Les Gets, France

Draw a line between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, and you’ll cut right through Les Gets. This pretty French village is the gateway to Portes du Soleil, one of the largest skiing and mountain biking areas in Europe, and it is therefore a magnet for active travellers.

Who should visit Les Gets?

Les Gets in France has a strong claim to be the most family-friendly ski resort in the Alps. Plenty of destinations say that they cater to guests of all ages, but in Les Gets, the number of grandparents, parents, and kids on the lifts and slopes, in the shops, and in restaurants and bars, is a strong sign that they are getting exactly what they need. Attractions that will appeal to multiple generations include the Alta Lumina multimedia forest trail, the rollercoaster-like toboggan track, and the galloping horses carousel and ice rink in the village’s main square.

Winter activities in Les Gets

Most visitors come to Les Gets to ski and snowboard. The winter sports season begins in late December and runs until early April, and the combination of lifts to higher altitudes and snow cannons guarantees that there will be snow.

There are a gondola and chair lifts whisking skiers and snowboarders from the centre of the village straight up onto the mountainside, connecting to more than 70 runs in the Les Gets and Morzine sector, part of the vast Portes de Soleil ski area.

The majority of slopes are categorised as blue or red, suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers, but those who want to challenge themselves can easily reach black runs, and there are plenty of options for off-piste skiing and Nordic skiing, too. Don’t miss Snowpark Les Chavannes, either: the kicks, rails, and boxes are all accessible via drag lift.

Off the slopes you’ll still be busy. The 1,100 m toboggan track is open year-round, and it reaches up to 40 km/h. You can dog sled and snowshoe, play in the Jardin de neiges (snow garden), and explore the magical Alta Lumina, a multimedia experience in the forest at night.

Summer activities in Les Gets

Les Gets is a year-round destination, and the French Alps are spectacularly beautiful in the summer months. There are more than 120 km of marked trails for mountain biking, and if your legs (or heart) aren’t up to the challenge of the mountains, you can hire an e-bike to make things easier. Put on your hiking boots to discover quiet parks and stunning mountain panoramas, including of Mont Blanc; swim in high-altitude lakes surrounded by lush alpine pastures; or take an outdoor yoga class you’ll never forget.

Summer is also a great time to learn about Les Gets’ flora and agricultural heritage and to taste the delicious fresh produce that comes from the local area. There’s a strong tradition of cheese making, which you can learn about at the Frutiere des Perrieres; and Pere Delavay’s Botanical Garden has a collection of plants not only from across the Alps but from as far away as China.

Where to stay in Les Gets

There are accommodation choices to suit all budgets in Les Gets, but one of the best value for money options is SkiWeekends’ Chalet Marjorie, where you can book individual rooms or hire the whole property for exclusive use. The staff live in and breakfast, huge amounts of homemade cake, dinner, and copious quantities of wine are included, so it feels like you are staying in someone’s home. Oh, and there’s the added benefit of a 10-person hot tub on the terrace and a steam room inside. Rates start from £460 per person for a three-night break.

Where to eat out in Les Gets

Les Gets is packed with restaurants and bars serving everything from burgers and chips to higher-end Asian fusion food. Make sure that you indulge at least once in the local Savoyard cuisine, however: the decadent cheese and meat dishes like tartiflette, fondue, and raclette are typical of this region and exactly what you want after a long day exerting yourself in the mountains. The Bellevue Hotel & Restaurant, situated conveniently between Les Gets’ gondola station and the tourist office, serves up all three with aplomb, and can also cater to food allergies and other dietary requirements.

How to get to Les Gets

Les Gets is one of the most accessible ski resorts in the Alps. British Airways flies to Geneva from London City, Gatwick, and Heathrow, and the non-stop flight takes 1h40. The drive from Geneva Airport to Les Gets is 1h25 on public transport, but if you’re travelling with a ski company they will usually provide a private transfer, reducing the journey time to about an hour.