Reasons to ski in Serre Chevalier

23rd October 2017, by Abi Butcher

Ski into Briançon, the highest 17th Century fortified old town in France © Zoomjpg

Tour operators are reporting a growing trend for skiers and snowboarders to seek out smaller ski resorts for a more authentic experience, and where better to try than Serre Chevalier Vallée. So close, but so far, from the big French names, Serre Chevalier is the largest ski area in the Southern Alps, and the largest standalone area in France — one that not only offers wonderful piste skiing but also has some other tricks up its sleeve.

Serre Chevalier Vallée encompasses three typical Alpine villages — Le Monétier les Bains, Villeneuve-La Salle les Alpes and Chantemerle-Saint Chaffrey, as well as the town of Briançon which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Skiing into a town with this status, rather than a modern ski resort, is something special and one to remember.  Briançon’s 17th Century fortified old town — the highest in France — is a delight with its traditional auberges, patisseries and restaurants.

There is a new lift between Briançon and Chantermerle ski areas © Zoomjpg

Some 80 per cent of the ski area is above 2,000m in altitude, and Serre Chevalier Vallée opens for the 2017/18 season over the weekend of 7-10 December, then from 16 December to 22 April 2017. Following an investment of €2.8m, a new chairlift called the Rocher Blanc will this winter improve the link between the Briançon and Chantermerle ski areas. There are 81 runs — predominantly reds (30) and blues (25), but 13 blacks and 13 greens, with four snowparks for everyone from beginner to expert, along with a boardercross, “funnycross” family zone, a “melezone” in the forest and a videozone in which skiers and snowboarders can watch their runs on a giant screen.

Serre Chevalier has introduced some new features for guests to enjoy without their skis, including a new sled run in the Grand Serre area and a winter mountain kart, along with everything from snow kiting and heli-skiing to ice driving and fat biking, to ski joering and even paint-balling on snow.

There are some other off-slope innovations in Serre Chevalier this winter, including a new ‘bubble room’ to allow guests to experience a night of calm under the stars at Chalet Hotel Serre Ratier, and a new concierge service offering guests a range of à-la-carte options from a chef at home to a chauffeur, shopping deliveries, babysitting, private ski instructors — and more.

There are four snowparks for beginners to experts © Zoomjpg

This winter, two new bus routes make reaching Serre Chevalier even easier. Direct from Paris, the Neige Express has a new overnight service directly to Serre Chevalier (from €35pp, return), and the Link Bus has routes from Lyon Exupéry Airport, Grenoble Airport and Turin Airport (from €25) linking directly with the villages in Serre Chevalier Valleé, too.

Amazing ski deals in Serre Chevalier for the 2017/18 season

Season-opener
A week’s holiday from 16-23 December 2017 costs just €225 per person, per week, including a six-day ski pass*

New Year
A week’s holiday between 6 January and 3 February 2018, costs just €225 per person, per week, including a six-day ski pass*

End of season
A week’s holiday from 17 March and 22 April 2018, costs just €225 per person, per week, including a six-day ski pass*

For more information visit serre-chevalier.com, email resa@serre-chevalier.com or call us on +33 (0)4 92 24 98 98.

*all prices based on four persons sharing

WHERE TO SKI AND SNOWBOARD

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