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.
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


