With 150kms of piste in the Courchevel ski area alone and a great variety of runs for all levels of skier and boarder, from open mountain to pretty tree lined runs and easy links to the rest of the Three Valleys ski area. There are plenty of local pistes at Courchevel 1850 for beginners to learn on. Intermediates will enjoy the many reds on the Saulire Creux and for the brave hearts, the steepest black run in Europe; the Grand Couloir, is a must.

Blue cruisers will love the rolling terrain from Chanrossa down to the picturesque Bel Air, a great sunny spot to take a break and take in the view. Courchevel snowboarding weekends are popular as the pistes are well groomed with very few drag lifts, the Prend ta Luge et Tire Toi being the Courchevel 1850 snowboard hangout. There is good, easily accessible off piste in the Courchevel area - a guide must be used for off piste. On white out days, taking the tree lined runs down from Courchevel to La Praz and La Tania make for easy navigation.

Links to the rest of the `Three Valleys' ski area are excellent. The Chenus gondola from 1850 up to the Col de la Loz, quickly and easily via blue runs, connects to the Meribel area to then ski on over to St Martin and Les Menuires. There are several gondola options to access Saulire to connect via red runs over to Meribel Mottaret and then on to Val Thorens and Les Menuires.

Learn more about Courchevel at skiweekends.com

• Take the fun `Indiens' run through the trees down to the village of Courchevel Moriond. Look out for the teepee on the way!
• Want a bit of afternoon tea with some luxury? Pop in to the 4* Chabichou hotel for a hot chocolate. You wont miss the hotel, it's the white one! If the budget allows you could stay for dinner in the restaurant with two Michelin stars.
• If you fancy skiing after dark look out for when the lifts are open in the evening. Lifts from La Croisette run until 8pm on certain days.
• Join in a torchlit descent from 25€ per person. There's also the option to upgrade and have dinner and fireworks but booking in advance is essential.