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New to Courchevel 1650? Discover five beginner-friendly pistes with start points, simple lift tips and safe download options to build confidence on snow.
How to use this guide (1 min to confidence)
We’d like to explain a few terms before you start your ski holiday.
A ‘piste’ simply means a marked ski run – in Courchevel 1650, they’re colour-coded: green for very gentle slopes, blue for easy runs with a mild gradient, then red and black for steeper, more advanced terrain.
When we say “beginner-friendly,” we mean wide greens or very mellow blues that are reliably groomed and easy to navigate.
You’ll also see the word ‘lift’ used for anything that takes you uphill — from magic carpets (moving conveyor belts used in beginner areas) to chairlifts and gondolas. A ‘download’ means you can ride the lift back down instead of skiing, which is perfectly normal if you’re tired or the weather changes.
Each route card in this blog includes:
- Why it’s great – what makes that piste confidence-building.
- How to get there – the lifts or meeting points you’ll need.
- First lap tip – an insider hint to help you start smoothly.
- Bail-out – your safe way back down or out if you’ve had enough.
- Good times to ski it – when the slope is quietest or snow is best.
Safety first – getting back down without stress
Every skier, even locals and instructors, sometimes rides the lift down instead of skiing. It’s called ‘downloading’, and it’s one of the best habits you can learn early on. There’s no prize for forcing yourself down a steep or crowded run when you’re tired, cold, or visibility drops. Using the lift to return safely saves your legs and keeps your confidence high for tomorrow.
Here’s how it works: when you reach the top of a gondola or cable car, you can take the same lift back down. You’ll see a “Download / Descente“ sign or arrows showing where to queue. Most gondolas are fully enclosed so that you can sit inside with your skis still on or resting beside you. If you’re on a beginner or pedestrian ticket, single or return rides are available at the ticket office or online.
The five best beginner pistes (route cards)
Western Ski Park (Beginner Area)
Why it’s great for first-timers: Ideal for first-time skiers and boarders who want to start from scratch. It’s flat enough to start gaining confidence with the equipment in a safe environment, with progressive gradients that gradually increase from easier to slightly steeper.
The area is fenced from the main slopes with two beginner-friendly magic carpets and with excellent snow cover, since it’s higher compared to the main snow front.
The views are great and facilities such as toilets, bar and free picnic area within walking distance.
How to get there: From the main 1650 snow front, hop on the Ariondaz lift, it’s on the left side of the New Generation ski school meeting point, looking up at the mountains, easily accessible with a convenient escalator.
Once you’re at the top (there is only one stop), walk straight outside the downloading area and you’ll see the Western ski Park a few ski boots steps away outside the lift building.
First lap tip: Familiarise yourself with the equipment and make sure you’re able to stop comfortably on the flat surface at the beginning of the first travelator.
Get on the first magic carpet (travelator) with skis wide and leaning slightly forward once the sticky carpet picks you up. Enjoy the views and let the ski glide smoothly as you reach the top of the rug, still leaning gently forward with your upper body.
Practice some stop and go down the first hill to make sure you don’t go too fast, you have the whole time to build up your speed!
Bail-out: Whether you are done with your practice or you are just tired, you can use the same lift you used to get up the mountain to go down and relax, overlooking the beautiful Courchevel and Bozel valley.
Good times to ski it: The area gets quieter around 11 AM when ski schools are on break and during lunchtime. The snow is great in the afternoon too!
Mickey / Belvédère (Green)
Why it’s great for first-timers: You can practice Bottom lifts and skiing independently. You can start skiing longer runs that allow you to see both the beginning and the end of the slopes.
How to get there: Mickey and Belvedère are two Bottom lifts to the left of the above-mentioned Ariondaz lift.
First lap tip: Start practising getting the bottom lift on Mickey, the lift on the left-hand side. Once you are comfortable, you can go higher up the mountain using the Belvédère bottom lift, getting off on the right-hand side.
If you are not accustomed to skiing down long runs, we suggest taking breaks to ensure your legs are fresh for longer.
Bail-out: The two runs are not long, and bail-outs are not evident. We recommend considering this option once your ski legs are up for the next level.
Good times to ski it: The pistes are a great option early in the morning as a warm-up for intermediates since Ariondaz can get fairly busy when the resort opens its doors.
Consider it as an option for beginners up for the challenge around 10:30 when the legs are on a high regime.
Easy way Gentianes / Lac Ariondaz (Blue)
Why it’s great for first-timers: Forgiving gradient, with loads of space to practice different turn shapes and different terrain, especially if you don’t like bottom lifts.
How to get there: From the top of the Arionda lift, ski down the Petite Bosse green run (or even better, the last third ofthe Grandes Bosse!), then hop onthe Signal chairlift. At the top, follow the blue sign that says “Easy way”.
First lap tip: After you leave the easy way path behind, use the blue markers on the right to get back towards Ariondaz and Western ski Park.
Bail-out: Download to 1650 using Ariondaz to get back, especially if you are tired or just finding your ski legs again, rather than skiing all the way down.
Good times to ski it: Amazing to ski down first thing in the morning. Most ski schools start at 9:15. We recommend getting the first lift at 9, (like we try to do!) to find perfectly empty slopes, crunchy corduroy and stunning views of the Grande Caisse and Mont Blanc.
Indiens (Blue)
Why it’s great for first-timers: Even gradient run, sheltered from windy conditions and better visibility during white-outs and snowy days.
How to get there: After you make it to the top of Ariondaz, you can get to the renowned “Indian run” by skiing down to the bottom of Signal and skiing further down to the right of the Casserole restaurant.
First lap tip: At the end of the main Indians slope, traverse across Marquis to rejoin Belvédère.
Bail-out: Petit Moriond is easily accessible following the end of the Cepes run, if you’re staying on that side of the village.
Good times to ski it: Misty and snowy days, moreover, kids love it!
Ariondaz (Blue Run)
Why it’s great for first-timers: Quiet blue run, perfect to practice turns on an even slightly steeper terrain
How to get there: From the top of Ariondaz, first warm up skiing down Petite Bosse and the last part of Grandes Bosses, getting to the base ofthe Signal chairlift.
From the top of the lift, ski down following the line of the Signal chairlift.
First lap tip: Keep the markers on your left as a reference, since on that side the gradient is milder and even.
Bail-out: After the run, keep right to rejoin the top of the Ariondaz lift.
Good times to ski it: It’s generally quiet throughout the day, but very enjoyable when the sun shines on it, depending on the moment of the season.
Suggested progression loop
Start on the Mickey zone → step up to a nearby green above Belvédère → progress to a longer mellow blue reachable via Ariondaz; if energy dips, ride a pedestrian/free lift back down (e.g., Petit Moriond).
Start the day by warming up at the Western ski Park to warm the legs up practising edging and speed management — Ski down Petite bosse and then the last part of Grandes Bosses to get to the Casserole restaurant to have a coffee break in the sun.
After the coffee break, hop on Signal and ski your way down Easy way Gentianes and then Ariondaz to get back to the top of the Ariondaz lift.
If your energies are running low, consider downloading on Ariondaz.
Otherwise, repeat the route and ski all the way down to Indians and the end of Belvédère to the bottom of 1650.
