Briancon, Serre Chevalier, ski holiday specialist. Book ski apartments at Aigle Bleu with Peak Retreats

Briancon

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Ski area: Grand Serre Che, France
Resort height: 1200m
Resort top height: 2800m

Grand Serre Che
(Briancon, Serre Chevalier)
Km piste: 250
Lifts: 62 (2
Snow cannons: 559 (33%)

No. of slopes: 100

	24		38
	37		12

Beginners
Intermediates
Experts
Freeride
Boarders

Driving distance from Calais: 613 miles (9hrs 50)

resort info

At 1326m officially Europe's highest town, Briançon does have a strong identity that goes beyond winter sports with lots of great shopping and other facilities to entice skiers and non-skiers alike. These include several museums, one specialising in ski history; a casino, several cinemas and a theatre. Dining choices are another strong point, with around 30 restaurants to choose from including the Michelin Guide rated Le Valentin.

Serre Chevalier is the resort name for the four main villages located in a sunny south-facing valley at the foot of the most beautiful peaks in the Ecrins National Park. All linked by 250 km of ski runs and local bus service, they stretch between the Lautaret pass and Briancon.

There are actually 13 villages in total forming Serre Chevalier.

The other 3 main villages close by are Chantemerle (Serre Chevalier 1350), Villeneuve and Montier les Bains. Montier les bains is home to the Serre Chevalier Spa which opens late until 10pm and is accessed via the shuttle system.

The old town of Briancon has a very attractive ancient centre and a long history of snow sports too, with France’s first ski school established here in 1902. As you ascend above in the gondola you’ll see a variety of 17th century fortifications that developed over several centuries laid out below you.

Indeed many people will enjoy just wandering around the streets of Briançon and taking in the fountains, squares, sundials, the twin-towered eighteenth century church and its ancient streets complete with ‘gargouille’ - a small canal that runs down the centre of the street. The lower town is the most active area with shops, market, cafés and restaurants clustered around Rue Centrale leading to the Rond Point du Quyeras. In 2008 several buildings in the town, including its walls and fortress, were classified World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Leisure facilities include an indoor swimming pool complex incorporating an Olympic size pool, a hot tub, massaging waterfalls, rivers, geysers, massage jets and a 65m long giant slide. There’s also a spa section complete with sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and relaxation solarium. Ice hockey matches featuring the local Diables Rouges de Briançon team are well worth attending.

Briançon also has a reputation for sunshine, receiving an official average of 300 days of sunny weather each year. So it is a major outdoor activity centre year round, not just in winter, often hosting starts and finishes of stages of the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia.

See Briacon in the Guardian October 2012

Why Briancon?

· Large ski area with mixture of wooded/open runs

· Good snow record & excellent sunshine conditions

· A friendly resort ambience

Opening Dates
Child Care
Activities
Apres Ski/Eating
Access
Other Amenities

Opening Dates

Opening dates: 10/12/2011 – 15/04/2012

Child Care

Serre Chevalier has acquired the Famille Plus & Top of the French Alps label for its childcare facilities. Please view here to view more information on the Famille Plus & Top of the French Alps label.

Childcare in Serre Che

Nearest crèche in in Chantemerle village, a shuttle bus or car ride away. You can then catch the gondola from Chantemerle.

Les Poussins

Tel: 0033 492 24 03 43. Chantemerle

Open from 15th December 2009 – 23th April 2010. Booking required.

At Serre Chevalier 1350 (Chantemerle) - children from 8 months which is conveniently located at the foot of the main slope, right in the centre of the resort and on the ESF Kindergarten.

From 9am-5pm.

Rates 09/10:

- 1 day (meal + afternoon snack) : 49 euro
- 1 morning 9am - 12am : 23 euro
- 1 morning + meal (9am - 2pm) : 36 euro
- 1 afternoon with afternoon snack 1.30 - 5 pm : 27 euro

Sledge runs in Chantemerle & Villeneuve

Sledge areas specially equipped for children; at the bottom of the runs in our resort:

Chantemerle
- At the bottom of Luc Alphand slope, a sledge run especially for the youngest.

