The Five Best Pistes for Beginners in Courchevel 1850

New to Courchevel 1850? 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)

Before you start your ski trip, we would like to explain a few key terms to ensure everything is clear before your holiday.

A ‘piste’ simply means a marked ski run – in Courchevel 1850, 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.

Read more: Is Courchevel 1850 good for beginners?

Safety first – getting back down without stress

Even the most seasoned locals and instructors sometimes take the lift back down instead of skiing. This practice, known as downloading, is a smart habit to adopt early on. There’s no prize for pushing through a steep or crowded slope when you’re tired, cold, or struggling with poor visibility. Choosing to ride the lift down helps you stay safe, protect your legs, and preserve your confidence for the next run.

When you reach the top of a gondola or cable car, you can simply hop back on the same lift to descend. Look for the “Download / Descente” signs or arrows pointing you toward the correct line. Most gondolas are fully enclosed, so you can sit back and relax with your skis still on or resting beside you. If you have a beginner or pedestrian lift pass, it’s also easy to buy single or return trips at the ticket office or online.

By embracing this option, you make your day on the mountain smoother, safer, and far more enjoyable.

Read our: Courchevel 1850 Resort Guide

The five best beginner pistes (route cards)

Jardin Alpin – Beginner slope/Green

1. Why it’s great for first-timers: Whether it’s your first time on snow or you want to get your skier’s legs back, the magic carpets in 1850 are always a good option. Wide, flat and sheltered, they offer easy access to a variety of slopes and lifts nearby to progress technique and confidence depending on how far you want to challenge yourself.
2. How to get there:  From the Croisette, the main area of Courchevel 1850, facing away from the mountain, you can find the Jardin Alpin lift on the far right of the snowfront. Once you get on the bubble you need to get off at the second stop (G3). You can find the panels indicating magic carpets. From there you shall walk up the hill 100m to then arrive at the bottom of the carpets.

3. First lap tip: If it’s your first time, try to get comfortable with the new equipment, glide gently on the bottom side of the slopes and practice how to stop and how to get up the hill. Only then, hop on the travelator and progress gradually with stops and turns. If you are more experienced you can warm up there and then we would advise following the Jardin Alpin green path, alongside the Étoile bottom lift (slightly right at the bottom of the carpets run). A very mellow option, then you can decide to get back up with either the bottom lift or the bubble lift, or skiing down the tunnel onto a slightly steeper part all the way down to the Croisette.
4. Bail-out: You can download with the bubble lift both walking down from the Magic Carpet area (G3) or, skiing further down you will find the first stop of the bubble (G2) and you can also download from there all the way down to the Croisette. Remember to pick the side of the lift that goes down the mountain! 😉
5. Good times to ski it: very early in the morning or around midday when everybody is at lunch!

Bellecôte – Green

1. Why it’s great for first-timers: Bellecôte is a must for beginners and any skier that would like to progress on a nice, scenic, easy-gradient slope. The slope has got nearly everything you can dream of. Perfectly groomed (never icy) snow, trees for visibility when it’s foggy, very good sun exposure, easy gradient mixed with slightly steeper sections ideal to rest and practice at the same time.
2. How to get there: There are two ways to get on Bellecôte.The easiest option to get there is to get Jardin Alpin lift all the way to the end station (G4) and getting out of the lift station on the left hand side. From here you can manage to ski the whole slope but it’s got a slightly steeper section.The slightly trickier way is to get Bellecôte bottomlift and getting off at the top to the left. This bottom lift is free, to access it you shall walk 50 m up the hill opposite the Jardin Alpin lift. The slope follows, almost entirely, the line of the lift.
3. First lap tip: Get on the slope early to enjoy flowy turns and the perfectly groomed gradient.
4. Bail-out: Taking the path to the left at the top of the Bellecôte bottomlift you can rejoin the Jardin Alpin beginner’s area and download from G3 or G2.
5. Good times to ski it: I would turn up at 8:45 at Jardin Alpin lifts when only instructors are around and ski it 2 or 3 times in a row! It unfortunately gets slightly busier throughout the day.

Altiport – Blue

1. Why it’s great for first-timers: Located to the side of the Courchevel 1850 altitude airport, Altiport is a fenced slope, ideal for beginners that want to make the next step and ski blues and perfect parallel skis techniques. Slightly steeper at first, it unfolds onto the perfect gradient and space to get more speed and practice with ease. 
2. How to get there: Ski down from Bellecôte and traverse right just before the Courcheneige Hotel. You will find the slope on the right of the Altiport bottomlift
3. First lap tip: Try to control the speed on the first part, with some rounded turns, then exploit the second part to get a quicker rhythm.
4. Bail-out: You can ski across to get back to bellecôte if you feel that the slope is not for you.
5. Good times to ski it: it’s rarely busy, apart from certain days during peak weeks. I would ski there around lunch time and after when it gets more light.

