Skiing in Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier offers one of the largest ski areas in France with 250kms of perfect cruising between trees and alongside beautiful mountain streams. There is fantastic skiing for all abilities. Beginners will find nursery slopes at the lifts and soon progress up the mountain to try the scenic runs at the top. It is an intermediates dream with many red runs offering exciting and challenging skiing and varies runs from wide open pistes to tree runs. For the advanced there is plenty to keep the adrenaline high with tough blacks like the Casse du Boeuf and plenty of opportunities for off piste skiing. Rated 10 out of 10 by the World Snowboard Guide as the best resort in all aspects. What sets it apart from other French resorts is the quantity of sheltered woodland runs with many open bowls also.

The three main villages in Serre Chevalier are Monetier (or Serre-Chevalier 1500), Villeneuve (1400) and Chantemerle (1350). These villages are spread over a distance of 8 km/5 miles with Briancon (1200) at the extreme south-eastern end of the mountain. The villages all have a charm of their own and although each is based on a simple old village there has recently been some new upmarket accommodation built.

Villeneuve village, with its restaurants, cosy bars and shops is ideal for après ski or even just an evening walk. The local Grotte Bar at l’Aravet is the place to be if you want traditional après-ski with live music. Open til the early hours if you can stand the pace!

Villeneuve village has a wonderful wood-fired boulangerie/patisserie where you can collect your delicious freshly baked croissants and bread. There is a weekly market.

Ski Schools

There are several ski-schools in Villeneuve, including the French school ESF (Ecole de Ski Francais). However we highly recommend the following English-run schools:

Eurekaski - EurekaSki in Monetier village is British-run by Gavin Crosby a BASI Alpine trainer. Class sizes are a maxiumum size of six (for adults and children) and range from beginner to off-piste adventure. Gavin also offers ‘Explore Serre Chevalier’ days www.eurekaski.com

Snow connections - Run by an English lady called Davina Chavignon they offer all levels of lessons for children and adults with special lessons for little beginners aged 4-6 years (classes limited to a maximum of 6 children) www.ski-school-connections.co.uk

Although not based in Villeneuve, EurekaSki in Monetier village is British-run by Gavin Crosby a BASI Alpine trainer. Class sizes are a maxiumum size of six (for adults and children) and range from beginner to off-piste adventure. Gavin also offers ‘Explore Serre Chevalier’ days. (www.eurekaski.com)

Child Care

There is a creche (Les Schtroumpfs) about 10 minutes walk from the chalet or a couple of minutes by car which takes children from 6 months to 6 years. Lessons available with ESF.
Tel: 04 92 24 70 95

A mini club runs from age 3 - 12.
Tel: 04 92 24 71 99

Activities

Villeneuve has a modern central area with fitness centre,sauna, indoor swimming pool, outdoor floodlit skating rink, indoor horse riding centre and ice driving centre. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice dlimbing, sleigh rides, snowkites.
The old hamlet of Le Bez is a fascinating traditional hamlet close to the centre with some delightful authentic restaurants. Just across the road and river is Villeneuve La Salle with traditional stone houses and a host of restaurants, pizzerias and bars.

Monetier Les Bains - www.lesgrandsbains.fr/
Europe’s largest thermal baths (completed Winter 2008)

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