Still comparatively little known to the British, Serre-Chevalier Vallée (www.serre-chevalier) is one of the largest ski areas in the Alps with 250km of lift-linked piste above 13 villages which stretch for 15km along the Guisane Valley to Briançon, France's highest Alpine town and UNESCO site (and accessible by rail).
New for the 13-14 season is the Serre-Ratier gondola. The first section of the cable car dated back to 1941 and has now been replaced by a next generation panoramic gondola with eight seats in each cabin providing views of the surrounding scenery.
The resort has a special deal for people booking direct on selected low-season dates this winter. Book seven nights self-catering from 199 Euros per person which includes a 6-day lift pass (value 227 Euros) while children 6-11 years can benefit from the same deal from 173 Euros pp and seniors 65-74 years from 186 Euros pp. The deal is available pre Christmas-week, most of January and from the start of March to the end of the season.
But a 7-night/6-day lift pass deal for families of four (2 adults + 2 children) for 1301 Euros covering Christmas and February half term is also available.