For years, Courchevel 1650, known locally as Moriond, was the village that seasoned regulars quietly kept to themselves. Sitting a little apart from the glamour of 1850, it offers something increasingly rare in a world-famous resort: sunshine, space and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere, all without sacrificing access to one of the greatest ski areas on earth. Here is why so many families now choose it as their base.
A Village Built for Sunshine
Moriond faces east and sits in a natural bowl that catches the morning light, so the pistes above the village are bathed in sun for much of the day. For families with young children or beginners still finding their feet, that warmth makes an enormous difference. Mornings are bright and inviting, the snow softens pleasantly by lunch, and the terraces fill with people happy to linger over a long, sunlit break.
Terrain That Grows With You
The slopes immediately above 1650 are a gift for beginners and intermediates: wide, gentle and forgiving, with excellent ski schools on hand. Yet the moment you are ready for more, the Ariondaz gondola lifts you into the heart of the Three Valleys, where 600km of interconnected pistes await. Few resorts manage to be so reassuring for a first-timer and so limitless for an expert at the same time.
A Friendlier Rhythm
Life in 1650 moves at a kinder pace than in the resort above. The village has a proper heart, with bakeries, family-run restaurants and a handful of lively but unpretentious bars. Children can be children, groups can spread out, and nobody feels underdressed. It is the kind of place where you recognise faces by the end of the week.
This is exactly why Courchevel 1650 chalet rentals have become so popular with families and groups of friends who want comfort and privacy without the formality of the resort centre. A chalet here means space for everyone, a warm base to return to after a day on the sunlit pistes, and the freedom to set your own schedule, all while remaining fully connected to the wider mountain.
Beyond the Skiing
Moriond is not only about the slopes. The Aquamotion centre, the largest aquatic complex in the Alps, is close at hand for afternoons off snow, and the village hosts its own calendar of family events through the season. Snowshoeing, tobogganing and gentle walks through the surrounding forests round out the days beautifully.
The Verdict
Courchevel 1650 offers a rare combination: sunshine, superb access, and a village that genuinely welcomes families. It gives you everything the name Courchevel promises, delivered at a more human scale. For anyone who values light, ease and a warm sense of community over pure spectacle, Moriond is hard to beat.
