Chalet Hotel Grand Aigle

Features

Sleeps 187
Terrace/Balcony
Half board

The Hotel Grand Aigle is right on a piste with guaranteed snow. When you step out of the hotel, a gentle 10min push and schuss across a field takes you to the Frejus lifts but the best bit is the blue, right behind the hotel. This takes you down to the Pontillas cable car. An easy red gets you back to the hotel. The Club Med just opposite was only built on condition that this run is kept open all season. In the evening it's a short stroll to the centre of Villeneuve, which is quite lively and has lots of shops and facilities.

The Grand Aigle is officially a 2 star but it does have more public space and facilities than is usual for this standard. The entrance steps take you up to reception and into a long, south facing lobby, which gets plenty of light. The large, attractive restaurant is bright and airy and also gets the sun. One floor down is a huge public space, then a lounge, and a good, big bar with a small dance floor adjacent. There's also a games area with pool table, table football and arcade games. The ski room is spacious and well organised and it exits directly to the snow. There is a locker for every bedroom.

Next door to the hotel, part of the same building really, is an atmospheric little bar with arches and rough stonewalls. It's a genuine 17th century farm building with pillars and an open fire.The bedrooms are simple, clean and comfortable. Some are more modern than others because the hotel has been built in different stages. They are all more or less the same standard though and all have private facilities.

Facilities

 

Reception

South-facing lobby

Restaurant

Lounge

Bar with small dance floor and sky TV

Games area with pool table, table football and arcade games

Ski room with lockers and direct exit to the snow

Restaurant

 

 

 

 

Serre Chevalier Resort Info

'Serre Chevalier', home of Luc Alphand, the downhill world champion from 1995 to 1997, is found near the Italian border. Offering indirect links to Montgenèvre and the Milky Way, it has its own 250km of pistes and another 900km available with the Grande Galaxie Pass. The resort itself is very much an intermediates' paradise, good for beginners, but less so for advanced. More accomplished skiers are best advised to head for Monetier for some good black pistes, or a considerable variety of off-piste terrain. Two-thirds of the mountain enjoys wooded surroundings and, as the slopes are north-facing, they do hold snow. However, resort-level snow can be slushy as the villages are all below 1500m. Boarders will find masses to do, particularly those more advanced, with a specialist park and good off-piste.

The overall impression of Serre Chevalier is one of traditional, almost 'provencal' charm, particularly in Monetier. It is an atmospheric venue, of good value and unpretentious, also with a strong French feel. Definitely attempt to avoid French holiday times and the ensuing queues. The restaurants serve good local fare, but a car is a good option, allowing you to try each village's eateries. Unfortunately you are then adding to the local traffic problem. Nightlife is fairly limited, while shoppers may prefer to head for Briancon with its more town-like amenities. Briancon is a better destination if you are looking for off-snow activities. Families may be particularly attracted, with a very good ski school and decent childcare provision. Turin and its airport are two and a half hours away More Serre Chevalier resort information