Serre Chevalier - March 2012

Great review Andy. I think you're on the money with your assessment, although unlike you I never got bored of the slopes, and I've been 3 times. Having said that, each time I've been conditions have been outstanding and we have been able to do lots of off piste and bob between pistes on the soft stuff which does make a difference and opens the area up. There is, after all, 250km of marked piste so its impossible IMO to get bored in a week.

You're also right about the links. They CAN get bottlenecked but its all about the planning of timings to get between them. We stopped in Villeneuve twice and Briancon once, so we always made sure we skied the last hour above that sector or got a bus if needs be.

The lift system has been improved. Slightly. But theres a lot of old lifts still about. Above Villeneuve there are drags you need to use to get across to the board park sector. There are the ones that get queues at peak times, and turn into Harrier Jump Jet launching pads. Funny to watch from the cafe, not so funny when its you hurtling through the air. Ask Stewart about these :wink:

To avoid the busy links at certain times, we used to ski all the way off, have a drink and then take a ride back up to another sector. Everyones a winner.

Glad you found and liked the Aiguielette (sp) runs. They're always quiet and in good nick. Great to bomb down at high speed, and also good to practise some good carving.

I agree massively about the Luc Alphond. One minute its perfect, and an hour later its rubbish. The snow seems to disappear, as you say probably to Italy :lol:

Again, I think you're right. Its a perfect resort for mileage hungry intermediates who like to feel they are travelling around.

Cucumelle is a lovely fast (and I mean fast) run. Shame you didn't get as excited about it as my mate Steve did.

The Vallons run can turn to carnage, but IMO the problem IS the novices who like to think they can ski off the mountain. Its also made worse by the morons who can ski it fast and scare the life out of the timid skiers. The beginners and timid skiers then ski it turning every 3 seconds and it carves up and ends up being a slippy mogul field. Its the same on some of the green runs off the mountain. The experienced skiers among us moaned about it being busy and difficult (yes, a difficult green!!) but you have a choice: ski it and get on with it, or ride the lift down. Its mainly gondolas from mid station anyway.

I now want to go back to Serre Che again having read your review. But its a big old ski world out there......

Great Report Andy, enjoyed it. Loved the footage on the Cucumelle. Its still a classic run in my eyes best to drop in when few people are about first thing in the morning. Lovely :wink:

AlistairS wrote:Great Report Andy, enjoyed it. Loved the footage on the Cucumelle. Its still a classic run in my eyes best to drop in when few people are about first thing in the morning. Lovely :wink:

I want it NOW

I wonder if Luc Alphand knows that they can't even spell his name correctly on the piste named after him! :mrgreen:

LOTA wrote:I wonder if Luc Alphand knows that they can't even spell his name correctly on the piste named after him! :mrgreen:

I stand corrected - it is Alphand on the piste maps :oops:

Andy, just to say I appreciate the trouble you have gone to to write this report. Serre Che is on my list of places to go, so your info helps enormously. Off, however, to Skiwelt week after next, so Serre Che will have to wait until next winter. Great report !

billip1 wrote:Andy, just to say I appreciate the trouble you have gone to to write this report. Serre Che is on my list of places to go, so your info helps enormously. Off, however, to Skiwelt week after next, so Serre Che will have to wait until next winter. Great report !

Bello Billip. Having skied there 3 times myself you really ought to try it, its a great ski area.

Tony_H wrote:Bello Billip. Having skied there 3 times myself you really ought to try it, its a great ski area.

Banks Bony; will definitely do it :)