Why Pick Serre Chevalier Where to Ski France Hucksters Lodge

Many crowds are drawn to popular ski resorts like Les Arcs or Alpe d’Huez but ski holidays in Serre Chevalier shouldn’t be underestimated. What it may lack in altitude, it makes up for in lengthy pistes, over 200km in fact, and a network of 70 lifts. Serre Chevalier is also leading the way for all ski resorts with their initiative to become fully self-sufficient utilising renewable energy sources.

Lots of sunshine, no fog and a dry climate, Serre Chevalier is certainly one of France’s best kept-secret – so much so, even the French come here on their ski holidays! If you need any more reason than that to come here, we’ve put together a short guide on Serre Chevalier so you can see why it is just as amazing as any other ski resort…

Family Favourite

Nothing is more magical for children than a holiday in the snow but not all ski resorts are set up for families in mind. Serre Chevalier, however, is a family favourite, especially for the French who regard Serre Chevalier as the best place to spend the school holidays. That’s because Serre Chevalier is a resort to relax in rather than party the night away.

Children can gain confidence on their skis in one of the many ski schools tailored for younger learners. Some ski schools will teach children as young as four to discover the love of the slopes. Be sure to check out the recommendations and speak to the organisers directly before finding the best option for you and your family.

When your kids have enough of skiing, there’s plenty of other activities to keep them entertained. Outdoor ice-skating rinks are in Le Monetier and Villeneuve, as well as an indoor rink at Briancon. Or how about going on a sleigh ride?

A festival designed for children commences over a few days in December. Attendees can enjoy workshops, shows and games.

Village Connections

Serre Che (as it’s fondly nicknamed) is an integrated ski valley connecting the villages of Villeneuve, Chantemerle and Monetier in the Haut Alpes near to Briancon, Europe’s highest City. A busy service links these villages and the city of Briancon making it easy to explore.

Briancon is a proud and charming UNESCO site with a staggering 12 heritage sites including city walls and Vauban forts. These historic sites were used to defend the town for hundreds of years and are worth visiting to absorb the rich local history! Guided tours are readily available, and during the Winter, we often visit these forts as part of our evening entertainment.

Monetier-les-Bains is a beautiful spa village which has been a resort since the Victorian era. It is a traditional farming village, with some great modern updates, that wins for its family appeal.

Our chalet, Le Petit Sporting, is set on the edge of Villeneuve – just 400m from the Pontillas Gondola station. The unique selling point of this chalet is the ability to ski back to within 250m of the front door.

Ski Schools Designed for Beginners

Serre Chevalier is a great place to go for beginners with plenty of places to choose from, with 264 pistes and over a hundred lifts on 410 acres. Special areas are designated for beginners to take their hand (or feet) to skiing, for example, the Aravet gondola lift taking you up by 1,991m to a flat area to practice. It’s also designed with easy navigation in mind.

Ski schools are in abundance to help you make the most of your holiday, all of which are highly-recommended. British ski school New Generation is regarded as a specialist with a host of services such as group courses, adventure days and private lessons available. They can be rather popular, especially during peak times, so be sure to enquire with more schools to not miss out.

Intermediates Haven

Intermediates will find Serre Chevalier the perfect challenge. The ski area is diverse, having many tree runs and wide open bowls in a number of inter-connected valleys running the length of the resorts.

Many have commented that Serre Chevalier has plenty of ways to push yourself as a skier. That’s because Serre Chevalier offers a host of terrain. For the more experienced skier, there are fantastic broad black runs taking you back down to Villeneuve (e.g. Casse de Boeuf) and in neighbouring Chantemerle you can try the Luc Alpand black run (named after its famous resident champion) for a fast descent down. There are, of course, plenty of off-piste areas too to explore at your leisure including some tree skiing.

Let’s not forget those freestyle parks and a boardercross courses. Snowboarders will find this the perfect resort with a newly-built Snowpark with four zones to suit various skill levels. Past Aravet on the way to Chantemerle, you can try out the Melezone; a freestyle course with wooden features in the larch forest. There’s also a Boardercross zone with nine curves on a 100m drop, plus Funnycross – the perfect place for little ones to try out their boarding skills. You can check your moves out on camera with the Videozone with a live camera and giant screen to capture all your runs.

Heavy investment has made Serre Chevalier an adrenaline junkie’s dream with plenty to try out, like:

Winter Mountain Kart – As a result of its popularity during the summer, this track was extended into winter. Be like Super Mario and take an exhilarating ride down the slopes on a slow-tyre-equipped kart.
Heliskiing – A day away from the slopes as the helicopter flight whisks you up into the mountains for an amazing off-piste skiing experience.
Snowkite – Like kitesurfing, but on skis or board instead! The stunning Lautaret Pass is a world-renowned spot for this sport. Not for the faint-hearted!

Apres Lifestyle

Serre Chevalier is the ultimate chillout ski resort with a relaxed apres lifestyle in the valley. The main villages are not known to be especially lively like French cousin Tignes, but this can be perfect for those who want a friendly, welcoming and laid-back atmosphere in which to unwind.

You will be spoilt for choice with the variety of restaurants both on and off the mountain. Value for money is the trend amongst the choices which is perfect for those on a budget and wanting a relaxed and traditional diner. Wine bars are a must for the times when you want something a little bit special, however, with Le 1420 (aptly named because its located 1,420m up the mountain). This cosy wine bar has a great selection of wine and local beers including Tourmente which is brewed locally. Rums, whiskies and distilled liqueur, Eau de Vie. There’s plenty there to try alongside their tasty menu with delicious terrines, cheeses, duck and foie grad.

After plenty of skiing, you’ll want to unwind at the Les Grands Bains du Monetier Spa which has it all! Thermal spas, plunge pools and indulgent treatments are just some of the highlights you can expect on a visit. In the winter, the spa is a fantastic option for evening entertainment. All you need to do is pack your spa bag in the morning and we’ll have it ready for you down at the spa after your day on the slopes.

What else is there to know about Serre Chevalier?*
Did you know…
• It has the largest ski area in the Southern Alps
• 80% of the runs are above 2,000m, guaranteeing excellent snow conditions all winter long
• The area usually gets around 300 days of sunshine a year
• It’s a 410-hectare area with 81 marked runs (13 black, 30 red, 25 blue and 13 green), five fun zones (fantastic snow parks – a snowboarders paradise) and endless conifer forests for off-piste action

If you’re sold on this ski resort, be sure to check out our current Serre Chevalier ski deals and book today. For more information tailored to your individual needs, get in touch with us via the online form or email us at info@hucksterslodge.com.