Villeneuve
- A sledge run next to the ski-lift of l’Aiche.
- A Sensations + slope at the Micky half pipe.

Childrens Ski Lessons in Serre Chevalier

Children can ski from 3 years old in Briacon with ESF.

2 special closed and secured spaces are made specially for children who have never skied before with an automatic, a rope tow and a heated chalet at the ground floor level. They will learn ski playing games until passing the first official test approved by all the French Ski School in France: The "Piou-piou" or the "Ourson".
Peak Retreats can pre-book this. See here for details.

Activities

Ice Rink – 37 rue Gonnet Bermond 05100 Briançon

Parc 1326, with its Olympic-size (60 x 30m) indoor heated rink. They offer public skating sessions or themes: fluorescent evenings, mouss'party, DJ nights ...

Briancon has an ice hockey team too!

Swimming pool (Parc 1326)

Open all year.

Covered swimming pool 28 ° / Whirl-pool with bench play 32 ° massaging waterfalls, rivers, geysers, massage jets, against the current, solarium. 65 m giant slide, wading pool with mushroom water. Sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, relaxation solarium, panoramic cafeteria. Complimentary parking, local buses.

Hiking

Between the Parc National des Ecrins and Queyras Regional Park, lovers of scenery will be captivated by what the breathtaking nature that reigns at the foot of famous peaks like the Barre des Ecrins (4102 m), the Meije (3983 meters ) or the Pelvoux (3953 m).

Mountain activities

In the company of professionals, a multitude of sports are offered:

Climbing, Via Ferrata amongst others

Casino Barrière de Briançon

7 Avenue Maurice Petsche 05100 Briançon

Tel: 04.92.20.66.66

Casino Barrière de Briançon is open every day of the year. Slot machines, table games, bar, restaurant, entertainment ... there is always something to do at the Casino.

Grimp'in Forest

Tel: 04 92 46 16 91

Website:

www.grimpinforest.com

Acrobatic course in the height of the pars Schappe at the foot of Vauban's fortifications, zip lines through the bridges of monkeys, our 5 courses await you, green, blue, red, black according to difficulty. Tyrolean (114m descent). Open during Winter February only from 13H30 to 17H00. Adults €20, juniors €16.

Thermal baths

In Montier les Bains hot springs run through this authentic village (42c). There are shuttles running every 20 mins to Montier les Bains. It’s about a 30 min bus ride from Chantemerle.

GRANDS BAINS DU MONETIER – at foot of the slopes.

Panoramic bar restaurant facing the glaciers is open all year from 12h.

Opening times 2011/2012:

02/12-16/12 and 09/01-10/02 and 12/03-08/05

Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun – 10am – 9pm

Tues, Wed, Thurs – 2pm – 9pm

COSTS:

2hr entry - €18 for adults, 3hr entry - €21

2hr entry - €8 for children, 3hr entry - €9

17/12-08/01 and 11/02-11/03

Everyday 10am-10pm

COSTS:

2hr entry - €18 for adults, 3hr entry - €21

2hr entry - €8 for children, 3hr entry - €9

€5 supplement for over 18’s area.

Over 4500m2 dedicated to rest and relaxation! You have access to face and body treatments (included in 2hr access).

‘Grands Bains’ zone
The outside pool covers over 300m2 and is equipped with a wide variety of water features and effects: fountain jets, river chute, relaxation zones and outside Jacuzzi. It’s regulated at 36c.

The indoor pool is over 300m2 and is fed by naturally heated hot water with a Jacuzzi, water-massage course, bubble beds, underwater shower columns, micro-bubble zones and spouts…It’s regulated at 36c.

Around the indoor pool: three traditional Roman bath features (frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium), steam room, salt-water pool, mineral grotto, musical grotto, steam/fog makers… and children’s area.

Indoor relaxation rooms as well as terrace-solariums upstairs.

