Serre Chevalier
Resort Overview
This established resort covers an enormous ski area, the 5th biggest in France, with a great lift system and attractive, rustic villages with loads of character. Turin and Grenoble Airport are only just over 2 hours away. With over 250kms of piste covering 4 areas, Serre Chevalier is one of the best ski regions in France and must be one of the best ski deals in the world! We love this circuit and have plenty of choice for you.Serre Chevalier's snow record is excellent. Most slopes face North so it can be pretty cold but as you go higher, you are virtually guaranteed the irresistible double whammy: great snow and brilliant sunshine. Surrounded by a national park, Serre Chevalier ski resort has spectacular mountain scenery and beautiful runs through France's biggest larch forest, giving good protection and visibility in bad weather.
On The Slopes
Above the tree line there are huge, white bowls with mouth-watering opportunities for every ability. Listing all the runs is pointless! Suffice to say whatever your level of ability, there is an abundance of choice.Ski holidays in Serre Chevalier give beginners good village skiing and easy bubble lifts to altitude for the best snow. Because there are so many cruising blues even novices and snow-ploughers can get about easily.
Intermediates of all levels will get the best out of Serre Chevalier ski holidays. Blues and reds cover the whole area giving that enjoyable sense of journey. There's a fantastic variety of intermediate runs from wide motorways, challenging reds winding through the forest and fast schusses but there's no danger of accidentally straying on to anything really hairy.
Ski holidays in Serre Chevalier give advanced skiers loads of challenging reds, long blacks and savage mogul fields. And virtually unlimited off-piste through hidden valleys and glades, which doesn't get skied out five minutes after a new dump! With its combination of attractively unkempt rustic villages and natural, non-manicured beauty, Serre Chevalier is something of a Provence in The Alps. The snow is superb, the runs are well-groomed and because the villages are right below the mountain it's all extremely convenient too.
For extra special ski holidays, Serre Chevalier provides four major focal points.
Ancient Briançon, at the southern end of the system, with it's medieval fortifications, is one of the showpieces of French tourism.
Briançon is the highest town in Europe. The modern part is the newest addition to the ski system and has its own skiing and gondola. Further north, three rustic farming villages share the same big lift system with easy access. Free skibuses stop at all points. This is handy because you can end the day at another village and still get back. Taxis are relatively cheap for a night out. The size of the area will be apparent on your coach transfer. It's 15-20 minutes drive from start to finish - Briançon to Monetier!
Chantemerle, the largest village, has an attractive old centre, with lifts and pistes as close as you could wish. A gondola and chairs feed a large, easy area just above the village. The blues are tremendous. To the left is Briançon, where the skiing is a bit harder, and to the right is Villeneuve, good for keen intermediates. Further right is Monetier, connected by lift and intermediate piste. This is a fabulous ski area which is attracting a lot of investment, with great variety and long runs.
Monetier has the widest variety of skiing on the circuit, the highest vertical drop, best snow, the most interesting skiing and is regularly named as a top snowboarding resort. That's why we chose it!
New quad and triple lifts opened recently and new investment is coming. There's a good nursery slope in the village then new lifts to altitude where there's another beginners' area in perfect snow. Long blues go all the way back. The reds and blacks here are fantastic for strong intermediates and advanced skiers. Monetier is a major ski area in its own right but it's also a typical Savoyarde village, pungent with Provençale flavour, and great for Francophiles.
Monetier has been a spa for hundreds of years and you can still take the waters. You will notice disconcerting gushes of steam escaping from pavement culverts. There are only half a dozen bars, great if you fancy a mellow week. You can always get taxis to the other villages if you want a change!
SnowboardingThe terrain at Serre Chevalier, Monetier in particular, is superb. It's a snowboarders heaven! Serre Chevalier is like one big adventure park, there's so much variety, with lots of long tree runs, the 200 metres long Aravet half pipe and the snowboard cross, a run with 7 turns fitted and a vertical drop, you will always be kept busy.
Off The Slopes
A lively village with plenty of character. Very friendly with many bars!- Night time skidoo
- Torchlight descents
- Ice driving
- Skating
- Swimming pool
- Parapenting
- Hang gliding
- Ice climbing
- Night skiing
- Sleigh rides
- Snow mobiling
- Snow shoeing
- Church
- Doctor, pharmacy and hospital
- 38 bars / restaurants
- Loads of shops
- 2 night clubs
- Cinema
- Games bar
- Natural spa baths in Monetier
- Indoor/outdoor pools
- Ice sculptures
Use this site to check out our hotels and resorts and find detailed availability for your tailored ski or snowboarding holiday. If you prefer you can call us on 01273 810777 or email us.
