Big varied mountain with runs for all levels Some lovely runs through the trees Good value accommodation Quiet slopes outside of French hols
Not So Good For...
Can be very busy during French holidays Limited nightlife
Getting There
Briancon Travel
By Air Turin 110km, Grenoble 92km
By Train Train Station - Biancon
By Car To get driving directions to the resort go to either the AA Website or the Michelin Route Planner website www.viamichelin.com or www.theaa.com
Looking for an airport transfer at a good rate? www.skitransfers.com offer an excellent service. English-speaking drivers greet you at the airport and then drive you to the resort. Their vehicles range in size up to a 19 seater minibus. Child seats also available.
About The Resort..
Ski Briancon
The highest Town in France, Briancon is part of the Serre Chevalier – a resort made up of 13 villages. The lift is right in the middle of town and takes you to mid mountain and then onwards. Around the lift station are shops, a casino, bars and restaurants but the area with the real character is the 17th Century fortified quarter with it’s charming cobbled streets, tradional bakeries, accommodation and restaurants It’s easy enough to travel around the villages with a free ski bus (with valid lift pass) though it does seem to stop relatively early.
Resort Restaurants
Briancon Restaurants
Resort Restaurants: Le Monetier – L’Antidote – head here if you want to sample some great Michelin Starred food. Auberge du Choucas – good Boite a Fromages – tradional food with a good fondue
Villeneuve Marotte – classic French cuisine, situated in the old quarter. Refuge – head here for the French favourites – fondue and raclette Petit Duc and Manouille – for crepes
Le Bez Bidule – good food La Ours Blanc = pizza Passe Simple – excellent pizzas here too
Chantemerle Crystal – dine by candelight, smartest place in town Ricelle – good value Couch’ou – pizzas upstairs and good fondue & raclette downstairs
Nightlife..
Briancon Apres Ski and Nightlife
Apres Ski
Briancon Auberge Mont Prorel – situated at the base of the gondola it’s great for après ski and has live music. Often filled with strapping Danes and friendly Brits.
You could head to Villeneuve where La Grotte du Yeti and the Frog are located. Near to the lifts and often filled with a raucous Scandinavian crowd. Loco Loco is also trendy and worth checking out.
In Villeneuve there is the Baita Disco which we recommend for a dance. Loco Loco – great music and good French atmosphere Yeti = lively and trendy Frog = good local beers on offer
Chantermerle Kitzbuhel = shows sports and good for a pizza Triptyque = popular & trendy
Other Activities
Brianco Winter Activities
What else is there to do in Briancon?
Brand new leisure centre in Briancon with a swimming pool is a real attraction. If you head to Chantemerle or Villeneuve there are outside ice skating rink Find out from the tourist office when the Briancon ice hockey team are playing – it’s well worth a watch.
Le Monetier has an indoor/outdoor thermal bath – you will need to book as it’s a very popular place to soak weary limbs and watch the sun go down.
Villeneuve also has a public pool and health spa. Also check with the tourist office for the many walking trails throughout the area
Accommodation
Where should I stay in Briancon?
Most accommodation in the Serre Chevalier is family run operations.
Briancon Vauban (04 92 21 12 11) 3 star modern hotel Auberge de la Paix (04 92 21 37 43) – attractive hotel in the fortified 17 Century quarter. Not exactly ski in ski out but worth it for the atmoshphere and charm in this pretty area of the town.
Chantermerle Boule de Neige – (04 92 24 00 16) www.hotelbouledeneige.com– in the older part of the village Plein Sud – (0492 241 701) run by brits and has a pool and sauna Villeneuve Hotel La Maison du Bez (04 92 24 86 96) www.hoteldubez.com– simple in style but good friendly atmosphere and full of charm. Swedish sauna, hot tub and open fires it is also ski in ski out. (in the hamlet Le Bez) Club Med – www.clubmed.com Christiania (0492 247 6333) – family run hotel on the main road Vielle Ferme (0492 247 644) – at the edge of the village – stylish conversion Chatelas (0492 247 474) – next to the river this is a pretty chalet
Le Monetier – Auberge du Chocas (04 92 24 42 73) www.aubergeduchoucas.com– 3 star smart charming and rustic with 7 course dinners in stone vaulted restaurant
Europe – (04 92 244 003) simple great food and bar and situated in the old village
Alliey (0492 244 002) – see where to eat as this place has a Michelin starred restaurant. It also has an indoor/outdoor spa and is a great choice for accommodation
About The Mountain
Briancon Ski
Trees cover 2/3 of the mountain so this is a great resort when the weather packs in, providing loads of sheltered tree skiing. In total there is around 155m of pistes so plenty of varied skiing which divides across the four main villages. Villeneuve – the most extensive, Chantermerle – which is smaller and below the tree lin, then across to Briancon and then there is also a link from Villeneuve to Le Monetier. This is link is sometimes closed due to high winds and avalanches.
