Le Portetta Courchevel: Slopeside Dining Guide
Planning a ski day around Moriond brings you right past Le Portetta Courchevel, one of the most inviting spots on the local snow front. Situated inside the four-star Hôtel Portetta, the main dining room, Cucina Angelina, combines Italian comfort food with hearty Savoyard mountain cooking. It was developed with British chef Angela Hartnett, giving the menu a relaxed, rustic feel that fits a long ski break perfectly.
Pull up your skis mid-day to warm your boots on the large outdoor sun terrace, or walk over from the village street in the evening for dinner; either way, the atmosphere is friendly and grounded. You get top-notch cooking without the formal stiffness found in some of the higher-altitude luxury spots.
At a glance
| Type of place | Slopeside hotel restaurant and outdoor terrace |
|---|---|
| Village | Courchevel 1650 Moriond |
| On the slopes? | Yes, direct ski-in/ski-out on the Moriond front de neige |
| Cuisine | Italian-influenced mountain cooking, Savoyard classics, wood-fired grill |
| Booking | Reservations online via the official website or direct with the hotel |
| Season and hours | Winter season (mid-December to mid-April); terrace from 9:00 AM, lunch 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, snacks 2:30 PM to late afternoon, dinner 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Price range | Mid-range for Courchevel; mains recorded around 16 to 40 euros depending on the dish |
Why stop at Le Portetta
Courchevel 1650 Moriond has a reputation for being sunnier and slightly calmer than its neighbor 1850. Le Portetta captures that spirit down on the snow front. It offers a warm pause during the ski day without the loud club scene or the dizzying prices of high-altitude party venues.
The kitchen at Cucina Angelina is overseen by chef Angela Hartnett, who brings an Italian sensibility to alpine dining. While Angela Hartnett holds Michelin stars elsewhere, the restaurant here does not carry one. That actually works in its favor for lunch on a ski trip. The atmosphere remains approachable, casual, and focused on wholesome, generous dishes that restore your legs after a morning on the pistes.
It suits skiers who want proper table service, families who need space and familiar foods for younger children, and groups seeking a relaxed drink outdoors by a roaring fire.
The setting on the Moriond snow front
You will find Portetta right at the foot of the slopes at 252 Rue du Marquis in Courchevel 1650. The restaurant sits directly on the main snow front, which means you can slide right to the outdoor furniture without taking more than a couple of steps in ski boots.
The outside area is widely known as the largest outdoor sun terrace in Moriond. During clear alpine days, it catches full sun and offers clear views across the slopes. To keep you warm when the temperature drops, the terrace is fitted with open log fires, flaming torches, heated bar seating, and cozy fur-lined snugs. It is an easy place to linger with a warm drink while listening to afternoon live music.
Step through the doors into Cucina Angelina and the mood turns quietly refined. The interior makes heavy use of reclaimed timber, exposed natural stone, plush banquettes, and open fireplaces. It feels like a contemporary alpine home where you can kick off heavy gloves, sit back in comfort, and take your time over a hot meal.
What to eat and drink
The kitchen focuses on comfort and craft. Rather than relying on standard commercial supplies, the chefs make fresh handmade pasta in-house every single day. Alongside the pasta, you will find classic wood-fired pizzas made with crisp crusts and varied toppings, making it easy to share plates across the table.
Meat lovers will appreciate the open wood grill. The kitchen prepares chargrilled cuts over natural timber embers, including salt-chamber dry-aged beef. These rich cuts pair naturally with the cooler mountain climate.
Local French traditions remain front and center. You can order classic Savoyard cheese specialties like fondue and tartiflette, prepared with local mountain cheeses. The menu balances these rich dishes with fresh antipasti plates and Italian vegetable starters.
Local tip: If you want a sunny table outside during peak lunch hours, aim to arrive right at noon or book your terrace spot ahead of time online.
On the beverage side, the bar serves morning coffee from 9:00 AM on the deck, transitioning into cold beers, Italian aperitifs, and wine by the afternoon. Note that the legal drinking age in France is 18. If you plan to enjoy a glass of wine or an après-ski drink on the terrace, stick to the free resort shuttles or walk back to your chalet rather than driving on snowy mountain roads.
Booking advice and daily schedule
Portetta operates daily throughout the winter ski season, which typically begins in mid-December and runs through mid-April. Exact opening dates and seasonal schedules vary from year to year, so you should always check the official hotel website before your trip.
The daily rhythm follows a reliable mountain flow:
- Morning coffee: The terrace opens at 9:00 AM for early birds heading out on first lifts.
- Lunch service: Served daily from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, drawing skiers straight off the slopes.
- Afternoon snacks and après-ski: From 2:30 PM into the late afternoon, featuring pizza slices, snacks, and happy hour drinks on the terrace.