Verdons – Green

1. Why it’s great for first-timers: Homogeneous and wide slope that is ideal for progression towards the blue run objective.
2. How to get there: From the Croisette in 1850, hop on Verdons lift that is located at the very center of the snowfront. In between Chenus, that is snow slightly up the hill, and Jardin Alpin. Get off at the top (only one stop) and walk to the right, entering and going through the main ‘Saulire’ building ( entrance in between Snack Bar and Toilets) and putting the skis back right after you get out of the building.
3. First lap tip: Keep the right hand side of the snow cannons, it’s generally quieter!
4. Bail-out: If you look at the slope and you feel like it’s too much you can go to the right of the top of Verdons  lift and ski down Rennard which is an easy path and reach the top of Jardin Alpin lift. From there you can keep skiing or download.
5. Good times to ski it: Around midday when it’s not extremely busy and the sun is shining on it.

Biollay – Blue

1. Why it’s great for first-timers: Because it is a magnificent scenic and mellow blue run. It rolls down the center of the resort of 1850, the view is great considering it’s not at the top of the mountain and the skiing is majestic, fun and accessible.
2. How to get there: You can get there using Biollay or Pralong chairlifts and you can ski there from most lifts.

The best options are: 

• Skiing all the way down Verdons run. Once on the flat part you can see the first chairlift on the right hand side.
• Skiing down Bellecôte and keeping the right just before the Courcheneige hotel and you will see Pralong on your left at the end of the slopes

3. First lap tip: After you ski the first part keeping the left of the snow cannons, on the second part switch to the right it gets quieter and not as icy.
4. Bail-out: Skiing down you can see Jardin Alpin top station. If you are tired, keep the left going down , you can reach the above mentioned  bubble by crossing and skiing on the Biollay-Rennard  connection slope that goes right and you’ll reach the station.
5. Good times to ski it: Amazing both first thing in the morning but also later in the afternoon before the sun goes down around 2 p.m.  The snow cover is super consistent!

Suggested progression loop

I would suggest warming up skiing on Bellecôte, getting on Jardin Alpin then to step it up a little at the time, I would take the Bellecôte bottom lift back up to ski around the Altiport area. 

If you feel tired or thirsty you can stop at the Zen area just below or at the Courcheneige Hotel, but I would recommend skiing a little further back to the Croisette and get a hot chocolate at the Polar café and/or a crêpes to the right of Jardin Alpin bottom station. 

From here, explore the Verdons area using the Verdons lift, and if you are still energetic use the Biollay chairlift to get to the top of Biollay blue run.

Common beginner pitfalls in Courchevel 1850 (and fixes)

Courchevel 1850 is famous for its beautiful slopes, but for beginners, a few common challenges can catch you off guard. One mistake is starting too high – the upper slopes around can look inviting but are often steeper and busier than they appear. Instead, warm up on the Bellecôte runs, where the terrain is gentler and confidence builds quickly.

Another pitfall is ignoring changing conditions. The weather in the Three Valleys can shift fast, so always check forecasts before heading out, and don’t hesitate to take the gondola back down if visibility drops.

Finally, many beginners overestimate how far they can ski before lunch! Courchevel’s network of connecting pistes can lead you much farther than expected. A good rule of thumb: plan your return route early and leave plenty of time before the lifts close.

With a little planning and awareness, you’ll avoid these common traps and enjoy Courchevel 1850 at its best — relaxed, confident, and in control.

Start Your Ski Journey in Courchevel 1850

Whether you’re clipping into skis for the very first time or returning to the snow after a break, Courchevel 1850 offers one of the best environments in the Alps to learn, practice, and progress with confidence. With its gentle beginner pistes, modern lifts, and well-signposted download options, it’s a resort that truly caters to all levels. Take your time, follow the progression from Jardin Alpin to Biollay, and enjoy every turn along the way. With the right guidance and a relaxed mindset, your first ski trip in Courchevel 1850 will set the foundation for a lifetime of skiing adventures.

Ready to learn to ski in Courchevel 1850?

Our friendly team of qualified instructors specialise in beginner ski lessons that build confidence, improve technique, and make skiing fun from day one. Get in touch today to book your first lesson and start your mountain journey with expert support.