Skiing and Snowboarding

Easy access to full ski area

Access to the ski area in the Serre Chevalier Valley is via one of the four villages on the valley floor: Briancon (1200), Chantemerle (1350m), Villeneuve (1400m) and Monetier-Les-Bains (1500m).  If you are based in one of these villages access to the lifts is very easy - either a short walk or a quick ride on one of the regular (free) village shuttle buses. In addition, there is a regular bus service (free for skiers) that runs along the valley floor and connects up the four main villages.

See lift pass information

250km of pistes

Serre Chevalier has 250km of pistes spread across 4 main sectors above the four main villages, and the ski area has a huge 1,600m of vertical, between 1,200m and 2,800m. The extensive lift network means that it is easy to travel between these sectors. Trees cover almost two thirds of the mountain, providing some of the best tree skiing in France, although not forgetting there are various high, open bowls to experience as well.

Snow sure

Serre Chevalier is a very snow sure resort, and was independently given a 5 star rating and the editor's tip for snow reliability by Skiresort.info.

The majority of the mountain tops are above 2800m and more than 80% of the ski area is above 2000m. This, plus the fact that the main ski area on the north facing slopes of the valley, means that Serre Chevalier is known for being a snow sure resort and offers superb natural skiing conditions from December to the middle of April. Plus there is an extensive network of snow cannons to ensure there are excellent conditions on the runs to resort throughout the season.

Skiing for all levels

A major advantage of Serre Chevalier is that it offers skiing for all levels. The ski area provides for absolute beginners to experts seeking an off piste challenge, which makes it a great resort for mixed ability groups.  There are beginner areas in all of the four main villages, with additional beginner areas halfway up the mountain above several villages so new skiers can enjoy more of the ski area.  For intermediates, there is a haven of blues and reds spanning the entire ski area.  For the more advanced, there is a range of black runs, both on the upper slopes and also through the trees, as well as access to extensive off piste areas.

See the Serre Chevalier piste map for more details

“Big, varied mountain”.... “The term “natural playground” could have quite easily been coined in Serre Chevalier”

Where to Ski and Snowboard 2011

Other features of the ski area

• Snow Park - fully featured for all levels with dedicated drag lift
• Border Cross - for those who want to try out the latest winter Olympic sport
• Mélèzone - a chill out zone in the trees with picnic tables and small jumps
• ARVA park - practice using your avalanche transceiver before heading off piste
• Night skiing - available in Villeneuve and Briançon during the school holidays
• 'Neiges de Culture' - a new experience bringing adventure trails
  and culture to the slopes
• Nomad village - great for the kids to explore

Free access to neighbouring resorts

In addition to all of this, Serre Chevalier is part of the “Grande Galaxie” network of ski resorts which means that a 6+ day lift pass not only covers the entire Serre Chevalier ski area but also covers you for a day in each of Les Deux Alpes, Alpe D’Huez, Montgenèvre, Sestrière and Puy-St-Vincent. We can organise day trips to these resorts. In particular, our partner company
Go Montgenèvre.com is based in Montgenèvre and has specialist knowledge of Montgenèvre and Sestrière and the wider Milky Way ski area.

Read our guide to the Grande Galaxie resorts at MetroSnow.co.uk.

Even more extreme...

For those of you that want to push the limits even further, Serre Chevalier is only 30km from La Grave - known to be one of the most extreme ski terrains in the Alps. We can organise day trips to La Grave. Please contact us for further information.