Pock'It Ski Instructor Books simple and fun

Visitor reviews for Serre Chevalier Ski Resort

---

---

• December 13, 2011
  Martin from United Kingdom
  

  I have been to Serre (Serre Chevalier) twice & I am returning for the 3rd time this January. The skiing is well linked & although we had poor snow last year (we went late March) we still found plenty to ski for the week (Adventurous Intermediate). The runs down to the village were still open though they did get very slushy by the end of the day.
  Food can be hit & miss, however, we have found some nice places to eat, Mojo's being one of them.
  This is the only resort we have returned to, we generally try somewhere different every year (we have skied in Italy, Austria, Switzerland & Canada).
  You get a days skiing at one of the near by resorts (we did Montgenera, linked to the Milkyway)
  If it's all about the skiing as it is for us I would recommend Serre Chevalier without any reservations !

• Serre Chevalier Ratings

  Based on 8 votes. Vote

  Access: 4.4 (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Serre Chevalier.	Public Transport: 4.2 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Serre Chevalier, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 4.4 (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.	Accommodation: 4.4 (1) No places to stay in/near Serre Chevalier, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 4.7 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 3.1 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Serre Chevalier.
  Ski in/Ski out: 4.3 (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.	Childcare: 4.2 (1) There are no child care facilities at Serre Chevalier, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 4.7 (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Serre Chevalier is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 4.7 (1) Serre Chevalier relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
  Snow Grooming: 4.6 (1) There are no snow groomers at Serre Chevalier, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Serre Chevalier are groomed daily.	Shelter: 4.5 (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Serre Chevalier is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 4.3 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Serre Chevalier, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.	Regional rating: 4.7 (1) Serre Chevalier usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
  Lift Staff: 4.2 (1) The staff at Serre Chevalier are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Serre Chevalier are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 4.4 (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
  Ski Schools: 4.8 (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.	Hire and Repairs: 5.0 (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
  Variety of pistes: 5.0 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Serre Chevalier has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 4.6 (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
  Intermediates: 4.8 (1) No intermediate terrain at Serre Chevalier, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 4.9 (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
  Snow Park: 4.5 (1) Not even a kicker at Serre Chevalier, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 4.7 (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
  Cross-country: 3.8 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Serre Chevalier, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 2.4 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Serre Chevalier has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 4.9 (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.	Eating: 4.7 (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
  Apres-Ski: 4.1 (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.	Other Sports: 4.6 (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
  Entertainment: 4.0 (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.	Winter Walks: 4.7 (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
  Ski Pass Value: 4.5 (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.	Value (National): 4.7 (1) Overall, Serre Chevalier is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
  Value (Global): 4.5 (1) Overall, Serre Chevalier is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

  Based on 8 votes. Vote

• November 09, 2011
  Rudolf from Netherlands
  

  It is also going to be my first time in this place.
  Together with a friend I organised a trip for 35 people at the end of February. We pay just 379 Euro for the combination of:
  7 day lift pass
  apartment
  journey by bus
  special price for beer in one bar!
  no food.

• October 27, 2011
  Morgan Walker from United Kingdom
  

  It is going to be my first time going and I am very excited ..... I am going with my school in Milton Keynes and I am paying £720 for every thing: journey,lift pass,food,resort. Is that a good price ? I wouldn't know since I'm only 13 but again very excited ☺!☺!☺

• March 01, 2011
  Anita Lowe from United Kingdom
  

  We're due out to Serre Che this weekend, our fourth time there over the last 6/7 years. We love the place - great variety of runs, villages and restaurants. A little more snow would be nice just to be sure...

• February 26, 2011
  Sarah Murphy from United Kingdom
  

  Serre Chevalier is one of the nicest resorts I have been to. It is a little antiquated but in a nice way and the people are extremely friendly. The restaurants are fantastic and nowhere is over priced. The choice of ski schools was varied. We sent our children to the Buissonnierre, in Villeneuve and we were a little disappointed with the language barrier and their general attitude; this probably goes with the territory. This does, however, have to be better than the ESF. Generally, I would recommend this place to anyone. We had a great time.

• February 18, 2011
  jackson collins from France
  

  Had great powder turns up the hill at Serre Chevalier yesterday, looking forward to more today.
  40 cms of fresh with more on the way! The resort isn't as busy as we'd thought even though the French holidays have started.

