Briançon, Grand Serre Chevalier

Europe's highest town – on an historic route between France and Italy – provides a picturesque gateway into the extensive Serre-Chevalier ski network. The ancient walled town of Briançon (1,325m), with its narrow, cobbled streets, also has its own ski area. It connects, via Prorel, with Chantemerle, one of the principal villages in the Serre-Chevalier region, which has a total of 110 runs.

Serre-Chevalier is a collection of 13 villages and charming old hamlets, linked by a bus service, lining the scenic valley between Briançon and the spectacular Col du Lauteret pass. Serre-Chevalier, with extensive off-piste and a considerable number of gladed runs, is much under–rated.