Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier, nestled in the southern French Alps, stretches along the sun-drenched Guisane Valley. This expansive ski area connects 13 authentic mountain villages, offering a genuine French alpine experience distinct from more purpose-built resorts. With a skiing history dating back to the 1940s, the region combines varied terrain with a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere.

The resort encompasses 250km of pistes, catering to all abilities, from the historic town of Briançon at one end to the charming spa village of Le Monêtier-les-Bains at the other. In between lie the popular villages of Villeneuve and Chantemerle. Serre Chevalier benefits from a high proportion of north-facing slopes, which retain snow well, alongside its southern aspect, providing over 300 days of sunshine annually.

Serre Chevalier’s 250km of ski runs are distributed across four main sectors, each accessible from its namesake village: Briançon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve, and Le Monêtier. The terrain ranges from gentle slopes ideal for beginners to challenging expert runs, all within a vertical drop exceeding 1,000m. A particular highlight is the extensive tree skiing through larch forests, which provides excellent shelter during inclement weather and beautiful scenery on sunny days.

Beginners will find dedicated learning zones in each main village, ensuring convenient access to lessons and gentle slopes. The Fréjus sector above Villeneuve is particularly notable for its wide, quiet pistes and well-appointed learner lifts. Once basic skills are acquired, numerous easy blue runs weave through the trees, allowing for confident progression. For intermediates, Serre Chevalier offers an abundance of satisfying terrain, with blue and red runs flowing naturally across the valley. The tree-lined routes are especially enjoyable, providing consistent pitches to refine technique. Highlights include the Prorel sector above Briançon and runs through Serre Ratier from Chantemerle, with the Cucumelle sector providing steeper reds for those ready to advance.

Advanced skiers and experts have access to challenging black runs and extensive off-piste opportunities. The Cucumelle and L'Eychauda sectors feature the steepest marked pistes, while blacks descending to Monêtier are known for their steepness, moguls, and quieter aspect. Serre Chevalier also boasts a strong reputation for off-piste skiing, particularly in its north-facing couloirs that retain powder. Furthermore, its proximity to La Grave, a renowned freeride destination, offers an additional dimension for highly experienced freeriders.