Serre Chevalier - any thoughts?

First visit to this resort coming up.
Skiied a few years back at San Sicar :!: io (Sestriere) not far away. Does anyone have any tips / advice?
Heading there 30th Jan 2011 for 7 days.

Stayed in chantemerle 2yrs ago and personally I didn't think much to it. Cheap enough but seemed to lack any character or much interest in resort. Built for function, not for enjoyment. Good area to go at though!

Serre Che is Brilliant. 250K of piste, 70% in the trees, bags of snow at the present. You will be hard pushed to ski it in a week. Serre Che is made up of thirteen villages (three main ones) spread out for 6km along the Guisane Valley floor from Briancon. The north facing larch-lined slopes above (most over 2000m ) are lift linked all the way from the town.(thanks J2Ski!).

They have just had another high speed lift put in this year at a cost of 10 million Euros. Good learner slopes, A nice mix of blues and reds and several not to taxing blacks. Some really nice eating places on the mountain especially the one that looks over Italy. Went last Feb with 20 old folks and had a great time. Would def go again!!

and cue Tony........

Hello.

Serre Che is currently my favourite place in the world to ski. Done it 3 times in the past year, loved it massively.
Brilliant ski area, masses of character (I stopped in Villeneuve, whereas Chantmerle is the one part I'd say don't stop in), rustic, great slopes, nice restaurants, superb snow, some old lifts but a new one put in which will make a huge difference, superb off piste, and a big feeling of travelling around the place.
I believe I've written a review on the place before.
I'd go back tomorrow.
And I don't really like France )

Sounds great, apart from Chantemerle. Read good things in "Where to Ski & Snowboard" - which seem to be borne out by experiences. A few of us usually head out on extended runs exploring far-flung reaches where possible, so the connected distance would be ideal. There could be plenty to keep everyone happy - with a mix of new & intermediate skiiers in our group too. And good places to gather afterwards? After some barren (though spectacular) skiing in Zermatt and Verbier I'm looking forward to what sounds like mixed, tree-lined routes with some character. Roll on January...

:D :D

verbier2009 wrote:Sounds great, apart from Chantemerle. Read good things in "Where to Ski & Snowboard" - which seem to be borne out by experiences. A few of us usually head out on extended runs exploring far-flung reaches where possible, so the connected distance would be ideal. There could be plenty to keep everyone happy - with a mix of new & intermediate skiiers in our group too. And good places to gather afterwards? After some barren (though spectacular) skiing in Zermatt and Verbier I'm looking forward to what sounds like mixed, tree-lined routes with some character. Roll on January...

:D :D

I think you'll love it. Head over to Monetier one morning, lovely skiing over there and quiet too. The Cucumelle is a brilliant fast red coming back from Monetier to Villeneuve. Ski the 2 reds under the Aiguelette chair lift, and play on the natural half pipe at the top of the Briancon sector.

I want to go back thinking about it!

You might be able to yet! A couple of spaces have just opened up in our chalet!! Thanks for the guidelines though... Sounds like we'll be based at Villeneuve - I just need to lay hands on a piste map to get my bearings. And I have less than 4 weeks now!

:-)