The Serre Chevalier Hostel in the French Alps near the Italian border is welcoming families with an amazing six-night ski and board package. And this special promotion is something only a youth hostel could afford to do.
The hostel, a collection of three stone houses, is near the base of a popular ski and snowboarding resort called Serre Chevalier. The mountain resort’s altitude goes from a base village at about 4,400 feet to a peak of 9,240 feet. There are 250 kms of groomed trails for alpine skiing, for all levels of fun — more than a hundred trails are divided between beginner and intermediate runs. The mountain resort is said to have 300 days of sunshine each year.
The region is surrounded by the Parc national des Ecrins and trails include 10 kms of the Parc naturel régional du Queyras. Beyond Serre-Chevalier, the surrounding French mountain villages are charming, too. You can also plan a daytrip to Briançon, one of the Alps’ most beautiful fortified Medieval towns.
The auberge or hostel itself is only a quarter-mile from the station or base village, where you’ll find a movie theatre, discothèque, karaoke bar, ice skating rink, indoor pool, and fitness gym to keep the teens busy. Within the hostel compound you’ll find great camaraderie, a ski/snowboard equipment rental shop, a disco and karaoke for evenings, and special meals. The friendly French staff does the cooking, mans the bar and provides some fun evening entertainment like karaoke and charades (yes, in French but humor is universal, mais non?) If your family is ready to join other snowsports fans in the casual, 130-bed dorm-like environment, you’ll get 6N of sleep; 6N of half-board or breakfast and dinner at the hostel; a 6D skipass and lessons at Grand Serre Chevalier for top value rates.
The per person rates for a six-night “Plein Ski” package for the period December through April 23, 2011 is 345€ per person,
For the in-demand, long weekend of Easter, April 23-25, the hostel has a 3 day/2 night package with 3 days of skiing, lift ticketes and room n’ board for 235€. Kids under age 11 can get discounts on ski and snowboard rental gear (helmets available for all ages).
If you want to save even more, don’t bother to rent a car when you land in Paris or Brussels; families can catch the FUAJ SKI BUS leaving from Paris, Brussels, and 12 other French villages on weekends, by reserving your seats ahead. And you’ll free really “green” about doing it too.
For more ideas on value skiing in Europe, check out FTF’s roundup of the top packagers selling Europe ski tours.
The Serre Chevalier Hostel is located at “Le Bez,” P.O.Box 2, 05240 – Serre-Chevalier 1400 France. Call them at +33(0)4 92 24 74 54 or check out their site for other specials on sports like speed skating and cross-country skiing.
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