A private flight to Courchevel lands at one of four gateway airports: Chambéry, Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble. The last part of the trip is made by helicopter to the Courchevel altiport or by road up the valley. Which gateway makes sense depends on the day of the week, the size of the aircraft and how much the final transfer matters to you. This guide goes through each choice in order.
Who Courchevel suits
Courchevel is one of the seven resorts of Les 3 Vallées, which the ski area’s operator describes as 600 km of linked runs, with Méribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens among the others. Strong skiers can range widely while the rest of the family stays close to the village. That makes it a good fit for multi-generational groups. Some guests will ski all day, some will not ski at all, and everyone meets for dinner.
A ski week is the usual pattern. Courchevel also works for a long weekend if you avoid the busiest arrival days (see below). For assistants, the planning starts with three things: the dates, where the group is staying, and how much luggage is coming. Ski equipment, boot bags and children’s kit all count when an operator chooses the aircraft. They also decide whether a helicopter transfer needs a second machine or a separate luggage run by road.
The season, and which weeks are busiest
For 2026–27, the resort and the ski-area operator publish an opening date of 4 December 2026 for Courchevel 1850. Moriond, Village, Le Praz and La Tania open on 5 December. The main area closes on 18 April 2027, and the lower villages close on 11 April. In summer, lifts run for a short season. In 2026 they ran from 4 July to 30 August, so a summer trip is possible, but it is a different and quieter kind of trip.
Late March and April bring longer days. Late in the season the lower villages close first: on 11 April in 2027. The weeks around Christmas and New Year and the French school winter holidays bring the most pressure on accommodation and on the gateway airports. Those holidays are staggered by zone, and the dates are on the French education ministry’s calendar. If the dates are flexible, check that calendar before you fix them.
Choosing a gateway airport
The road distances and air-transfer times below are the resort tourism office’s figures. The transfer times are for the flight to the altiport. Treat them as a guide, not a timetable. Weather and winter traffic on the valley road change them more than distance does.
| Gateway | ICAO | By road | To the altiport by air | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc | LFLB | 95 km, about 1 h 15 | About 25 min | Closest. Winter PPR and weekend limits apply (see below). |
| Geneva | LSGG | 179 km, about 2 h | About 35 min | Coordinated airport. Business flights need a PPR from the handling agent. A PPR does not by itself confirm parking. |
| Lyon Saint-Exupéry | LFLL | 176 km, about 2 h | About 40 min | A useful alternative when Chambéry is full. The operator confirms handling and parking. |
| Grenoble Alpes Isère | LFLS | 125 km, about 1 h 35 | About 35 min | 3,050 m runway and a dedicated business aviation terminal. |
Chambéry in winter
Chambéry is the closest gateway, and its winter rules shape most Courchevel itineraries. The airport’s own guidance covers 1 December to 30 April. In that period, every private and commercial flight is submitted online, and a PPR is issued only if a slot and parking are available. On winter weekends arrivals are limited to five an hour. Overnight parking from Friday to Sunday nights is decided case by case, and there is no hangarage. The page is not dated by season, so confirm the current rules for your dates. In practice, an aircraft may drop passengers at Chambéry and reposition to another airport to park. Your operator will plan for that.
Geneva
Geneva suits parties converging from several cities, since some guests can arrive on scheduled flights and join the transfer. Under the airport’s rules, every business and general aviation movement needs a PPR, requested through the handling agent. The airport’s guidance makes clear that a PPR does not by itself confirm aircraft parking. The road transfer is longer, so a helicopter connection is more useful here than from Chambéry.
The altiport: what it is and what it is not
Courchevel altiport (LFLJ) sits above the resort at about 2,000 m. The tourism office says it is cleared of snow all winter and has an aerodrome flight information service and a fire and rescue service. According to the French aeronautical information publication, aeroplane pilots need a French mountain rating or a specific authorisation to use it. The runway is short and sloped, and the French rules for altiports require aircraft to land uphill and take off downhill, whatever the wind.
Aviation references and the business aviation trade press agree that business jets do not use the altiport, that its fixed-wing traffic is limited to small propeller aircraft and that most winter movements are helicopters. For most travellers, then, the altiport is a helicopter destination. Whether a fixed-wing flight into the altiport is possible for your party depends on the aircraft, the operator and the crew’s qualifications, and the operator confirms it. Low cloud can close a mountain airfield at short notice. Every helicopter plan should have a road transfer ready as the fallback, with the car confirmed and not simply available in theory.
Ground transfers and getting around
By road, the route runs on motorway and dual carriageway to Moûtiers. From there the tourism office puts the climb to the resort at about 30 minutes. Moûtiers is also the nearest railway station if someone in the party joins by train. In the resort, most guests move between chalet, lifts and restaurants on foot, on skis or with a driver on call. A chauffeur kept for the week is usually more useful than a self-drive car, which spends most of its time parked in the snow. A self-drive car does make sense for a side trip down the valley or on to Geneva.
Beyond the slopes
Non-skiers have real options. The tourism office lists scenic flights from the altiport, ice climbing and snowshoeing, and the resort’s hotels and restaurants fill the rest of the day. In summer, the Col de la Loze road climb draws serious cyclists.
Some trips combine well:
- Geneva and Courchevel. Spend a day or two in the city at either end of the week. The same aircraft can do both legs.
- The Alps and the Caribbean. Some families split the winter between a ski week and a beach week. See our guide to St. Barths for the arrival details there.
- The Alps and a winter-sun cultural trip. The cooler months are also the season for AlUla in Saudi Arabia.
How Certified Jets coordinates a Courchevel trip
Certified Jets arranges your flight with a licensed operator suited to the route and the gateway airport, and coordinates the rest of the trip around it. For Courchevel that usually covers:
- On-demand private jet charter to the gateway that fits your dates. The operator handles PPR and parking requests.
- A helicopter connection to the altiport with a licensed helicopter operator, with a road transfer held as the fallback.
- Chauffeured transfers and a driver for the week, or a luxury car rental if you prefer to drive.
- Concierge support for chalet or hotel bookings, restaurants, ski instructors and guides.
- For larger families or company ski trips, group charter to move everyone together.
Where needed, we can also arrange personal security through licensed local providers. Everything is subject to availability and local regulations, confirmed when you enquire. For the aircraft categories licensed operators offer, see the aircraft category overview.
Questions
Can a private jet land at Courchevel?
No. Aviation references agree that business jets do not use the altiport, which takes helicopters and small propeller aircraft; aeroplane pilots need a French mountain rating or a specific authorisation. Plan on a gateway airport (Chambéry, Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble) and a last leg by helicopter or road. The operator confirms what is possible for a given aircraft.
Chambéry or Geneva?
Chambéry is closer, at about 1 h 15 by road. On winter weekends, though, arrivals are capped and overnight parking is limited. Geneva adds about 45 minutes by road and has wider international connections, but every flight needs a PPR there too. For a Saturday arrival, ask your operator to check both.
How long is the helicopter transfer?
The tourism office gives about 25 minutes from Chambéry, 35 from Geneva or Grenoble and 40 from Lyon. Allow extra time on the ground at each end for luggage and for weather checks.
What happens if the weather closes the altiport?
You drive. Ask for the road transfer to be confirmed when you book the helicopter so that a car is waiting at the gateway if the flight is cancelled.
When does the 2026–27 season open?
The published dates are 4 December 2026 to 18 April 2027 for Courchevel 1850. The lower villages open a day later and close on 11 April. Opening can change with snow conditions, so check close to the date.
