Les Gets
Les Gets is situated between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Despite its fairly low altitude it still manages to maintain an excellent snow record! The resort makes up part of the Portes du Soleil domain which includes resorts such as Morzine and Avoriaz. Les Gets and offers fair access to the rest of the area as well as great ski to your door accessibility.
History:
From its origins (in the 11th century), the village of Les Gets has had wood in its veins... The name "Les Gets" came from the local dialect words "gitte" or "giette" meaning the corridors used to send logs rapidly down the hillside. Well before tourism developed from winter sports, wood and water were the main resources for the inhabitants of Les Gets. They used different varieties of pine for building: from the main structure to chimneys, from partition walls to roofing tiles; everything was made from wood. It was also used to make kitchen utensils (spoons and buckets for example) and agricultural tools, such as forks, rakes, scythe handles and coffis. In the springtime the sawmills would operate, because at that time of year, the water volume is higher due to the melting of the winter snows. Today, the forests which cover 2/3 of the Commune are still a veritable livelihood, such as: A wood fired heating system supplying 12 Commune buildings, Sawmills which are still functioning, a tradition omnipresent in our architecture, crafts and heritage etc...
Skiing in Les Gets:
Les Gets is excellent for the beginner and intermediate skier - there is the "Blanchot" circuit around the Les Gets area which follows only green and blue slopes. For the more advanced skiers access to the Portes du Soleil ski area means there are 650km of slopes at your fingertips!
The resort:
Those hoping for a wild nightlife may have to look to neighbouring resorts like Morzine, but Les Gets itself offers plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes for more relaxed evenings out.
Vital Statistics:
Resort Height = 1172m
Top Lift = 2277m
Pistes km 65
Lifts 202
Green 9
Blue 22
Red 25
Black 8
Rating Beginner *****
Intermediate ****
Advanced ***
Snowboarding ***
Off Piste Very good
Artificial Snow 55km
Children Les Gets is ideal for a family holiday and there are great child care facilities including a kids themed ski area complete with fur traders and Indians.
Apres ski Large selection of bars and restaurants, as well as a night club.
Other activities If you fancy a day off skiing there are plenty of other activities to try out including night skiing by torch light, sleigh rides, telemark and snowshoeing. Les Gets also offers an ice rink, bowling alley, gym and swimming pool which will keep you occupied if the weather is bad. In summer there is m.t.b. world class downhill mountain biking, cross country cycling, swimming, lake, parp gliding, parpenting, climbing, walking, hiking and so much more.
Other Events In Les Gets:
Father Christmas'cabin
VISIT OF THE FATHER CHRISTMAS’ CABIN FROM 13H TO 26TH DECEMBER 2008
This Christmas week will be a time of wonder for children and adults alike who will be
welcome to Santa Claus’ world. Santa Claus will open the doors of his chalet, in the heart of an enchanted forest, where many little elves make the fi nal preparations for the grand tour of our chimneys on the 24th of December. Included in the week in which dreams come true: drawing competition, Christmas concert, snow sculptures, Father Christmas cakes, arrival of Santa Claus, shows and free snacks for the children, grand Christmas parade, fireworks...
Automaton exhibition
Tél. + 33 (0)4 50 79 85 75
Fax +33 (0)4 50 79 85 67
In the new exhibition gallery of the museum. Open from 2.15 p.m to 7.15 p.m daily except on Saturday. Wonderful collection of automatons by Roger & Gallet: forty-odd moving scenes have taken new life in a new space. Adults .......................................................3,50 euros -16 years .........................................................2 euros
Special rates for Groups.
The grande Odysee 2009
«FAMILLY PLUS MONTAGNE» WEEK FOR THE GRANDE ODYSÉE
FROM 11TH TO 14TH JANUARY 2009
For the fith time , the Portes du Soleil resorts will host an unusual event, uniting the best mushers in the world: «La Grande Odyssée». It is a long-distance race inspired by the legendary Yukon Quest and Idirarod. This has been the first wide-spreading event in the Alps since the end of the Alpirod: a virgin territory for mushers from all over the world, never crossed by any sledge dog. Several races are programmed in this event, with a departure from the heart of the village. The Grande Odyssée will be the biggest event
of the week; you will find for the whole family animations, spectacles, exhibitions...
A stage of the Grande Odyssée will take place in Les Gets on Tuesday 13th January 09.
Heritage trail
Every Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. - The visit lasts an hour. Themes include : traditional village life, customs and vegetation.This visit is free and the meeting point is at the Maison des Gets.
On request school visits (which last 2 hours) can be organized (for more information ask for Françoise at the Maison de la Presse.)
La Sarre Farm
Tél. + 33 (0)4 50 79 71 62
Visit the goat farm every Thursday at 5.30 p.m. Maximum 20 people, booking advisable.
Adult : 5 euros
Child : 3 euros
Poterie Element Terre/Potter
NEW AT LES GETS
Poterie Element-terre
Tel: 00 33 (0) 6 82 58 28 40
anoukbonhomme74@yahoo.fr
At the workshop, you’ll fi nd a wide variety of decorative and useful creations made on-site by Anouk the potter.
Shaping and glazing demonstrations every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. (10 people max).
Free visit, booking advisable
The workshop/shop is open all year round at the La Sarre Farm.
Winter hours: 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 to 7 p.m.
Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Mechanical Music Museum: www.musicmecalesgets.com
Tél. +33 (0)4 50 79 85 75
Fax +33 (0)4 50 79 85 67
Open every day except Saturday from 2.15 to 7.15 p.m., last guided visit at 6 p.m.
• Carillon bells, pendulums and music-boxes
• Animated scenes and automatons
• Barrel organs (dance and fair-ground types)
• Orchestra scores and violins
• Mechanical and wind pianos
• Phonographs and gramophones...
All displayed throughout the museum in their historical context.
Adults : 7 euros
-16 years : 4 euros
(With possibility of morning visits for groups only)
Organ
Eglise des Gets.
Tél. + 33 (0)4 50 79 85 75
Mechanical musical instrument unique in Europe, classified as a historic monument.
This automatic philharmonic organ with its 1000 pipes (violins, flutes, human voices, etc.), carillon bell and metallophone, has been in restoration for four years. Come and appreciate its sound on “Organ Tuesdays” at 6pm.
Retrospective ski exhibition
Tél. +33 (0)4 50 79 81 52
Skiing through the ages. Free exhibition at the top of the Mt Chery cablecar in the restaurant «Belvédère». Free entry during cablecar opening hours.
Sreet market
Les Gets market every Thursday morning.
The Perrières cheese dairy
Tél. +33 (0)4 50 79 70 04
The «Fruitière» is the place where milk is turned into cheese, where the fruit of the milk is collected, hence the word «fruitière». Every day Reblochon, Tomme, butter, yogurts and Abondance cheese are produced. Every Wednesday at 9 a.m. free guided tour to see the cheese being made.