‘Romano-Irlandais (Romano-Irish)’ zone
Exclusive zone reserved for those over 18, with saunas, steam rooms, outside pool, range of private shower facilities, terrace-solarium with Jacuzzi and waterfall. This ticket gives access to the ‘Grands Bains’ zone and the ’Romano-Irlandais (Romano-Irish)’ zone.

‘Health & Beauty Institute’
The ‘Health & Beauty Institute’ offers you a range of made-to-measure and 1 to 6-day treatment programmes: hydrotherapy care using natural mineral water (water-massage baths, jet showers…), face and body treatments, luxurious scrubs, wraps and toning treatments.

All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website

Briancon Tourist Office

Office de Tourism de Briancon

Tel: + 33 (0)4 92 21 08 50

http://www.ot-briancon.fr

Apres Ski/Eating

Many restaurants and bars, cinemas, nightclubs.

Access

By Road: Driving distance from Calais 613 miles (9hrs 50)

Take A36 through Reims, Dijon A6 Maçon, Lyon then A432/A48 to Grenoble. Take N91 then follow signs for Briancon.

By Rail: Briancon is served by a direct night train. TGV from Paris to Grenoble.

Paris-Oulx (Italy 30km) in 4h30 TGV. Regular buses Oulx-Briançon-daily.
Gare d'Oulx tél.00 39 0 122 83 10 97

Airports:

Turin Airport (Italy) is 125km from Serre Che (1 ½ hours)

hours)

www.grenoble-airport.com

Chambery is 174km from Serre Chevalier (2 ¼ hours)

www.chambery-airport.com

Lyon-St Exupéry is 251km from Serre Chevalier (2 ¾ hours)

Connection by bus from Saint Exupéry airport or Grenoble railway station –

www.vfd.fr

www.lyonairport.com

Geneva Airport to Serre Chevalier is 295km (3 ¼ hours)

www.gva.ch/en

Marseille is 300km from Serre Chevalier (3 hours)

Bus service (www.navettesblanches.com) - €90 per family, €35 per adult and €17 per child return.

Getting around Serre-Chevalier
Serre Chevalier's free ski shuttle buses take you from one end of the valley to the other, stopping at many convenient points along the Route Nationale.

It is free for all those with a valid lift pass or Carte d'Hote.

The buses run between 07:55 in the morning and 18:20 in the afternoon from Briancon [Serre Chevalier 1200] up to Le Monetier les Bains [Serre Chevalier 1500]. There are night shuttles between 19.30-23.30 so you can enjoy the thermal baths in Monetier les Bains. Buses run from Briancon – Monetier les Bains.

The Briancon bus stop is right next to the Prorel cable car.

These buses run from 10/12/11 – 27/04/12 normally.

Airport transfers

Please enquire for Serre Chevalier transfers (private taxi).

Other Amenities

Supermarkets etc. banks, post offices, , doctors, dentists, cash points, bureau de change.

ski info

Briancon is well-placed directly within the largest ski region in the Southern Alps and offers a very different type of ski holiday to most of the choice in the Alps. This makes it a good choice for mixed groups with non-skiers in their party, as well as skiers and boarders wanting to access the 250km of lift-linked skiing of Serre Chevalier, of which the resort is a part.

BRIANCON SKI AREA

Briançon has 24km of pistes itself best suited to intermediate and beginner skiers. However the resort’s main gondola (Télécabine du Prorel) provides access to the 250km of inter-linked lifts and runs of Serre Chevalier, which offers a vertical of up to 1301m, one of France’s and indeed the world’s largest ski areas with terrain for all standards. For snowboarders and freestyle skiers there are seven terrain parks and a half pipe. A small proportion of the pistes at Briancon are covered by snowmaking.

Most of the ski area is above 2000m and Serre Chevalier has 477 hectares of groomed and maintained ski runs. Most slopes face North or North-East and so snow is usually pretty reliable.

Trees cover almost two thirds of the mountain, providing some of Frances best bad weather terrain.

There are exceptional views with a 360 degree panorama with views over the Ecrins mountain range, Italian Alps and across to Mont Blanc in good weather. There are ski runs over 1500m long to enjoy the views from.

