Exciting family ski holiday news from the Southern French Alps! Club Med Serre Chevalier opens for winter in November, completely redesigned and looking amazing. We think you’ll like it.
Club Med Serre Chevalier, Southern French Alps
If a mix of sunshine, snow and carefree skiing sound wonderful this winter, an all-inclusive family ski holiday at Club Med Serre Chevalier could be exactly what you have in mind.
Recently redesigned and completely refurbished from top to bottom, we’d say it was almost too cocooning and lovely to leave, if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s in the Southern French Alps on the edge of Écrins National Park, where snow days are many and the mountains irresistible.
Skiing, Écrins National Park, Southern French Alps
The skiing is still amazing at Club Med Serre Chevalier
In fact, skiing is one thing that definitely didn’t need improving at Club Med Serre Chevalier. It’s as wonderful as ever across the largest and sunniest ski area in the Southern Alps where you have access to 250km of slopes, 80% of which sit above 2,000m.
Apart from its impressive statistics, on a comfort level, Club Med Serre Chevalier is ski-in-ski-out and you don’t even have to think about trekking to ski schools. Not only does your all-inclusive holiday include 25-hours of group lessons, you’ll find École Ski de Français (ESF) in the resort itself, which is as fuss-free as it gets on family ski holidays.
Also making everything easier, equipment hire is on-site too, included in your holiday costs and Rossignol is Club Med’s partner of choice at Serre Chevalier, so you can be confident in your kids’ kit giving them the best possible start in the snow.
Briançon, the highest town in France
The neighbours couldn’t be more charming
Then of course there’s Briançon, the highest town in France, set at 1,326m in the Guisane Valley, and right next to Club Med Serre Chevalier.
That’s not a privileged location Club Med takes lightly, as proof you only need to look at how carefully the resort has been redesigned to blend with both the built and natural landscape.
Of course, this location is also another reason families love it here. Briançon is officially a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire and wandering the pretty streets and narrow lanes, it’s not hard to see why.
Between the UNESCO World Heritage fortifications surrounding the old town, pastel painted houses, dramatic bell tower, local shops and markets, all set against a mountain backdrop, it’s definitely somewhere you want to spend time.
In fact the entire area is fairly idyllic, with over 50 peaks soaring above 3,000m, along with sunny glaciers and dense larch forests. The Guisane Valley isn’t just home to Briançon, so if exploring French mountain towns is on your wish list this winter, you’ll be in heaven getting to know the likes of Saint-Chaffrey, Le Monêtier-les-Bains and La Salle-les Bains, all interspersed by off-the-beaten-track, but no less endearing, French hamlets.
Although it’s not just the exterior of Club Med Serre Chevalier that respects the local heritage.
Newly designed accommodation, Serre Chevalier
The sun shines on Club Med Chevalier, inside and out
Light, bright and airy is the new interior design theme. Huge windows make much of the glorious mountain views, and even the traditional sun dials you see on chalets in the Queyras Valley have been an inspiration: raise your eyes to the stunning pendant lamp in the resort reception for proof.
Rooms and suites also revolve around large windows gazing on to the snowy outdoors, although natural wood and warm colours cocoon guests in cosiness and everything is about comfort from luxurious beds to big family bathrooms.
On that note, families will also be pleased to learn that the recent redesign includes a range of inter-connecting rooms, perfect for multi-gen holidays or giving older kids a little safe independence.
Club Med Serre Chevalier, Queyras Valley
Taking a sustainable approach to family ski holidays in the Alps
If you get the feeling that new Club Med Serre Chevalier is particularly thoughtful, you’re right. And it’s no surprise to learn that sustainability has also been a priority in the resorts redesign, from its traditional French hamlet aesthetics right down to supporting local communities.
Like all Club Med resorts in the French Alps, Serre Chevalier is Green Globe certified. So you won’t find any single-use plastics here and live cooking stations in the buffet restaurants significantly reduce food waste. Plus, a focus on optimising energy has seen all Club Med resorts in the Alps reduce consumption by 15% since 2022, and Serre Chevalier is no exception.
