Ski Resort Guide
Les Gets
Les Gets Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
One of the most attractive ski resorts in France, Les Gets is one of the country's classic ski destinations and has an unspoilt rural charm.
First frequented in the 1920s, Les Gets and its ski slopes are quite low lying compared to French resorts that were purpose-built in the 1960s and 70s. However, it does have the ace up its sleeve in being part of one of the world's largest ski areas, the Portes du Soleil which comprises about a dozen villages on each side of the French-Swiss border, many of them linked together by ski lifts and pistes.
First frequented in the 1920s, Les Gets and its ski slopes are quite low lying compared to French resorts that were purpose-built in the 1960s and 70s. However, it does have the ace up its sleeve in being part of one of the world's largest ski areas, the Portes du Soleil which comprises about a dozen villages on each side of the French-Swiss border, many of them linked together by ski lifts and pistes.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,172m (3,845ft).
Top elevation: 2,002m (6,568ft).
Base elevation: 1,172m (3,845ft).
Number of lifts: 50.
Number of runs: 84.
Average annual snowfall: 5.5m (18ft).
Where in the world?
Les Gets is located in the Chablais region of the French province of Haute Savoie, in the Western Alps. The region is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, which straddles the border with Switzerland.
Hit the slopes
Les Gets' ski season usually lasts from early December to mid-April. The resort has a good snowfall record, north facing slopes and quite extensive snow making cover.
There's skiing on several mountains virtually surrounding the resort, with most runs carved through the forest. In most cases skiers of all ability levels can spend much of the day skiing together because the areas have been designed to have a selection of easy, moderate and more advanced runs descending from the top of each lift and meeting again at the base.
The main Chavannes lifts take skiers and boarders accesses the ski slopes of Nyon, Le Pleney and others slopes shared with neighbouring Morzine. It's a very pretty ski area with pine forests dissected by runs for all standards. It's also the direct route on skis into the Portes du Soleil region and beyond.
Across the valley, Mont Chery stands unlinked as Les Gets' own ski area. The gondola here accesses intermediate and advanced level terrain above the treeline, from which there are great views of Mont Blanc. The long Gazelle black or Chamois red runs take you back down to the village.
There's skiing on several mountains virtually surrounding the resort, with most runs carved through the forest. In most cases skiers of all ability levels can spend much of the day skiing together because the areas have been designed to have a selection of easy, moderate and more advanced runs descending from the top of each lift and meeting again at the base.
The main Chavannes lifts take skiers and boarders accesses the ski slopes of Nyon, Le Pleney and others slopes shared with neighbouring Morzine. It's a very pretty ski area with pine forests dissected by runs for all standards. It's also the direct route on skis into the Portes du Soleil region and beyond.
Across the valley, Mont Chery stands unlinked as Les Gets' own ski area. The gondola here accesses intermediate and advanced level terrain above the treeline, from which there are great views of Mont Blanc. The long Gazelle black or Chamois red runs take you back down to the village.
Beyond the slopes
Les Gets has the usual list of resort facilities, but with the addition of unique attractions in keeping with its natural heritage and a busy events calendar each winter.
The Sereni Cimes Spa offers a wide range of beauty treatments and there's also a library, cinema and a bowling alley as well as an outdoor ice rink in the village centre. Paragliding down from Mont Chery is also available, or try a snowshoe walk on the mountain.
More unique to Les Gets is The French National Museum of Mechanical Music and the dairy which offers free guided visits each Wednesday before the ski lifts open.
The Sereni Cimes Spa offers a wide range of beauty treatments and there's also a library, cinema and a bowling alley as well as an outdoor ice rink in the village centre. Paragliding down from Mont Chery is also available, or try a snowshoe walk on the mountain.
More unique to Les Gets is The French National Museum of Mechanical Music and the dairy which offers free guided visits each Wednesday before the ski lifts open.
Family fun
Les Gets has established a reputation as one of the best destinations for families, both due to its natural ambience and its excellent facilities. It has been awarded the official Famille Plus Montagne label by the French government.
The specialist British tour operator Ski Famille has been based here for 20 years and the resort has its own nursery, Les Fripouilles, located in the village centre and accepting children from six months to four years. For older children, the French ski school's kindergarten offers a snow garden for fun learning and a second options is the 'Ile des Enfants' ('Children's Island'), available for kids aged three and up. A special family ski pass is also available with a discounted price for families buying tickets together for the same duration.
The specialist British tour operator Ski Famille has been based here for 20 years and the resort has its own nursery, Les Fripouilles, located in the village centre and accepting children from six months to four years. For older children, the French ski school's kindergarten offers a snow garden for fun learning and a second options is the 'Ile des Enfants' ('Children's Island'), available for kids aged three and up. A special family ski pass is also available with a discounted price for families buying tickets together for the same duration.
Retail therapy
Les Gets has the usual choice of ski shops and small grocery stores, as well as something a little more holistic and unique, with a village market every Thursday morning and a small selection of artisan shops. La Cave Getoise sells regional produce while Chantal Monnet is the local cheese maker. There are also several butchers stores and a chocolatier, Douceurs et Chocolats.
Après ski
Not a resort to go to in search of hedonistic nightlife, but there are half a dozen good bars to choose from, as well as a selection of hotel bar restaurants. The nightspots tend to have different national themes, with an Irish bar - Le Pub Irlandais, 480, rue du Centre, and an Australian and Canadian bar. There is a nightclub, L'Igloo, 610 rue du Centre, and the bowling alley also has a bar.
Eating out
There are about 40 places to eat in Les Gets including creperies, a pizzeria, traditional Savoyard establishments and a few gourmet restaurants. Mémé Confiture, 76 Impasse Nicolas, is highly regarded for its wide choice of high value crepes, for pizza Pizzalino, rue du Centre, offers a takeaway option. If you'd prefer some traditional regional cuisine La Fruitière des Perrières, 127 route des Perrieres, is a good choice with Le St Laurent, 266 Route du Lery, recognised as one of the best for haute cuisine.
Getting around
Much of Les Gets can be covered on foot and many chalets have ski-in, ski-out access but for those in outlying a districts a free shuttle bus circulates the wider area every 30 minutes during the daytime. In addition, a small road train circulates the centre of the village and again operates free of charge. With a Portes du Soleil lift pass it's possible to ski over to Morzine and beyond to Avoriaz and other resorts on the pass right in to Switzerland. The pass also covers ski bus services in the individual resorts that are included in it.
Splashing out
Air Libre (www.airlibre.fr) provide a number of activities in the area including paragliding, microlight flights, snowmobiling and ice diving, but their best offer is a hot air balloon flight over the Alps with fantastic views of Switzerland and Mont Blanc.
Accommodation
Luxury
MarmotteFriendly slopeside 3 star with traditional chalet-style architecture, antique furniture and excellent service.
61 Rue du Chene
Tel: (04) 50 75 80 33.
Website: www.hotel-marmotte.com
Moderate
Hotel ChristianiaAtmospheric 2 star with lovely traditional wooden design and excellent ski-in, ski-out location.
Vers le Chene,
Tel: (04) 50 758 244.
Website: www.hotelchristiania.com
Budget
Chalet L'EnvalaBeautiful four bedroom chalet in the centre of the village, with bedrooms overlooking Les Gets.
Rue du centre
Tel: (04) 50 758 915.
Website: www.lenvala.com
Getting there
Nearest airport: Geneva (GVA).
Distance to resort: 55km (34 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour.
Distance to resort: 55km (34 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour.
Website
This resort is good for...
Après ski, Families, Beginners, Environmental awareness, Intermediates, Snowboarders
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