Courchevel vs Saint Martin de Belleville: which should you book?
Both put the whole Trois Vallees on your doorstep, so the skiing is effectively the same. Book Courchevel if you want the full luxury resort experience, polished ski in ski out and the glamour, and your budget can take it. Book Saint Martin de Belleville for charm, value and an authentic old village, with an easier final climb from Moutiers and quieter slopes, while skiing the very same 600 km of linked pistes. For most groups chasing value and character, Saint Martin is the smart money. Courchevel wins only if money is no object and prestige is the point.
Last reviewed July 2026
The short answer
Courchevel wins overall for luxury, convenience and prestige, the polished pick if budget is no concern. Saint Martin de Belleville wins on value, village charm and an easier transfer, while sharing the identical Trois Vallees skiing. Both reach the same 600 km of linked pistes through the same Moutiers gateway.
Courchevel and Saint Martin de Belleville sit in the same vast Trois Vallees ski area, so this is not a contest about the mountain, it is a contest about the base you choose. Courchevel is the famous, glossy resort at the top of its valley, a byword for luxury chalets and designer everything. Saint Martin de Belleville is a small, beautiful old farming village lower down the Belleville valley, plugged into the same lift network at a fraction of the swagger and the price. The right pick comes down to budget, the kind of evening you want and how much you value an easier journey in.
The numbers side by side
| Courchevel | Saint Martin de Belleville | |
|---|---|---|
| Village altitude | around 1,300 to 1,850 m by level | around 1,450 m |
| Ski area | Trois Vallees, around 600 km linked | Trois Vallees, around 600 km linked |
| Best for | Luxury, ski in ski out, prestige | Value, charm, families, quiet |
| Village character | Polished, glamorous, modern resort | Authentic old stone village |
| Apres | Smart, expensive, refined | Low key, traditional, relaxed |
| Nearest airport | Chambery roughly 2 hours, Geneva 2 hours 30 to 3 | Chambery roughly 2 hours, Geneva 2 hours 30 to 3 |
| Final climb from Moutiers | Longer, more switchbacks up to Courchevel | Shorter, gentler climb up the Belleville valley |
The skiing
This category is a tie by design. Both villages sit directly on the Trois Vallees, the largest linked ski area in the world at around 600 km of pistes, so from either base you can ski the same terrain across Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires and Saint Martin's own sunny slopes. Courchevel's local terrain is a touch more varied and includes long, immaculate cruising plus serious couloirs, while Saint Martin's home runs are gentle, sunny and quiet, a lovely warm up before you head deeper into the network. Winner: tie on the wider area, slight edge to Courchevel for local variety.
Getting there
The journey is almost identical until the final climb, where Saint Martin has a small but real advantage. Both share the same gateways, Chambery at around two hours, Lyon and Grenoble at roughly two to two and a half, and Geneva at about two and a half to three, and both funnel through Moutiers for the last leg. From Moutiers, Courchevel is a longer, more winding climb up its own valley, while Saint Martin is a shorter, gentler ascent up the Belleville valley, which can mean less white knuckle driving and a quicker finish after heavy snow. Winner: Saint Martin de Belleville, by a small margin on the last stretch.
The village
This is the heart of the difference. Courchevel, especially the high 1850 level, is a polished, glamorous resort of luxury hotels, Michelin restaurants and designer boutiques, beautiful but unmistakably moneyed. Saint Martin de Belleville is the opposite in spirit, a genuine old Savoyard village of stone houses, a lovely church and a handful of excellent restaurants, charming and human in scale. Winner: Courchevel for luxury and choice, Saint Martin for authentic character.
Families
Both work for families, but in different ways. Saint Martin is calm, safe and walkable, with gentle home slopes and a relaxed pace that suits families who want a quieter base and lower costs. Courchevel offers superb ski schools, dedicated beginner areas and ski in ski out convenience at the higher levels, which is excellent for families who can afford it. Winner: Saint Martin for value and calm, Courchevel for facilities and convenience.
Apres and evenings
Courchevel's evenings are smart, lively and expensive, from elegant bars to famous nightclubs. Saint Martin keeps it low key and traditional, with good dinners and quiet drinks rather than late nights. Winner: Courchevel for buzz and glamour, Saint Martin for a relaxed evening.
Cost
Cost is the clearest divide. Courchevel, particularly 1850, sits firmly in the $4,000 to $8,000 per person band and well into $8,000 plus for prime chalets and hotels, among the priciest weeks in the Alps. Saint Martin de Belleville delivers the same skiing for far less, with most groups landing in the $2,000 to $4,000 band, which is why it is such a popular value base in the Trois Vallees. Winner: Saint Martin de Belleville, decisively.
The verdict
Book Courchevel if you want the full luxury experience, ski in ski out polish, fine dining and prestige, and your budget can absorb the premium. Book Saint Martin de Belleville for the same world class Trois Vallees skiing at a fraction of the price, with an authentic old village, quieter slopes and a slightly easier journey in. For most groups who care about value and charm, Saint Martin is the smarter book.
Either way you ski the whole Trois Vallees. Read our full Courchevel review, explore the wider Trois Vallees region guide and the France destination guide, and compare the other valley bases such as Meribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens before you book.
If you want this trip priced by specialists, tell us your dates and budget below and we will route your brief to the right operators.
Common questions
Is Courchevel or Saint Martin de Belleville better?
It depends on budget. Courchevel wins for luxury, ski in ski out polish and prestige if money is no object. Saint Martin de Belleville wins on value, village charm and an easier transfer, while sharing the identical Trois Vallees skiing, so it is the smarter pick for most groups.
Do they ski the same area?
Yes. Both villages sit directly on the Trois Vallees, the largest linked ski area in the world at around 600 km of pistes. From either base you can ski across Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires and Saint Martin's own slopes on the same lift pass.
Which is cheaper?
Saint Martin de Belleville, by a wide margin. It typically lands most groups in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band for a week. Courchevel, especially the 1850 level, sits in the $4,000 to $8,000 band and well into $8,000 plus for prime chalets and hotels.
Which is easier to get to?
The journey is almost identical, both around two hours from Chambery and two and a half to three from Geneva, via Moutiers. Saint Martin has a small edge on the final leg, with a shorter, gentler climb up the Belleville valley compared with the longer winding road up to Courchevel.
Which is better for families?
Both work. Saint Martin is calm, safe and walkable with gentle home slopes and lower costs, ideal for a quieter family base. Courchevel offers superb ski schools and ski in ski out convenience for families who can afford the premium.
Which has better apres ski?
Courchevel, for buzz and glamour, with elegant bars and famous nightclubs. Saint Martin de Belleville keeps evenings low key and traditional, with good dinners and quiet drinks rather than late nights.