Club Med Serre Chevalier: Why this Southern Alps hidden gem should be on your radar

The buzz of excitement was palpable when Didier proposed his plan for my final day’s skiing at Serre Chevalier.

“Okay, now I think we can go to the summit. Does that sound okay?” the instructor asked our small group who had skied with him through our sunny week in the southern Alps.

From Monday, we had assembled outside our Club Med resort each morning and afternoon, ready to hone our technique under Didier’s expert eye while exploring the 410 hectares of marked runs and many more off-piste areas that make up the largest ski area in the region.

We had traversed mile after mile of mostly blue and red runs, sometimes having to bus it back to our warm and welcoming accommodation from one of the other villages we skied into – tired but exhilarated – in the valley at the end of the day, before meeting up with our children for some family-friendly apres-ski.

Now we were ready for our ultimate challenge. My eyes squinted in the bright sunshine as Didier pointed to the Pic de L’yret, which was, at 2,830 metres, the highest point in the range.

“Are there any sheer drops at the edge of the run?” I asked him nervously. “Hmm. It’s not too bad,” he replied.

It wasn’t an entirely reassuring response, but after four days of thrilling skiing I wasn’t going to bail out now.

The view, after arriving at the top of the long open chairlift ride is staggeringly beautiful. As we ascended, a full panorama of the southern Alps emerged. Didier pointed out the landmark peaks that had come into view: to the west, Barre des Ecrins (4,102m) and La Meije (3,984m). “Italy is just over… there,” he said, pointing in the other direction, not far beyond the town of Briançon.

The ski down was even more thrilling, comprising a 700-metre descent down Yret, a spectacular red run Didier chose over the alternative, the more challenging ‘black’ Cold du Vent. After successfully negotiating the tricky first few turns, we headed off into a vast expanse of eminently skiable off-piste snow, trying our hand at a few little jumps and natural half-pipe sections.

After skiing all the way back to the Club Med hotel, situated yards from a gentle green run just a couple of hundred yards up the slope from the Pontillas gondola station, we reflected on a spectacular end to the day – and week – over a beer in the hotel lounge, while reuniting with our equally happy children.

Club Med Serre Chevalier lies in the heart of the southern Alps, a region that is off the radar for many Brits due to its lengthy three-hour drive from popular alpine fly-in hubs like Geneva and Lyon. However, it is a much more palatable 1hr 45mins transfer from Turin, with flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton served by British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair. The drive past picturesque Italian villages and mountaintop forts is spectacular.

Serre Chevalier is known for its sunshine, boasting 300 days of sun a year, and excellent snow conditions, with 80% of its slopes above 2,000 metres.

Club Med recently reopened its Serre Chevalier resort after an extensive renovation. The décor is in keeping with broader Club Med style – warm, welcoming, modern. There is a strong emphasis on natural wood and textiles, creating a sense of connection with nature. Natural pine panelling surrounds the bar, which adjoins an expansive central lounge filled with super comfortable sofas and pouffes in bright and cheery shades of red, green, blue and turquoise. A large spiralling staircase connects the lounge connects with the main restaurant a floor above and the ski room one below. Children will enjoy running around on all the soft carpets and rugs.

Spacious and ultra-comfortable rooms cater for families or couples, most including balconies overlooking the mountains. Ours had a children’s room (balcony) with two single beds interconnected with the main adult bedroom.

Each has its own bathroom which helps a lot when you’re trying to get two kids ready for the slopes at the same time. There is loads of storage space for all those salopettes and jackets as well as your casual non-ski gear. Style-wise, wood and natural textiles are again to the fore, with checked throws adding a dash of colour on the white linen.

The buffet restaurant offers a seemingly-endless range of delicious options, which change through the week so you never get tired of the ‘same old thing’. Where to start? The raclette of course. Along with that, my list of favourites can be easily reeled off: clam gnocchi (how good?!), oysters, croziflette (traditional French mountain pasta bake with bacon and reblochon cheese), sushi, brisket with roast potatoes. I could go on. And even the fussiest of children should also be easily pleased, with plenty of unadventurous-but-tasty favourites like burger, pasta and of course the ice cream bar.

Drinks-wise, the house wine and draught lager (Kronenburg) are very decent, while the bartenders will happily serve up pretty much any cocktail you desire. Being an all-inclusive resort, you can adopt the ‘all you can eat/drink’ approach without fear of consequence, at least financially.

The beauty of Club Med Serre Chevalier is how easy everything is. Once you’ve been fitted with boots and skis, it’s super simple to get on the slopes as it is a “ski-in/ski-out” resort.

The hotel runs a ski club for children aged four and upwards, leaving mum and dad free to hit the slopes at their leisure.

Any youngsters less keen on skiing can join an indoor kids club where staff are on hand to keep them entertained with plenty of games and crafting materials, while teenagers have their own designated space to hang out.

The resort also has an indoor swimming pool with huge windows affording views across the slopes and mountains beyond.

Guests can also take advantage of the spa, where a range of wellness treatments are available for an extra charge.

A full programme of entertainment is offered every evening in a big theatre that adjoins the lounge – including quizzes for kids, singers, circus acts and DJs.

Have your phones at the ready at lunch time, when a Club Med DJ will usually be mixing some tunes on the sunny (if the weather is playing ball) terrace. Expect dancers, drinks and even the occasional colourful smoke bomb as the staff (or ‘Gentile Organisers’, as they are known) put on a show.

Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Serre-Chevalier, French Alps from £2,905 per adult (based on double occupancy) with return flights from London with transfers included. Price based on departure date 06/04/25.

Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Serre-Chevalier, French Alps from £2,038 per adult (based on double occupancy) with return flights from London (LGW) with transfers included. Price based on departure date 14/12/25. Book now at www.clubmed.co.uk/r/serre-chevalier/w or call 03453 676767.