Resort Guide to Serre Chevalier, France

Said to have more hours of sunshine than any other resort in Europe, the Southern French resort of Serre Chevalier offers 250kms of piste, glorious weather and is one of the most underrated resorts in France.

 

Skiing & Boarding

The opportunities for great skiing and boarding in Serre Chevalier are almost overwhelming. There are great tree runs, fantastic off piste runs that allow you to feel like your in the middle of nowhere and long wide motorway pistes throughout the valley.

 

Beginners

There are some great high altitude green runs throughout the valley offering nice gentle slopes with great views. Try the Grand Alpe from the top of the gondola above Chantmerle and the Aravet for some rewarding green skiing.

 

Intermediates

Let the efficient lift systems whisk you up to almost any point in the resort and you will be faced with some great blues and red runs that traverse down the mountain, either ending at one of the great mountain restaurants or at one of the villages where you can get back on and start again. Try the red from the top of the Pic L'yret (it can be a trek to get there but an excellent run when you do) or the reds from the top of the Clot Gauthier.

 

Advanced

The black runs here can offer some challenging terrain. An exciting run at the top end of the valley is the black from the Cibouit chair lift. Buckle your seatbelts and hold on tight! Another excellent way of getting the adrenaline pumping is to spend a morning racing down the olympic Luc Alphand black run into Chantemerle. Named after the local olympic hero who won gold here in the men's downhill, it offers an exciting challenge to anyone who likes speed and hard turns. Try beating the record for an extra buzz.

 

Snowboarders

Serre Chevalier has developed a name for itself in the snowboard community due to it's natural 1/2 pipes, 1/4 pipes, kickers and off piste tree lined marathons. All over the resort you can find natural kickers at the sides of the pistes, natural occurring pipes in gully's and you could write a book of all the off piste runs you could do. There is also two excellent terrain parks, one at the lower side of Villeneuve and one just above the Aravet tunnel.

 

Off Piste

If off piste tree runs are your thing, try an early run through the trees below the main gondola from Villeneuve to Aravet. Watch out for the cliff drops and enjoy the perfect line back down to the town!

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The Towns

Each on the 4 main towns that make up the Serre Chevalier resort has it's own characteristics.

 

Briançon is a wonderful medieval town with the old centre surrounded by great walls. It has some lovely shops and restaurants and if you're not staying there, it is well worth a days visit.

 

Chantemerle is the largest of the villages in the valley (though smaller than Briançon). It has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants and has a lively atmosphere.

 

Villeneuve is the next village up the valley and provides an excellent base camp for exploring the whole region. It has a quieter atmosphere than Chantemerle and feels more traditional. Le Bez, with it's old narrow streets is great for some on foot exploring.

 

Monetier is the last village as you travel up the valley. It is slightly bigger than Villeneuve and has a good selection of amenities, including a famous natural spa bath that is great for easing away the days aches and pains.

 

The free resort bus travels up and down the valley regularly from Briançon to Monetier, stopping regularly along the way.

 

Large Ski Area

Great Tree Runs

Good Snow Record

Good Sun Record

 

Après Ski   Top of any bill should be the mountain restaurant La Grand Alpe for late afternoon live music outside while you sit back and enjoy the last of the days sunshine.   Each of the villages in the valley have a good selection of bars, most of them are quite French but all laid back and relaxed. Try Bam Bam's in Villeneuve, or Le Yeti in Chantemerle.   Briançon has the largest selection of things happening. There is the recommended Roast Beef bar and also a nightclub on the road as you enter Briançon from Chantemerle.	Activities   Villeneuve Villeneuve has an ice rink for skating, an ice driving school, indoor swimming pool, beauty spa with massages and a small horse riding centre where you can go out for a trek through the snow.   Chantemerle Chantemerle has a fitness centre, cinema (with some English films), an ice rink, and offers parapenting lessons.   Monetier No visit to Serre Chevalier would be complete without a visit to the natural spa baths in Monetier. Don't forget your trunks!	Eating Out   Each of the villages in the valley have a selection of restaurants serving all the usual favourites, including local dishes of fondues and raclettes.   Briançon has the largest selection of restaurants. If you are not staying in Briançon a ride of the free resort bus should get you there and back for an evening out with some nice views on the way.
Ski/Board Tuition   Highly recommended are the British run and B.A.S.I. trained *** school in Monetier (though they will meet you wherever you wish on the slopes).   The French E.S.F. have a good presence in each on the villages with lessons easily booked by visiting one of their offices in each village centre.	Ski/Board Hire   There are a good number of ski/boot and board hire companies offering competitive rates in each of the village.   Ask your holiday rep/host for their recommendations and special offers or have a wander round when you arrive for the best deals.	Childcare   Each of the villages provide a Day Kindergarten and Ski Kindergarten for children.   The E.S.F. offer good childcare facilities in all the villages.