A chalet girl at one of the world's most luxurious ski destination shares what the winter wonderland for the wealthy is like. Take a look around.

Monica HumphriesOct 31, 2024, 23:26 IST

Courchevel 1850 is a ritzy ski resort that caters to the ultra-rich.JARRY/TRIPELON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images/India Hogg/India Hogg

Courchevel 1850 is one of the world's most luxurious ski resorts.
It attracts high-net-worth visitors who come for Michelin stars, luxury lodging, and designer stores.

When it comes to ski resorts, it doesn't get much ritzier than Gucci-branded gondolas, a private airstrip, and Michelin-starred restaurants. All that is found in France's Courchevel 1850.

Nestled in the French Alps is the ski resort Courchevel. Within Courchevel are six villages, including one that attracts ultra-high-net-worth travelers — Courchevel 1850.

Signs of wealth dust the entire 1850 village like snow. Online search results on Courchevel 1850 show images and videos of an airstrip that caters to private jets, five-star chalets at the bottom of snowy slopes, and designer stores that fill storefronts.

According to OnTheSnow and Ski Solutions, Courchevel 1850 is one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world.

A few winters ago, India Hogg witnessed that luxury firsthand when she spent six months working there as a chalet host.

India Hogg and the five-star chalet she worked in for six months.India Hogg/TikTok

To understand Courchevel 1850, Hogg said you have to take a step back and look at The Three Valleys.

Méribel, one of the three ski resorts that make up The Three Valleys in the French Alps.Richard Cavalleri/Shutterstock

Courchevel is located on the eastern side of The Three Valleys.

Signs point to two of the three resorts that make up The Three Valleys in France.georgeclerk/Getty Images

Courchevel itself is split into six villages, including Courchevel 1850.

The ski resort is split into villages.India Hogg/TikTok

Of the six villages, Courchevel 1850 is the highest in elevation and the most luxurious.

Images of Courchevel 1850.India Hoggs/TikTok/nikolpetr/Shutterstock

Courchevel 1850's reputation for wealth attracts celebrities, royalty, Russian oligarchs, and ultra-high-net-worth visitors.

Visitors at Courchevel 1850.JARRY/TRIPELON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Guests arriving in private jets and helicopters can access Courchevel 1850's private airstrip and helipad.

The airstrip at Courchevel 1850.Boris-B/Shutterstock

When it comes to accommodations, Courchevel has one of the highest concentrations of five-star hotels in France.

Les Airelles Hotel and Palace, which is located in the Courchevel 1850 ski resort in France.JARRY/TRIPELON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

If visitors aren't having their chalet chefs cook for them, they're likely dining at one of the resort's Michelin-starred restaurants.

Bagatelle Courchevel is a popular aprés restaurant while Le Restaurant de Cheval Blanc Courchevel in one of Courchevel's Michelin-star restaurants.India Hogg/TikTok/JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images

During the day, most people hit the slopes.

India Hogg hit the slopes daily when she worked in Courchevel 1850.India Hogg/TikTok

And if you weren't skiing, Hogg said she saw 1850 vacationers often paraglide or partake in other winter activities.

A hot air balloon in Courchevel, France.raevas/Shutterstock

When winter activities aren't on the agenda, designer shopping is, Hoggs said.

Courchevel 1850 is home to designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Fendi.JARRY/TRIPELON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Nightlife is also big in Courchevel 1850.

India Hogg and a friend out at night in Courchevel 1850.India Hogg/TikTok

Hogg said Courchevel 1850 is a glamorous winter wonderland, and her advice for visitors is to "throw yourself into everything"— if you can afford it. But as Hogg witnessed, if you're visiting Courchevel 1850 to ski, dine, and shop, chances are, you can.

India Hogg and friends at Bagatelle Courchevel.India Hogg/TikTok

Hogg said Courchevel 1850 is a glamorous winter wonderland, and her advice for visitors is to "throw yourself into everything"— if you can afford it. But as Hogg witnessed, if you're visiting Courchevel 1850 to ski, dine, and shop, chances are, you can.

I spent 5 hours in Alaska Airlines' first class. There were no lie-flat seats or other frills, but it was pretty great.

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A chalet girl at one of the world's most luxurious ski destination shares what the winter wonderland for the wealthy is like. Take a look around.

A few winters ago, India Hogg witnessed that luxury firsthand when she spent six months working there as a chalet host.

To understand Courchevel 1850, Hogg said you have to take a step back and look at The Three Valleys.

Courchevel is located on the eastern side of The Three Valleys.

Courchevel itself is split into six villages, including Courchevel 1850.

Of the six villages, Courchevel 1850 is the highest in elevation and the most luxurious.

Courchevel 1850's reputation for wealth attracts celebrities, royalty, Russian oligarchs, and ultra-high-net-worth visitors.

Guests arriving in private jets and helicopters can access Courchevel 1850's private airstrip and helipad.

When it comes to accommodations, Courchevel has one of the highest concentrations of five-star hotels in France.

If visitors aren't having their chalet chefs cook for them, they're likely dining at one of the resort's Michelin-starred restaurants.

During the day, most people hit the slopes.

And if you weren't skiing, Hogg said she saw 1850 vacationers often paraglide or partake in other winter activities.

When winter activities aren't on the agenda, designer shopping is, Hoggs said.

Nightlife is also big in Courchevel 1850.

Hogg said Courchevel 1850 is a glamorous winter wonderland, and her advice for visitors is to "throw yourself into everything"— if you can afford it. But as Hogg witnessed, if you're visiting Courchevel 1850 to ski, dine, and shop, chances are, you can.