Review of Les Gets

26th January 2009 by Judith Jeans 

Les Gets is a really charming resort. It is a really pretty place with lots of tree lined slopes and easy, wide returns down the mountain at the end of the day. It is great for beginners and children with easy access to the beginners slopes by bubble on Les Chavannes but it is also challenging for intermediates and more advanced skiers with the varied blacks and reds at Chamossiere, Pointe de Nyon, and the bowl between Le Ranfoilly and La Rosta.
The sector on the other side at Mont-Chery has wide open pistes and one of the best mountain restaurants - La Grande Ourse - run by an English family who offer very special food in lovely surroundings, with furs on the chairs to keep you cosy. The views from the restaurant are breathtaking.

There is easy access down to Morzine over Secteur Pleney, from where you can catch the free bus to Avoriaz for more extensive skiing. It is quite open above Avoriaz and really windy on the day we visited - we did not stay long - but the skiing is very extensive. We caught a bubble down from Avoriaz to Morzine and then caught the little train from the lift station to the Pleney lift in Morzine - this avoided catching the ski bus back.

There are lovely long winding blue runs from most of the highest points in Les Gets - great for skiers of different abilities who might want to choose different ways down the mountain.

The mountain restaurants are quite plentiful and some quite expensive but all have a certain charm. We liked the creperie Les Raverettes at the top of the Chamois run above Morzine. Newly refurbished and run by a lovely French couple, this restaurant was really reasonable with a big bowl of vegetable soup at 6 euros, or savoury crepes at only 4 euros; great value these days. A lovely log fire creates a warm feel to this friendly little place.

The ski hire at Sport 2000 is fairly expensive. We paid 113 euros for the top range of skis but the great advantage is that you can leave your skis and boots there at the end of the day on heated boot racks and just cross the road to the ski slope opposite. No carrying skis or walking in ski boots to the chalet.

For children,there is a special area called Grand Cry. This is Indian city with green runs through tepees and buffalos, treasure hunts and games on some days. They also love the little train which runs through the village transporting you from one area to another.

Some of the lifts need modernising and are a little outdated, but we had absolutely no queues at any time during our stay. The lift attendants were there at all times to help.

Les Gets is very convenient for transfer times - only 1 hour from Geneva - with the advantage of low cost flights. This was a great plus for us as we really do not like the three or four hour transfers to some of the bigger resorts. It does mean that it is quite popular with the weekenders.

The town itself is really charming, especially at night with the really pretty lights all around the town. The ice rink is a great attraction, as are the numerous bars and restaurants. The Bar Irelandais and the Canadian Bar have great atmosphere and there is live music in the Dublin Bar every evening. Drinks were quite expensive - around 7 euros for a pint.

Les Gets is part of the Porte Du Soleil ski circuit. It is not difficult to get to Avoriaz and beyond but if you want to explore more of the circuit you might be better to stay closer. However, we loved the charm of Les Gets and we were very happy with the varied, well groomed pistes that Les Gets and Morzine offer.

One disadvantage is that it is quite low. It rained for one whole day whereas if we had been higher we would have had snow but on other days, snow conditions were great with fresh powder. Might be worth checking snow reports before visiting. There are snow making machines.

Highly recommended when snow conditions good.

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