Les Gets
Why we love Les Gets
This truly is as accessible as the Alps gets. Fly into Geneva and you’ll be parking up at the Ferme within 90 mins of your wheels rolling on the transfer. Les Gets is a real all year round resort with 2 main seasons: summer and winter.
The town has a really positive reputation as a family friendly resort - and we agree, but not exclusively. The town is laid out around 2 roads that run in parallel and connect back to the main road to Morzine. Its a low-rise town with an open feel, and whilst you’ll find the large brands and stores represented, such as Intersport, many of the shops and restaurants are unique, family run places. Many of them have decent kids menus. Theres a friendly vibe and whilst there’s apres-ski and plenty of bars, you won’t get woken up by drunken groups, and especially not at the Farmhouse!
In the summer, the investment in mountain biking and walking infrastructure are the main draws; the lifts are open to take everyone up the hills and the mountain bikers can indulge in every sort - trail biking or downhill; the resort has regularly hosted Red Bull and World Cup championships. It also has a terrific golf course and the summer lake has a WiBit inflatable during the summer weeks which is a massive hit with everyone. And in the same area there is a 'high ropes' course (like a Go-Ape for those from the UK) that can scare and thrill in equal measure.
Come Winter, the local ski area is terrific with excellent facilities for beginners right in the heart of the village, whilst the lifts also quickly and easily link upon with the rest of the Porte de Soleil skiing domain, from Morzine to the higher slopes of Avoriaz, via Lindarets, the Swiss Wall and beyond.
It's this all-family focus that makes Les Gets a real hit as there quite literally is something for everyone; we've seen kids as young as 5 on mountain bikes and younger still on the balcony walks taking in views of Mont Blanc.
The village has a vibrant, authentic and welcoming atmosphere with plenty of appetising food and drink choices lining the main street; you'll find both Savoyarde fayre and more modern and eclectic choices at all budgets from take away to fine dining. The winter ice rink and summer bike park in the centre of town are next to the carousel and weekly food market, there is also a 10-pin bowling alley and a cinema, perfect for the cooler months when the lake swimming and floating inflatable obstacle course has gone.
The area of slopes it shares with Morzine are the most extensive local network in the region, with 14 Valleys, 650km of pistes and over 200 chair lifts in the Porte du Soleil region straddling both France and Switzerland.
Winter Season
The winter season runs from mid-December (2019 target date for full opening is the 15th December) to late-April and every ability is catered for. There are specific beginner areas, with beginner ski school areas right in the heart of Les Gets. Easy access from Les Gets into the whole Porte de Soleil ski area means that plenty of blue, red and black runs can be found along with off piste and the trick/jump parks for the more adventurous.
The Portes du Soleil includes 12 linked resorts running both sides of the French-Swiss border. From Les Gets you can spend the day skiing in Switzerland or attempt the full Circuite du Soleil; a 80km circular tour taking in all the major resorts in both France and Switzerland. You can access the whole ski area using the lifts or the free ski-bus services; for example a bus to take you directly to the Morzine lifts is under 15 minutes and we also have a few 'locals' hints to pass to our guests too! And there's not just skiing to do during the winter months - paragliding, ice-skating, sledging, ice climbing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, telemarking … or just relax in the quiet pine forest setting of the Farmhouse, or in the hot tub, taking in the peaceful view.
Summer Season
In the summer, Les Gets becomes a real playground; the investment in mountain biking and walking infrastructure are the main draws; the lifts are open to take everyone up the hills and the mountain bikers can indulge in every sort - trail biking or downhill; road bikers too can indulge in beautiful roads and hard climbs; what goes up must come down!
On that note, the resort has regularly hosted Red Bull and World Cup championships so it really is world class; no need to bring your own bikes, everything can be easily rented in town. Les Gets also has a terrific golf course and the summer lake has a WiBit inflatable during the summer weeks which is a massive hit with everyone. And in the same area here is a 'high ropes' course (like a Go Ape for those from the UK) that can scare and thrill in equal measure. It doesn't stop there; within 30 minutes drive you can be white water rafting, canyoning, or just feeding the goats in Lindarets or Stand Up paddle Boarding at the Lac de Montriond.
The Portes du Soleil summer area has 25 lifts operating and endless marked trails. There's no shortage of routes to explore, and no matter what your level or interest, you'll find more riding and walking (almost all is on separate trails!) here than you could possibly attempt in a week. The full system of interlinked trails across the Portes du Soleil is ideal for those who love to explore and you can go village to village, mountain to mountain throughout the whole area, selecting trails that are at your level.
Here are our Summer top things to do
1. Wibit on Lac Des Écoles in Les Gets is a firm favourite. It’s situated about 5 minutes drive above Les Gets. It’s signposted as you drive into the town or you can get the Summer ‘train’ from Mont Chery and the other town centre stops.
