Serre Chevalier, France
Introduction
Serre Chevalier is one of the best places to ride in France. This great resort has heaps of major terrain: tight, open trees to weave, extreme drop-offs to get the adrenaline going, big bowls, countless banks and gullies, super-fast flats to push the hair back, hits everywhere, and a giant, natural funpark - all located next to a few unassuming, old-fashioned French villages (with a hint of the new here and there).
As one local rider once put it, ‘Who needs funparks when this place is a complete funpark at every level and distinction!’ It’s not the highest resort in the world, so snowcover can sometimes suffer, but things are usually pretty damn fine.
The boarding area runs along the Le Grand Serre Chevalier range with the large town of Briançon at one end and the old village of Le Monetier at the other. In between, the villages of Chantemerle and Villeneuve provide the most convenient access to the slopes and are the most popular with holidaymakers. The slopes around Briançon get a huge amount of sunshine although don’t get the snow cover of the other areas. Chantemerle and Villeneuve areas are the most popular and extensive areas, whereas you can always find some untracked spots in the less-popular Le Monetier.
A few years ago, the resort was purchased by the Compagnie des Alpes who own Tignes, Saas-fee, and Chamonix amongst others, and a lot of cash is set to be invested over the next five years to improve the already good lift system.
Once you’ve shredded all the trees you can head to La Grave in just 30 minutes, and Montgenevre isn’t far from Briançon.
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New for season
05/06: 3 new 6-seater chairlifts; Grand Serre in Serre Chevalier 1350, Forêt in Serre Chevalier 1400, Clot Gauthier in Serre Chevalier 1400. Extention of snowmaking coverage.
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Resort Statistics
Resort Type:
Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: None
Lifts
Total Lifts: 68
Cable cars: 3
Gondolas: 6
Chair lifts: 20
Drag lifts: 39
Max people per hour: 68,000
Board Leashes required: No
Mountain
Total pistes/trails: 115
Total ride area: 155miles (249km)
Longest run: 6miles (10km)
Top lift: 2850m
Vertical drop: 1630m
First lift: 1200m
Piste suitability
Green runs: 42%
Red runs: 46%
Black runs: 12%
Lift Passes
Lift Passes:
Grand Serre Che linked area:
1 Day 38 euros, 6 Days 173
Just Serre Chevalier:
1 Day 34 euros, 6 days 153
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm
Snowfall
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 25%
Facilities
Night Riding: :
In Briançon from 7:30-10:30pm the Vauban run is open thursdays & fridays. 10 euros/free for Grand Serre Passes.
The Mickey run & halfpipe in Villeneuve is open 5-9pm tuesdays & fridays
Snowboard Schools:
A number of board schools. Private lessons from 31 euros an hour. Group 4hrs for 6 days 102 euros.
Heliboarding: :
Yes
Snowmobiles:
Yes
Further information
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Summary
One of the best resorts in France. Great freeriding with powder and full-on, freestyle terrain. Shame it's pricey and packed with skiiers.
ON THE SLOPES Fantastic - best in France
OFF THE SLOPES Very, very good
MONEY WISE This is not the cheapest of resorts, but it's worth every penny.
Terrain & parks
Halfpipe:
Yes - 2
Terrain park:
Yes - 1
Backcountry/off-piste:Yes
Tree runs:Yes
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Webcams
Resort News
>> New park at Serre Chevalier 26Aug06
>> more news on Serre Chevalier ...News
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Summer entertainment
Find entertainment in July and August, week by week on the website. Check with the weeks you are interested, they are regularly updated ... -
Summer opening
Since today, opening of the lifts : Ride the six passengers chair Le Bletonnet up to 1900m and Serre Chevalier Cable car until 2480m Have a good ride ... -
Springtime activities
All the activities, shops and accommodation open during may in the valley of Serre Chevalier Download the ... -
Summer entertainment
Have a look and download the program of activities for june and july Le programme des activités Juin-juilletPubliez sur Calaméo ou explorez la bibliothèque. Have also a look on the daily online program : ... -
Princess'Rally: The Feminine Automobile Event
A fresh, new remake of the original Paris Saint-Raphael ladies rally, created back in 1929, this exciting event has become a must in international women's motor sports! The Most Elegant Springtime! Rendez-vous : From May 31 to June 5, 2009. For ... -
Serre Chevalier on channel Direct8
Serre Chevalier on the TV show Voyages et vous on the Channel Direct8 with Luc Alphand, on sunday the 19th of April A short extract : Get more video on the video page and on the ...
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Events
Events
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Music on the summits
Saturday 29 August 4.30pm : parade in the streets of Briançon 5pm : Concert - Parc de la schappe 8.30pm : Concert - salle du Serre d'Aigle - Chantemerle Sunday 30 August 9.30am : Big open air mass in Serre Ratier 11am : Alpin horns. Each group ... -
Art in the street festival
Les Festiv'Hauts Street arts in mountain You probably know the street arts in urban environment. But do you know in an environment that is not theirs: the mountain? The Festiv'hauts shifts the street arts in the mountains. During 5 days, shows ... -
Art and mountain festival
The 8th Musical festival takes place in Serre Chevalier from August the 8th to the 23rd. Several concerts will be performed in the beautiful churches and chapels of Chantemerle and Saint-Chaffrey. Saturday 8 August 9pm : Opening concert : Mozart, ... -
Shadows on Tibet
TIBETAN WEEK TIBET : 50 years of resistance - 1959-2009 from 3 august to 8 august 2009 - Monêtier les Bains Everyday from Tuesday the 4th : from 10am to 7pm - Salle du Dôme in Monêtier : Sand Mandala by Lama Lungrig & Jampa Legdhen Lama ...
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Piste Map
Click to expand | PDF