BRIANCON BEGINNERS

At the top of the Prorel gondola (1^st stage) there is a small beginners area with drags and few green nursery slopes. From here take the 2^nd stage of the Propel gondola for some long blues to progress. Above Briancon is mainly blue and red runs. Don’t forget you can take the bus (or drive) to the other Serre Chevalier villages which each have their own nursery slopes.

BRIANCON INTERMEDIATES

Intermediate skiers will enjoy the breadth of the ski area, its efficient lift system with some of the longest lifts in Europe and runs of varying gradient and difficulty level all above and below the tree line. Ski Serre Chevaliers knee-burning ‘Vauban’ red run that unusually brings you into the main shopping street of the busy town of Briancon is an experience not to be missed. There are some great views from the long red runs into Briancon town.

BRIANCON EXPERTS

Advanced skiers have a good selection of red and black runs but should head off-piste for more challenging runs. The 6km, tricky 1000m vertical ‘Luc Alphand’ Olympic black run down to Chantemerle is a must. For steepish runs search higher up in the mountain to slopes served by the two top lifts above Le Monetier and 3 above Villeneuve.

BRIANCON OFF-PISTE

Off piste skiers will enjoy a huge amount of terrain throughout the area above Villeneuve and Chantemerle. La Voie Jackson run accessed viathe Yret chair above Le Monetier includes a short climb between rocks to a deserted open bowl.

The experts mecca of La Grave is also nearby for those who dare.

BRIANCON SNOWBOARDING

Snowboarding in Serre Chevalier - with its superb natural terrain, Serre Chevalier’s skiing is regarded as one of the top snowboarding destinations in France.

Snowmaking covers over 30% of the pistes in the Serre Chevalier domain.

Ski Hire
Ski Passes
Ski School
Activities

Ski Hire

Ski hire Briancon prices start from £33 for children (skis and boots) & £47 for adults (skis and boots) for 7 days. View here for Briancon ski hire prices.

Ski Passes

Le Serre-Chevalier Lift Pass (250km of pistes) 12/13	6 days	7 days	SPECIAL OFFER: FREE child pass (6-11yrs) when 1 adult pass bought Weeks of 9/02, 30/03 & 06/04
Adult	£180	£213
Child (6-11yrs)	£144	£170
Senior (65-74yrs)	£162	£191
Child (under 6)*; Senior (over 75)	Free	Free
NOTE: €3/pass for hands-free pass TO PAY LOCALLY - PHOTO COMPULSORY Proof of age is compulsory; please bring ID when collecting lift-passes.

A 6+ day lift pass allow you to ski for 1 of the 6 days that the pass is valid for in Montgenevre (Via Lattea), Puy St Vincent, 2 Alpes, Alpe d'Huez or Sestrière (Italy)

Please note that there is also a cheaper lift pass for beginners although we cannot pre-book this. Beginners are advised to buy this pass in resort.

FREE PASSES!

Children under 6 and seniors over 75 receive a FREE lift pass.

Note: Proof of age will be required for reduced price passes.

Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):

For complete beginners 12/13:

BRIANCON ONLY:

1 return trip on the 1^st section of the Prorel gondola + Pitchounets draglift - €12.10

Serre Chevalier ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 12/13:

½ day (3 hours) - €30.50 children, €37.90 adults

Day - €44.50 children, €33.50 adults

Briancon ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 12/13:

½ day (3 hours) - €26.30 children, €20.90 adults

Day - €30.60 children, €24.40 adults

Ski School

Briancon Ski School ESF 12/13 Lessons only (lift passes not included)
	Adult	Children	Piou-Piou 3-4yrs
	Adult	5-12yrs	Piou-Piou 3-4yrs
SKI 6 mornings	£122	£127	£127
SKI 6 full days (am + pm)	n/a	£239	n/a
SNOWBOARD (+10yrs)	23/12-6/1 + 16/2-16/3		Other periods
SNOWBOARD (+10yrs)	£146		£127
Group Lesson Times: 23/12-6/1: 09.15-11.45; 16/2-15/3: 09.00-11.30; Other periods: Sunday 14.15-16.45, then Monday-Friday 9.30 -12.00 ALL TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED


SPECIAL FAMILY OFFER: £450 for 6 morning sessions for 2 adults + 2 children

Please note that a booking fee of £9 per party will apply

Briancon Individual Tuitions

(11/12 prices, NOT pre-bookable)

(1 to 2 persons)

	Cost
1hr	47 €
1hr30	71 €
2hr	92 €

Individual tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these.

