Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier ski area

With 250km of north-facing pistes, Serre Chevalier is highly rated for its snow record, skiing conditions and scenery. The area has some of France's best terrain for skiing during bad weather and white-outs, with many sheltered woodland runs (trees cover two-thirds of the mountain).

Most of the ski area is above 2,000m, and Serre Chevalier has 477 hectares of groomed and maintained ski runs. The majority of the slopes face North or North-East and so snow is usually pretty reliable.

In good weather, there’s exceptional scenery, with 360-degree panoramic views over the Ecrins mountains, the Italian Alps and across to Mont Blanc. And there are runs as long as 1,500m long to enjoy the views from!

Serre Chevalier skiing info

Beginners
For beginners, there are several easy areas at mid-mountain (at Serre Ratier and Grand Alpe for example) with green runs leading back to Chantemerle and a nursery slope at the bottom.

For the 2024/25 season, a 1.9 ha beginner area has been developed, including a large 150m long covered conveyor belt allowing beginner skiers to easily and safely climb the gentle slope of the Méa plateau. Following the development of this beginner area, a 450m long button lift installation is planned for winter 2025/26.

The development of this new high-altitude beginner area is part of a climate change adaptation strategy that ensures good ski learning conditions for years to come while reducing the need for artificial snow.

Intermediates
Intermediate skiers will enjoy the breadth of the ski area and its efficient lift system, with some of the longest lifts in Europe - and runs of varying gradient and difficulty above and below the tree line. Ski Serre Chevalier’s knee-burning Vauban red run is an experience not to be missed!

Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
Advanced skiers have a good selection of red and black runs but can head off-piste for more challenging runs. The tricky 6km Luc Alphand Olympic black run (1,000 vertical metres) down to Chantemerle is a must to finish the day in style.

There are huge amounts of off-piste – both high up and in the trees above Villeneuve and Chantemerle. And La Grave, an off-piste Mecca, is close by.

Nature-lovers are invited to try out ski touring on safe and permanently marked trails in Serre Chevalier’s Villeneuve and Monêtier sectors. The uphill trails are in the forest, away from the ski slopes, but with easy escape routes to the runs if necessary. For the descent, you can use the ski runs (during opening times) or go off-piste.

Serre Chevalier nordic area

Stretching from Chantemerle to the Lautaret pass, the cross-country ski area in Serre Chevalier has a wide variety of trails. There are 45km of loops from beginners (graded green) to longer advanced trails. Biathlon stadium with 24 targets certified for European Cup events (the only one in the Hautes Alpes department).

At Chantemerle, the free-access Colombiers site is ideal for beginners to learn in a safe environment or to perfect their skills in a fun way. The pedestrian itineraries are shared by pedestrians, cyclists, trailers and others.

Serre Chevalier ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)

Pre-book your 6 day+ Serre Chevalier ski hire and/or Serre Chevalier lift pass with Peak Retreats.

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.

Serre Chevalier group ski school (pre-bookable)

Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 12 years in St Martin de Belleville with Peak Retreats. Children can learn to snowboard from 8 years+. 

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Serre Chevalier private lessons (not pre-bookable)

Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.

Contact ESF Serre Chevalier for private lessons - 0033 4 92 24 17 41

Serre Chevalier childcare (not pre-bookable)

Childcare from 8 months-6 years (non-skiers) in Saint Chaffrey

Your children, aged 8 months to 6 years, will be looked after in a fun environment. They will be offered a variety of activities tailored to the needs of each child.

Open daily (except Saturday).

Please contact the ESF club direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 79 48 92 41

It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed. 

Babysitters (not pre-bookable)

A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.

Top snow activities to experience in Serre Chevalier

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.

Night skiing
Under a starry sky and on beautifully floodlit runs, skiing takes on a magical new dimension!

First tracks
Open the resort’s slopes with the ski patrol team and get on the slopes before everyone else!

Snooc
Combine ski-touring and sledging for completely new sensations! This activity is available in Serre Chevalier, which is a pioneer Snooc resort. Going up, the skier wears two skis with bindings and seal-skins. At the top, he takes off skins and bindings, stacks the skis one on top of the other, fits the seat and suspension in just a few minutes, and sits on the sledge to enjoy the ride down!

Snow kite
This is the winter version of kitesurfing. Snow kite sessions take place on the mythical Lautaret Pass, on skis or on snowboards pulled by a kite!

