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Winter in Les Gets

Taking a day off skiing in Les Gets?

Introduction

Don't feel like skiing for a day? We have put together some excellent snow related activities for you to choose from. Take a look at the awesome activities available in Les Gets.

Snowy Les Gets in the sunshine
Snowshoeing in Les Gets
Cross-country Skiing in Les Gets
Snow Blading in Les Gets

Walking

Unwind in nature

Walking is a great way to keep your muscles active while at the same time giving them somewhat of a rest — compared with a hard day's skiing. You don't need Snowshoes to walk in the snow, although for a trek of over 2 hours these might be a good idea. It is not advisable to plan a trip that will take you off the beaten track, Les Gets has a number of designated hiking and walking tracks.

Many of these are short routes, about 20 minutes in total, and have designated picnic and resting areas dotted along the way. Also dotted throughout are the tracks of the local wildlife. Channel your inner Bear Grylls as you try to identify fox, hare, wild boar and pole cat paw prints.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, there is a route from Les Chavannes to Morzine that offers amazing views of the Morzine and Manche valleys. This route takes, on average, an hour and a half to complete one way. It would be advisable to bring Snowshoes if you are thinking of making the round trip. For a longer walk like this, especially if it's your first time, it would be also be advisable to bring along a Les Gets mountain guide.

During the winter season the following Les Gets ski lifts are available to pedestrians:

Equipment:

  • Good quality, sturdy Hiking boots
  • Warm, rainproof clothes
  • Trekking Poles
  • Food
  • Water bottle
  • Compass

Snowshoeing

A day of trekking

Snow-shoeing in Les Gets offers a great opportunity to get out into the wilderness. You can get away from the hustle and bustle of the ski lifts and pistes to find some serenity and untouched natural beauty. Snowshoeing is a less labour intensive activity than hiking. You could find yourself maxing out after 2 hours of walking in the snow in standard hiking boots. With snowshoes it's possible, if you should choose, to spend the day trekking through the snow.

Half days, whole days and night treks snow-shoeing are available from ESF and The Snow Shoe Company. Prices start at 27€ for a 3 hour session. The shorter evening walks comes highly recommended, especially on staff night off, as they usually finish up in local restaurants.

Download Les Gets Ski Touring / Snowshoeing Map 2019 PDF

Equipment:

  • Snowshoes
  • Warm, rainproof clothes
  • Trekking Poles
  • Food
  • Water bottle
  • Compass

Cross-Country Skiing

Hardcore fun

If you're looking to combine the serenity of walking with the technical aspects of alpine skiing, cross-country skiing could be the ideal way to break up your ski holiday. It is not an activity that can be easily picked up, many people who take part in the winter often spend the other seasons practising the technique on skis with wheels along country roads. If it is your first time, it is a good idea to learn the basics from an instructor.

There is a great selection of Nordic (cross country) Ski tracks in Les Gets. ESF Les Gets is offering group ski lessons and private lessons starting from 46 Euro for 1 hour. Alternatively, you can bring your own equipment and hit the well marked trails surrounding Les Gets. See the comprehensive Trail Guide here (in French).

During the winter season the following Les Gets ski lifts are available to cross-country skiers:

Equipment:

  • Non-waxed skis (For going uphill)
  • Appropriate clothing (not too warm or too cold)
  • Ski boots (Should cover your ankles)
  • Cross-country poles (Should reach your chest from the ground)

Blading

Skiing alternative

If you're looking to stay on the ski slopes but want to try something different, Blading could be a great option. Snowblades are shorter in length than traditional skis, usually measuring around 1 metre, and even shorter in the tricks and half-pipe area of the sport. Snowblades put the focus on sharp turns & speed and are normally operated without poles. They are ideal on hard packed snow but, because of their smaller surface area, will not fare well on lighter more powdery surfaces. If you can ski then the skills required to snowblade should come quite naturally.

For more information on SnowBlade Hire, please contact the following ski hire shops in Les Gets:

4 Season Alpine Coaster

New for the 2023-2024 winter season!

In Les Perrières, a new activity will be launched this winter: a 4 season alpine coaster on rails. Come on board this new attraction at the Perrières car park. You will go up in the sled on rails, before attacking a descent which will offer you many sensations! The ride is 1100 m long, with a difference in height of 104 m and an average descent gradient of 14.50%. There are twists and turns, slope breaks (a peak at 46%), speed (up to 40 km/h) and thrills guaranteed.

For more information on the 4 season alpine coaster on rails, please see the official Les Gets website:

  • Les Gets website
  • Minimum age: 8 years old alone, 3 years old accompanied
  • From Saturday 16 December: open every day from 11am to 12.30pm, and from 1.30pm to 7pm.
  • Price per sled (with 1 or 2 people on it): €8.00

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