In a special promotion only a youth hostel could afford, the Serre Chevalier Hostel in the French Alps near the Italian border, is welcoming Hostelling International members with an amazing five-night ski and board package. The hostel, a collection of three stone houses, is near the base of a popular ski and snowboarding resort called Serre Chevalier.

The mountain resort's altitude goes from a base village at about 4,400 feet to a peak of 9,240 feet. There are 250 kms of groomed trails for alpine skiing, for all levels of fun -- more than a hundred trails are divided between beginner and intermediate runs. The region is surrounded by the Parc national des Ecrins and trails include 10 kms of the Parc naturel régional du Queyras. Beyond Serre-Chevalier, the surrounding French mountain villages are charming, too. You can laso plan a daytrip to Briancon, one of the Alps' most beautiful fortified Medieval towns.

As described by the very knowledgeable GoSki.com staff: "Serre Chevalier is one of the most southerly resorts in the Alps and claims 300 days of sunshine per year. Although that statistic may make some snow lovers nervous, its north facing slopes, reaching high above the tree line, together with extensive snow making on the lower slopes, make the resort relatively sure of snow."

The auberge or hostel itself is only a quarter-mile from the station or base village, where you'll find a movie theatre, discothèque, karaoke bar, ice skating rink, indoor pool, and fitness gym to keep the teens busy. Within the hostel compound you'll find great camaraderie, a ski/snowboard equipment rental shop, a disco and karaoke for evenings, and special meals. The friendly French staff does the cooking, mans the bar and provides some fun evening entertainment like karaoke and charades (yes, in French but humor is universal, mais non?)  If your family is ready to join other snowsports fans in the casual, 130-bed dorm-like environment, you'll get 5N of sleep; 5N of half-board or breakfast and dinner at the hostel; a 6D skipass and lessons at Grand Serre Chevalier for top value rates. 

The per person rates for a five-night "Plein Ski" package vary according to the following periods:  Jan 31 - Feb 6 and March 7 - April 10 = 357€; Feb 7 - March 6 = 386€; April 11-24 = 299€. Kids age 5 and under get a full board plan (you'd have to come back to the hostel for lunch) for the fixed price of 230€ over the April Easter break or any other week that doesn't fall on a European school holiday. Kids from age 6 to 11 can take 50€ off the week-long package and get discounts on ski and snowboard rental gear (helmets available for all ages).

If you want to save even more, don't bother to rent a car when you land in Turin, or book a train to Briancon; families can catch the FUAJ SKI BUS leaving from Paris, London, Brussels, and more than 20 other French villages by reserving your seats ahead. And you'll free really "green" about doing it too.

For more ideas on value skiing in Europe, check out FTF's roundup of the top packagers selling Europe ski tours.

The Serre Chevalier Hostel is located at "Le Bez," P.O.Box 2, 05240 - Serre-Chevalier 1400 France. Call them at +33(0)4 92 24 74 54 or check out their site for other specials on sports like speed skating and cross-country skiing.