2023 Alpine Skiing World Cup Info – limited impact on recreational skiing

The FIS Alpine Skiing 2023 World Championships are being held in Courchevel La Tania / Le Praz and Méribel from the 6th to 19th February 2023.

Although (unbelievably!) this is right in the middle of the main half term holidays the ski area management company and the organisers are keen to point out the limited effect on recreational skiing during the event – in fact with 15% of all accommodation being taken up by competitors, support staff, organisers, sponsors, media etc there will be more room on the slopes!

In Courchevel where the men’s events are held on the new L’Eclipse piste there is access through a new tunnel from the Forêt Chairlift and Les Arolles piste to allow access to Folyères, Plan Fontaine & Moretta Blanche down to La Tania.

S3V state that only L’Eclipse and Granges pistes in Courchevel will be closed. Granges over in 1650 is reserved for ski testing and working out the best wax apparently!

However, it’s hard to see how Lanches and Bouc Blanc will remain open during the Downhill and for preparation work (other events are further down L’Eclipse) and also the Murettes piste down to Le Praz.

Last winter during the World Cup events the top of the old Jockeys was resurrected – turned out to be not very pleasant and Arolles was obviously heavily skied with being the main route back to La Tania.

The areas closed amount to less than 1% of the 3 Valleys ski area and with amazing skiing to view (L’Eclipe downhill is something else!) and with lots of entertainment and other events on it will be a great time to visit.

Winter Olympics usually cause regular visitors to stay away from the resorts involved and organisers do not want this to happen for this 2023 event which is by far the biggest skiing event outside of the Olympics.

Unfortunately there are no Skier-cross, Half Pipe, Big Air or Freeride events (and no snowboards) which are becoming more and more popular than traditional ski racing and have more appeal to the next generation of Winter sports enthusiasts.

Meanwhile in Méribel the Roc de Fer, Choucas and Eterlou pistes will close but these are at the edge of the ski area so have little impact and again a new tunnel is in place to allow access under the race piste.

Be aware that Saturday & Sunday 11/12 Feb see the ladies and men’s downhills so traffic will be even worse than a usual half term transfer weekend! There are loads of additional traffic management, car parking and shuttle buses being put in place but please plan ahead…..

Tickets: Are on sale now from www.courchevelmeribel2023.com

For example – Prices for the Men’s downhill from €30 at the finish, €60 in the grandstands, €708 on the terrace with lunch and an open bar or €180,000 plus VAT for a private box seating 25 for the whole 2 weeks!