Briancon With the main lift right in the middle of town it’s a quick escape up to the mid station. You really have access to a large ski area (more pistes than La Plagne) and the 6 day passes also include a day in Les Deux Alpes. Alpe D’Huez, Puy St Vincent and Voie lactee (the milky way). You can access all of these resorts by public transport or your own car. Serre Chevalier is one of the French’s favourite resorts so it’s good to check out when their holidays are so you can avoid the rush.
Snowboarders For snowboarder Serre Chevalier is a popular resort. It offer some excellent off-piste , north facing slopes and trees which make for excellent natural obstacles. There are 2 terrain parks Villeneuve and Chantemerle. It’s also offers affordable accommodation away from the busy school holiday weeks.
Mountain Restuarants
Briancon Mountain Restaurants
Relais de Ratier (04 92 24 08 76) above Chantemerle Serre Chevalier at Mid Station has a big sun terrace and reasonable priced Ski plat du jour. Soleil (04 92 24 17 39)
Le Pastelli (04 92 24 70 92) situated in the hamlet of Le Bez – serves a quality 3 course menu at around 30 Euros.
Nearby resorts to Briancon include Serre Chevalier which is a collective of resorts including Villeneuve, Chantermerle, Le Monetier
Puy St Vincent 1400, 1600, 1700 and 1800 are nearby along with Pelvoux which is only 10 minute drive
Purchase the six day Galaxie pass and both these resorts are covered
Within driving distance is the Milky Way area, a venue for the Winter Olympics. Cross the Col de Lauteret and you can reach La Grave and Les Deux Alpe.
Top 5 Runs
Briancon Ski Runs
Top runs - perhaps not five but here's three to start you off on...
Bachas-Le Monetier (black) 700m It’s a tricky run but is situated in the area that usually has the best snow.
Grand Alpe-Chantemerle (green) 800m Very pleasant run through trees which is great for those who are venturing away from the beginner slopes and hope to see what skiing is all about. For experts skiing with a group you can hop off and on the black if it’s all seeming too tedious.
Prorel-Briancon (red) 1300, These southerly facing sunny slopes are very enjoyable and when the snow’s good this is definitely a pleasant run down to Briancon.
Ski & Snowboard Hire Shop
Briancon Ski and Snowboard Hire Shops
We recommend ski hire and snowboard hire at Regis Sport IV situated in the residence Espace du Prorel in Briancon
If you book online here at Snowbrainer you'll make big savings on the resort RRP. It's so easy and convenient, you book online then collect in resort and it saves you time and money.
Ski Books, Snowboard Books and Ski Holiday Information Books
Looking for some information before you go on holiday or looking for a book to read when you are there. Here's some books we recommend. They're worth a read before you head off on your winter holiday or they can make great presents for skiers and snowboarders.
Top 5 Things To Take
Easy to use Piste Maps & Ski Trails Looking for high detailed piste maps for your GPS? Snowranger sells affordable quality digital maps that are great for any ski or snowboard trip. For those of you who’ve ever wondered which run gets you back to France from the Swiss side of Portes du Soleil or you’re racing the clock to get back from a Courchevel lunch to Val Thorens before the lifts shut this is invaluable kit. No more wrestling wet paper maps with frozen fingers! There are over 500 ski resorts piste maps in Europe and North America available. Go to Snow-Forecast Snowranger Film your Mates Jumps, Tricks & Shameful Ski / Snowboard Moments. We love the JAMCAM – it’s a head camera that allows you to capture your days skiing or snowboarding on the mountain. You can rent or buy the kit so for more details head to www.jam-cam.tv If you take the JAMCAM rental service in resort they include a host to record your day. The alternative is to rent before you leave, taking the equipment to the ski resort of your choice and posting back on your return. Gift vouchers are available via the website offering an unusual Christmas or Birthday present for your ski & snowboard mad friends.
What's an easy way to carry skis? Well we found the ‘THE HANDLE’ . This nifty little device allows you to carry your skis around without causing major injury to yourself and other members of the public. It’s incredibly easy to use – no Velcro just a click buckle. It’s also light and small enough to put in your pocket. www.ski-walker.com
Looking for an airport transfer at a good rate? 
Resort Restaurants:
What else is there to do in Briancon?
Le Monetier 
Where should I stay in Briancon?
Trees cover 2/3 of the mountain so this is a great resort when the weather packs in, providing loads of sheltered tree skiing. In total there is around 155m of pistes so plenty of varied skiing which divides across the four main villages. Villeneuve – the most extensive, Chantermerle – which is smaller and below the tree lin, then across to Briancon and then there is also a link from Villeneuve to Le Monetier. This is link is sometimes closed due to high winds and avalanches.
Top runs - perhaps not five but here's three to start you off on...
