Serre Chevalier France

Serre Chevalier Ski Holidays at Christmas

Rick Lomas — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:11:58 +0000

What about spending Christmas and New Year skiing in Serre Chevalier?

With your entire family or a group of friends, the white snow and green pines trees are sure to add to that very special Christmas holiday.

We really like this time of year because the slopes are quiet, the weather is usually beautiful and the snow is great.

Get started; book one of our Christmas Serre Chevalier specials here!

Chantemerle Cable Car

Rick Lomas — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:21:32 +0000

Chantmerle cable car

Originally uploaded by embofishwick

It’s amazing how Serre Chevalier changes during the seasons, this photo was from only a couple of weeks ago, since then Autumn has really hit and the colour of the trees is incredible, I’ll take some photos in the next couple of days and post them to show you.

Serre Chevalier Holidays with Ski Horizon

Rick Lomas — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:49:18 +0000

Serre Chevalier Holidays: Cheap deals now available with Ski Horizon

Serre Chevalier Transfers

Rick Lomas — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:04:51 +0000

Up until recently we have been recommending ATS as a transport company to get you from our not so nearby airports to Serre Chevalier. ATS are a fine company at their home resort of Chamonix, but I have heard a few reports back from Serre Chevalier visitors that the service from Turin is not always that good as they lease out their work to Italian taxi companies and quite often the drivers don’t know the French resorts such as Serre Chevalier at all. So there is a new company in town called The Alpine Transfer Company who are english speaking and know Serre Chevalier and the surrounding area really really well.

You can get a quote right here or there is more information available if you visit Serre Chevalier Transfers

Darren and Bushy’s Wedding

Rick Lomas — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:11:50 +0000

We have just been to the wedding of Darren Turner (of Insight Ski) and Carol Bush, they have been together for ages so it as about time they got married! The wedding was at the Mairie in St Chaffrey. As usual with most weddings in Serre Chevalier it rained. I believe this is supposed to be good luck.

Our daughter Maddy made this card for Darren and Bushy which I thought was worth sharing with the Serre Chevalier dot org readers.

Serre Chevalier 2008

Rick Lomas — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:54:57 +0000

Serre Chevalier 2008

Originally uploaded by Peter Giger

It’s a bit rainy today, so it was nice to find this photo of a nice friendly looking cow!
The summer season officially finishes here this Sunday, so this is when everyone starts making their preparations for the Serre Chevalier Winter Season 2008/2009. It seems remarkable that in just 3 months we will be skiing in these mountains.

A classic Serre Chevalier ramble - Le Casset to the Lac de la Douche

Susan Lomas — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:58:56 +0000

This is a beautiful walk, suitable for all reasonably fit family members. It is uphill all the way so do carry and drink plenty of water, with food to suit your energy requirements. For parents with young families it is worth noting that to my surprise my four year old and her classmates recently managed to do this walk on a school outing, but they are accustomed to walking and running at altitude, and of course did not have their parents on hand to whinge at! Backpacks would be helpful indeed essential for toddlers. Please note that dogs are strictly not allowed in the Parc National des Ecrins, where this walk is located, because of the large numbers of flocks of sheep and herds of chamois also.

Map used:TOP 25 IGN 3436 ET, Meije-Pelvoux.

Duration of walk: allow 1hour 45 mins to reach the Lac de la Douche and two-thirds of that time to return to your starting point.

Altitude at starting point: 1512m

Altitude at highest point: 1901m

Change in altitude: 392m

How to get to Le Casset:

Take the RN 91(RD 1091) from Briancon to Monetier les Bains, heading in the direction of the Col de Lautaret. As you leave Monetier and the road bends to the left, take the turning on the left, signposted to Le Casset (D300). It is preferable for environmental reasons to park your car in the car park just before the entrance of the village.

Begin your walk on foot from here continuing along the obvious road in to the village of Le Casset. Walk past the buvette on your right, opposite the first bridge (unless of course you are thirsty already!). Continue up through the village, noting the classic alpine houses and sundials, as the road weaves to the left and then cross the next bridge over the Guisane river which will be signposted Parc National des Ecrins. This walk is clearly signposted throughout with red and white markers on the rocks too.

Follow the winding GR 54 footpath into the larch forest. Keep to the forest path, and cross the Petit Tabuc torrent at the Pont (bridge) du clot du Gue. Enjoy the sight and sound of the rushing white water from the torrent which accompanies you throughout your journey. Watch out for wildlife such as squirrels or chamois especially at dawn or dusk. When you reach the clearing known as the Grand Pre (altitude 1683m) follow the footpath to the left, signposts for the lake are obvious. The climb becomes steeper, narrower and more rocky, until the forest opens out into a plateau with a view of the Casset glacier and then you’ve reached the lake.

