Serre Chevalier, France

Ben from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Have just returned from a week in Villeneuve, skiing was much improved to the end of our week by a foot or so of snow in the mountains, very icy before that.
Travelled with Crystal, never again, chalet was a shambles and well below our expectation...
Pleasent villages but most definitly NOT a ski resort, so don't expect the typical facilities... although the Yeti bar goes some bar to correcting that in Villeneuve :-) Piste grades are dubious in general, a blue designation means blue "on average" although it may have green and red sections! Pistes in the Monetier area are the best, then progressively worse as you head down the valley. Skiing around the top of the mountains Cucmelle, L'Yret and Cibouit is excellent. Food on the piste is highly variable in price, L'Avert cafe being very overpriced in particular, ski down to the towns at lunch time and save 50%. Be aware that this many of the home runs include long "flat" sections not suitable for snowboarders, (unless you are good enough to take the narrow roadways at top speed) also the drag lifts are beyond evil, fortunately you can do 90% of the runs and still not have to use them :-)

2006-01-30