• February 17, 2011
  andy from France
  

  Serre Chevalier had an excellent mix of on and off-piste terrain with decent villages for apres-ski. The one major downer was the excessive lift pass prices. Been boarding every year for fifteen years. Last years pass was 40 euros more than I'd ever paid anywhere!

• January 18, 2011
  Nick from United Kingdom
  

  I spent two weeks at Serre Chevalier last year at Hotel l'Europe, in Monetier. Outstanding hotel and skiing. In two weeks we never got bored with the variety of skiing and number of runs. Due to return this year in February.
  Monetier is a small French village, well suited to mature skiers and young families, may not suit teenage and young adults looking for night life.

• March 10, 2010
  Lucie Nádvorníková from Czech Republic
  

  I was in six French resorts (Les Sybelles, Tignes, Val Thorens, Risoul, Alpe d´Huez and Serre Chevalier - last year). I would never come back to another resort then Serre Chevalier!! Very high number of excellent slopes (in other resorts I found only one or two), in the middle of March was the whole week sunny, good temperature and plenty of good snow!. Stayed in Villeneuve, Le Bez residence (50 m to the lift). I´m going there this Friday and really looking forward to indulge everything what it is offered there. Czech people still didn´t explore this resort, so pssst :) and see you there :)

• February 22, 2010
  Graeme Baillie from United Kingdom
  

  07/02 - 14/02/2010. Stayed at Grand Hotel in Chantemerle (Serre Chevalier). Was HB and food was generally ok and plenty of it. Rooms are tiny - I was in a room with a double and pull down single - it was barely adequate for me on my own. Chantemerle is quiet but I can recommend Happy Hour in Bar le lodge under the Grand Hotel, nice staff and live music most days. Also the Station Bar for live entertainment later on.
  The skiing across the four villages is tremendous and should ensure that you are not bored by the end of the week. The lift systems are well integrated and signposted and the links between the villages - easy to find and access. The skiing at Briancon is fairly limited with just one really good red run from the top of the gondola all the way down to the town, the rest of the runs are so - so and require button lifts which are not my favourite. Skiing at Chantemerle (Serre Chevalier) is quite extensive but most of the runs are very similar, the runs are not very long but are all serviced with pretty good high speed chairs. The Luc Alphand Black run back to the village is great fun and can be tackled by most ability groups as there is a bail out green which avoids some of the steeper sections.
  Villeneuve has some tremendous skiing terrain - from the top bowl all the way back to the village through the trees. Casse du Boeuf and Bez are very good. The link to Monetier is accessed via a very slow chair and then two flat narrow traverses (probably the only part of the system Boarders would struggle), however, the trip across is well worth it as the runs back down to Monetier are excellent. A must when the weather is clear is the Yret Chair, the view from the top is amazing as is the red back to the bottom. The only drawback to Monetier if you are staying in Chatemerle is the ski back. There is only one way (unless you use the bus!) - you must take Cucumelle (best run in the valley) and then ski all the way down to Villeneuve, traversing along Frejus to get to the Casse du Boeuf chair, then back down to Aravet to get over to Chatemerle. This takes a good while and it's easy to run out of time and get stranded when the lifts close. I would recommend Serre Chevalier to anyone, I had a fantastic week of great snow conditions, blue skies and sunshine. Will definitely be returning.

• February 07, 2010
  Chris Bartlett from United Kingdom
  

  28th Jan - 31st Jan. Stayed in Chantemerle. SC (Serre Chevalier) is awesome. Fantastic skiing with plenty of runs and not crowded. Start early though. Due to North Facing slopes you lose the good light about 3.30. All staff spoke excellent English. Lifts are good in general although a few button lifts further across the valley. Great green runs for beginners to get them home. Having skiied in Switzerland, Austria and Italy I'd recommend this as one of the best places I have skiied. Hoping to go back at Easter, fingers crossed for snow.

• February 02, 2010
  mary from United Kingdom
  

  Visited Serre Chevalier in Jan 10 and stayed in Vilenueve. We have skiied in various places previously and found that this ski resort had the quietest pistes we had seen, resulting in non-existent lift queues. The pistes were well maintained and with the linked system of lifts it was easy to move between the four different villages that make up this area. As boarders though, some of the runs were a little flat and narrow but that was really the only drawback. Definitely not a place for party animals, with quiet bars and restaurants.