The Lac de la Douche (shower) is so named because of the cascade that flows into the top of the lake, looking rather like, yes you’ve guessed it, a shower. Even though this a popular walk there are nooks amongst the rocks for everyone to chill out and enjoy the beauty of the lake. The water has a beautiful milky turquoise sheen to it, known as the “farine glaciale”, literal translation meaning “flour from the glacier” apparently caused by the abrasion of water from the glacier on the bed rock.

The return journey back to Le Casset is by the same route.

Hardy mountain walkers may be interested in the longer walk ( time allowed for outward journey starting at Le Casset, 6 hours 30 mins ) that continues from the Lac de la Douche on to the Col d’Arsine (2320m) and the Lac d’Arsine.

Serre Chevalier Ski School

Rick Lomas — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:02:14 +0000

I’m just having a chat with Olivier from Snow Connections about getting their business rocking for next winter, they are are a new ski school to the area and I thouroughly rate them.

Serre Chevalier discovered by accident

Rick Lomas — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:12:55 +0000

I just got this great email that I wanted to share, it’s from Robin Perez who accidently discovered Serre Chevalier last year:

"If I tell you the truth you’ll laugh, the thing is i have no clue how to ski… yep. I come originally from Cuba, where never snows and have lived in the States always in the south (Miami, Houston) where does not snow either, but have always dream of being able to do it. Maybe I’ll take some lessons (do you know anyone? haha). Anyways, being a skier or not, I would like to stay a few days in the Serre Chevalier area, my wife and I went to Europe last year for the first time and we got kind of lost in our rented car, ending up in some extremely beautiful places in the French Alps, we stopped and played with the snow (a first for both of us) in Col du Lautaret, then drove by your area without stopping until Briançon.

Now we want to go back and stay more time in the Alps. You can check our crazy tour in this website: www.europa07.com I will contact you whenever we are ready to look for accommodation."

Horse riding in Serre Chevalier

Susan Lomas — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:43:28 +0000

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced horse rider, an excursion on horseback along the Serre Chevalier valley is a magical experience.

We took a two-hour accompanied round trip trek from the Ranch du Grand Aigle in Le Lauzet, (situated between the village of Monetier les Bains and the Col de Lautaret) following the Guisane river south to the picturesque village of Le Casset. These villages are deemed to be the gateway to the Parc National des Ecrins.

We asked for the trek to be suitable for riders with a small amount of experience or rather rusty in the saddle! The route we followed would be suitable for beginners too, the trek leader will ask if everyone is happy to trot or canter, and if you are not, just say so. Ideally don’t whoop with excitement when your horse takes off in a canter, it does spook the other animals and is not really good form… I had to use my neckerchief as a gag! I rode "Pieds Blancs" (White Feet) a very steady and responsive chestnut pony, aged about 21yrs old who is often used for beginners or youngsters.

We sang a few choruses of "Mustang Sally" in honour of our friend Sally’s birthday…"All you want to do is ride around Sally, ride Sally ride…! etc etc.

The scenery is just amazing and it is great to enjoy it at a relaxed pace. The pastures even now at the end of June are a mass of multicoloured alpine flowers, yellows, purples, pinks and with all the spring rain the grasses are long and lush. The route we followed alternates between shady forest and more open meadows. The sky above the craggy grey mountain tops was deep azure blue. One highlight of the excursion was the terrific view of the majestic La Meije glacier, still snow covered in the midsummer heat. Heaven on earth. As you turn down to the village of Le Casset, the tall tower of the Italian-style church, surrounded by clusters of stone houses, makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

How to book a trek from the Ranch du Grand Aigle, le Lauzet, Serre Chevalier:

All treks must be booked in advance, and at peak holiday times you should do your best to enquire by phone or email a good few weeks in advance and confirm in person when you arrive for your holiday. We were recommended to book the trek through the Centre d’Equitation at Villeneuve, (riding stables) which is located next to Hotel Le Sporting and the Go-Kart track, along the RN91, on the outskirts of Villeneuve, heading in the direction of Monetier.

NB., As riding stables are busy places with the stable managers working the horses for much of the day, it can be quite difficult to get through by telephone, so I went along in person. Also the stable managers tend to speak only minimal English. I spoke to Helene at the riding stables in Villeneuve who contacted the Ranch du Grand Aigle in le Lauzet for me to check availablity for the booking.

Club Hippique de Serre Chevalier, Centre d’Equitation Villeneuve, Helene et Paul Eric Daniel: Tel. +33 (0)4 92 24 78 61 or mobile: +33 (0)6 84 14 39 76

If you want to check out the websites and try communicating by email, here are the addresses:

www.ranchdugrandaigle.com

www.clubhippique-serreche.com

ch.serreche [ at ] wanadoo.fr

We paid 36 euros per person (summer price 2008) for a two hour guided trek, from 10am until 12 midday. You arrive 15 minutes early to help groom and saddle up the horses. Hat hire is included in the price. You will follow an experienced trek leader who is assisted by the ranch’s team of experienced riders, appropriate numbers chosen according to number and riding experience of the clients. The horses are really well cared for and well turned out, with comfortable saddles.

Other packages / prices available on application.