A Day on the D915: From Valley Handover to the Trois Vallées Loop
This is the day most chalet guests actually drive, not the postcard version — starting at the valley floor, climbing to 1850, and using the afternoon to see what the Three Valleys road network is really for.
Behind the wheel
- 01
Morning handover at Moutiers or Chambéry
Most self-drive days start here rather than in Courchevel itself. If you've come off the TGV at Moutiers or landed at Chambéry, the car is waiting at the station or terminal — an SUV like the Audi SQ7 or Aston Martin DBX 707 makes more sense than a low sports car for what's coming next. Check the tank level and note the deposit terms before you pull out; it saves a conversation at drop-off.
- 02
The D915 climb through Bozel
Thirty kilometres of switchbacks from Moutiers, rising through Bozel before the road tightens into the final approach to 1850. In winter this stretch is the reason AWD isn't optional — confirm winter tyres or chains before you leave. In summer it's a straightforward, scenic climb with none of the drama, just steady gear changes and the odd delivery truck to pass.
- 03
Settling in at Courchevel 1850
Underground parking in 1850 fills fast during school-holiday weeks, so aim to arrive before early afternoon if you're heading straight to a chalet with a private driveway. Unload skis or luggage, confirm the handover paperwork with whoever met you, and leave the car parked until you've got your bearings — 1850's centre is easier on foot than by car.
- 04
A loop through 1650 and Le Praz
Once you're settled, the short run down to Courchevel 1650 and on to Le Praz 1300 is worth doing at least once — quieter streets, a different pace, and a chance to see the resort's lower tiers without the traffic of the main centre. Nothing dramatic here, just a useful orientation drive before committing to longer routes.
- 05
Afternoon on the Three Valleys roads
In season, the D90 toward the Méribel bridge at Les Allues is the practical test of any car you've picked — narrow in places, busy with resort traffic, and not forgiving of a vehicle that's too wide for the parking it needs. Out of season, the same stretch opens onto the summer version of this drive: the D1212 toward Annecy, where an RS6 or a Vantage Spider earns its place in the fleet mix rather than the SUV that got you up the valley.
- 06
Evening return and the practical bit
Back at the chalet or hotel by early evening, this is the point to think about the return leg rather than leave it for the last day — fuel level, any marks to note, and whether the drop-off will be at the same address or somewhere else, like Chambéry for an early flight. If a chauffeured leg was arranged for part of the trip, this is also when it's worth confirming the pickup time for tomorrow rather than assuming it.
About Courchevel
Vehicle choice in Courchevel depends more on gradient and season than on preference alone. The resort spreads across several linked levels — 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz and La Tania — connected by steep private driveways and underground car parks rather than flat street parking, so a compact sports car quickly becomes impractical once ski bags, boot boxes and a family's luggage are added. An executive SUV with AWD and winter tyres handles the resort roads and the D90 link toward Méribel and Val Thorens through the Three Valleys network with far less compromise, which is why that body style dominates the fleet from December through the closing weeks in April, when some higher passes can still carry snow.
Renting a luxury car in Courchevel also means planning for trips that go beyond the resort itself. Guests arriving via Moutiers TGV station or Chambéry tend to use the same vehicle for the valley approach and for day trips later in the stay, while those coming through Geneva, roughly 140 km and about two hours north via Annecy and Albertville, are better served booking a car suited to that longer motorway stretch rather than one chosen only for the final few kilometres into 1850. Once the summer season opens the lower roads toward Annecy, the mix shifts toward GT and convertible models for the lake run, so it is worth matching the car to the month of travel rather than to the resort's winter reputation alone.