Serre Chevalier vs Vars: which should you book?
Book Serre Chevalier if you want the bigger, more varied and more characterful resort, with around 250 km of forested pistes and a string of historic villages. Book Vars if you want a higher, sunnier, snow sure base with true ski in ski out and friendlier prices. Both lie in the Hautes Alpes under the southern sun, so this is a choice between size and character or altitude and value.
By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Serre Chevalier wins overall on size, variety and village character. Vars wins on altitude, sunshine, ski in ski out convenience and value.
Serre Chevalier and Vars are two of the finest resorts in the southern French Alps, and they appeal to different tastes. Serre Chevalier is a big, forested domain of around 250 km, strung along a valley below the old garrison town of Briancon, with larch covered slopes, historic stone villages and even thermal baths at Le Monetier. Vars sits higher at around 1,850 m, linked with neighboring Risoul into La Foret Blanche, a sunny, snow sure area of around 180 km with a purpose built base and a pretty old hamlet.
For a traveler who loves the look and feel of a place, Serre Chevalier is one of the most atmospheric resorts in France, its runs threading through forest to villages that were lived in long before skiing arrived. Vars has its own charm, sunnier and higher, with the quiet old village of Sainte Marie below the modern base. Serre Chevalier has more mountain and more soul; Vars has the more convenient, snow sure perch.
The numbers side by side
| Serre Chevalier | Vars | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort altitude | around 1,200 to 1,500 m across its villages | around 1,850 m |
| Top lift | around 2,800 m | around 2,750 m |
| Ski area | around 250 km of pistes | around 180 km in La Foret Blanche with Risoul |
| Terrain character | Forested, varied, all abilities | High, sunny, open and sheltered runs |
| Village style | A string of historic villages plus Briancon | Purpose built base plus old Sainte Marie |
| Evening scene | Varied, with real town life in Briancon | Quiet and family suited |
| Day pass | Around $55 to $65 | Around $45 to $55 |
| Nearest airport | Turin or Grenoble, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours | Turin or Marseille, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours |
The skiing
Serre Chevalier takes this for size and variety. Around 250 km of pistes run from gentle valley greens up to a high point near 2,800 m, with superb larch forest skiing that is a delight in poor weather and plenty of vertical for strong skiers. Vars, joined to Risoul in La Foret Blanche, offers around 180 km of sunny, snow sure runs that are excellent for families and intermediates but smaller and less varied. For range and tree skiing, Serre Chevalier, while for high sunny cruising, Vars. Winner: Serre Chevalier.
The village
Serre Chevalier wins this comfortably. Its string of old stone villages, from Le Monetier with its thermal baths to Chantemerle and Villeneuve, plus the walled town of Briancon nearby, give it real history and atmosphere. Vars is pleasant, pairing a tidy purpose built base with the quiet old hamlet of Sainte Marie, but it is plainer. For character and a sense of place, Serre Chevalier is far ahead. Winner: Serre Chevalier.
Cost
Vars wins this. Both are good value by Alpine standards, but Vars, higher and more apartment based, sits a little more cheaply in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, while Serre Chevalier asks a touch more for its size and choice. Neither is expensive next to the Tarentaise giants. Winner: Vars on value, Serre Chevalier still fair for what you get.
Families
Both are good family resorts, with a slight edge depending on your priority. Vars has the easier ski in ski out convenience and sunny, sheltered beginner slopes, while Serre Chevalier offers more terrain for families to grow into and gentle greens in the valley. For simple daily logistics with young children, Vars, while for a family with mixed ages and abilities, Serre Chevalier. Winner: Vars for young families, Serre Chevalier for mixed groups.
Apres and evenings
Serre Chevalier wins for variety, largely thanks to Briancon. The town and the valley villages give a real spread of bars and restaurants and genuine evening life, while Vars stays quiet and family suited. For a livelier or more varied night out, Serre Chevalier, while for a calm one, Vars. Winner: Serre Chevalier.
Access
Serre Chevalier edges this. It is roughly two to two and a half hours from Turin or Grenoble, helped by its position near Briancon and the Montgenevre col. Vars sits deeper in the French valleys, around two and a half to three hours from Turin or Marseille. For the shorter transfer, Serre Chevalier. Winner: Serre Chevalier.
The verdict
Book Serre Chevalier if you want the bigger, more varied and more characterful resort, with around 250 km of forested pistes, historic villages and thermal baths, and a touch more evening life. Book Vars if you want a higher, sunnier, snow sure base with true ski in ski out and friendlier prices. Serre Chevalier is the richer all round trip, Vars the easier value perch. Read our full Serre Chevalier review, then compare Risoul vs Vars or Risoul vs Serre Chevalier.
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Common questions
Is Serre Chevalier bigger than Vars?
Yes. Serre Chevalier has around 250 km of pistes against roughly 180 km for Vars in its linked La Foret Blanche area with Risoul. Serre Chevalier also has more varied terrain and more forest skiing.
Which is more snow sure, Serre Chevalier or Vars?
Vars sits higher at around 1,850 m, so its base snow is often more reliable, while Serre Chevalier's lower villages rely more on altitude up top and snowmaking. Both ski well through the core season.
Which has the nicer village?
Serre Chevalier, clearly. Its string of historic stone villages and the nearby walled town of Briancon give it real character, while Vars pairs a tidy purpose built base with the quieter old hamlet of Sainte Marie.
Which is better value?
Vars is a little cheaper, sitting comfortably in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, while Serre Chevalier asks slightly more for its size and choice. Both are good value next to the big Tarentaise names.
Does Serre Chevalier have thermal baths?
Yes. Le Monetier, one of the Serre Chevalier villages, has thermal baths, a relaxing extra for a non skiing afternoon or a tired evening. Vars does not offer the same.
Which is easier to reach?
Serre Chevalier edges it, at roughly two to two and a half hours from Turin or Grenoble near the Montgenevre col. Vars is around two and a half to three hours from Turin or Marseille, deeper in the French valleys.