Please note that prices are only an indication and are subject to change

Ski school Serre Chevalier contact numbers:

Ecole du Ski Français Serre-Chevalier 1350 +33 492 24 17 41

Group Ski School: Please note that: Lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods (23/12-6/1, 16/2-16/3 & 14/4-21/4) we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. AM lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer PM classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times. Please note that a booking fee of £9 per party will apply.

Activities

Mountain restaurants in Briancon/Serre Chevalier

Terrain Parks in Briancon/Serre Chevalier (snowparks)

8 fun areas: snowpark – boardercross - Arva Park (Avalanche safety training zone). Beginners’s area – ‘brut de neige’ areas (where snow is not packed down) and ‘discovery’ zones.

Situated on the Foret chairlift above Villeneuve incorporates 20 different features for all levels (ramps, step ups, rails and kickers). Improvements include a new beginner ride-on rails and a tree trunk jib on the expert line.

A new boardercross has been shaped at Grand Alpe above Chantemerle. A half-pipe can be found at the bottom of the Aravet gondola in Villeneuve.

- 7 tables, with one or two ramps (depending on snow conditions):
rails
- boxes
- waves
- 1 C Box
- 1 rainbow
- 1 step-up
- 1 Jib Tree

Serre Chevalier Réflexe Snowpark

Come and test how you brake!

Come to the area, take speed and brake at the orange signs. If you stay in the blue area, no probs! But if you finish in the red area, try again and again to have better control of your speed!

Thanks to electronic cells, you will also know what your speed was before braking.

Location: Snowpark area, plateau de la rouge, Villeneuve

Access: la Forêt chairlift

Boardercross

Location: Combe du Grand Serre - Chantemerle
Access: Le Grand Serre Chairlift, Combe I & II lifts

Fun route with 5 revamped turns, with various ramps on 80 to 100 meters denivelation.
Accessible to all.

Cross-country in Briancon/Serre Chevalier

Hautes-Alpes Country Skiing

64 High Street 05100 Briançon

Tel: 04.92.20.15.09

The Briançon, 10 northern sites: Villar Arêne, Serre Chevalier, Val Clarée (Névache, Val des Pres, the Alberts), Montgenèvre, Cervières, Villard St Pancras, Vallouise Puy Saint Vincent and Fressinières.

Snowshoes

Serre Chevalier has several routes starting in the valley as well as four mountain circuits designed to help you explore these splendid areas, surrounded by mighty peaks. A real breath of fresh air!

A guide to these snow-shoe walks is available at the Serre Chevalier tourist office.

Snow-shoe walks in the company of a mountain professional are designed to help you discover life in the mountains in winter:
the winter fauna (chamois, ibex etc), the forests, the high-valley environments, and the different kinds of snow and its dangers (avalanches etc). Or maybe you’re simply after long, peaceful walks through untracked snow, far from the crowds, savouring the silence of the mountains.

Chantemerle

Ecole du Ski Français
3 hours 26 € snowshoes supplied - Tel: 33 (0)4 92 24 17 41

Villeneuve

Ecole du Ski Français
23 € to 25 € material, transport and arva included
Tel: 33 (0)4 92 24 71 99

Other Accommodation In: Briancon

Aigle Bleu
Apartments. Sleeps 2-10
The Aigle Bleu residence is ideally located right by the cable car (Telecabine du Prorel) giving access to the whole ski area and just a short walk to the bustling centre of Briançon.