Luxury Lifestyle Magazine takes a look at Villeneuve La Salle, a beautiful village and ski resort that constitutes a portion of Serre Chavelier, a major ski resort in southeastern France, in the Hautes-Alpes department of the Alps.
It is no secret that France is the go-to destination for fun-filled ski breaks with both family and friends. From tiny village resorts to those significantly larger, there is a destination to fulfil everyone’s fancy. However, while larger skiing resorts tend to offer a larger selection of slopes to ski, their appeal is starting to dwindle at the hands of the smaller, more intimate skiing resorts.
Villeneuve La Salle is a scenic village and ski resort that constitutes a portion of Serre Chavelier, a large ski network in the Haute-Alpes department of the mountain range. The village is a multifaceted commune, comprising a characterful old town and a modern new town. With the larger ski resorts becoming overcrowded, commercial and lacking character, there has never been a better time to opt for a smaller winter destination. Villeneuve La Salle is the perfect alternative, a frosty and picturesque paradise. Rent a room in a hotel in Villeneuve La Salle in either the summer or the winter and enjoy the dual faces of this beautiful place.
With over 250km of runs and sixty ski lifts, the network of runs situated in close proximity to Villeneuve is one of the biggest in the Alps region, a firm favourite with skiers and snowboarders alike. Villeneuve also has its own half-pipe for practicing tricks and jumps, as well as two very long boardercross-runs. Those with an interest in extreme skiing/snowboarding will relish the opportunity to gain air. If that doesn’t excite you then the off-piste possibilities certainly will, thanks to hundreds of miles of serene forestry land where you won’t see another soul.
Nevertheless, this resort is about so much more than just skiing and snowboarding. There is a sizeable ice rink where you can spend evenings skating under the vivid stars, as well as the Circuit de Glace – a slippery driving on ice experience that is unique to Villeneuve. Snow scooting and hang gliding are also available for thrill seekers. They’re a great way to take in the spectacular surroundings and offer a chance to do something that pushes you to the edge of your comfort zone. But for something a little more chilled out, it is also possible to hire horses from the local equestrian centre.
If you are better suited to unwinding in warmth and comfort then there are numerous spas in the area to help you rest and recharge, with perhaps the most alluring being Le Christiania Hotel and Spa. This family run 3-star hotel is a local institution that offers sauna, hammam, several massages and even a fish spa to get you back on your feet and raring to hit the slopes once more. Enjoy the convivial terrace and admire the spectacular views of the Alps. Be sure to try the traditional home-cooked food before you don your ski boots; it’s so hearty and delicious that you won’t want to leave. Luckily there are 26 comfortable en-suite rooms available. Le Christiania Hotel also offers an array of facilities to cater for families travelling with young children and babies. With double rooms starting at just €91 per person, and a selection of hospitality packages availables, this pleasant hotel is a fantastic choice for your skiing holiday.
In the summertime, Villeneuve La Salle is the ideal destination to explore the Alps by foot. With an extensive selection of magnificent hiking trails in the region, each offering a more impressive view than the last, you’re sure to spend more time in the mountains than in the village. The settlement is the perfect base for all variety of mountain adventures. A river runs parallel to the main street through the village, providing a pleasant backdrop as you enjoy the experience.
Villeneuve La Salle’s traditional cobbled streets are lined with shops, bars, restaurants and several clubs where you can dance the night away. Baita disco and jazz club stays open until five in the morning and tends to be where revellers congregate at the end of an evening. It offers a lively atmosphere and a great way to meet ski buddies for the next day’s adventures. The Refuge is an atmospheric restaurant with a roaring fire as its centrepiece. The sumptuous hot-stone dishes will warm you up after a long day on the slopes.
While there are many ski resorts in the Alps that attract skiers to their slopes, few do it with such charm, character and beauty as Villeneuve la Salle. Whether skiing for the weekend or enjoying two weeks on the slopes, staying at a hotel in Villeneuve La Salle is the perfect way to explore the extensive reaches of Serre Chavelier.
