Serre Chevalier ski | ski holidays in France

Serre Chevalier-3 — © OT Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon

Serre Chevalier in short

Serre Chevalier is located between 1200 and 2800m above sea level and is one of the largest ski areas in France. Le Grand Serre Chevalier ski area has 250 kilometres of north-facing pistes, which mean great snow regardless of the southern location. Despite the north-facing pistes, Serre Chevalier gets over 300 days of sunshine a year! Serre Chevalier is suitable for every type of skier, from beginners to experts. The ski area is located less than a 2-hour drive from Turin Airport.

Situated on the threshold of the beautiful Écrins National Park, the Serre Chevalier area consists of thirteen small villages and four larger ones. The two best-known villages are Serre Chevalier 1200, better known as Briançon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highest city in France; and Monêtier-les-Bains, otherwise known as Serre Chevalier 1500, known for its hotsprings and named after a Benedictine monastery. The rest of the villages vary widely in terms of location, ambience and history. Some of the villages are better located with regards to the ski area and are better connected to the cross-country ski runs. Some villages are peaceful and idyllic, others are livelier and more modern. Together they share Le Grand Serre Chevalier, a challenging ski area for skiers of all levels. Serre Chevalier invests heavily in green energy and you might catch a glimpse of small windmills and solar panels throughout the ski area.

Review of Serre Chevalier

Winter hiking
Cross-country skiing
Aprés-ski
Family/children
Price level

7.5

based on 4 visitor reviews

Latest review by Monica

“The runs are fantastic but a bit steep for beginners. I'm a snowboarder and loved the ski area and the quality of the snow, I'll be back again next year! The spa is also a must. ”

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Skiing at Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier has a lovely and large ski area with skiing through larch forests, top-notch terrain parks and dedicated family ski areas. 80% of the slopes lie higher than 2000m above sea level, so snow cover should never be an issue. Just in case, snow cannons ensure reliable snow cover on a third of the total ski area. In the 2018/19 ski season Serre Chevalier inaugurated the new high-speed Côte Chevalier lift, improving the connection to Monêtier. Serre Chevalier offers night skiing on floodlit slopes several days a week during the French school holidays.

Freestyle at Serre Chevalier

Freestylers of every level will find loads to keep them occupied in the Serre Chevalier ski area. There is a classic snow park in the middle of the ski area, divided into three zones for different ability levels. If you're not feeling up to the challenge you can just hang out and watch from a sun lounger in the CoolZone! Serre Chevalier also has a boarder cross featuring 9 turns where you can practise your skills. The FunnyCross is another boarder cross course but this one is carved out in a natural coomb at the Col du Prorel. And, following a growing trend, Serre Chevalier also provides a snow park made out of natural features. The Melezone takes you through the trees and challenges you with handmade wooden features. Off-piste enthusiasts will also find several secured black pistes that are not groomed - great for powder days!

Off the slopes at Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier organises a variety of free activities so you can get to know the ski area better. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the ski resort with the Cols'Porteurs team, participate in a workshop with the ski patrol or learn how to use an avalanche transceiver at the DVAPark in Monetier. And - this one isn't free - Serre Chevalier also offers the opportunity to take a ride in a piste basher!. Cross-country skiers have 40km and snowshoers, 20km of trails to explore in the region surrounding Serre Chevalier. Après-ski in Serre Chevalier is a fairly relaxed affair, with a number of popular après-ski bars such as La Grotte du Yeti, Le Frog and the Loco Loco bar offering good music. For night owls who like partying well into the night, clubs La Baita and the Bam Bam stay open until the wee hours. The Folie Douce has revealed it has plans to open a location in Serre Chevalier in the 2020 or 2021 ski season.

Skiing with the family at Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier is a family-friendly ski resort. Kids under 5 ski free when accompanied by an adult with a lift pass, so this is a great resort to take the family on your next ski holiday! At the New Generation ski school kids as young as 4 years old can learn to ski with BASI-qualified English-speaking ski instructors. There are a number of playgrounds throughout the resort and childcare in Serre Chevalier is particularly good but book early - places are limited!