8 Reasons to Holiday in Les Gets This Summer

On hearing the name Les Gets chances are you’ll picture snow-capped peaks, steaming mugs of chocolat chaud and rolling pistes as far as the eye can see. But did you know that Les Gets is also a fantastic resort to visit in summer? With a wealth of activities available from hiking to mountain biking to fresh water swimming, this top 8 list will have you swapping your skis for a pair of walking boots and corresponding Alpine attire before you can say “the hills are alive with the sound of music!”

Hiking

photo: Les Gets Portes du Soleil

Number one on our list had to be hiking. With a plethora of trails providing the perfect panoramic of the Mont Blanc range, Europe’s largest mountain, Les Gets has to be one of the best places to hike in France. The summer climate in the resort peaks at around 25°C (77 °F) in July, a perfect temperature for walking, and the luscious green hills are bejewelled with wild meadow flower. Les Gets offers a huge range of walking trails to be enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of fitness; chair lifts run from the 16^th of June to September allowing you to cut out the harder climbs and arrive at the start of higher trails without busting a lung.

Mountain Biking

Les Gets is part of the biggest MTB playground in all of Europe, offering over 128 kilometres of specially designed bike trails. Designated MTB chair lifts carry you and your bike to the top of the park giving you a choice of 14 downhill tracks, a freeride trail, a kid’s zone and multiple routes dotted with jumps for the daring. Les Gets is constantly patrolled by a dedicated bike team, keeping the trails clear and responding quickly to any accidents, making it one of the safest places to MTB in Europe. There are a number of places you can hire bikes, even just for the day, so you don’t need to worry about taking your own.

photo: Les Gets Portes du Soleil

Yoga

Perhaps you’re looking for a spot of R&R? We couldn’t think of a more relaxing place to unwind your body and your mind than against the backdrop of the spectacular peaks of the French Alps. Les Gets is home to a number of yoga groups including some rather inventive ones. Barbara Porret’s Yogapero class is one worth mentioning; an hour long, open air yoga session with breathing exercises is followed by a delicious apéro of cocktails and fine wine accompanied with panoramic views of the mountains. Wow!

100 Ciels Yoga

Les Gets is also host to the 100 Ciels yoga week which features a number of open-air classes, from Pilates to massage sessions. This event is perfect for the whole family, and takes place from the 19rth to the 23^rd of July.

Swimming

photo: Les Gets Portes du Soleil

The French Alps might be the last place you would imagine catching some rays on a quiet beach before taking a cooling dip in the fresh water; but amazingly this is possible! Lake Les Gets is perhaps the most refreshing place for a swim in all of France, with the crystal clear alpine water reaching 22 °C in the summer sun and lush beaches of green grass! The lake is complete with lifeguards and even a water slide, making it a great place for families.

Golf

photo: Les Gets Portes du Soleil

Les Gets boasts its own 18 hole golf course with views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains. Aficionados will appreciate the extremely varied nature of the course, with steep pitches and a picturesque lining of fir trees. There are a number of events not to be missed this summer, including a vintage golfing day where competitors dress up as old fashioned players (think long floral dresses for the women, berets and moustaches for the men)- 12^th August.

Chalets

Probably the most enticing part of visiting the French Alps be it winter or summer, is the possibility of staying in an authentic wooden chalet. Golden pine cladding and open fireplaces are surely the best thing to return to after a long days hiking. Chalet1066 offers a range of self-catered chalets and apartments in Les Gets to accommodate different budgets. Their friendly services have made them a standout name in Les Gets, and the family run team are always on hand to offer useful advice. Click here to see what they have on offer.

For the kids

Children from 6 years + will love the Wibit Aquatic park on the Lac des Ecoles which features floating trampolines, a human catapult, water slides and plenty more!

Electric motorbike trails for children at Mountain Park offer an exhilarating and eco-friendly activity for your young ones! Aged 5-14.

Trail running

As the sport of trail running is becoming more and more popular, look no further than Les Gets for the best mountain running in Europe. Home to the UTMB, a 100 mile race around Mont Blanc, the Alps are a hotbed of distance running.

photo: Les Gets Portes du Soleil

Stay with Chalets1066

Chalets1066 offers self-catered chalets and apartments with a range of optional hotel services. Their staff is always available to help organise activities such as white water rafting, and paragliding. Chalets1066 manage a range of properties ranging from good family value apartments to luxurious chalets.

Click here for more information.

Or call: 44 (0) 207 183 5082