French ski resort of Serre Chevalier has lots to shout about

The charming Provencal character of Serre Chevalier, Southern French Alps, with its 13 towns and villages, 250km of dramatic, high altitude, tree-lined slopes and 35kms of cross country tracks, has a bumper season in store and offers even more good reasons to ski this vast, varied mountain.

In the second year of its 50€ million investment programme, the region sees the introduction of the Holiski Card allowing skiers to beat the queues with pay-as-you-go usage rights. Members can achieve discounts off lift passes of up to 30% per day and users can manage their own account online.

The Snow Park, which was moved higher up the mountain last season, will benefit from a new drag lift and an increased snow making network will ensure that these superb high altitude pistes will remain in perfect condition, even with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year.

Families are already well catered for in Serre Chevalier which is proud to have gained the Family Plus certificate. This acknowledges the extent of organised child friendly events which take place each season to encourage children and families to explore the mountains safely. All children under six qualify for a free ski pass.

Wellbeing takes number one priority in Serre Chevalier – voted number 1 wellness resort in front of Chatel and Megeve by Alpes Magazine – which has been blessed with natural hot springs since time immemorial. The spa in Monetiers Les Bains, which has seen ownership by private companies and municipal authorities over the past 60,000 years will welcome the official opening of Les Grands Bains for 2008/09. The centre can accommodate up to 1200 people per day over three floors that feature indoor and outdoor pools with naturally heated water to 37 degrees C; Roman water features; relaxation zones; steam, jacuzzi and sauna; a health & beauty institute, and an oasis of calm reserved especially for adults.

Want more action? Want to learn to drive a piste basher in Serre Chevalier? For 50€ you can enrol at Piste Basher school and learn to navigate these powerful machines. With your own instructor, you will drive on a purpose built circuit with, bumps, corners and banks to learn how the experts maintain and groom the beautiful pistes of Serre Chevalier, ranked second out of 28 resorts in a recent survey by French company, Contours.

Serre Chevalier has also earned several Green Certificates for environmental protection in recent years, testimony to its responsibility in keeping the mountain and its slopes in excellent condition for generations to come.

A range of accommodation is available now and featured in the comprehensive Erna Low 2009 brochure. For more information, visit Ernalow.co.uk.