Inside The Haybarn: How a Forgotten Alpine Hayloft Became Serre Chevalier’s Most Coveted Catered Chalet
Imagine stepping off the chalet shuttle, boots still warm, to find a a warm welcome from Pete & Ella, the scent of slow‑braised Duck confit or creamy polenta wafting through reclaimed‑wood beams and a wall of glass framing the last blush of alpenglow.
That first inhale tells you everything: this is no ordinary ski pad. It’s The Haybarn; a 200‑year‑old farm building reborn as a private, fully catered retreat for ten lucky guests. Today we’re lifting the lid on what makes it special, who it’s built for and; crucially, why early‑season bookers are about to bag the best deal of winter 25/26.
Why keep reading?
Because, whether you’re hunting for a family base with built‑in Wow, a foodie hideout for grown‑up friends or a workspace‑by‑day / powder‑playground‑by‑night, the Haybarn solves problems you didn’t know you had:
Uninterrupted south‑facing views across one of France’s largest ski areas (250 km of piste, topping out at 2,800 m)
Free Bus or door‑to‑piste minibus, private, daily and for a small fee
Chef, host and concierge wrapped into a single slick service
Real WFH comfort (desk space and fibre Wi‑Fi)
Launch pricing from just €7,900 / £6,900 per week for winter 25/26
Tempted already? Hold that thought—first, picture a day in the life.
Dawn in the Valley: Your Story, Your Pace
6 a.m. A pale winter sunrise nudges you awake through floor‑to‑ceiling glass. Do you pad downstairs to claim first coffee by the fire, or sink back into 1,000‑thread‑count Egyptian cotton for another mini‑lie‑in? (Parents of early‑rising groms, we see you—your kids are busy discovering the disco ball in the snug, leaving you blissfully undisturbed.)
8 a.m. Breakfast isn’t a buffet of limp croissants; it’s a chef‑plated energy hit—think fresh scrambled eggs, local charcuterie, freshly squeezed juice. Which raises an early question: What’s the one breakfast dish that fuels your perfect ski day? Drop your pick in a comment to the team; Pete & Ella love new inspiration.
9 a.m. Your private driver loads skis while you zip boots. Two minutes later you’re stepping onto the Chantemerle gondola. No queues, no schlepping kit, no moody teenagers.
Morning on the Mountain: 250 km of Choice
Serre Chevalier’s stats rarely make the headlines and that’s precisely why regulars guard it like a powder‑day secret. The lift system fans across four authentic villages—Briançon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monêtier‑les‑Bains; serving 250 km of marked runs and a high point of 2,800 m, all backed by 598 snow‑cannons for insurance WeSki - Ski Holidays. Translation? Reliable cover from early December to late April, tree‑lined reds for storm days, big open bowls for blue‑sky carving, and a 9 km top‑to‑town thigh‑burner when you’re feeling heroic.
Quick poll: Are you Team Tree‑Run or Team High‑Alpine? Tell the team and we’ll share our favourite stashes.
Lunchtime Legends: Ski‑In Picnics or Mountain Bistronomy?
Some guests ride the shuttle back for a balcony lunch (the chef will prep a hamper if asked), others book Le Pi‑Mai in Villeneuve for its unadvertised lobster linguine. If you’ve nailed a Serre Che bucket‑list dish, what is it—and does it beat our in‑house raclette night?
Afternoons Done Your Way
Parents: slide the kids into ESF Club Piou‑Piou while you sample steeper lines off Yret chair.
Wellness seekers: detour via Les Grands Bains thermal spa for sulphur‑rich pools under cathedral‑high arches.
Remote workers: clock a productive hour in the mezzanine lounge—mountain Wi‑Fi has come a long way since dial‑up.
Back at the chalet, boot dryers hum, Sonos cues a chilled playlist, and afternoon tea appears: lemon‑curd friands one day, spiced carrot loaf the next. Serious debate—cake or savoury après? Cast your vote.
The Spaces That Sell The Dream
Top‑floor great room—open kitchen, 12‑seater oak table, stone fireplace, snug with 65‑inch screen (sport or Disney+, you choose).
Mezzanine chill‑out—beanbags and skylights made for stargazing.
Four ensuite bedrooms: three king/twin flexi rooms plus a perfectly grown‑up bunk room sleeping four (each bed a proper 90×200 cm; no creaky camp bunks here).
Balconies on two elevations so you can chase the sun—or the Milky Way.
WFH essentials: ergonomic chair, 24‑inch monitor on request, USB‑C hubs.
Which corner would you claim first? The reading nook by the fire, or the sunrise balcony lounger? Let us know—there’s no wrong answer.
