Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier is a charming village in the stunning Ecrins National Park. It is a superb ski area for all abilities. The UCPA centre is also ski in ski making it a very special place to stay. (Note that the outdoor swimming pool will be closed for the 23/24 season)

Best for

Comfortable centre with a heated outdoor pool (closed 23/24 season)

Fun fact

Boast a record of 300 days of sunshine per year

Nearest airport

Turin (132km)

Centre comfort

Resort charm

Snow sure rating

Open All Sections

Ski area

The Serre Chevalier ski area is one of the largest ski areas in Europe stretching down the length of an enormous alpine valley. Despite the high proportion of sunny days the snow generally stays in very good condition due to the north facing aspect of the slopes. Serre Chevalier has a total of 68 lifts giving access to over 250km of piste with an excellent selection across the grades.

For beginners there are a number of easier pistes dotted across the mountainside plus a moderate run descending from pretty much every lift allowing beginners a bit more freedom to roam than in other resorts.

There is a good selection of harder black runs for more advanced skiers including some impressive runs above Villeneuve which have a sustained gradient for around 800 vertical metres.

Serre Chevalier is also known as being a very snowboard friendly resort; the terrain forms a natural playground well suited to confident snowboarders.

In the higher areas of the resort, there is great off piste, including huge bowls that hold the snow very well and allow for massive vertical descents down to the valley floor. Lower down offers an array of world class tree skiing which also holds the snow well and is a perfect option for low visibility days.

There are plenty of snowparks and boarder-cross tracks to keep you occupied here too. 'MélèZone' is an excellent place to pratice freeride and freestyle in a semi-manmade environment, allowing for a safer progression to other aspects of freeride.

Town centre

If you would like to experience a charming French village, maybe even a touch of culture, then Serre Chevalier is a highly recommended choice. Villenvue, where the UCPA centre is located, is the main lift hub and also the liveliest with the best atmosphere in the evenings by far. Briancon is a nearby historical town which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site - definitely worth a visit if you fancy some time off skiing.

Serre Chevalier is well known for being particularly friendly and welcoming, with thousands returning year after year. It has a very French feel with a much smaller international influence than other resorts.

Accommodation

UCPA Serre Chevalier is located at the foot of the piste in the main village of Villeneuve. You can ski straight from the centre in the morning and straight back to it in the afternoon. Villeneuve is also the ideal location from which to explore the valley with the best lift access and a good bus service. The centre is one of the nicest UCPA centres in a modern building with a fantastic sun deck overlooking the slopes and an outdoor heated pool (pool is closed 23/24 season).

Rooms

- 3, 4 and 6 person rooms

- Twin rooms available

- Most rooms have shower and sink ensuite with shared toilets located in the corridor

Facilities

- Outdoor heated swimming pool (closed for the 23/24 season)

- Well priced bar and social areas

- Buffet style restaurant with a huge sun terrace

- Ski equipment and storage all on site

- Lift passes provided at the centre

- WiFi in the bar area. Please note the WiFi is not good enough for working on data intensive activities

Food

All UCPA meals are buffet style and with multiple servings the norm; you won't go hungry.

Breakfast is normally yogurts, cereals, fruit juice, coffee and bread - don't be surprised to see that the coffee and tea is taken in a bowl!

It is possible to return to the centre for lunch everyday where you will find 1 or 2 hot options available. As with all meals there will be a salad bar, plenty of bread, cheese, meat and of course desert. If you prefer you can make a packed lunch at breakfast time and eat on the mountain. Either way you will save a fortune avoiding the piste side restaurants.

Dinner is a 3/4 course buffet - typically a salad bar style starter, a choice of 3 hot main courses, a cheese and cold meat platter and ice cream/dessert.

Due to the cost focussed nature of UCPA and the wide range of dietary requirements, it is impossible to accommodate everyone as standard. If you have any severe dietary requirements please contact the centre two weeks before to let them know. Generally speaking vegetarians will find plenty of options, with vegan options being a little more scarce but improving year on year.

Getting there

By Air

The nearest airport to Serre Chevalier is Turin in Italy (132km), followed by Grenoble (150km). Both airports have a good selection of flights throughout the winter to meet the extra seasonal demand.

Airport Transfers

We offer an airport transfer service from Turin and Grenoble airports on Saturdays.

If you would like to use this service please select either 'Turin Airport Transfer’ or 'Grenoble airport transfer' under travel options on the booking screen (transfer prices are for the return journey).

Turin

We offer an airport transfer service from Turin airport on Saturdays. If you would like to use this service please select 'Turin Airport Transfer’ under travel options on the booking screen. The journey is 120km and takes approximately 2.5 hours but can vary due to weather and traffic conditions.

Our transfer partner runs buses from Turin to Serre Chevalier at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 & 16:30. If your flight lands after 15:30 in MAY be possible but isn't guaranteed. Best to contact us to be sure.

Departure buses leave at around 05:30, 06:30 & 10:30. So the earliest flight served would be 09:30. If your flight is much later than 15:00 then a later departure MAY be possible, worst case scenario would be departing at 10:30.

As there are limited transfers, there may be a wait time of a few hours at the airport if there is no one else booked to land/depart at a similar time to you.

Your return transfer will allow sufficient time to get to the airport under normal winter season conditions and allow for 2 hrs to check in.

If your child requires a booster seat, you should bring your own, as the availability and necessity of these will depend on the vehicle that is used.

Please log into your booking to provide your flight details, if you have not already done so. You can enter them here.

Grenoble

Our transfer partner Ben's Bus provides a regular service on Saturdays only between Grenoble and Serre Chevalier.

23/12/2023 - 30/3/2024	Latest flight arrival	Earliest flight departure
All Saturdays (except below)	15:20	10:30
23 Dec	15:20	Not available
30 Mar	Not available	10:30

There is not a timetable as such, as the transfers are arranged to meet with popular flights. There are usually 3 buses every Saturday between Grenoble and Serre Chevalier in each direction.

Typically the transfer time is 2.5hrs, but this can vary due to weather and traffic.

Please log in to your dashboard to enter your flight details as soon as your booking is confirmed and your flights are booked in order that we can book you onto the best possible transfer times, please note that transfers will be subject to availability at the time that we receive your flight details.

Family week transfers from Grenoble

Under 2's may legally sit on a parent's knee and so can travel for free. Please check the expected transfer time of your journey to ensure you and your infant will be comfortable. Those aged between 2-11 may travel using a booster seat only, which you will have to bring yourself or will risk being denied boarding. If your child requires an "infant seat" (cradle-like seat) then you will not be able to travel with Ben's Bus.

By Train

The nearest train station to Serre Chevalier is Briancon which is 10km away. From there the best way to get to resort is via public bus - it is a good local network. See Rome2Rio for more information.

By Car

It is possible to drive to Serre Chevalier, but it is important to note that driving can become extremely challenging on the mountain pass by La Grave if the conditions turn significantly wintery - snow tires and chains may be essential. There is some free parking at the centre but it is not possible to book in advance.