• January 11, 2010
  Noel cullen from Ireland
  

  This is my second time in Serre Chevalier. Both times I found the snow excellent. First morning, during ski school which was easy to find and not too expensive (well my folks paid), I met my instructor and after 10 mins skiing she knew that I had been skiing before and bumped me up a group which is very rare for a ski instructor to do. After six years skiing (one week every year) I honestly found that these two years skiing in Serre Chevalier have made all the difference in my skiing abilities. Food was fab, can't comment on prices because I'm only fourteen and my mam and dad picked up the tab but some places could have been expensive but it was well worth it. Flights going home were delayed by snow and only for Jackson who owns the alpine travel company pulling it out of the bag by getting us to the airport on time and he is also Irish. Missed Trev and the whistle. By the end of the week I was skiing down through trees on Luc Alphand and when you go to Serre Chevalier you will find out what that is.

• November 26, 2009
  Mike from United Kingdom
  

  Went to Serre Chevalier in Jan 09 and stayed at the Grand Aigle. Had a great week and the conditions were fantastic. Just booked the same trip again for Jan 10. One of the few ski areas I would revisit.

• April 02, 2009
  Free Rider from United Kingdom
  

  Serre Chevalier is wonderful. Fantastic variety of skiing and brilliantly friendly people. Spent the week in ski school with friends. It was the best experience we had ever had where lessons are concerned. Vivre "Ski Connections".

  Serre Chevalier has friendly shops with reasonably priced ski hire and restaurants etc.

  Serre Chevalier is definitely recommended.

• January 27, 2009
  Gary from United Kingdom
  

  I visited Villeneuve, Serre Chevalier at Christmas this year. The snow was excellent, the locals very friendly and we had a great time in a resort with atmosphere and charm.
  We chose Serre Chevalier because of it's excellent snow record over the last few years and were not disappointed.
  There is a variety of pistes for all levels of skiers and borders - some in our group headed off for freeride skiing between the trees and others had lessons with the local international ski school (ski connections - recommended).
  In the evening we frequented the Yetti, Mojos and Le Frog. All very lively, offering cocktails and live music of good quality until 2am.
  Our group is planning the same trip next Christmas and give Serre Chevalier a well deserved 9/10.

• November 26, 2008
  Dave BOUCKLEY from United Kingdom
  

  Been coming to this resort for the last 8 years. Sometimes up to four times a season, bringing groups.
  Last here in January and will be there at Christmas at the Frejus.
  Excellent snow record, excellent long runs, no queues, excellent lift system.
  You will never get bored.
  People are wonderful. You will always compare other resorts with this place. I have had a go at other resorts and this is always my number 1.

• November 01, 2008
  Yasmin from United Kingdom
  

  We have just bought a house in Chantemerle and it is great.... There are loads of good places to eat.. and good shops, the runs are easy to get around as you will soon get the hang of the place. We bought a holiday house and go there regualy (alot) in the summer and winter, I prefer winter because of skiing and snowboarding. They usually get lots of fluffy snow!! aswell,

• February 19, 2008
  Linden Galsworthy from Guernsey, Channel Islands from United Kingdom
  

  Arrived Chantermerle, Serre Chevalier 19th January 2008, stayed at the new Hameau Du Rocher appartments which were excellent. Good location and excellent pool/sauna/steam room. Skiing excellent. Quiet pistes most days and had a piste to yourself. Good lifts. Resort nightlife quiet.however, a good night was had at La Grotte in Villeneuve, a 5 min taxi drive. Overall, a nice resort with excellent skiing for all levels. Excellent restaurants and skiing equipment shops.

• February 13, 2008
  Loxley from United Kingdom
  

  Visited Serre Chevalier last week of Feb in 2007 and am heading back for Easter 2008. I can't comment on hotels as I take my motor-home. But I can recommend the Yeti bar for excellent value food and a lively atmosphere. My teenage sons certainly preferred it to the other restaurants and bars. It does cater more for the French which I do't think is a bad thing. The runs back to the town are tricky for snowboarders in the lower middle section as they are basically lanes between trees and only about 10-12 foot wide. But get above the 2000m chairlift and it's a lovely open playground. Certainly a large varied terrain and while we were there last year (2007) we had a great dump of snow which really made for a great week.

