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The Skiing

Serre Chevalier is a large ski resort in the Southern French Alps, midway between the French city of Grenoble, and the Italian city of Turin.  Almost unheard of 10-15 years ago it is rapidly gaining in popularity , thanks to its reputation of sunshine and good snow. It has mainly North facing slopes and therefore maintains its snow well into April. Snow-making on the lower runs means skiing down to the village is possible all season.

There are 250kms of pistes to suit skiers of  all abilities, and non-skiers can meet you for lunch at the top of the gondolas. There is some fantastic off-piste skiing for the experts amongst you, but a guide is recommended. 

Monetier-les-Bains, at an altitude of 1500m , is the highest village in the resort, the others being spread along the foot of the pistes, Villeneuve-la-Salle, Chantemerle/Saint-Chaffrey and the Napoleonic fortress town of Briancon, the highest town in the Alps, which is at 1200m. A good skier can cross from one end of the resort to the other in a day, but  it doesn't matter too much where you finish at the end of the day, as the ski bus runs regularly.

Mountain Restaurants

There are a number of restaurants dotted all over the ski area. On the Monetier slopes, there are three. The Halte at Pre-Chabert (bottom of the slopes), the Chapka (top of the chairlift), and the Peyra Juana (down the Rochamout piste) which is our favourite. Get there early as it is very small. 

Cross over to the remainder of the ski area, and there is a choice at the top of all the main lifts. 

Serre Ratier has the biggest selection, of the several there, the Troll is our favourite,  and we can  also recommend the Bivouac de Casse near the Casse du Boeuf chair, and Le Bercail at Aravet. 

Over towards Briancon, the small and friendly Chalet du Serre Blanc is an excellent hot chocolate stop.