Serre Chevalier 2012

Hi all I'm currently looking at places for next season and after looking around Serre Chevalier looks like it could be a great option. I'll be going as part of a group, probably 8/10 people all adults and mixed ability...

Can anyone offer me any advice where is best to stay, what's it like for eating out etc, is there much to do on an evening. Also if you have any advice on accommodation that would be great. Not fussed if it's a hotel or chalet or even self catering.

Many thanks
Christian

Hi Christian,

We Loved the place and would go back anyday. There are some great deals through the Serre Chevalier website. When we return we will go self catering again and there is a lot of SC accomodation. I would refer you to Tony_H's Report of March 2010 and my Report of March 2011 which should give you a good insite to the place. Hope this helps :D You will find them in the France section.

Thanks Ali that's a great help :D

Grand Serre Ché is a great ski area. Had a couple of really nice days there during my trip 3 years ago.

Briancon is very nice nearby and eating out there is excellent.

tropicana wrote:Briancon is very nice nearby and eating out there is excellent.

Interestingly, despite having had a good short week there, I wouldn't recommend Briancon as the best place to stay in the area. Its a working town, and doesnt really take much interest in the skiing, although there are some decent apartments next to the Plorel lift by the river. Its too towny to feel like a ski resort although I'd go back.
Personally I think you want to be in 1 of the 3 villages. I've stopped in Villeneuve and it was perfect - old rustic buildings, not busy, short walks to lifts, free and reliable bus service (connecting all points in the valley so you can get off anywhere), nice variety of restaurants, sensibly priced for France, pretty village......I could go on!
Next down is Chantmerle and whilst its convenient for the lifts, its uglier and didnt look too appealling when we skied down into it several times.
The alternative is Monetier at the highest point, which is a cute little village. The only problem is youre right at one end of the ski area, and the link from Monetier into Villeneuve has been closed a few times when I've been there due to winds or heavy snow, but the skiing in that sector is excellent and never crowded at all.
I love Serre Che and would go back as its got so much for everyone, and a great variety of skiing, and plenty to go at over 250km.
Theres also some really nice cafes on the slopes.

I've been with package holidays and also driven myself and booked independently. I'd do either again. Best best for a first time may be a package to a catered chalet, or look at the Ski Miquel website for their properties which are well priced and in good spots in Monetier.

Get it booked, you wont regret it, its a cracking ski area.

crispyapplepie wrote:Hi all I'm currently looking at places for next season and after looking around Serre Chevalier looks like it could be a great option. I'll be going as part of a group, probably 8/10 people all adults and mixed ability...

Can anyone offer me any advice where is best to stay, what's it like for eating out etc, is there much to do on an evening. Also if you have any advice on accommodation that would be great. Not fussed if it's a hotel or chalet or even self catering.

Many thanks
Christian

Sorry, I missed a couple of points:

Eating out is never cheap in France. All the villages have a choice of places to eat, but I really would recommend catered chalet to keep costs down.

Villeneuve has several nicely positioned chalets through the tour ops, and Monetier with Ski Miquel would be a good shout.

Both villages have bars and restaurants if you want to wander out, although its hardly banging. There is a lively bar at the foot of the Aravet gondola called Yeti which often has live music and serves cheap food and drink. If its snowing, its half price pints!!!!!

We are also fans of Serre Chevalier and have stayed once in Chantmerle, twice in Villeneuve and twice in Monetier which is our favourite. We have taken beginners and boarders with us and everyone has a great time. The mountain restaurants are good value - the one at the mid-station above Briancon is excellent but our favourite is the Peyra Juana on the way down to Monetier.