- Dinner service: Served in the Cucina Angelina dining room from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
For lunch during February school holidays, reservations are strongly recommended. Dinner fills quickly with hotel guests and village visitors alike. You can book a table directly online through the SevenRooms engine found on the official Portetta website, or by speaking with the hotel front desk team or the Courchevel tourist office.
Prices, families, and dietary needs
Compared to the grand palaces up in Courchevel 1850, Portetta sits in a very fair mid-range price bracket for this valley. Official listings from Courchevel Tourisme show à la carte main courses starting around 16 euros and going up to 35 euros, while independent ski guides have noted typical mains running around 25 to 40 euros in recent seasons. Remember that restaurant menus and prices change between seasons, so check the current bill of fare on the hotel website.
Families will find a welcoming atmosphere here. The restaurant provides high chairs for toddlers and features a dedicated children’s menu with simple, appealing dishes that suit smaller appetites. The front de neige location also means younger children can step onto the flat snow right outside while parents finish their coffee.
Vegetarian diners are well looked after. Thanks to the Italian emphasis, the menu includes numerous meat-free pasta choices, wood-fired vegetarian pizzas, and diverse antipasti plates alongside classic Savoyard cheese dishes.
Getting there and where to stay
Le Portetta sits in the middle of Courchevel 1650 Moriond. Arriving on skis is as straightforward as it gets. Simply ski down to the bottom of the Moriond front de neige near the Ariondaz gondola. You can glide directly to the terrace edge and rack your skis safely.
If you are traveling on foot or from another village, you have several simple options:
- Free resort shuttle: The Courchevel shuttle bus runs regular loops connecting Courchevel 1850, 1650 Moriond, 1550 Village, and Le Praz 1300. Step off in the center of Moriond and walk down Rue du Marquis.
- By car: You can reach 252 Rue du Marquis by road, and on-site hotel parking is available for guests and visitors.
- On foot: Anyone staying in Moriond chalets or apartments can easily stroll right into the property within a few minutes.
If you want to stay in the same building, Hôtel Portetta offers four-star rooms right above the restaurant. Otherwise, the village of Moriond has numerous apartments, chalets, and comfortable lodges within a brief walk of the main snow front.
How to plan your day around Le Portetta
Moriond is famous for its long, wide, rolling green and blue runs that stay quiet and catch morning sunshine. A classic morning plan is taking the Ariondaz gondola and exploring the Signal and Chapelets sectors. Always remember mountain safety: wear a helmet, stay on marked runs unless you hire a certified guide, and check the daily avalanche risk board before venturing into untracked snow.
After working your legs across the Moriond bowl, follow the gentle blue trails back down to the front de neige. Slide straight to Portetta for lunch to enjoy fresh pasta, a warm pizza, and a seat beside the outdoor fire.
If you spend the day skiing further across the Three Valleys over in Méribel or Courchevel 1850, you can cruise down to 1650 toward the end of the day. Stop on the Portetta deck for afternoon pizza slices and a hot chocolate during the happy hour music set before catching the village shuttle back to your base.
What recent visitors say
A quick, honest snapshot from recent Google reviews, so you know what to expect before you go.
What people liked
“Everything is perfect here, go for it!”
“My wife and I have stayed at this hotel many times over the years, and it never fails to impress. The accommodation regardless of room type you book is of the highest standard, and the level of service throughout the hotel is outstanding.…”
“The Portetta is actually that rather rare thing: an extraordinarily well-run hotel. Full disclosure here. We are regular guests and have been returning, as many, many others do, at least once, often twice, a season for the last seven or…”
What some found difficult
“We stayed here for the 2nd time, in a standard room, first time being 10 years ago when this hotel was truly upmarket, when the food was of a much higher standard and the clientele was still British but mostly couples or families with…”
Reviews via Google Maps. Opinions are those of their authors.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book a table for lunch at Le Portetta?
Booking is highly recommended, especially during sunny peak weeks and February holidays. You can easily reserve a table online via the SevenRooms link on the official Portetta website.
Can beginners ski down to Le Portetta?
Yes. The restaurant sits directly on the main Moriond snow front right beside the Ariondaz gondola, where wide, gentle beginner pistes finish. You do not need advanced skiing skills to reach the terrace on snow.
Does Cucina Angelina have a Michelin star?
No, Cucina Angelina does not hold a Michelin star. The concept was developed with Michelin-starred British chef Angela Hartnett, giving the menu refined culinary standards in a casual, family-friendly setting.
Can I visit Le Portetta if I am not skiing?
Yes. The hotel and restaurant are located at 252 Rue du Marquis in the village of Courchevel 1650. You can reach the restaurant by walking from town, taking the free resort shuttle bus, or parking on site.
Find it
Address: COURCHEVEL MORIOND, 252 Rue du Marquis, 73120 Courchevel, France
