Club Med Serre Chevalier

Sunlight, green larch forests and a babbling brook running through the small valley of Serre Chevalier. This isn’t the snow-globe winter wonderland I imagine when I picture the Alps. Even on the three-hour drive up from Milano Malpensa Airport, the fields are still lush in the dead of winter, though the vast white peaks in the distance filled me with a sense of anticipation of what’s to come.

Club Med Serre Chevalier sits right at the foot of the slopes in La Salle-les-Alpes, which is designed like a small mountain hamlet. It’s part of the brand that practically invented the all-inclusive ski holiday. And here, that concept plays out with ski passes, lessons, gear, childcare, buffet spreads and après-ski entertainment all bundled into one reassuringly frictionless week.

Why stay at Club Med Serre Chevalier?

If you’re travelling with children, Club Med Serre Chevalier is a logistical dream. Almost an entire floor is dedicated to kids’ clubs, from toddlers to teens. I watch parents drop off mini skiers in helmets and easily identifiable neon bibs, then glide off for their own morning on the slopes. Families reconvene at dinner, snow-flushed and starving.

The resort gives you direct access to 250km of ski terrain in the Serre Chevalier valley, one of the largest domains in the southern Alps. Eighty percent of the slopes sit above 2,000 metres, which means reliable snow. The headline stat locals love quoting, though, is this: around 300 days of sunshine a year so you don't have to worry about foggy conditions and low visibility.

What are the rooms like at Club Med Serre Chevalier?

There are 350 rooms in total spread across the resort. I stay in a Superior Room, which comes with a small balcony overlooking the rest of the property and the mountains beyond. It’s a pretty perfect view to wake up to each morning.

The décor leans playfully Alpine, with bright orange accents on the bed frame and curtains, navy carpet with graphic patterns and rounded headboards inspired by sundials (a nod to the area’s obsession with sunshine). It’s slightly kitsch, but in a way that feels fun and intentional.

Every room has beds that split into twins if needed, which is useful for families or friends sharing. There’s a decent-sized bathroom with a bathtub – essential for soaking sore legs after a full day skiing – and enough storage for bulky winter gear.

It’s comfortable and cosy, though not ultra-luxe. Soundproofing isn’t perfect; I hear the low murmur of neighbours through the walls, so if you’re a light sleeper, pack earplugs.

Which are the best places to eat and drink at Club Med Serre Chevalier?

Le Vauban is the main restaurant and social hub. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are buffet-style, with different themes rotating through the week so you never get bored. One afternoon, we have a Moroccan spread; another night, it’s French classics. Saturday dinner – the final dinner before Sunday checkout – is the standout, with a live foie gras station and fresh oysters adding a touch of theatre.

For something cosier, La Meije focuses on regional comfort food like fondue with morel mushrooms and pierrade (hot stone-grilled meat). It’s part of the all-inclusive experience, but you can’t just turn up whenever you like – reservations are required, as the space is much smaller than the main buffet area.

The central bar, L’Izoard, anchors the enormous lobby hall. This is where everyone gathers after skiing: ski boots swapped for trainers, kids running around in packs and live performances every night to keep you well entertained. The bar gets packed, and catching a bartender’s attention can take a while, but be vocal and you’ll be fine. Basic alcoholic drinks are included in the package too, so feel free to order all the mulled wine or Aperol spritzes you like.

What is the service like at Club Med Serre Chevalier?

The G.O.s (Club Med’s famously energetic staff) are a big part of what makes a stay here so memorable. They encourage adults to let loose on the dance floor and shepherd children around with impressive patience.

What are the spa and pool like at Club Med Serre Chevalier?

The indoor pool sits at a toasty 29-30 °C and looks out towards the mountains. Sinking into the water after a long day in the cold feels genuinely restorative. If you want to pamper yourself even more, the spa features a sauna, steam room and treatments, which are available at an additional cost.

There's also a gym area that's split into three rooms, one for cardio, one for weights and one for Club Med's rotating fitness classes, which run the gamut from zumba to yoga.

What’s the area like around Club Med Serre Chevalier?

The resort sits in the Guisane valley, close to Briançon – officially a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire and home to seventeenth-century Vauban fortifications. Club Med offers day-trip excursions to the old town if you can tear yourself away from the slopes, and it’s well worth exploring.

Go on a guided walk around the town, stopping by the courtroom that has been in use since the 1600s. Have lunch at Au Plaisir Ambré or one of the many brasseries, then wander the streets stocking up on souvenirs from shops like Charcuterie Le Saisonnier, which specialises in saucisson, and Le Panier Alpin, a gourmet grocer.

Another unforgettable excursion that's fun for the whole family is dog sledding with Chiens de Traineaux Jordi, which Club Med can also help organise. There are around 80 dogs on site and it’s what I imagine heaven looks like – dogs running freely alongside the pack pulling your sled. It’s my first time on a dog sled and the dogs move much faster than I expected, racing through a 6km track in about 20 minutes. The route dips through bumpy slopes and tight turns, so watch your tailbone. It’s good fun, and reassuring to see how well the dogs are cared for – allowed to roam off-leash, bred ethically and retired responsibly, with continued care once they’re no longer working.

Why should you book a stay at Club Med Serre Chevalier?

This is my first ski trip to the Alps, having mainly done ski trips in Japan, where we book an Airbnb, rent a car and organise our own ski passes. The Club Med experience is far more frictionless. Ski passes are handed out on arrival, gear can be pre-booked and waiting in your locker, lessons are organised, childcare is structured and meals are sorted. You spend your energy on the slopes, not on logistics.

While it’s especially brilliant for families, couples and groups of friends benefit too. The difference between a ski-in ski-out resort and one that isn’t is very real. Being able to walk straight onto the slopes saves serious time and effort and it was such a joy to always come back to a huge buffet of food and drinks post-ski.

Guests generally check in and out on Sundays, skiing in their assigned groups throughout the week. By the end of it, there’s a real sense of community on and off the slopes when you keep seeing the same familiar faces.

Address: Club Med Serre Chevalier, La Salle-les-Alpes 05240, France
Prices: From €3,888 per person per week, all-inclusive (based on winter season rates for January 2027)
Closest transport: 90 minutes by car from Turin Airport; around two hours 30 minutes from Lyon Airport; around three hours from Milan Airport
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