“You are going skiing in Serre Chevalier, in the French Alps? I’ve never heard of it!”

Such was the typical response we received when we explained where we were planning to ski this spring. And if it were not for our friends in Lourmarin we would never had heard of it either. We’d paid it a visit last October and thought it looked very promising but we had no idea just how fabulous it was going to be. Perhaps I shouldn’t be telling you about France’s best kept ski destination secret. But I don’t feel too guilty, for in a few years the secret will be a out when in 2030 Serre Chevalier hosts part of the Winter Olympics. And knowing that we have skied there before such a monumentous event is quite a thrill!

Serre Chevalier is only a three hour drive from Lourmarin, in the Hautes-Alpes department of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region. It begins in Briançon, a picturesque town whose old city fortifications, Vauban Cité, are a UNESCO Site and where the Prorel gondola gives you access to the entire ski region.

This charming, linear interconnected ski area is made up of several villages, nestled below the towering peaks of The Massif des Écrins mountains strung along the scenic Routes des Grand Alpes. A short 10 minute drive from Briançon is Chantemerle, where we stayed but all the villages are delightful and all offer access to the breathtaking, 410 hectares, over 1000 acres, of marked ski terrain, plus acres ‘off piste’, which sits behind them.

We had selected the chalets of Le Grand Hotel.  One of the first hotels in the region and an icon in the village since 1947. The hotel was beautifully refurbished in 2016 and the chalets added more recently.

The chalets exude an understated, modern luxury, ours was well appointed with a full kitchen, living/dining area, large patio with 2 master suites plus an extra bedroom. It was a gorgeous haven to hang out in with our Scottish ski buddies. It was just a two minute walk along the corridor to the bars, restaurants, spa and fabulous facilities of this lovely 4 Star hotel. If you really want the full ‘ski in ski out’ experience the resort also offers The Refuge located at the top of the gondola.

The other significant appeal was the 50 meter proximity to the gondola. From collecting our ski’s in the hotel’s ski locker, (complete with heated boot holders), it was a short stroll past the bar and across the road to the gondola.

Two chair lift rides later we were at the top of the mountain. The views across the Alps were breathtaking. The vast ski terrain boasts 250km of pristine pistes, one of the Alps biggest ski areas.

It was possible to connect to all 13 villages  spread over the 4 areas of Briancon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve la Salle and Le Monetier les Bains, where stayed at  the lovely Le Hotel Monêtier in the autumn of 2025.

Skiing in Europe is a vastly different experience from skiing in USA.

Firstly there is the price of the lift ticket. A peak season day pass at Northstar in Lake Tahoe, where we ski, this year was $289.00. At Serre Chevalier at the same time of year, it was €65.50-$75.75. And in March when we were there it was €47.50 – $54.00.

Then in Europe there are all the many charming and delicious places to stop for ‘refuelling’ . This was one of favourites in the morning, complete with 2 bars, serving coffees, hot chocolate, vin chaud, any alcohol of your choice and freshly made crêpes.

We sat on sheepskin fur by a gently smouldering log fire fire-pit!

before nipping back on to the piste!

This other one felt like you were perched literally on top of the world!

Even at this more commercial lunch stop they were serving freshly made pizzas with full restaurant service if you wanted it.

And then L’Aravat 2000 was simply fabulous, a scrumptious, full service experience.

With wine from one of local favorites in the Luberon, Château La Coste.

And delicious, freshly made mouthwatering food – not a french frie or chilli bowl in sight and for less than anything we can buy on the slopes 5000 miles away!

We loved it here, the skiing, our chalet, the food, our friends (of course) and the spectacular scenery.

And I haven’t even mentioned the après ski, the bars, the great live music, the food, especially the cheese fondues and a vibrant scene that doesn’t end at 7.00pm!

This was the view from our terrace

and these are the views that will remain with us forever.

So will we be back?

‘Bien sûr!’ ~ If you want stunning, breathtaking scenery, vast skiing, great food on and off the slopes, ambience, picturesque villages, après ski and lower prices, what’s not to love?!

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