Skiing in Briançon & Serre Chevalier — Pistes, Lifts & Ski Area Guide

Serre Chevalier is one of the largest ski areas in the southern French Alps, with 250 kilometres of pistes, 60 lifts, and terrain across four linked villages — Briançon (1200m), Chantemerle (1350m), Villeneuve (1400m), and Monêtier-les-Bains (1500m). The ski area runs from 1200m to 2800m, offering a wide altitude range that extends the reliable snow season. The area is best known for long, sunny runs, less crowding than the northern Alps, and a high proportion of intermediate terrain.

Ski Area Overview

Key facts about skiing at Serre Chevalier.

• 250km of pisted terrain — one of the largest areas in the southern Alps
• 60+ lifts including gondolas, chairlifts, and drag lifts
• Altitude range — 1200m to 2800m
• Piste breakdown — 23% green, 39% blue, 34% red, 4% black
• 4 linked villages — ski between them without removing your skis (mostly)
• Season — typically December to April

The Four Villages

Each village has its own character and best-suited terrain.

• Briançon (1200m) — town centre access via Prorel gondola, longest descents in the area
• Chantemerle (1350m) — main resort base, snowpark, bike park gondola, most facilities
• Villeneuve (1400m) — central village, good intermediate terrain, quieter than Chantemerle
• Monêtier-les-Bains (1500m) — highest village, best snow, quietest, famous thermal spa

Ski Pass

The Serre Chevalier ski pass covers the full domain across all four villages.

• Day pass — approximately €55–€65 for adults (prices vary by season and booking time)
• Weekly pass — approximately €270–€330 for adults
• Buy online in advance — typically 10–15% cheaper
• Child passes — significantly discounted (roughly half adult price)
• The L'Escarton pass — covers Serre Chevalier plus Montgenèvre and Sestriere

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the Serre Chevalier ski area?

Serre Chevalier has 250 kilometres of pisted runs, 60+ lifts, and terrain across four linked villages from 1200m to 2800m. It is one of the largest ski areas in the southern French Alps and has a high proportion of intermediate terrain.

Is Serre Chevalier good for beginners?

Yes. Serre Chevalier has dedicated nursery slopes in each village and 23% green-graded runs. The gentle terrain around Chantemerle is particularly good for beginners. The area is less intimidating than many larger northern Alps resorts.

How much is a ski pass at Serre Chevalier?

Adult day passes cost approximately €55–€65 depending on the time of season. Weekly passes cost approximately €270–€330. Booking online in advance saves 10–15%. Children's passes are roughly half the adult price.