Serre Chevalier

Often considered the hidden gem of the southern French Alps, Serre Chevalier is comprised of four villages sharing a huge 250km of high quality, varied terrain.

Forecast today: Light snow

Max temp: -3.2 °c
Min temp: -12.6 °c

Last Updated: Tue 05 Dec

Forecast today: Light snow

Max temp: -3.2 °c
Min temp: -12.6 °c

Last Updated: Tue 05 Dec

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23%Easy

32%Beginner

32%Intermediate

13%Advanced

There are four resort bases to choose from in the Serre Chevalier valley

Of which, Villeneuve and Le Villard Laté provide the best base at the heart of the ski area. Terrain is on offer for all abilities, including some good beginner zones both on the hill and in the valley, great intermediate cruising terrain both within and above the trees and open powder bowls capping the ski area.

Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities
Advanced
Aprés
Snow
Value

Pros and cons

Large, varied mountain with options for all
Fantastic variety of tree-lined slopes – great for bad weather
Good value and relatively unknown outside of France

Busy through-roads in the main resort towns
Although they have improved, still a lot of slow lifts
High-altitude links between sectors can close in bad weather

Skiing and Snowboarding

The resort’s north facing slopes sit between 1,200m and 2,800m, though in reality 80% lie above 2,000m, giving great snow reliability. In addition, the high treeline at over 2,100m means there are some great places to head to in a snowstorm. The once-antiquated lift system has seen investment in recent years and more new lifts are planned to speed up getting around even further, which is welcome as many of the lifts are still slow and old.

There are good beginner areas in the valley at Villeneuve and Le Monêtier, as well as higher up the hill at Serre Ratier. Fast learners will quickly get to enjoy the resort’s longer greens – we’d recommend those at Grande Alpe. Much of the rest of the pisted terrain is ideal for intermediates and there are great options both within and above the treeline. On a powder day, the area comes alive for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders, particularly in the high bowls at L’Eychauda and beneath the Pic de L’Yret.

Serre Chevalier Resort

Each of the Serre Chevalier villages are based on a simple old centre, with narrow cobbled streets lined by small shops, cosy bars, hotels and traditional restaurants. These give each a very French feel. Briancon is more of a town and its 17th Century, fortified centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – it is well worth exploring one afternoon or on a bad weather day.

There are numerous hotels in the valley, most of which are very reasonably priced and many have excellent facilities for children – the resort is very popular with French families (which also means it is best to avoid the French February half term as it can be crowded). Each village has its own quiet après ski scene, with the action focussed on small local bars and a quiet beer or vin chaud very much the order of the day.

Getting There

Its location in the southern French Alps means Serre Chevalier is slightly harder to get to than other resorts. However, Turin in Italy is the closest airport – the transfer takes a little under two hours. Access from France can be tricky if the road via La Grave is closed, but if open, Grenoble is around two and a half hours away and Lyon is approximately three hours drive.

Turin airport: 2 hours
Grenoble airport: 2.5 hours
Lyon airport: 3 hours
Calais: approximately 12 hours driving (610 miles)

Season Dates

Dates for the 2023/24 season are still to be confirmed; the season at Serre Chevalier typically runs from early December to Mid-April, with the Briançon sector closing in early April.

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Resort holidays

Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier On Piste Instruction

From £1275

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Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier Off Piste Instruction

From £1750

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Serre Chevalier Piste Map

Serre Chevalier FATMAP

Top (2770m)

	Tue 5 Dec			Wed 6 Dec			Thu 7 Dec			Fri 8 Dec			Sat 9 Dec			Sun 10 Dec			Mon 11 Dec			Tue 12 Dec			Wed 13 Dec			Thu 14 Dec
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Snow grains	Mainly fair	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Partly cloudy	Partly cloudy	Rather cloudy	Snow	Snow	Light snow	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Generally clear	Occasional snow	Snow shower	Snow shower	Snow shower	Occasional snow	Generally clear	Generally clear	Occasional snow	Snow shower	Snow shower	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Light snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	1.8 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	12.3 cm	8.6 cm	2 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm	0.3 cm	0 cm	1.8 cm	2 cm	1.2 cm	1.1 cm	1.9 cm	0.6 cm	2.4 cm	2.1 cm	2.1 cm	1.3 cm	1.2 cm	1.3 cm	2.8 cm	2.2 cm
Max temp	-10.1°c	-12.4°c	-16.1°c	-12.1°c	-12.1°c	-13°c	-7.1°c	-7.1°c	-8.5°c	-7.7°c	-8.8°c	-9.2°c	-7.4°c	-7.4°c	-8.3°c	-3.7°c	-3.6°c	-3.6°c	-3.3°c	-3.3°c	-4.5°c	-4.4°c	-4.4°c	-5.2°c	-6.2°c	-6.2°c	-8°c	-8°c	-8°c	-10.2°c
Min temp	-12.4°c	-16.1°c	-17°c	-17.2°c	-15.1°c	-15.1°c	-11.3°c	-8.6°c	-9°c	-8.8°c	-9.2°c	-9.8°c	-10.4°c	-10.3°c	-10.3°c	-5.6°c	-3.8°c	-3.9°c	-3.8°c	-4.5°c	-5.4°c	-5°c	-5.2°c	-6.1°c	-6.3°c	-8°c	-9.3°c	-9.8°c	-10.2°c	-10.8°c
Feels like temp	-10.1°c	-17.5°c	-21.4°c	-17.2°c	-12.1°c	-15.1°c	-11.3°c	-7.1°c	-8.6°c	-7.7°c	-8.8°c	-9.2°c	-14.9°c	-7.4°c	-10.3°c	-5.6°c	-3.7°c	-3.6°c	-3.8°c	-3.3°c	-4.5°c	-5°c	-4.4°c	-5.2°c	-6.2°c	-9.8°c	-8°c	-14°c	-12.6°c	-14.6°c