<p>Courchevel has numerous activities and fantastic events to enjoy during the summer months</p>
Photo: Petit Bivouac

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Courchevel in Summer

Courchevel has numerous activities and fantastic events to enjoy during the summer months

Summer
Published at: 21 Aug 2020
Last updated at: 17 Feb 2023

Located close to the Swiss and Italian border in the Savoie Alps, several villages make up the beautiful resort of Courchevel in the heart of the Three Valleys. A popular winter destination, Courchevel also has plenty of activities during the summer months along with some fantastic events not to be missed.

Alicia Bryan
Alicia Bryan
Rock climbing in Courchevel in summerPhoto: Petit Bivouac.com/Courchevel Tourisme

1.Climbing

From indoor structures to outdoor canyons, your stay in Courchevel is the perfect time to discover the exhilarating experience of climbing. Not ready to take on the canyons just yet? Work on your technique and build confidence with Courchevel’s indoor climbing structures. Between Courchevel 1550 and 1650, Aquamotion is equipped with an 11-metre high climbing wall with fun climbing units. Located in Courchevel 1850, Le Forum also has a 13-metre artificial wall open to the public every day from 9 am to 10 pm.

When you are ready to tackle the outdoor climbing world, Courchevel provides several idyllic sites to suit everyone’s abilities. Suitable for beginners, the Aiguille de la Vanoise is one of the best ridge crossings in the Alps, with a backdrop of both the Grande Casse and Vanoise Glaciers.

For those looking to stay close to some great climbing routes in Courchevel we would recommend staying at Chalet Ikamiut. Just 400m from the resort centre, Chalet Ikamiut is a stand-alone property with a striking modern interior.

2. Horse Riding

With its very own equestrian centre, what better setting is there than the backdrop of the French Alps as you learn how to ride? Established in 1989, the equestrian centre of Courchevel provides numerous activities to enjoy from riding lessons to walks in the forest and carriage rides.

For children between the ages of 6 to 12, the equestrian summer camp is the perfect way to learn and develop their love for these beautiful animals. From 9:30 in the morning, participants will be tasked with grooming and harnessing their horse before their lesson, working on the gaits of the horse before a ride in the forest. A day completely dedicated to horses, every July Courchevel holds an annual Horse Fair to celebrate everything equestrian. An action-packed day for the family, the event features horse riding lessons and pony rentals.

Pyrosymphanie Live in CourchevelPhoto: Courchevel Tourisme

3. Music Events

Every summer Courchevel and the villages in the surrounding area put on a variety of music concerts appealing to everyone’s taste. For lovers of classical music, the Baroque de Tarentaise festival in August sets the perfect scene for beautiful pieces of baroque music with a programme of fifteen concerts taking place in the small Savoyard Baroque churches of the Tarentaise valley. At just 7 km from Courchevel, the Brides Les Bains Jazz Festival takes place over three days and celebrates the music of jazz, funk, soul and blues.

One of Courchevel’s most popular cultural events of the summer is the Pyrosymphonie Live. An open-air concert, this event sees a night of classical music set to a breathtaking fireworks display put together by an award-winning pyrotechnic company. Taking place in Courchevel Le Praz, the Pyrosymphonie Live is a night you will never forget.

Those looking for a unique summer stay in Courchevel will love Chalet Sisimiut. Situated in the hamlet of Marcandou, Chalet Sisimiut is a totally unique contemporary chalet with superb mountain views and spa facilities.

4. Sporting Events

Who said skiing is just for winter? In August, 84 of the world’s best ski jumpers gather in Courchevel for the spectacular two-day competition of the Ski Jumping World Cup. Competing in front of 8000 spectators, 2020 will mark the 30th edition of this exciting event which also sees several air shows including wing walking and aerial acrobatics, as well as live concerts and DJ sets complete with fireworks to finish.

With its 4th edition taking place in the summer of 2021, the Red Bull 400 is an intense competition that tests the commitment and strength of even the fittest athletes. Invented in Austria in 2011, the Red Bull 400 has become a popular event, seeing competitors race 400m up the Olympic ski jump with an incline of 37.5 degrees and with an altitude of 1300m.

During the month of August in Courchevel Le Praz, the Courchevel X-Trail sees athletes race across the French Alps, choosing from the four races of the 11km Trail Express, 20km Trail de la Dent, Courchevel X-Trail at 33km or the most challenging 54km X-Trail! Finally, the extreme obstacle course of the Frappadingue Alp X’Trem will put competitors through their paces as they tackle 40 obstacles spread over 12 km. With ladders, money bridges and nets to climb, this challenging event takes place in Courchevel Le Praz.

Paddle boarding on lake in CourchevelPhoto: Courchevel Tourisme

5. Water Sports

Discover Courchevel through water sports this summer with kayaking and canyoning, waterskiing and wakeboarding. Taking place on the Haute Isere river, white water rafting is accessible to all and provides an exciting team experience. With both full-day and half-day excursions available, you will paddle down fast rivers with tight bends as you overcome small jumps and navigate under tree cover.

For lovers of skiing and snowboarding, why not give waterskiing or wakeboarding a try? With a new wake park in Courchevel Le Praz, you can hit the jumps in the lake with an overhead tow line, while keen swimmers will revel in the exhilarating experience of hydrospeeding. For a more relaxed water-based experience, Courchevel has 7 designated fishing sights with Lac du Praz and Lac de la Rosière being the most popular spots for anglers.