Serre Chevalier

The Resort

With incomparably pure air, exceptional snow conditions and 300 days of sunshine a year, welcome to Serre Chevalier Briançon, the largest ski area in the Southern Alps!

Although that sunny statistic may make some snow lovers nervous, Serre Chevalier’s north facing slopes, reaching high with a big proportion above the tree line, together with extensive snow making capabilities (more than 490 guns covering more than 158 hectares of trails on lower slopes, make the resort relatively snow sure).

Located close to the Italian border, Serre Chevalier (“Serre Che”, as it’s known to its friends) is made up of mountain villages linked to the town of Briançon; its base is spread out for 6km (4 miles) along the Guisane Valley floor from the old town of Briançon, Europe’s highest and the location of France’s first ski school in 1902, up to the Col du Lautaret. The resort has tried hard to avoid the ‘concrete-monolith-mentality’ of some of the other big French resorts, and there is a good proportion of traditional buildings and authentic architecture in the villages, despite Serre Chevalier’s success and inevitable growth.

The three mountain villages which make up the valley of Serre Chevalier link up with the town of Briançon, with fortifications classified UNESCO World Heritage, to form the largest ski area in the Southern Alps: Serre Chevalier Vallée. This is a 410-hectare area with endless larch forests for really great skiing. Winter sports, thrilling sensations, relaxation and culture combine to charge up your batteries! It’s the ideal combination for a revitalising winter of sport and culture in our authentic and unspoilt valley in the heart of the French Alps.

Serre Chevalier Resort Review

24 Ski Resorts in 2024

If you are looking for a winter escape that offers something for everyone in your family, you might want to consider Serre Chevalier, one of the largest and most diverse ski resorts in Europe. We, @clauandben_skitravels, spent two days in this charming resort, and here is what we loved about it.

The Skiing

Serre Chevalier boasts 410ha of ski terrain and 250km of marked runs, making it the largest resort in the southern French Alps. The ski area is divided into four villages, each with its own character and atmosphere, but all linked by slopes and lifts. You can ski from one end to the other in one day, if you are up for the challenge.

The resort offers a variety of slopes for all levels and preferences, from gentle greens to steep blacks, and from wide open pistes to tree-lined trails. On our first day, we were lucky enough to experience a heavy snowfall, which created amazing powder conditions. We had a blast skiing through the trees, with snowflakes as big as golf balls falling from the sky.

One of the advantages of Serre Chevalier is that 80% of the slopes are located above 2,000m, which means that the snow quality is usually excellent and reliable. The resort also has a modern and efficient lift system, with a new chairlift installed in December 2023.

Our favourite slope was Clot Gauthier 29, a red run that was perfect for carving. It was a wide and smooth piste, with a nice gradient and a beautiful view of the valley.

The Restaurants and Mountain Cafes

One of the highlights of our trip was the food. Serre Chevalier has a great selection of restaurants and cafes, both in the villages and on the mountain. Here are some of the places we tried and loved:

• La Manouille: This was a typical French restaurant, with a cozy and elegant decor. The wine menu was impressive, with bottles wrapped around old magnums. The food was delicious, especially the meat dishes, which were served flaming. We recommend the beef bourguignon and the duck confit.
• Le Bivouac: This was a fantastic mountain restaurant, located at the top of the Cucumelle lift. It served traditional soups and quiches, as well as salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The best part was the view of the valley, which was stunning. We enjoyed a hearty soup and a warm apple pie, while soaking in the sun and the scenery.
• Frejus Cafe: This was a typical cafe stop, located beneath the new Pontilas chairlift. It was a great place to grab a coffee or a hot chocolate, and enjoy the views of the trees and the slopes. The staff was friendly and the service was quick.

The Après Vibes

Serre Chevalier is not known for its wild nightlife, but it does have some nice bars and pubs where you can enjoy a drink and some music after a day of skiing. The après scene is quieter than some of its neighbours, which makes it ideal for families, but if you are looking for some more action, you can check out these places:

• Arc 1420: This was a cool and trendy bar, located in the centre of Villeneuve. It had a large selection of beers, cocktails, and wines, and a chilled vibe early on in the evening. Around 11pm, the place got more lively, with a DJ playing some upbeat tunes and people dancing on the tables.
• Le Chazelay: This was a more traditional pub, located in the old town of Villeneuve. It had a great outdoor terrace, with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. It also had live music and DJs, which created a fun and festive atmosphere. We enjoyed a pint of beer and a game of darts, while listening to some rock and pop classics.

Opinion

We, @clauandben_skitravels, had a wonderful time in Serre Chevalier, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a ski holiday in France. The resort has something for everyone, from the skiing to the food, and from the scenery to the culture. It is a charming and authentic place, with a friendly and welcoming vibe. We can’t wait to go back and explore more of this amazing resort.

 

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