<p>Discover this fantastic family-orientated ski resort.</p>
Photo: OT Les Gets/ V.Ducrettet

The Ultimate Guide to Les Gets

Discover this fantastic family-orientated ski resort.

Resort Guides
Published at: 30 Oct 2020
Last updated at: 17 Oct 2023

Located in the Portes du Soleil ski area, Les Gets has grown from a rural farming village into a fantastic family-orientated ski resort.

Serena Norton
Serena Norton

About Les Gets

Located at one end of the Portes du Soleil ski area, Les Gets has grown from a rural farming village into a fantastic family-orientated ski resort. This traditional village has a small central core with an authentic Savoyarde feel. Bypassed by the main road to neighbouring Morzine, Les Gets is largely unspoilt by traffic, offering convenient accommodation and easy access to Geneva airport which is just a one hour drive away.

Shared with Morzine, 120 km of local slopes are situated on either side of the village. Each ski area has its own unique characteristics, making it the perfect playground for skiers of all levels. The resort is connected to Portes du Soleil, one of the biggest ski areas in the world comprising 12 interconnected resorts in France and Switzerland, providing enough terrain to keep even the most avid skier amused.

View of luxury ski resort les getsPhoto: OT Les Gets
snowmobiling les getsPhoto: OT Les Gets/ Keno Derleyn
Family in snow in les getsPhoto: OT Les Gets/ Keno Derleyn

Winter in Les Gets

With excellent beginner areas and links to more challenging slopes, including the infamous Swiss Wall, skiing in Les Gets is well-suited to mixed ability groups. As well as the main slopes shared with Morzine, Les Gets has a separate area of runs on Mont Chéry which is home to mainly red and black pistes. Accessible from the top of the Chavannes bubble lift, beginners can learn in the protected Espace des Mappys ski area, whilst intermediates are spoilt for choice with numerous rewarding red runs to negotiate. A snow park for all levels is located at Les Chavannes and a boardercross on the Gentiane run above Les Gets should satisfy park enthusiasts.

Les Gets is tailor-made for family holidays with a whole host of activities of alternative activities to enjoy. In the centre of the village is a big outdoor ice rink and for relaxation, Les Sources du Chery features steam baths, saunas, cold water plunge pools and a pool with hydromassage, whirlpools, waterfall and a salt cave. Worth a visit is the Museum of Mechanical Music, a collection of 800 instruments dating back to the 17th century in some cases. There are also scenic walks and snowshoe trails as well as electric snowmobiling and dog sledding.

ice skating in les getsPhoto: OT Les Gets/ V.Ducrettet
snowshoeing in Les GetsPhoto: OT Les Gets/ Keno Derleyn
skiing on fresh powder les getsPhoto: OT Les Gets/Keno Derleyn

Where to Stay in Les Gets

Luxury Ski Chalets in Les Gets
Chalet Valambrun in Les GetsPhoto: Chalet Valambrun

Les Gets has a fantastic range of luxury chalets and apartments, both in the centre of town and further up the mountain. If you like to be at the heart of the action we recommend the seriously stylish Apartment Ben Nevis. Just off the main high street, this five-bedroom apartment is a prime example of contemporary Alpine style. Another favourite is Apartment No. 5, a surprisingly spacious duplex apartment just 200 metres from the ski lifts. At the bottom of the Perrières piste is Chalet Le Clos Saint-Jean. With seven bedrooms, this spacious self-catered chalet is perfect for large groups.

Further out from the bustling centre is the stunning Ferme de Moudon, a private chalet that has won awards for its design and style. Sleeping 12, the chalet has a wonderful outdoor wellness area with a heated pool, hot tub and fire pit. Another property hitting the heights of luxury is Chalet Valambrun, a stylish mountain home with a 14-seater cinema room and indoor pool.

Where to Eat & Drink in Les Gets

From mountain-top classics to authentic tapas bars, Les Gets has a number of fantastic restaurants to choose from. On the mountain, La Paika is a favourite. Found on the slopes down to Perrières, this atmospheric farmhouse-style restaurant has a sunny terrace with glorious views and specialises in tasty barbecue fare. Another favourite with locals and visitors alike is Le Vaffieu, a traditional Savoyard-style restaurant close to the top of the Pleney cable car. At the top of Mont Chéry, La Grande Ourse has impressive views from the terrace and tempting specialities such as slow-cooked home-smoked barbecue ribs and lobster and scallop tartiflette.

For Savoyard specialities in town, head to La Fruitière des Perrieres. This authentic restaurant, attached to the local fromagerie, is famous for its incredible fondues. In the centre of Les Gets is La Biskatacha, a brasserie and grill making up one of three restaurants in La Marmotte chalet-hotel. Cooked on an authentic wood-fired barbecue, the restaurant serves up grilled meats, fish of the day and traditional fondue. A relative newcomer to the scene, Vina Annapurna has a small but beautifully presented menu and a fantastic selection of wines.

Top Events in Les Gets

Les Gets has a packed calendar throughout the year with a number of exciting events to look forward to. Christmas celebrations are taken seriously here with Father Christmas welcoming children into an enchanted wonderland in the forest, along with guided tours, activities and surprises for all the family. Mid-January sees a stage of La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont-Blanc come to Les Gets. This annual European dog sled event brings together more than 25 mushers and 400 dogs who compete in a race across the Alps. Taking place from 19 - 23 January 2021 is Let’s Get Comédie festival. This bilingual festival features both French and English artists performing improvisation, stand-up, mime and music in two languages.

Music fans flock to Les Gets in March to the Rock the Pistes festival. Festival-goers can ski to the stages and enjoy incredible performances against the breathtaking mountain backdrop.

Summer is just as busy with the UCI MTB World Championships returning to Les Gets. Meanwhile, the Pass’Portes du Soleil MTV event will celebrate its 18th year. This annual event showcases the fantastic mountain biking on offer in the area with a route covering 80 km through France and Switzerland.

Mountain biking in Les GetsPhoto: OT Les Gets/ V.Ducrettet

Summer in Les Gets

Come summer, Les Gets transforms into a mountain biking mecca. There is no shortage of routes to explore with a system of interlinked trails across the Portes du Soleil. Les Gets is also part of the “Accueil Velo” initiative, meaning the town is equipped with cycle paths, self-service bike stations, electric bike stations and recharging points to encourage cyclists and mountain bikers. Les Gets also has an 18-hole golf course, an abundance of marked hiking trails, a lake with inflatable slides and opportunities to try white-water rafting, parapenting and rock climbing.

Worth purchasing is the Multi Pass Portes du Soleil, ensuring unlimited access to more than 60 leisure facilities across the 12 resorts.