Travel book · Alpes du Sud

Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon: 250km of slopes between the Écrins and Galibier

By the AEC Collection team Updated on 28 May 2026 4 min read

Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon is not a single domain but a sequence: four resorts aligned over 16 kilometres of valley, Briançon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monêtier-les-Bains, connected by lift systems and a single expanse of larch forest that descends to the pistes. It is this combination, vast terrain, technical skiing, the sunshine of the southern Alps, and a historic town at its base, that defines its character.

The domain spans 250km of pistes between 1200 and 2800 metres altitude, making it one of the largest ski areas in the southern Alps. 59 lifts serve 82 pistes: 13 black, 28 red, 26 blue, 15 green, distributed across the south-facing slopes of the Cerces massif and north-facing slopes of the Écrins massif.

Geography and light

Aspect matters greatly. Serre Chevalier faces both shaded and sunny slopes: the pistes from Le Monêtier descend on the north-facing side, retain snow well into the season, and remain cool during thaws. Those from Briançon and Chantemerle, more exposed to the sun, offer bright morning skiing. This dual aspect allows for vastly different skiing conditions depending on time of day and sector, one reason experienced skiers return repeatedly.

The domain’s emblematic summit, Pic de l’Yret (2830m), accessible by chairlift from Le Monêtier, opens onto a 360° panorama towards the Écrins, Galibier and Queyras massifs. At the other end, Sommet des Prorel (2566m) overlooks Briançon and its Vauban-fortified old town.

Off-piste and quiet valleys

Beyond the marked pistes, Serre Chevalier is among the preferred domains for guided off-piste skiers. The Cucumelle valleys and Cucumelle Sud, accessible from the Le Monêtier sector, offer long descents, little frequented, between larches and rock faces. L’Eychauda, a vast glacial cirque, is a classic for backcountry skiing from the upper station.

For these itineraries, guidance from a mountain guide is essential; the slopes are steep, snowpack conditions can be treacherous, and detailed knowledge of local couloirs is not something to improvise. The Compagnie des Guides de l’Oisans-Écrins and several independent guide services operate from all four villages.

Briançon: the town at the domain’s base

A rare feature: Serre Chevalier descends into a proper town. Briançon (1326m), Europe’s highest city, is not a resort village but a historic commune with its old town fortified by Vauban (UNESCO-listed since 2008), steep narrow streets, restaurants and year-round shops. The Prorel cable car departs directly from the centre, allowing you to stay in town and ski without shuttle buses.

The other villages, Chantemerle, Villeneuve, Le Monêtier, retain a more traditional character: stone houses, old churches, family-run mountain restaurants. Le Monêtier, at the western end of the domain, adds to skiing’s appeal the draw of natural thermal springs, exploited since antiquity.

Serre Chevalier

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When to visit

The high season (Christmas, February, spring holidays) concentrates visitors around the central sectors. For those seeking fresh snow and open pistes, January outside school holidays and the first half of March offer excellent conditions with fewer crowds; southern Alpine sunshine ensures good contrast and comfortable skiing. Late in the season, the north-facing Monêtier slopes remain skiable longer than average.

Planning a stay at Serre Chevalier

AEC Collection selects and represents chalets and apartments of character in the four villages of the domain, from ski-in/ski-out accommodation in Chantemerle or Villeneuve to period properties in Briançon’s historic town centre. Skiing and ancillary activities can be booked directly with local operators.