Serre Chevalier is one of those resorts where fun is everywhere you look. Yes it has halfpipes and a fun-park, but the whole area is full of gullies, banks, bowls and trees. From night skiing and ski/snowboardcross to Paragliding and ice-driving there are plenty of ‘distractions’! In fact, it is the second largest ski area in the world; and one with an enviable sun record.

Thirteen villages combine to create Serre Chevalier, in four areas (Briançcon, Chantmerle, Villeneuve la Salle and le Montier). This is not a cheap resort, but is well worth considering, with ‘something for everyone’. Now owned by the same company that owns Tignes, great things are expected of Serre Chevalier.

Ski and Snowboard

The Frejus and Villeneuve areas offer the best experience for beginners. 55 of the resort’s runs are designated ‘Easy’. There are also some extremely quick pistes, the Olympique is definitely not for beginners! Serre Che is in the Parc National des Ecrins, so it’s no surprise that there are numerous larch tree-lined runs. For mogul hungry skiers, there are a number of challenging runs down to Le Baz.

A seasonaire would probably still not manage to tame the entirety of what Serre Chevalier has to offer. Plateau Rouge’s fun park was moved and improved for 06/07. For Freestylers, this is a classic snowboard friendly resort. With Skicross/Snowboardcross featuring at the Winter Olympics for the first time the course at Chantmerle is sure to be popular.

Serre Che is one of the more Southerly French resorts, and a comparatively low centre: 1400m. The weather is generally good, with more than 300 days of sunshine. Italy’s huge ‘Milky Way’ area is a day trip from Serre Chevalier.

Facts

Top lift: 2850m

Area: 250kms Piste

Longest run: 10km

Lifts: 68

Mountain Restaurants: 13

Beginners runs: 48%

Intermediate & Advanced runs: 52%

Off Piste: Excellent

Slope Style: Freestyle 80%

Slope Style: Freeride 72%

Pipes: 2

Parks: 1

Trees: Extensive

Travel: Fly to Turin

Transfer time: 2hr 30min

Nightlife: Relaxed and informal.

09/10 Liftpass

Adult: £168

Child/Senior: £134

Tourist Office: http://www.serrechevalier.com/

Serre Chevalier Snow Forecast