• December 28, 2007
  David Parry from France
  

  Serre Chevalier, Villeneuve
  Purpose built ski village. Can be rather, rather bland but skiing good and for apres-ski try La Baita bar and disco under Mont Thabor Hotel. Great atmosphere and English spoken.

• December 13, 2007
  BILL from United Kingdom
  

  Area is open early, loads of snow, great place, what a secret.

• March 01, 2007
  Roy Nash from United Kingdom
  

  The best stay in Chantemerle. Very friendly, good access to whole area and new lifts. No queuing. Good food. Loads of snow. Lovely apartment. So good I am going to buy an apartment here.

• March 07, 2006
  Arjen from Netherlands
  

  I was there in the period of 24th February for 10 days. It had snowed big about 1,5 week before we came and after that not very much. But we had still good snow the first 5/6 days and 4 of them were sunny, the first 4 days we even still found good powder. The 7th and 8th day, it began to snow very much, there fell about 1,17 meter. But visibility was very very bad. Above the trees the area was also not permitted to go on the 8th day and avalanche scale was 4/5. But under the trees the slopes were open, and we did go out (it snowed very hard and you could see about 10 meter max.) but it was definately worth it. We had so much powder, there were total slopes with about a meter powder and it rocked!

• February 03, 2006
  Lynne Melia from United Kingdom
  

  Visited Serre Chev for the New Year, it had snowed the day before we got there and the skiing was brilliant. We arrived at our hotel Le Lievre Blanc and although the rooms were very very small (its a 17th century coaching house) I can put hand on heart and say that it was the best hotel, on a skiing holiday, I have ever been in. The staff were incredible and the food was out of this world.
  They have a great manager called Iain and he could not do enough for you. The receptionist, Joss speaks fluent French and was great finding out what restaraunts we could visit on the one day the staff have off. We saw most of the staff round and about the town and all of them had a ready smile and a wave for you and were eager to talk of your day on the slopes. Indeed the manager is even taking skiing lessons. I would recommend this hotel to everyone, young, old and people with families.
  The only downfall for me was that after about 2.30 the sun went behind the mountains and it was very very cold and icy on the slopes, but hey!! what the hec it bothered me so much we are going back there on the 4th March. Meeting up with friends we met there at the New Year... Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

• January 30, 2006
  Ben from United Kingdom
  

  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 :-)

• January 10, 2006
  Rick Lomas from France
  

  I live in Serre Chevalier and I think it is a great place to spend the winter AND the summer, sure it doesn't have the same nightlife as Val d'Isere, but there is a great community of UK and European people here which makes a difference. As far as the ski area goes, it has loads of lovely runs with trees that make it well pretty and to be honest if people want to go elsewhere, just based on altitude, then that suits me! Read more on my <a href="http://www.serrechevalier.org">Serre Chevalier Web Site
  </a>

• January 04, 2006
  Tim Chappell from United Kingdom
  

  I stayed in Chantemerle from Christmas and to over the New Year period 05/06. For me as a fairly new skier the conditions were very icy although it did greatly improve with the 50cm of snow near to New Years Eve, which meant fabulous skiing for everyone. I found the Green runs through the trees for my level very dangerous in icy conditions. Be warned that the Green/Blue/Red runs do all have much higher gradients than is suitable for the level indicated, The Aya run in Chantemerle is a red run although indicated as a Blue run on the piste. Great runs all over the place, fab people, good food. Highly recommended. Yes I would go back.

• December 08, 2005
  Russell from United Kingdom
  

  Serre Chevalier is a fantastic resort. The villages are unspoilt the people are friendly and most important of all the vast ski terrain offers literally something for every level of ability, whether snowboarding or skiing. We stayed in Chantemerle with www.h2oholidays.co.uk and would recommend it to everyone.. It looks like the snow is going to be good this year too.. We've already booked two holidays for this season..

• December 02, 2005
  ash Strain from United Kingdom
  

  I have worked on both Fall-Line skiing magazine and Document Snowboard magazine for many years and it is my opinion that Serre Chevalier is a great resort, one of the best that I have visited! The skiing and the nightlife are improving year upon year but I still consider it one of the Alp's best kept secrets!