Ski-joering
Old and young alike will enjoy this unusual activity for horse-lovers: on skis or sledges, pulled by a pony or horse on specially- prepared tracks.

Mountain Kart + Mountain Bob sledge
From the top of the cable car at 2,491 metres, speed down 300m. Vertical for a 2km descent on a “Mountain Kart” or on a “Mountain Bob” sledge. Incredible sensations to experience with friends and family (kids must be over 1.3m tall).

Deval’bob
It’s a fun 4km sledge run with a 573m. Vertical drop and 26 turns through the larch forest! Deval’Bob is a crazy activity to enjoy with friends and family (kids must be over 12).

Snow groomer ride
Here is an original idea for discovering the ski area differently, on board a specially-equipped grooming machine. You will have amazing views of sunrise or sunset from the top of the mountain and learn about the life of the people who work at night to give you perfect skiing conditions; you will witness the magical work of our snow-groomers or snow-makers by visiting the snow-making facilities, and hear about the history of the resort over breakfast or dinner with a driver, who will tell you stories and anecdotes about the development of the ski area that only he can know.

Ice climbing
Initiation courses to climbing on ice are offered on the La Schappe frozen waterfall. For the more adventurous, there are also day-outings with a guide to discover the frozen waterfalls of the valley!

Go-kart on ice
Feel go-kart sensations, but on ice! Skidding, sliding, steering, finding the best curves in safe specially-equipped karts, with studded tyres for a better grip on snow, on the first Go-Kart on Ice circuit in the Hautes Alpes department!

Driving on ice
The famous circuit greets those who love amazing thrills to discover driving on ice, offering an introduction to driving on ice in real racing conditions, on board a vehicle driven by a pro, or with driving lessons with an instructor, to learn how to react in the most extreme road-conditions; perfect for learning how to control your vehicle on snowy roads.

Snowshoeing
Many stunning routes to try, alone or with a guide.

Fat bike
On this mountain bike equipped with extra-wide tires, you can ride on snow! Ride fat bikes on the ski area leaving from Chantemerle on a specially-prepared trail; you can also find marked trails along the valley, enabling you to ride up and down the valley from the Pontillas Lake in Villeneuve to the hamlet of Le Lauzet above Monêtier-Les-Bains.

Dog sledges
A truly magical activity where you are in contact with the dogs and close to nature.

Snowmobile and dinner
An excursion through the larch forests up to a mountain restaurant where a local dinner awaits you.

Gourmet outing with snowshoes and sledge
Leave on snowshoes for a 2-hour hike in the woods going 500m. Uphill and you will reach a mountain refuge where you can enjoy a mountain-style tea or dinner. After your meal, you will love this crazy descent on an 8km sledge-run, at sunset or by moonlight!

Top activities to experience in Serre Chevalier

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.

Grands Bains de Monetier spa
You can get the benefit of this natural hot water which springs at 44°C in the Grands Bains de Monêtier (nearby), in a gentle setting offering a variety of options for relaxation or recovery after physical strain. The water of the Grands Bains is rich in minerals and promotes total recovery from fatigue thanks to its recognised properties. Facilities include outdoor and indoor pools, a Jacuzzi, a trilogy of different pools from 17° to 40°C, a sauna, hammer, beauty treatments and a restaurant.

Ice rink
There are ice rinks in nearby Briancon or La Salle les Alpes. Use the shuttles or take your own car if you have one.

Bowling
Bowling alley with 4 lanes, themed evenings, concerts... Broadcasts of sports matches.

Giant zip line
Located between the Grand Serre (2,491m) and the Grand Alpe (2,193m), experience the zipline of Serre Chevalier for a flight over the slopes at over 100km per hour! You can do this in pairs or alone, and it's accessible to skiers and pedestrians. Enjoy!

Heritage tours
Our Heritage Service organises guided tours all winter to reveal the exceptional cultural heritage of the valley: its forts and monuments classified UNESCO World Heritage, tours of the historic villages of Serre Chevalier, including the Museum of Sacred Art in Monêtier Les Bains, are also available.

Snowshoes and yurt
Starting with a snowshoe outing in the late afternoon up an easy trail through the larch forest, no need for any particular technique, you will come to a real Yurt from the Mongolian steppe, completely fitted with everything you need for a fireside meal and a warming drink.