There is a little hut by the lake where you pay a few Euros to sit by the lake within the marked areas and you book your slot for the the Wibit. It’s a half hour session. You all get lifejackets and there’s a lifeguard on duty. It’s €11 per person.
Just by the lake is a nice restaurant (Restaurant Du Lac - +33 4 50 79 84 74 (you don’t need to book) serving good food, drinks and ice creams across 2 sides - a ‘snack bar’ informal side and a restaurant.
2. Canyoning
This is a firm favourite but not for the faint hearted. It starts with a 70 metre abseil from a bridge and then you follow the river down with jumps from rocks and sliding down waterfalls.
Situated in Nyon which is around 8-10 minutes drive from Les Gets just through Morzine.
3. Parapenting
You’ll see them, in their peaceful circles floating above you, so why not join them - you just have to run off the side of the Mont Chéry mountain (that overlooks Les Gets) strapped to an instructor with a parachute and then you glide down back into Les Gets. The landing field is 5 mins walk from the Farmhouse.
4. Via Ferrata
Via Ferrata explained on Wikipedia - “The essence of a modern via ferrata is a steel cable that runs along the route and is periodically—every 1 to 10 metres (3 to 30 ft)—fixed to the rock. Using a via ferrata kit, climbers can secure themselves to the cable, limiting any fall. The cable can also be used as an aid for climbing, and additional climbing aids, such as iron rungs, pegs, carved steps, and even ladders and bridges are often provided. Thus, via ferrata allow otherwise dangerous routes to be undertaken without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling and climbing or the need for climbing equipment such as ropes.”
5. Lac de Montriond
Lac de Montriond is a 15 minute drive from Les Gets and is a stunning lake, surrounded by towering cliffs. There is the main lake and a separate swimming lake. Its a great place to go to chill out, with. Picnic and for a gentle walk or jog; the path around the lake is all flat. You can hire the paddle boards and kayaks from a little shack near Le Verdoyant restaurant, which is excellent: best to book as it’s popular especially at weekends +33 4 50 79 21 96)
6. The goat 🐐 village in Lindarets above Lac de Montriond
A further 6-7 minute drive up to Lindarets from the Lac de Montriond, Lindarets is a beautiful village full of restaurants - and goats. They roam free around the village and are friendly - you can buy a bag of feed and enjoy petting them, albeit a few will probably nudge you if they think you’re withholding the food!
From Lindarets is a brilliant 60-min circular walk to the Waterfall. The walk does have a steep section from the ski lifts of the Lindarets dome, but on wide paths. Otherwise it’s one for everyone. Delicious to sit with your toes in the water once you reach the waterfall.
Lindarets also has a great selection of restaurants in summer and winter and is a favourite meeting place /hot chocolate stop for skiing groups.
7. White water rafting or Hydrospeed in Thonon-Les-Bains
Thonon is about 35 minutes from Les Gets. We recommend @an_rafting for a fun family day out. The rapids aren’t crazy, so they will take kids as young as 7 - who tend to be the first volunteers to jump off high rocks into the swirling water beneath!
8. Golf in Les Gets.
There is a stunningly beautiful golf course in Les Gets. Best to book if you fancy 18 holes of breathtaking views +33 4 50 75 87 63. I would recommend hiring buggies (as the course is very very undulating) and clubs can be hired. There’s also a range there.
There is a lovely restaurant up there Le Chalet du Golf - +33 4 50 04 62 36 The owner also owns La Pela +33 4 50 79 85 02 in town which is also worth a visit when you are in Les Gets. It’s right in the centre of the village.
9. Mountain biking
There is something for everyone here. Les Gets hosted the World Downhill Mountain Bike Championships in 2019 and its generally a Mecca for bikers. The lifts are open all day and equipped to take you and your bike up not the hills. There are clearly marked trails for 3 general disciplines: downhill, e-bikes and normal trails. There are many bike and kit hire companies in the village and unless you’re expert, we’d really recommend hiring rather than bringing your own as the hire bikes are of the highest quality and the right tool for the job. You can easily book individual or group lessons or join some of the timed groups that different companies lay on.
10. Hiking
There are some beautiful trails around the area. A great example that’s family-friendly is to take the Mont Chéry lift and then get the second lift to the top of Mt Chéry where you’ll have stunning views. Follow the signs to Mont Caly - about 45mins. At Mont Caly is a quaint and rustic restaurant called Les Chevrelles +33 4 50 79 85 40 The food is basic local Savoyarde fayre, but it’s very popular and the views are just amazing. You can then walk back into town. Total walking time around 2 hours. You can do this walk in either direction, and the ‘train’ from the Mont Chery carpark can take you up to Mont Caly for a small charge on included in the summer MultiPass.