Les Gets, French Alps

Les Gets lies just 4 miles away from Morzine, 1 hour from Geneva and is part of the vast Portes du Soleil region. There are eight towns within this region and each is linked to another to create one of the largest lift networks in the world. One lift pass can give you access to the entire network, which is one of the reasons the Passporte du Soleil enduro event is so hugely popular each July.

The resort is synonymous with DH style riding in its large network of lift assisted park trails but there are more options to be explored if riding the park trails for a week is not your thing.

There are marked trails that include uplifts to start and then continue on high level fire roads leading to some truly amazing natural woodland singletrack that are not painted on the official resort park maps. That’s where a guide comes in.

Getting There

Can I fly my eMTB to Geneva?

No. We found no airlines happy to fly an eMTB. Weight is an issue but airlines won’t let you put a battery in the hold. You may be able to find a compatible battery at your destination but we didn’t come across any shops hiring them out. That leaves your options as drive with your eMTB or rent.

Each has pros and cons.

Driving to the Alps

Driving is a viable option for us Brits and thousands of us travel to the region every year by car regardless of the type of bike we take. When there’s a group of you its feasible to pack a big car with your gear and get 3 or even four bikes stowed on a rack. If you have a van with enough seats then all the better. You aren’t restricted by luggage limits and you get to take your own bike and battery.

Options from the UK are ferry or train. Tunnel prices can range from around £100 for a car. Add a rack and things get a little more and a van can expect to pay around £150. If you’ve never driven to France before it’s surprising how easy and slick it is and in most cases you don’t need to get out of your car at all. From driving on the train to driving off takes around an hour.

From Calais you have about a seven hour drive down through France on a variety of generally quiet toll roads. The great thing about driving anywhere outside of the UK is it invariably is a much more pleasant experience. Expect to pay around £80 each way in tolls. Add on the cost of fuel to get your total for travel. From the south of the UK it’s a feasible trip to do in a single day. From the north of the UK it’s a bit harder and we usually break the journey somewhere outside Calais in the form of an overnight in a motel. The Campenile (campanile.com) range of motels is handily located close to the main routes. They are basic but cheap and clean and usually come with breakfast. In the summer they book up fast so book ahead.

Airport Transfers

Geneva airport is an hour away by road. Skiidygonzales can transport you and your bikes to and from Les Gets, Morzine & Avoriaz from around £100 for a return trip. They also provide other services for mountain bikers, like away days to other resorts.

Getting from Geneva to the mountains is easier than you think

Conclusion: Personal choice and circumstances will dictate your preference. There are distinct advantages to both. A van of 4 driving there and back will leave a considerably smaller carbon footprint than flying.

How does driving compare to flying?

Caveat: All costs are estimates and subject to seasonal variations. Based on advanced booking. In particular, airline costs can be extremely volatile. All estimates are for individuals. At peak periods these costs could be considerably higher.

Without the accommodation in Northern France and doing the entire trip in a single day and the travel costs come down to around £800-£900 or £200-£225 per person.

Staying In Les Gets

We stayed in one of the 50-plus properties managed by Chalets1066 in Les Gets. Our host, Ben, could not have been more helpful and we felt like we had won a watch. Our duplex had four bedrooms and a secure garage to store our bikes and was only a five-minute walk into the heart of Les Gets. We didn’t make use of the wood burner or the hot tub but they were there if we had been so inclined. The property was spotless and we wanted for nothing. The washing machine and dryer were an end of day bonus meaning that ride kit could be washed and dried ready for the next day. The beds were comfortable and the presence of down pillows and duvets was appreciated by all three of us.

chalets1066.com

Eating in Les Gets

Restaurant Basskour

Hosted by patron Fabien and his business partner wife, we enjoyed a meal of locally sourced meats and cheeses that absolutely hit the spot when it came to keeping us hungry mountain bikers happy. They pride themselves on cooking everything fresh and supporting local suppliers. I had a pork dish that was more than worthy of the chef’s kiss while Benji went all in on a steak. Suffice it to say, there was not even a crumb left behind. The generously portioned cheese and meat plate containing several cuts of meat and local cheeses such as Reblochon and Comté did not last long. Open weekdays from 6.30am and from noon on Saturday and Sunday.

basskour.cool

Ice Burg Burger Bar

An independently owned, high-end burger restaurant that also does takeaway, we came away suitably impressed by the selection of burgers and sides on offer. Fans of Pulp Fiction might get the impression that the French don’t do burgers well but we can confirm that just ain’t true. Open from 11.30am daily.

iceburg.fr

L’As des Neiges and Le Comptoir

In need of some pizza-based sustenance, we were drawn to those being eaten by patrons on the open-air terrace we passed by one evening. The service was welcoming and friendly while the thin-based pizzas were generously topped and absolutely delicious. As an aficionado of good pizza who has travelled extensively in Italy trying them, Sanny was impressed. The pricing was similar to here in the UK too. Highly recommended. Open for lunch and dinner from 7pm daily.

asdesneiges-lesgets.com

Places to drink

 L’ApresSki Bar Resto

This became our unofficial base of operations in Les Gets, conveniently located beside the main Chavannes lift. Offering breakfast (we tried it – top marks!), lunch and dinner options, it felt like the beating heart of the village throughout the day. Offering live music, it had a relaxed and welcoming vibe. The staff soon recognised us and were happy to shoot the breeze. The deckchairs were a welcome touch between runs. We had lunch one day and the steak I had was excellent. Perfectly cooked and generously portioned too. Open daily.

bellevue-lesgets.com

Bike shops

Les Gets, as you might expect, is well served by bike shops. There are over a dozen in the village. We used Netski/The Hub which is centrally located beside the main square. The welcoming owner, Lionel, could not have been more helpful, setting us up with Saracen bikes and accompanying us on two of the rides. As well as offering bike rentals and sales, the shop specialises in snow sports in the winter. Open daily from 8.30am to 7.00pm in season. Our trip would not have been possible without Lionel’s help and support. 

thehublesgets.com

Get Covered

It’s really important to make sure you have adequate travel insurance for any holiday that involves riding bikes off road. If you are planning to ride every day then many travel policies won;t have you fully covered where mountain biking is the main purpose of your trip. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Yellow Jersey who specialise in travel insurance for us mountain bikers. Find out more below.

Bike specific travel insurance shouldn’t be an afterthought

Other stuff

Supermarket

There is one supermarket, Carrefour Montagne, in the centre of the village. What it lacks in scale, it more than makes up for in stock. It puts most UK supermarkets to shame and has got you covered for pretty much all your needs.

Weird stuff

In the heart of the village, there is a walk-in cheese vending machine which practically blew Mark’s mind. In case of a cheese emergency, you know where to come while there is also a 24/7 self-service takeaway pizza machine. I have to admit that was a new one for all of us. We weren’t necessarily convinced but don’t knock it until you try it, eh?

Bike guiding