Nearest resorts to AlpBase

Puy-St-Vincent/Pelvoux | Serre Chevalier | Risoul/Vars | Mongenevre
La Grave | Les Deux-Alpes | Alpe-d’Huez


SERRE CHEVALIER - Piste Map

Distance from AlpBase: 20 minutes by car

Mountain data:
Altitude: 1,200 – 2,800m
Vertical Drop: 1,603m
Lifts: 77
Pistes: 250km
Green: 20%
Blue: 20%
Red: 50%
Black: 10%
Artificial snow: 30km
Cross Country: 45 km of trails
Recco detectors used

What’s it like?
Located 15km from the Italian border, Serre Chevalier is one of the most southerly resorts in the Alps. It's north facing slopes, reaching high above the tree line, The snow comes often and in large amounts in January and February, thanks to it’s southerly location; wet air from the Mediterranean is pushed northwards and lands in Serre Chevalier as champagne powder. If it doesn’t there are extensive snow making machines on the lower slopes, making the resort snowsure.

Serre Chevalier is one of the world's big ski areas 250km of trails) and comprises thirteen villages, including Briançon, Chantemerle, Le Monetier and Villeneuve. The resort spreads out for 6km along the Guisane Valley from the old town of Briancon, the location of France's first ski school in 1902, up to the Col du Lautaret. You come in this way if approaching from Grenoble.

Serre Che as the locals call it is NOT another concrete monstrosity like many French ski resorts, and you will find many traditional houses and farms spread throughout the area.

There are more than a dozen points to gain access to the runs, and we can tell you about the best one’s to go for. There is definitely something here for everyone spread around the mountains. From simple windy green “roads” to off-piste down the Cucumelle.

For powder head for the Monetier-area with the highest peak in the valley – Pic De L’Yret 2830m. Here the snow is colder and of course, deeper than elsewhere. Ask us and we can tell you about the backbowls accessible from the Yret lift.

The other big thing is the tree runs – great for boarders and skiers in search of powder stashes! The lift pass also takes in Montgenevre on the Italian border and a link into the Italian Milky way (400km of pistes). See Montgenevre below.

Serre Chevalier is home to Luc Alphand (Lucho to his mates!) was the world downhill champion from 1995 to 1997. His images are everywhere in the resort, even more so now as he has recently won one of the categories of the Paris to Dakar motorsport race. Luc’s brother Lionel runs one of the restaurant’s in Vallouise and you can even drink his own label beer, brewed locally! For snowboarders there is a bordercross, two half-pipes and a big air jump as well as loads of of-piste. “The World Snowboard Guide” gives it an overall rating of 10 out of 10 both on and off the slopes.

Nightlife:
Plenty and various from Le pub to everyone’s favorite The Alpen, run by two very friendly French guys it is a must for Après Ski. Or if you are into cocktails check out Gotcha, the bar of Le Signal Du Prorel - great music, happy hour from 4:00 until 5:30 everyday, tequila-night every Monday!