Serre Chevalier Snowboarding

The Snow Park is split into beginner, intermediate and advanced areas with about thirty features in total. The beginner area has small jumps, a box and hip jump ideal for first timers in a park. The intermediate area has three decent sized kickers, a box and rainbow rail. The advanced area has three black jumps, the last of which is enormous, but not always open. A small drag lift services the park and passes the park shaper’s lodge where there is a chill out area playing reggae tunes with occasional BBQs.

A little further down the mountain past Aravet on the way to Chantemerel is the ‘Melezone’, a snow park named after the ‘Meleze’ (French for Larches) trees that unfold in the forests where classic snow park attractions have been sculpted from local wood. Features include boxes made of huge logs split in half, wooden jibs, horses and seesaws to slide over. The Melezone, serviced by a draglift off the side of the black run ‘Luc Alphand, is a good place to practice freestyle while riding in the picturesque forests, however, be careful of those using the area for picnicking!

Serre Chevalier’s visible and easily accessible off-piste offers ample opportunity for free riders to spot good cliff jumps and cut some lines in fresh powder without the need for long treks. A short easy hike up La Cucumelle or La Balm will lead riders to lengthy off-piste descents, over natural half pipes, interesting rock features and through-the-trees. Serre Chevalier’s excellent tree skiing is ideal for snowboarders and skiers alike as the trees are perfectly spaced enabling riders to navigate the trees in many directions and at speed. 

Serre Chevalier’s off-piste tends to be visible from the chairlifts and is not exceptionally gnarly and, therefore, it is fairly safe for experienced off-piste skiers and riders. The off-piste can be mostly accessed without the need for a guide, but should be ridden with care and with the use of avalanche beacons. There is an Arva park in Monetier that simulates the use of beacons in a burial situation along with six Arva check points across the mountain that are well marked on the piste map.