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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1200m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[5]
Advanced:		[4]
Snowboarding:		[3]

Located in the Southern French Alps, Serre Chevalier boasts 300 days of sunshine a year. Situated at the entrance to the Ecrins National Park, it is the fourth largest ski area in France, offering altitude skiing up to 2930m. The resort is spread across 13 towns and villages, of which the main ones for skiers include Briançon – the highest city in the Alps – Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Mônetier Les Bains. These are located along the valley and give access to 250km (155 miles) of north facing pistes, many tree lined, providing skiing for all abilities.

Serre Chevalier’s most famous son is the great ski racer Luc Alphand who was three-time World Cup Downhill champion (1995, 1996 and 1997) and then
successfully moved into rally driving and won the 2006 Paris-Dakar Rally.

The resort was acquired last year by the Compagnie des Alpes (CDA), which operates most of the famous French ski areas, and views the area as a destination of significant importance. 20 million euros have been spent on the ski area in the past few years and a further substantial investment of 40 million Euros more is planned towards the region’s ski infrastructure with considerable growth predicted to follow.

Beginners

About a fifth of the terrain is suited to beginners and Serre Chevalier inaugurated a new mountain area especially for first-time skiers at a snowsure altitude of over 2000m in the 2007-08 season. The area is completely enclosed to avoid disturbance from other skiers. It is easy to get to, thanks to the Aravet gondola, and is a great place for beginners to get their ski legs in a fun atmosphere. Tour operations may offer packages including tuition, rentals and lift ticket at a big saving on the cost of buying these separately in resort.

Intermediates

With 99 runs graded green, blue or red, intermediates have the most to gain from this gigantic ski area. The main skiing is concentrated in huge snow bowls with slopes descending through the centuries old woodland. Although the skiing at Serre Chevalier is more than enough for most skiers, the six day area pass also includes a day in each of Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d’Huez, Puy St Vincent and the Milky Way (consisting of Montgenevre in France and five lift-linked Italian Olympic resorts). In total this means more than 1,000km (625 miles) of skiing in the area.

Advanced

Thirty percent of Serre Chevalier’s skiing is graded ‘advanced’ and there are 15 black runs, including the steep L'eychauda piste. There are challenging off-piste opportunities for expert and advanced skiers. The “Bruts de Neige” areas are un-pisted trails that have been secured by the resort’s safety experts to give off-piste skiing under optimal safety conditions. In addition you can sign up with an instructor-guide for an off-piste ski course which will take you to some of Serre-Chevalier's best off-piste runs including the descent to Pelvoux, the Tête du Grand Pré, or the Vallons de la Montagnole. These circuits give you over 1300 vertical metres of descent with the guide ensuring your safety.

Snowboarding

Boarders will not tire of the extensive natural terrain and terrain parks. The main snowpark, boardercross and half pipe are open to everybody and have been rated number 6 in France's 24 biggest ski resorts in terms of customer satisfaction.

The snowpark is growing, with new sections being added each season. Thanks to its sculpted features carved in to the ground, the Serre Chevalier snowpark is one of the first parks in France to be able to open with only 30 cm of snow. In addition, a new beginners' area has been opened to give maximum enjoyment, whatever your ability.

Other Activities and Facilities

The many indoor and outdoor activities available include ice rinks, swimming pools, thermal spa, paragliding, snowmobiling, snow kiting (being towed on skis or board on a horizontal course by a kite), ice climbing, hot air ballooning, ski jeering (being towed behind a pony on your skis), theatre, cinemas. There are also 35km of cross country tracks running along the valley.

A more unique attraction is the ice driving circuit which offers both introductory and advanced courses on ice, or you can try karting and quad biking.

Spa culture is also big in Serre Chevalier as the resort is blessed with naturally heated mineral-rich spring water. It is currently the only resort in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region able to offer its customers a naturally heated
swimming pool. The water bubbles up to the surface at 44°C and cools as it is used in the outdoor and indoor pools (36°C) as well as individual baths. It retains its healing properties and is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism and skin conditions, and most of all it's a great way to relax.

Après Ski and Dining Out

There are 90 bars and restaurants around Serre Chevalier’s different village bases so there is something for all tastes. The liveliest villages are normally Chantemerle and Villeneuve. Local recommendations include enjoying early evening drinks then sampling the chef's inventive cuisine using traditional flavours at the Trip-tyque bar and restaurant.

For something more lively dive in to the great atmosphere of the Frog, a busy and cosmopolitan pub run by a Franco-British team. If you still have energy left, there's late night clubbing at La Baïta or l'Escapade. A late night shuttle bus service circulates around the valley making it possible to enjoy the nightlife in other villages to the one you are staying in and get back without needing a car.

Families

Serre Chevalier has good facilities for children including snow gardens for learning first turns, nurseries and a daycare centre for the youngest children plus nature and creative workshops for older children. The details for each facility vary but typically children from six months to six years can be cared for in non-ski nurseries and from age three in the ski school’s snow gardens.

Lift tickets for children in Serre Chevalier are marginally more generous than in the rest of France, as children aged five and younger are free, rather than age four and younger as at most other resorts. However the full adult price is still payable from age 12. Packages including children’s rentals, lift ticket and tuition may be available through your tour operator.

An unusual attraction for children is a miniature train that runs through the village of Villeneuve.

Piste Map for Serre chevalier

Accommodation in Serre chevalier

• C. Montalembert - 4 star,
• Chalet Asters - 3 star,
• Chalet Asters - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Asters - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Caroline - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Caroline - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Caroline - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Caroline - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Montalembert - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Montalembert - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Pyrene - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Pyrene - 3 star, half board
• Chalet Riviere - 4 star, half board
• Chalet Riviere - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Riviere - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Vizcacha - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Vizcacha - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Vizcacha - 3 star, catered
• Chantemerle Apartments - 2 star, self catering
• Clubhotel Grand Aigle - 2 star, self catering
• Clubhotel La Balme - 2 star, half board
• Clubhotel Le Grand Aigle - 2 star, half board
• Du Jardin Alpin - 3 star, self catering
• Hotel Le Mont Thabor - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Rif Blanc - 2 star, half board
• Hotel Rif Blanc - 2 star, half board
• Jardin Alpin - 3 star, self catering
• Lalpaga Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Lodge Cimotel - 3 star, tba
• Mont Thabor - 3 star, tba
• Mont Thabor - 3 star, bed & breakfast
• Parc Hotel - 3 star, half board
• Plein Sud - 3 star, half board
• Plein Sud - 3 star, half board
• Residence L`alpaga - 3 star, self catering
• Residence L`alpaga - 3 star, self catering
• Residence L`alpaga - 3 star, self catering

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