Courchevel 1550, 3 Valleys

Courchevel 1550 sits directly below 1850 but can feel like a world away. A quiet village, but with excellent piste access, Courchevel 1550 is an excellent base for those less fussed by extensive nightlife and more interested in direct access into the vast Three Valleys ski area. It even works if you fancy trying Courchevel 1850's legendary atmosphere without blowing the entire budget on accommodation alone. Gondola access is possible until the early evenings and buses down run until the early hours. Courchevel 1550 now also plays host to Aquamotion, billed as the "Largest European Water Park in the Mountains".

Make no mistake, this is not the same as staying in 1850 or even 1650, but it's becoming increasingly fashionable and you get a lot more for your money here.