Booking a luxury chalet is a little different from booking a hotel room, and knowing what to expect at each stage makes the process far less stressful — especially if it’s your first time renting in Courchevel.
When to Start Looking
For Christmas, New Year and February half-term, the best chalets are often booked eight to twelve months in advance — sometimes as soon as the previous season ends. If you have a specific chalet or village in mind for peak weeks, start looking as early as you can. For quieter weeks in January or March, a few months’ notice is usually plenty.
Enquiry and Availability
Once you’ve found a chalet you like, the first step is a straightforward availability check for your dates. This is also the point to flag anything that matters to your group — number of bedrooms needed, level of catering, accessibility, or specific requests like a private chef who can cater to dietary restrictions.
Deposits and Payment
Most chalet rentals require a deposit, typically 25–50% of the total cost, to secure the booking, with the balance due some weeks before arrival — often around six to eight weeks out. A refundable security deposit is also standard, held against any damage and returned after your stay, along with cancellation terms that vary by property, so it’s worth reading these carefully before you commit.
In the Run-Up to Your Stay
A few weeks before arrival, you’ll usually be asked for guest details, arrival times, dietary requirements if the chalet is catered, and any special requests — birthday celebrations, ski lesson bookings, equipment hire, or airport transfers. This is the point to sort out anything you want arranged before you land.
On Arrival
Most chalets offer a check-in from mid-afternoon, often with the chalet host or property manager on hand to walk you through the property, introduce any staff, and answer questions about the week ahead. If your chalet includes catering, your first evening meal is usually included as part of the standard package.
A Few Tips
Book travel insurance that covers your specific trip, including winter sports cover. Confirm exactly what’s included in your rate — some chalets include ski passes, equipment hire or transfers, others don’t. And if you’re travelling with a large group, agree on the room allocation early to avoid any last-minute scrambling on arrival.
Ready to start? Browse our full range of Courchevel chalet rentals, or get in touch and we’ll talk you through availability and the booking process for your dates.
