©Snow in Serre Chevalier in the Hautes-Alpes |OT Serre Chevalier - Arthur Quere Photographie

Things to do in Serre Chevalier if the weather is bad

Ideas of activities if it rains, snows or the weather is very cold

Serre Chevalier has forged itself a solid reputation with winter sports enthusiasts. But what is there to do when clouds, rain or snowstorms invite themselves to the party? No point in denying yourself some pleasure: from the cosy spa to gourmet discoveries and a whole panel of indoor activities, the valley has everything you need to appreciate bad weather!

Take a well-being break

Bad weather is one of the best excuses, or rather a very good reason, to have some time for yourself in the gentle heat of the spa. But, if there ever was the perfect place to enjoy a spa, that’s Le Mônetier-les-Bains. It has been a spa town since Roman times, and it has two natural hot springs famed for their curative properties, which is how the inhabitants of the commune earned themselves the nickname of “tripes chaudes” (hot guts). Today, the springs feed the pools of the Grands Bains du Mônetier, a big well-being centre where you will also find a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, care, and even a musical grotto to relax to music, a brand new La Rotonde spa with a panoramic view of the mountains, or a candle massage! Apart from that, again in Le Mônetier, the spa in the Maison Alliey is open to the public and has an area of over 300 m² dedicated to relaxation. In Briançon, head for the Centre Aquatique to make the most of the swimming pools, the balnéo-ludique (water fun) area and a whole range of well-being care, or the Cinq Mondes spa in Hotel Garrigae installed in a former barracks in Briançon. And if you’re looking for a spa in La Salle-les-Alpes, the one on the Grand Aigle Hôtel & Spa welcomes you in the best conditions!

Bank on indoor and cultural activities

Want to stay active and in shape despite changeable weather conditions? Get out your rackets… and hit a few balls at the Tennis Club or the Alp’Squash in Briançon! If you prefer swimming or aquagym, head for the 25-metre pool in the Piscine Alain Fardelle in La Salle-les-Alpes. And if you’re keen on yoga, there are lessons with Aija Pajunenin La Salle-les-Alpes and Katia Sukiennik at the Grand Aigle Hôtel & Spa. To burn off energy with the family, you can also put on your skates to slide along on the ice rink in the Parc des Sports de Briançon or your bowling shoes for a couple of strikes in Saint-Chaffrey or Briançon. If you have skaters in your team, the ramps and rails of the Hangar Zéro skatepark in Briançon should be fun! When it’s overcast, it’s also the ideal opportunity to take shelter in the museum, the cinema or the theatre, so head for Briançon where you can see the latest films on the billboard at the Cosmo Cinéma, the current shows at the Théâtre du Briançonnais and the current exhibitions at the Centre d’Art Contemporain, installed in the former prisons of the Palais de Justice, a listed Historical Monument.

Discover local gastronomy and savoir-faire

There’s nothing better than the warm, comforting atmosphere of a good restaurant to fight winter gloom. For enthusiasts of gourmet cuisine, Briançon has a bookful of very good addresses, which include the restaurant of the Maison des Drapiers hotel and the gourmet restaurant of Hôtel Garrigae Caserne in Briançon. If you’re looking for a more rustic, mountain atmosphere, open the doors of La Pastorale or the Refuge in La Salle-les-Alpes, the Kawa or Le Montagn’Art in Le Mônetier-les-Bains. Another good tip to warm up your taste buds is to visit the local breweries and distilleries, such as the Distillerie des 4 Frères, the Mountain Spirit Fabrik or La Brasserie Artisanale des Grands Cols. With all due moderation, of course! Last of all, make the most of a bad weather day to discover local savoir-faire in the local groceries, such as L’Églantine,La Goustarine and 1000 et Cimes, and also in the shops of creator artisans, like the one on the first floor of Chapelle Sainte-Luce in La Salle-les-Alpes in La Maison d’artisans de Pays des Hautes-Alpes or the Filature Longo Maï. Enjoy your shopping experience!