Back from Serre Che

Well that was great – back from Serre Chevalier with friends and was not disappointed,can see why people love it. Snow ok, compacted but would take an edge – well nearly always! 5 days of sunshine getting warmer each day (only one windy day when higher lifts were closed) which was great for eating out and skiing but not so good for snow quality, maybe more of a problem next week if they don't get a good dump of snow. Sunshine over Briancon side resulted in some stones coming through about half way but all pistes higher throughout the valley ok. Great skiing over lots of deserted pistes. Red run under the Aiguillette OH said really good also loved Petit Alpe via long button. OH also said didn't feel that the blacks were true blacks but Luc Alphand very enjoyable to ski. I personally loved the top of the Vallons to Serre Ratier and the whole run to Monetier via the Vallons chair which was great. Loved the Cucumelle great to have such a long run. Took the good advice we were given before going and skied all across the valley – great sense of travel and bus available at the base of all resorts if you didn't want to ski back or left it too late to do so.
I stayed in Chantemerle, went to have a look round Monetier and Villeneuve but on balance preferred Chantemerle it had a mixture of everything (and everything was in the one area) there were 3 lifts up and never a queue to be seen, in fact there was never a queue any where as far as I could see. (Lucky there was only one zone of French children on holiday). We had an apartment 50 m from the lifts.There were a couple of good places to sit, drink and eat and watch people hurtling down the Luc Alphand black run. The station bar was quite cheap too. Chantemerle also had the old town bit with restaurants and a band playing at the end of the day which gave a nice atmosphere. There were 2 mini supermarkets with reasonable prices so we didn't feel that we had to drive to the Geant in Briancon. Would recommend L'Estable restaurant. Ate out on the mountain during the day, favourite place was the small rustic hut above Monetier 'The Peyra Juana' with its very friendly nutter of a waiter. Not as busy as other places and full of French families eating inside. A good recommendation – thanks. The only criticism I would have is that there is only the black run and long windy green narrow roads to ski on back to Chantemerle . I would have liked a cruisey blue to do at the end of the day. The green took too long and was busy at the end of the day. Finally a personal tip if you leave it rather late to come down on the last day (when they are waiting to set up the fireworks,) you might get a ride on a skidoo straight down the black run.
Brilliant especially when the legs are just about shot!!!!!
The fireworks set to the drumming live band were fantastic, as was the torchlight procession down the Luc Alphand. All in all a fantastic holiday – I miss you Serre Chevalier. XX
Thanks J2skiers for all your advice :lol:

Meant to also say had a private lesson with Ski Generation (Laura) very good fixed quite a few problems- Z to S but on the steeper slopes the old Z kept rearing its ugly head from time to time - but definitely on the decrease - worth the money and the many arguments I would have had with the OH !!

Thanks Lizzie .....

Off there (Chantemerle) in 11 sleeps, I expect the snow will be just fine! And really looking forward to it.

Knew you'd like it. Glad you found that little restaurant in Monetier too.

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