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Introduction
Serre Chevalier is an idiosyncratic resort consisting of a series of villages strung out along a mountain valley above which is a fine range of pistes to suit any skier or boarder. A strong point is the tree cover (a rarity in the French Alps) which ensures potentially good skiing even in poor weather, and the open slopes and bowls are great fun in the resort's far more common sunny conditions.
This is also a friendly, good-value resort although nightlife is rather low key, and the mix of rustic and modern ambience in the various villages is somewhat offset by heavy traffic along what is the main Grenoble-Briançon road.
This is also a friendly, good-value resort although nightlife is rather low key, and the mix of rustic and modern ambience in the various villages is somewhat offset by heavy traffic along what is the main Grenoble-Briançon road.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,350m (4,430ft) to 1,500m (4,920ft).
Top elevation: 2,735m (8,970ft).
Base elevation: 1,350m (4,430ft).
Number of lifts: 68.
Number of runs: 114.
Average annual snowfall: Unavailable.
Where in the world?
Serre Chevalier is located close to the Italian border in the glaciated upper Durance Valley of the southern French Alps, on the boundary of the Parc des Ecrins, which is within the Ecrins Massif, the highest mountain range entirely within France.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from December until April.
The variety of slopes above the four main villages of Briançon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monêtier is excellent, especially for intermediates who can enjoy a vast array of red and blue runs. Beginners are also well catered for, with especially good nursery slopes at Le Monêtier and some fun greens above Villeneuve; and experts will find consistently good snow conditions at higher elevations and plenty of steep blacks and fun off-piste, especially above Le Monêtier and Villeneuve.
The lift system, although improving all the time, can often get very busy, especially at higher levels, and queues are a problem at holiday periods.
Snow conditions are generally reliable, since most slopes face north or northeast.
Of the various well-regarded ski schools in Serre Chevalier, Eurekaski in Le Monêtier is one of the best, with the maximum group size being six (meets at the bottom of the Pré Chabert piste).
The resort is well sorted for terrain parks - there's one above Villeneuve, one at Le Monêtier and boardercross courses above Chamtemerle and Villeneuve.
Ski gear is easily hired in the resort villages, all of which have a wide range of ski shops.
The variety of slopes above the four main villages of Briançon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monêtier is excellent, especially for intermediates who can enjoy a vast array of red and blue runs. Beginners are also well catered for, with especially good nursery slopes at Le Monêtier and some fun greens above Villeneuve; and experts will find consistently good snow conditions at higher elevations and plenty of steep blacks and fun off-piste, especially above Le Monêtier and Villeneuve.
The lift system, although improving all the time, can often get very busy, especially at higher levels, and queues are a problem at holiday periods.
Snow conditions are generally reliable, since most slopes face north or northeast.
Of the various well-regarded ski schools in Serre Chevalier, Eurekaski in Le Monêtier is one of the best, with the maximum group size being six (meets at the bottom of the Pré Chabert piste).
The resort is well sorted for terrain parks - there's one above Villeneuve, one at Le Monêtier and boardercross courses above Chamtemerle and Villeneuve.
Ski gear is easily hired in the resort villages, all of which have a wide range of ski shops.
Beyond the slopes
There's a good leisure centre in Briançon, a popular indoor/outdoor thermal bath in Le Monêtier, a swimming pool and spa in Villeneuve and ice rinks here and in Chantemerle. You can also enjoy ice driving, snowshoeing, skijoring and sleigh rides, and there are cinemas in all the main villages.
Family fun
Serre Chevalier is popular with French families, so if you visit in the school holidays expect very busy slopes. Each village has facilities for children, with one of the best options being Les Schtroumpfs (in front of the Fréjus gondola in Villeneuve), which caters for children from six months old.
Retail therapy
Options are limited for shopaholics with little more than skiwear shops and rather predictable souvenir stores. However, the 17th-century upper quarter of Briançon (the highest town in France) is worth a visit, and you'll also find a reasonable selection of shops in the centre of the town.
Après ski
None of Serre Chevalier's villages is especially lively. However, bars worth visiting include the Auberge Mont Prorel (at the gondola base in Briançon) when the lifts close; Le Triptyque (opposite the church in Chantemerle); Le Lièvre Blanc (rue de la Guisane in Villeneuve), with regular live music; and the friendly Bar L'Alpen (Le Monêtier), which also has Wi-Fi access.
Eating out
Try something traditional in Briançon at Le Passé Simple (1 chemin L'Envers), which specialises in mountain dishes and 17th-century cuisine; in Chantemerle Le Petit Chalet (route Grenoble) has superb dishes; Le Bidule (in the centre of the hamlet of Le Bez) is widely recommended by visitors and locals; and in Le Monêtier, L'Antidote (Alliey Hotel) has a Michelin star.
Getting around
Serre Chevalier lies over the Col du Lauteret on the main road between Grenoble and Briançon. The road is invariably busy and a ski bus operates until around 1900, after which there is no public transport.
Splashing out
The Circuit de Glace (22 route de Grenoble) offers ice-driving lessons, which are not only fun but can come in useful when driving your own car on icy roads.
Accommodation
Luxury
Chez BearThe resort's most luxurious chalet, in the hamlet of Belvoir just outside Briançon.
Belvoir
Tel: (04) 9221 1170.
Website: www.chezbear.com
Moderate
Alliey & Spa Hotel de CharmeThis hotel has two swimming pools and is very child friendly.
Le Monêtier
Tel: (04) 9224 4420.
Website: www.alliey.com
Budget
Hotel Rif BlancA friendly spot run by English owners.
Le Monêtier
Tel: (04) 9224 4135.
Website: www.hotelrifblanc.com
Getting there
Nearest airports: Grenoble (GNB); Turin (TRN); Lyon (LYS).
Distance to resort: 92km (57 miles); 108km (67 miles); 208km (129 miles).
Driving time: 2 hours; 1 hour 30 minutes; 3 hours.
Distance to resort: 92km (57 miles); 108km (67 miles); 208km (129 miles).
Driving time: 2 hours; 1 hour 30 minutes; 3 hours.
Website
This resort is good for...
Beginners, Snow reliability, Intermediates, Families, Experts, Snowboarders
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