Auron vs Serre Chevalier: which should you book?
For most groups, book Serre Chevalier. It is far bigger, with around 250 km of varied terrain, lovely tree lined runs and four linked villages, so a mixed group of abilities never runs out of mountain. Book Auron instead if you are traveling with young children or learning, because this compact, sunny resort in the Southern French Alps is calmer, easier to find your feet in and close to Nice. The honest split is scale and variety against a gentle, sunny, family sized week.
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Serre Chevalier wins on size, terrain variety, tree skiing and value for a full week. Auron wins for young families and nervous beginners, with sunny, contained slopes and a short hop from Nice. Pick by how big you want the mountain to feel.
Auron and Serre Chevalier are both sunny, south of the big name Alps, but they are different sizes of trip. Auron is a compact, friendly resort in the Mercantour near Nice, with around 135 km of mostly gentle and intermediate slopes and an easy, modern village. Serre Chevalier is a much larger area in the Hautes Alpes, around 250 km spread across four villages from Briancon to Le Monetier, famous for its long tree lined runs and reliable sunshine. The choice comes down to whether you want a calm, easy week close to the coast or a big, varied mountain with terrain for everyone.
The numbers side by side
| Auron | Serre Chevalier | |
|---|---|---|
| Village altitude | around 1,600 m | around 1,350 m |
| Ski area size | around 135 km | around 250 km |
| Terrain | Sunny, gentle to intermediate | Vast, varied, lots of tree skiing |
| Learning | Calm, contained, easy to find | Good nursery areas, but spread out |
| Village | Small, modern, friendly | Four villages, more choice |
| Apres | Quiet, family friendly | Relaxed, more bars and dining |
| Cost | Good value | Good value for the size |
| Nearest airport | Nice, roughly 2 hours | Turin or Grenoble, roughly 1 hour 30 to 2 hours |
The skiing
Serre Chevalier is the bigger mountain by a wide margin. Around 250 km of pistes run through pretty forest and open bowls, with gentle blues low down, long cruising reds and proper challenges higher up, so a mixed group can split off and still meet for lunch. Auron has a tidy, sunny network of around 135 km that suits cruising and learning more than thrill seeking.
Winner: Serre Chevalier for size and variety, Auron for a gentler, simpler mountain you can learn on a map in a day.
Beginners and learning
Auron is the kinder place to take your very first turns. The slopes are sunny and forgiving, the resort is small enough that a nervous first timer never feels lost, and a young child can build confidence without the bustle of a giant area. Serre Chevalier has good nursery zones in each village and excellent progression terrain once you find your feet, but the sheer scale means you have to know which base suits a beginner before you book.
Winner: Auron for a calm, reassuring start, with Serre Chevalier the better choice once a learner wants room to grow. Booking a few mornings of lessons through a school helps in either place. See the options for ski school and ski hire at #AFFILIATE_LESSONS and #AFFILIATE_SKIHIRE.
The village
Serre Chevalier gives you choice. It is really four villages strung along the valley, from the historic old town of Briancon to the quieter spa village of Le Monetier, so you can pick the feel you want. Auron is a single compact resort, modern and pleasant rather than chocolate box, with everything in easy walking reach.
Winner: Serre Chevalier for variety of bases, Auron for an easy, all in one walkable village.
Families
Both are genuine family resorts, but they suit different ages. Auron is ideal for young children and first timers, with short distances, gentle sun soaked slopes and a calm atmosphere that keeps stress low. Serre Chevalier is better for families with mixed ages or more confident children who want more terrain and a few more options off the slopes.
Winner: Auron for little ones and beginners, Serre Chevalier for families who need more room and range.
Apres and evenings
Serre Chevalier wins on choice. It is not a wild party town, but across the villages there is a relaxed spread of bars, restaurants and a proper old town in Briancon for an evening out. Auron is quiet after dark and aimed squarely at families.
Winner: Serre Chevalier for more to do in the evening, Auron for early nights with the children.
Cost
Both are good value by Alpine standards, and a week at either typically lands a couple in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band depending on travel and catering. Auron can come in lower for a simple family week, while Serre Chevalier gives you a lot of mountain for the money. Buying lift passes early often saves a useful amount at both; compare current deals at #AFFILIATE_LIFTPASS.
Winner: a tie, with Auron a touch cheaper for small family trips and Serre Chevalier better value per kilometer of piste.
Access and snow
Auron is the easier airport run for many, sitting roughly two hours from Nice with its winter sun and frequent flights. Serre Chevalier is around an hour and a half to two hours from Turin or Grenoble. On snow, Serre Chevalier holds its season well thanks to height and good snowmaking, while Auron is sunny and reliable in midwinter but feels the spring sun sooner.
Winner: Serre Chevalier for snow reliability across the season, Auron for the simplest sunny coast transfer. Pre booking a transfer keeps arrival day calm; see options at #AFFILIATE_TRANSFER.
The verdict
Book Serre Chevalier for a mixed ability group or a family with older children who want a big, varied mountain, tree lined runs and a choice of villages. Book Auron if you are learning or traveling with young children and want a calm, sunny, easy week within a short hop of Nice.
Both are honest, good value choices in southern France. Read our full review of Serre Chevalier, browse more French resorts, or weigh up Auron vs Montgenevre if you like the sound of a smaller southern base.
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Common questions
Is Auron or Serre Chevalier better?
For most mixed groups Serre Chevalier is better, with around 250 km of varied terrain, tree lined runs and a choice of villages. Auron is the better pick for young families and nervous beginners, with calmer, sunnier slopes and an easy transfer from Nice.
Which is better for beginners?
Auron is the kinder place to learn, with sunny, gentle, contained slopes and a small resort that never feels overwhelming. Serre Chevalier has good nursery areas and great progression terrain too, but its size means you should pick a beginner friendly base before booking.
Which is bigger?
Serre Chevalier is much bigger, with around 250 km of pistes across four villages, compared with around 135 km at Auron. If a group wants room to roam and split by ability, Serre Chevalier has far more mountain.
Which is cheaper?
Both are good value. Auron can come in a little lower for a simple family week, while Serre Chevalier gives you more skiing for the money. A week at either typically lands in the 2,000 to 4,000 dollars per person band.
How far is the airport?
Auron is roughly two hours from Nice, which is handy for winter sun and frequent flights. Serre Chevalier is around an hour and a half to two hours from Turin or Grenoble.
Is the snow reliable?
Serre Chevalier holds its season well thanks to altitude and strong snowmaking. Auron is sunny and reliable in midwinter but feels the spring sun earlier, so aim for January to early March there.