Snowshoeing in the fortifications
These fortifications are classified UNESCO World Heritage. A visit with a guide takes you up where the view embraces the spectacular landscape. This is a cultural activity unlike any other!

Escape room
An unusual and fun experience nearby – a mixture of riddles to solve, objects to find and padlocks to open to escape from a closed room; you will go back in local history and discover an incredible universe!   

Bouldering room
Almost 660m² of climbing space for all levels, from beginner to professional climber: 150 boulders from 3 to 8 in different profiles, slab, vertical and overhanging, new boulders every week and a complete rotation of boulders every 6 weeks.

Serre Chevalier news

What's new for the 24/25 season:

• New beginner area on the ski slopes (a 450m long button lift installation is planned for winter 2025/26),
• This winter at the Pontillas gondola the departure station will offer ski lockers, an ESF office, a ski shop, automatic ticket machines, and a new restaurant. After an 8-minute gondola ride, skiers now arrive in the Méa sector at 2,255 meters altitude,
• Serre Chevalier and Briançon have been selected as host sites for events like half-pipe skiing and snowboarding, mogul skiing, and freestyle skiing, hinting at numerous development projects for the coming years, ready for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps,
• Projects in sight include rail and road improvements between Marseille and Briançon, with the goal of a Marseille- Briançon train journey in 3 hours (instead of the current 5 hours) by electrifying the line and decarbonizing the trains. A faster, more efficient service to facilitate access to Olympic sites, all within a sustainable framework for the region.

Historic news 23/24:

• The winter of 23/24 saw the start-up of the new Pontillas gondola in the Villeneuve sector.

Serre Chevalier events

Events taking place in the 2024/25 season:

• Year end show 30th December 2024,
• Snow Kite Masters 9th-12th January 2025: a week of shows and tricks with the world’s best riders on the mythical Lautaret spot!
• Serre Che Snow Trail 18th-19th January 2025: 8th edition of the Serre Chevalier winter trail: two nature courses at over 2,000 meters altitude and a nighttime course!
• Snow Rugby 18th January 2025: 4th edition of this unique snow rugby tournament at 2,000 meters altitude at the top of the Col du Lautaret,
• Altitude Jazz Festival 21st-25th January 2025: Jazz everywhere and for everyone, in the valley’s large venues and bars, but also on the slopes!
• World Monoski Championship 31st January February 2025: the world’s largest monoski gathering! Free tests, trials and freeride sessions complement a weekend of competitions,
• Concert/DJ Set 20th February 2025: it’s become a tradition: after The Avener, Synapson and Joachim Garraud, the snow front at Aravet will once again transform into a giant dance floor!
• Salon des Vins 15th-16th March 2025: 6th edition of the show that brings together about thirty local, national, and international gastronomic and wine producers,
• Serre Chevalier Grand Prix 21st-23rd March 2025: more than 2,000 highly motivated skiers, snowboarders, and handiskiers race down the ski area’s obstacle-filled slopes
  to be the first to reach the bottom!
• Sustainable event 4th-6th April 2025: a gathering of committed ski and mountain players around innovations, and eco-friendly dynamics. Various forums, workshops and recycling village open to the public with tests and the collection, recycling, and repair of ski/outdoor equipment.

Serre Chevalier après-ski, bars & restaurants

Serre Chevalier offers restaurants and bars, as well as a cabaret, cinemas, nightclubs, theatre, cinema.

Amenities

Serre-Chevalier is home to a whole host of amenities including supermarkets, butches, bakeries, sports shops, gift shops, tabac etc.

Getting to Serre Chevalier, France

By road:
Driving distance from Calais 613 miles (986km), approx. 10hrs. Take A36 through Reims, Dijon A6 Maçon, Lyon then A432/A48 to Grenoble. Take N91 then follow signs for Serre Chevalier.

By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Serre Chevalier is roughly 25 miles away (40km) in Oulx (approx. 50 mins).

5 international airports nearby. See our flying page for information on airlines (however we don't book flights).

Turin Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 77 miles (125km), approx. 1hr 30
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 155 miles (251km), approx. 2hrs 45
Geneva Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 183 miles (295 km), approx. 3hrs 15
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 95 miles (154km), approx. 2hrs 15 mins
Chambery Airport to Serre Chevalier is roughly 108 miles (174km), approx. 2hrs 15

Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.

Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus lines from French/Swiss airports and some SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with), we invite you to do your own research.

Serre Chevalier opening dates

See resort opening information