Les Gets - introduction

Les Gets is part of the Portes du Soleil linked ski area that straddles a large part of the French and Swiss Alps. The Portes du Soleil is awesome, combining 12 major ski villages and 295 lifts to make up a mind-boggling 650km of pistes.

Each of the 12 villages has its own distinct identity and the charming, historic small town of Les Gets is one of the best.

Even if you don’t take advantage of the Portes du Soleil ski area – which gives the opportunity of fabulous long-haul days out – you’ll find that Les Gets is an outstanding winter resort in its own right. With its directly-linked neighbour, Morzine, it has 52 lifts and 110km of slopes.

In contrast to nearby purpose-built Avoriaz, Les Gets has a very French family-orientated feel – we like the fact that it's a proper village with traditional shops lining the main street selling local produce. Buildings are mostly chalet-style and there is a rustic feel to the place.

It is also a little off the Portes du Soleil beaten track, so there is less through traffic of skiers than in some of the other connected resorts.

What’s more, Les Gets is one of the greenest ski resorts in Europe, with many sustainable development projects, including the most advanced rubbish-sorting programme in the Alps (at least 16 different categories). Even its piste-bashers use bio-degradable oil.

Highlights

• Very attractive. A by-pass keeps road traffic to a minimum
• One of the easiest villages in the Portes du Soleil to reach by rail
• Plenty to do off the slopes, with lots to keep non-skiers occupied
• Part of one of the world's biggest linked ski areas, unlimited slopes on the doorstep
• Evenings out catered for, with lots of bars, a nightclub – and 40 restaurants
• Excellent environmental record

Lowlights

• Weekends can get busy because the resort is within easy reach of Geneva and Lyon
• Not many really tough runs (but perfect for families)
• Not the best place to stay if your sole plan is to clock up daily miles around the Portes du Soleil