Altiport Courchevel - Spotting Guide

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Altiport Courchevel – Spotting Guide

December 8, 2020 - last modified on February 6, 2024

Courchevel Altiport (IATA: CVF / ICAO: LFLJ) is an altiport serving one of the most prestigious ski platform in Europe. Well located next to the ski resorts, it has a single tiny runway of 537 meters (1,762 ft). There is no go-around procedure, no ILS and lighting aids. Therefore the traffic is at the highest once the weather is perfect (+30 helicopters movements a single day and could have up to 10x PC12 parked at the same time).

Since 2014, Alpine Airlines is the only civilian company to have received the rights to operate daily flights with their Vulcanair AP.68TP-600 A-Viator F-HSKJ and Vulcanair P-68 Observer 2 F-HSKI. On top of them the main traffic is obviously dedicated to the helicopters but still a large number of Pilatus PC12 can be seen (Jetfly, Fly7 and EAPC are the main operators and private owners can also be seen).

Written by Gilles Paccalet (Local Spotter), Jeremy Denton & Pierrick G. Last Update: February 2024

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runway
04/22	537m (1,762ft) – Asphalt
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	A car is required to be able to drive up to the public airport parking. There is no public transport available here. Please take a careful look at the map as you have to park exactly at the mentioned location we marked there.
Restrooms	Available at the restaurants.
Drinks/Food	Available at the restaurants.
Hotels	One named “Le Pilatus” is located right at the airport which is extremely convenient.
Season	The altiport is only worth a visit once the traffic is at its peak time so during winter (~mid December until end of march). Only during good visibility = good weather.
Security	!!! IMPORTANT NOTICE !!! Since 2018, following complains from passengers, Courchevel authorities have issued a warning for PlaneSpotters. In order to avoid any sanctions, bans or fines by the Police, please STRICTLY apply to those below rules. You are allowed to take pictures only at the spotting locations mentioned in the guide You are allowed to park your car only at the airport public parking In order to grant you the pictures, a “Spotter’s Charter” was created in agreement with the Altiport and the Town Hall of Courchevel. It is mandatory to send an email at least 5 days prior your visit at: spotting.altiport@gmail.com Your email must includes the following for each visitors First & last Name Date of visit You will then receive an email from which you have to complete, date and sign the “Spotter Chart” before sending back the document to the above mentioned email address. All chart are submitted to the authorities so you won’t be ask to leave the area if you encounter a police control. The “Spotter Chart” is valid for ONE season only, it must be dully completed and signed each year. Last but not least, in case of non-compliance with the rules mentioned in the Spotter Chart, the spotter will be solely responsible for its actions and may be sanctioned by the police (fine or ban on photographing). UNREGISTERED SPOTTERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PHOTOGRAPHED AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE PLACE IMMEDIATELY
Runway Usage
General Info	Please refer to the map.

	Spot #1 – Rue Altiport – All movements
WHERE	Follow the signs “Courchevel” until you reached the village. Then follow the “Altiport” signs until you reach the parking on the “Route de l’Altiport”. For each of the spotting locations it is very important to park your car at the heliport parking (refer to the map). Then take your bags and start walking to the spot 1down the road.

WHAT	All movements: aircraft on the runway and also on the helipad.

TIME	Full day in winter, depends on how the helis turn into the ramp.

MISC.	In order to have foods/drinks you’ll need to bring your own stuff or make a stop somewhere in the city. Also you can stop at the two restaurants available at the airport indicated on the map.

FOCAL LENGTH	Minimum a 200mm for the helicopters on the concrete pad, 450mm on the snowy pad and up to 500mm once they leave or arrive from the valley (depending on the angle your wish). Side shot around 100-150mm.

	Spot #2 – The Hill (Main Spot) – All movements
WHERE	From the car park turn around and walk up the road. Spot 2 is located in the next right curve on the left side.

WHAT	All movements: aircraft on the runway and also on the helipad, but here you will have a different angle in comparison to spot 1.

TIME	Full day in winter, depends on how the helis turn into the ramp.

MISC.	In order to have foods/drinks you’ll need to bring your own stuff or make a stop somewhere in the city. Also you can stop at the two restaurants available at the airport indicated on the map.

FOCAL LENGTH	Minimum a 200mm for the helicopters on the concrete pad, snow pad 350mm and up to 500mm once they leave or arrive from the valley (depending on the angle your wish). Side shot around 200-230mm.

	Spot #3 – Runway – Aircrafts movements
WHERE	From the car park turn around and walk up the road along the hangar. Be careful as some cars are driving both ways on that road. Then just put yourself where the place suits you the best.

WHAT	All aircraft movements and some helicopters that have their place in the hangar (we are talking about up to 3 maximum). Don’t expect to make any pictures of the helipads movements.

TIME	Full day in winter.

MISC.	In order to have foods/drinks you’ll need to bring your own stuff or make a stop somewhere in the city. Also you can stop at the two restaurants available at the airport indicated on the map.

FOCAL LENGTH	PC12 depending on the angle from 150mm up to 200mm.