 2010, it really wasn't very busy as such.
I don't think I queued for more than 3 or 4 minutes anywhere all week.
There is one busy place and time and that is the Croisette, where 3 bubbles all go from the same place, at ski school start times of 9.15 (ish) and 13.00 (ish).
Even these queues can be avoided by dribbling around the corner to the Plantrey chairlift or a 20m walk uphill to the Belevedere drag lift.

Whether people like Courchevel or not no one can deny that the resort has invested in seriously convenient skiing!

Hugh,
I never met any rude or aggressive fellow skiers in Courchevel :D

They were all really nice and helpful and polite - even in the lift queues! I did see some pretty pushy characters when we were in Val Thorens (at the other end of the 3 Valleys) but wherever they went to they didn't seem to be in Courchevel.

There tend to be quite a few very wealthy Russians there, but all the ones I met were also very courteous.

And I've been there twice for February half-term, usually the busiest week of the ski season, and the resort wasn't over crowded.

Courchevel even has magic carpets for beginners (3 I think) so they don't have to struggle walking uphill during their first lesson, and a load of easy green runs to progress to.

Be careful buying your lift passes, as there are several different ones for different areas, at various prices. The beginners lifts are generally free, and there's also a special beginner's pass which allows you on to the easier lifts. So it might be an idea to contact the ski school when you're booking lessons to ask them which pass they'd prefer you to buy.

And they do a family pass as well (with a discount), but I rather think if you get that one you all have to have one for the same area.

I am very careful with my money, and I was in lessons, so I only got the lift pass for Courchevel itself and upgraded to the 3 Valleys pass for the one day when I skied the entire 3 Valleys.

this place seems to tick all the boxes i have been looking at a small hotel called hotel st.louis in 1850 half board looks good and reviews are very good I am having to do my booking through crystal as they have my deposit so I will lose out if I move to anyone else.
You are right about lift passes might just stay with the local ones I do not think we will be venturing too far my wife and i are about to start lessons this week but my son and daughter can ski but I thinks they will be okay with local ??
Any further adbvice would be great.

The Courchevel Valley is an extensive ski domain in it's own right, before adding in Meribel and the Val Thorens valley.

Pretty sure it has well over 200kms of piste of all grades.

I am usual with non skiing OH and/or various children etc and take the Courchevel Valley pass so I can spend lunch stops and various drink stops with them.

You will need nothing more than this as novices and Ally is right in that as virtual beginners you may not need the full pass for the first few days.

1850 perfect skiing experience for the whole family, plenty of runs to suit all and found ski schools there pretty good, used BASI and Magic.

Just ensure plenty of room on your credit card for snacks and coffee, crepe 7Euro, Coffee 7Euro, Coke 7Euro - Bit of theme running!!!

Used to get a bagette with cheese or Ham in across the road at a bar which was only 4Euro and was enough for 2 plus a choice in the Forum across the road as well but found that quite busy.

No issues with lift queues as was mentioned earlier, plenty of choice to get you up and away.