Club Med has plenty going on behind the scenes too, like the recycling of more than 9,000 skis and snowboards each year, along with 4,500 pairs of boots. And, speaking specifically about Serre Chevalier again, you may also be interested to know that Club Med works in partnership with the Écrins National Park here to support its conservation and re-vegetation efforts.
Gourmet dining, Club Med family ski holidays
Family restaurants with gourmet menus and views on the side
Food in the Southern French Alps is in a league of its own, and Club Med Serre Chevalier has taken a leaf out of the local book in both its restaurants. First off we should say that gourmet describes everything served here from breakfast to dinner, which is another quality that sets Club Med all-inclusive holidays apart. That said, the atmosphere in every restaurant is easy-going and very child-friendly, from the cosy and colourful design to the excellent kids’ menus.
Le Vauban serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and delights gourmand parents with innovative menus, while also thrilling kids with lots of what they love to eat as well as wonderful desserts. Everything here comes with a helping of incredible views on the side – the picture windows on to the mountains are amazing. And the warm, friendly staff couldn’t be happier to help, whether you want advice on local wines or a high chair.
Serre Chevalier’s speciality restaurant, La Meije, is all about creating the perfect comfort food from the best regional ingredients, echoing the culinary traditions of the French Alps and tempting you to try new tastes: you’re probably familiar with fondue, wild garlic fondue might be a totally new experience.
Even The Izoard bar takes its Alpine credentials seriously, serving great local beer and wine, alongside heartwarming hot chocolate and creative cocktails. Another view-rich experience, here you get to gaze out over La Salleles-Alpes village, known for its lovely belltower.
Although Serre Chevalier more than welcomes children at both Le Vauban and La Meije, it also has a new restaurant, designed just for families with children aged between two and seven. You’ll know it immediately by its bright, candy-colours, relaxed parents and happy kids.
ESF ski instruction included in all-inclusive family ski holidays
Club Med Serre Chevalier is child-friendly by design
Everything at Serre Chevalier is designed to be child-friendly, and that goes for children of all ages, from babies and toddlers – kids under four-years holiday here free of charge – right through to teens.
Fully supervised clubs for ages four to 17 years give parents some time off to ski or spa or do whatever they like. But most important of all they let children play, learn, create and explore, make friends and build confidence. A daily programme of fun activities is another exciting addition to Club Med Serre Chevalier and can be anything from a skiing for beginners introduction to learning about local wildlife.
Pool with a view, Serre Chevalier
The new Club Med Serre Chevalier spa is heavenly
We know skiing will be your priority on a family ski holiday, but even the most passionate skiers need some downtime and that’s where the newly redesigned Pavot Spa at Club Med Serre Chevalier excels. Now with eight wellness cabins and steam baths, as well as an indoor pool with spectacular mountain views, it’s a heavenly place to unwind. Or be energetic if that’s more your thing: the spa incorporates a work out area and you can even take yoga classes.
Plus, the Grands Bains Thermaux at Monêtieres-les-Bains sit right next to Club Med Serre Chevalier. We recommend the Roman Trilogy for sheer indulgence: three pools, with temperatures ranging from 17° to 40°, bliss.
Carefree Club Med family ski holidays
Why families love all-inclusive Club Med ski holidays
Finally, speaking of bliss, Serre Chevalier does have something that hasn’t changed at all. Like all Club Med ski resorts in Europe it’s devoted to giving families the most carefree skiing holidays possible, and a lot of that comes down a very generous and well thought out approach to all inclusive.
Not only do you have everything from ski lessons and ski equipment hire included in your holiday costs, Club Med arrange all the details for you too. It really is as simple as telling them what you want when you book and finding it ready and waiting when you arrive. If that sounds the very opposite of what planning a family ski holiday is usually like for you, here’s what’s included at Club Med Serre Chevalier and there isn’t a better time to book than right now.
- 25 hours of group ski lessons with ESF on-site ski school
- Rossignol equipment hire from the resort’s ski shop
- All gourmet food as well as drink, including wine with meals
- Use of the Pavot Spa and indoor pool
- All family entertainment and activity programmes
- Kids clubs for ages four to 17 years
- Your choice of accommodation at Club Serre Chevalier
Find out more and book your Club Med Serre Chevalier family holiday this winter