ALPINE CHARM

Isha Mayer discovers ski adventures, fine dining & palace hotels on a winter escape to Courchevel

- Isha Mayer

I woke up in the morning and opened the curtains to a breathtaking sight. The roofs, trees and roads were covered with thick layers of snow, reminding me of white Christmas, except I was witnessing it in March. I layered up, grabbed a hot cuppa and stepped onto the balcony of my luxurious apartment at Six Senses Residences & Spa in Courchevel 1850, France, to enjoy the crisp mountain air. After revelling in the quiet, the fog slowly cleared up to reveal yet another sight—the snowcapped peaks. The French Alps are an absolute beauty.

I spent four days in Courchevel, the world’s ski capital since 1946. Nestled across three valleys and six picturesque villages, each with altitudes ranging from 1100m to 1850m (and are also named after the height), Courchevel is a captivating destination that promises a winter experience like no other. With 47 hotels, over 100 restaurants (including six Michelin-starred establishments), and 102 ski slopes spanning 150 kilometres, it is a haven for winter enthusiasts seeking luxury, adventure and cultural richness.

ON-PISTE ACTION

“They’re not supposed to fit like regular shoes. If they’re too tight, the ski boots are perfect,” said the attendant when helping me with my ski equipment at the Six Senses ski shop a day before my first ski lesson.

Following a lavish breakfast, where perfectly crisp and flaky croissants were the highlight, made by a private chef, Francesco, at the five-bedroom apartment at the Six Senses, I headed out for my first ski lesson in heavy snowfall. We got to the ski lodge, suited up and headed to the slopes via Gucci-sponsored gondola lifts. From smooth-sailing greens and blues to daredevil blacks, the easy-to-difficulty level of skiing paths is carved by coloured poles. Meanwhile, beginners and little ones can start on the baby slopes known as the magic carpet.