Courchevel.

Courchevel is the crown jewel of the French Alps' Three Valleys, a byword for luxury skiing, Michelin dining and five-star chalets above the resort of Courchevel 1850. Its private-aviation appeal is inseparable from its airport: landing here is a rite of passage for the ski elite from December through March. Demand peaks over the Christmas, New Year and February half-term weeks.

Courchevel Altiport (CVF/LFLJ) is one of the most demanding airfields in the world, with a runway of only about 1,700 ft set on an 18.5 percent uphill slope at 6,588 ft elevation. There is no instrument approach and no go-around once committed, so only specially certified pilots flying light jets and turboprops may operate here. Chambery, Geneva and Grenoble serve as lower-risk alternates for larger aircraft, with helicopter or car transfer up the valley. The resort is minutes from the altiport.