Evenings Engineered for Memory‑Making
Six nights a week the chalet morphs into a private restaurant. Aperitif is poured as canapés circulate—maybe wild‑boar crostini, maybe beetroot‑cured trout. A three‑course feast follows: herb‑crusted lamb saddle, celeriac fondant, pickled berry jus; chocolate delice with hazelnut soil; cheese board stacked with raw‑milk Tomme, gooey Reblochon and the alpine’s answer to Stilton. Unlimited house wine is included; boutique biodynamic bottles line the extras list.
Foodies, speak up: Which French regional cheese deserves a starring role on our board next season? Your call could make the menu. Example Menu here.
Saturday night is staff night off—think of it as an excuse to explore Briançon’s citadel streets, grab raclette in Monêtier or party in Villeneuve’s Folie Douce‑style club.
More Than Beds and Meals: Five Little Extras You’ll Brag About
Two‑minute walk to the free resort shuttle (handy if half the group insists on an extra vin chaud while the driver’s already whisked others home).
Board‑game stash bigger than your childhood cupboard. Challenge accepted?
Disco ball + Sonos equals instant family talent show.
Gear drying room with ozone‑friendly boot dryers—dry kit, no odour.
Concierge magic: lift‑pass delivery, off‑piste guide booking, sunrise heli‑drop recommendations.
Got a must‑have we haven’t listed? Ping us a message—if it’s legal and ecological, we’ll try to make it happen.
Why the Haybarn Fits Your Group
Family Adventurers: bunk room keeps siblings giggling together; short shuttle saves tears and tantrums.
Epicurean Explorers: chef’s sourcing policy is 90 % Hautes‑Alpes produce; wine pairings lean natural.
Powder Chasers: location gives first tracks in the less‑tracked Monêtier sector; we’ll radio when bowls open.
Remote‑Work Mavericks: symmetrical fibre‑optic at 400 Mbps; breakfast to‑desk service on request.
Wellness Wanderers: in‑chalet yoga mats, on‑request masseuse, and the valley’s best thermal spa five minutes’ drive.
Which tribe are you? Comment with the team; we’re building trip‑planning guides tailored to each type of group.
Seasonality Decoded: When to Book
December glitz: quiet pistes, twinkling markets, intro pricing still live.
January powder: cold temps, low crowds, value lift passes.
Half‑term harmony: big volume, but our shuttle dares to depart pre‑8 a.m. so you still beat the hordes.
Spring sun: long lunches on the deck, spa afternoons, closing‑week bands in Villeneuve.
Opening day for the 2024/25 lifts is 7 December, closing 13 April, with Monêtier extending to 21 April Serre-Chevalier. Peak weekends fill fast; last year February was gone by September. If you’re eyeing prime weeks, what’s stopping you from locking them in now?
Pricing That Punches Above Its Weight
For winter 25/26, preview weeks start at €7,900 / £6,900 fully catered, including private shuttle and daily housekeeping. Divide that by ten guests and you’re looking at less per head than a downtown London staycation—yet with 250 km of pistes on the doorstep.
Serious planners: Which week works for you? Hit the calendar, then drop us a line to hold dates while flights are cheap.
Quick‑Fire FAQ (Because You Asked)
Can we self‑cater? Short answer: no, but the chef will happily hand you Saturday night kitchen reins.
Vegans, coeliacs, kids who only eat pasta? Yes, yes and we’ll slip veg into the sauce.
Snow‑sure? Southern Alps sun and 598 snow‑cannons say yes—plus free day in Montgenèvre on a six‑day pass as a fun day out.
Nearest airport? Turin (1 hr 25), Geneva (2 hr 45); private transfers arranged.
Dogs? Ask, small, non‑shedding breeds often accepted.
Still curious? Fire fresh questions in the comments—we reply within a day.
The Haybarn in 30 Seconds
A centuries‑old hayloft reborn as a boutique chalet. Ten beds, four ensuite rooms, private chef, daily housekeeping, door‑to‑piste shuttle, panoramic balcony, fibre Wi‑Fi, Sonos soundtrack and a disco ball for good measure. All wrapped inside Serre Chevalier’s vast 250‑km playground, launching from €7,900 a week.
Ready to Claim Your Week?
Check live availability on our site—the green weeks move fast.
Prefer human help? Call or WhatsApp the Go Serre Chevalier team; we’ll pencil dates while you rally the gang.
Confirm with a 25 % deposit and start dreaming of fondue, first tracks and fireplace nights.
Snow waits for no one. Secure your slice of alpine storytelling—and when you post that balcony sunrise, tag us. We can’t wait to share the view.
Book now, or drop your questions to the team. Which memory will start at The Haybarn?
