SERRE CHEVALIER 1500 Monetier les Bains - Introduction
Serre Chevalier ski resort is situated in the Southern French Alps between the Col du Lautaret and Briançon. It makes up part of the Ecrins Mountain Range, the 2nd highest in France and the 4th largest ski area. Serre Chevalier is situated 200 km from Lyon airport and only 105 km from the Italian airport of Turin. Serre Chevalier ski resort is in fact made up of 13 villages spread along the Guisane valley, the main ones being Monêtier, Villeneuve and Chantemerle. Each village is different, some are traditional and others modern but they all share the same skiing which stretches along the valley. The skiing is excellent for intermediates and beginners and has plenty of potential for advanced skiers. Each resort is served by a good lift system and it is easy to ski between the resorts. Serre Chevalier doesn't have the feel of a ready made resort. It's really a ''high Alpine valley'', and the perfect place for skiing in a laid back, traditional atmosphere.
Skiing
Lots of new lifts have been introduced in recent years as ‘Serre Che’ continues to compete with its rivals further north in the Alpine chain. The linked runs that stretch for more than 19km down the southern side of the valley provide a playground that will test the most advanced skier and rider, but at the same time there is an easy route down to the valley from each lift. Of the different sectors, Monêtier is the most appealing and usually the least crowded. This is the best end of the circuit for accomplished skiers and riders.
Snowboarding
Serre Chevalier was involved in the first snowboarding race in the dawn of this sport. Since then, it has grown with the sport and offers boarding from free-ride to free-style, from boarder-cross to big air. Set up in Serre Chevalier 1500, the Snow park is open from 10.00 to 21.00 and is located at the bottom of the lifts at 1500m. Regarded as one of the top snowboarding destinations in France with some excellent natural terrain.
Ski Schools
The ESF Ski School has branches in Chantemerle, and Villeneuve, with a fine reputation for both friendliness and quality of instruction. Buissonnière ESI6 in Villeneuve is praised by reporters. As well as normal ski lessons, they offer special little beginners lessons for 4-6 yrs limited to 6 pupils. In Monêtier, EurekaSki, is a British-owned ski school run by BASI instructors, also with an excellent reputation.
Eating Out
You will find many reasonably priced restaurants at Chantemerle. La Cabassa for pizza and pasta dishes or Loup Blanc for traditional local food are two of the best. Sun worshippers could try L'Arbre a Pain, an excellent lunchtime suntrap. In Villeneuve, La Marotte is the place to be for fine French cuisine, or head for La Pastorale for specialities cooked on an open fire. For a really special treat, try the excellent La Bidulle fish restaurant.
Bars and clubs
This is not a party resort, with nightlife limited to local bars and the occasional very Gallic disco. Le QG in Chantemerle, Le Bab Bam and La Baïta in Villeneuve are the main focal points. Le Lièvre Blanc in Villeneuve is a riders' hangout with weekly live music. Le Yeti in Chantemerle is strongly recommended, whilst Bar Alpin is said to have a great atmosphere, as has the Bar Le Que Tal.
Off the slopes