Slope maintenance and activities: the end of the season in style at Courchevel!
Publié le 11/04/2025 - Rédigé par Marie
With the end of the season fast approaching, esf Courchevel 1850 invites you to enjoy the pleasures of the slopes and the final festivities right up to the last moment. This is your chance to discover new activities both on and off the slopes, and also to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Société des 3 Vallées, which operates the Courchevel ski area. So, are you ready for an unforgettable spring skiing session in the 3 Vallées?
An uncompromising end to the season with esf Courchevel 1850
The return of fine weather marks a turning point in the winter season, but never its immediate end. It's an opportunity to extend the pleasure on the slopes with a private ski lesson, or to embark on a new adventure with family or friends, while enjoying the special sunshine of this period. Whether you want to discover the most beautiful spots in the area with our instructors or push back the horizon on a snowshoeing or ski touring outing, esf Courchevel 1850 is at your side.
If there's no shortage of activities to ensure that the end of the season lives up to all your expectations, it's also thanks to the ski slopes service, which guarantees you the best skiing conditions until the resort closes. So it seemed impossible to invite you to enjoy the final festivities without talking to Cédric Perretier, head of Courchevel's piste services at the Société des 3 Vallées (S3V), about what goes on behind the scenes.
If there's no shortage of activities to ensure that the end of the season lives up to all your expectations, it's also thanks to the ski slopes service, which guarantees you the best skiing conditions until the resort closes. So it seemed impossible to invite you to enjoy the final festivities without talking to Cédric Perretier, head of Courchevel's piste services at the Société des 3 Vallées (S3V), about what goes on behind the scenes.
A unique end to the season!Spring skiing: special conditions for piste maintenance?
At this time of year, higher temperatures and more sunshine transform the snowpack. While the snowpack may have settled during the winter months, the risk of avalanches remains, and the quality of snow cover on the slopes must remain the same throughout the ski area to avoid early closure of certain sectors.
The snow, which is denser in spring, is also more difficult to lift with snowcats and complicates the work of the snow groomers. So how can we ensure that the end of the season is a success and that you can enjoy spring skiing to the full?
The snow, which is denser in spring, is also more difficult to lift with snowcats and complicates the work of the snow groomers. So how can we ensure that the end of the season is a success and that you can enjoy spring skiing to the full?
A single watchword for slope maintenance in March/April: anticipation
End-of-season slope maintenance begins as early as November, capitalizing on the grooming work carried out and the production of artificial snow. Taking into account not only the history of previous seasons, but also the daily data collected via the groomers' GPS units, the snow groomers and pisteurs work together on a daily basis to ensure sufficient snow on the areas with the highest rates of wear, such as the tops of walls or slopes. In this way, it is possible to maintain snow depth while taking advantage of the early winter cold.
Every night, throughout the season, S3V's snow groomers are busy bringing the snow to the top of the slopes. Every day, thousands of cubic meters of snow are brought down to the bottom of the slopes by the passage of skiers. Without these regular maintenance operations, carried out with standard machines or winches for the biggest jobs, it would be impossible to enjoy a smooth surface from the summit to the resort. Around 60% of the 420 hectares of slopes managed by S3V are groomed every night:
The analysis of the data collected, together with the experience of the S3V teams, promise you optimal, safe skiing conditions right up to the end of the season. There's no reason to miss out on one last weekend in the heart of the 3 Valleys!
Every night, throughout the season, S3V's snow groomers are busy bringing the snow to the top of the slopes. Every day, thousands of cubic meters of snow are brought down to the bottom of the slopes by the passage of skiers. Without these regular maintenance operations, carried out with standard machines or winches for the biggest jobs, it would be impossible to enjoy a smooth surface from the summit to the resort. Around 60% of the 420 hectares of slopes managed by S3V are groomed every night:
- All blue and green runs, the most popular;
- Most of the red runs;
- Black runs every 2, 3 or 4 days, depending on weather conditions.
The analysis of the data collected, together with the experience of the S3V teams, promise you optimal, safe skiing conditions right up to the end of the season. There's no reason to miss out on one last weekend in the heart of the 3 Valleys!
On the slopes as soon as you arrive!