F is for family skiing, French Alps (Les Gets)

A short transfer, lots of blue and red runs and links with Morzine and the Portes du Soleil, and a relaxed vibe make Les Gets a family fave for us.

We loved: The Indian run and the Milka run.  (I loved – going without children)

Downsides: We are not the only British family to have made Les Gets their ski destination of choice. There are probably quieter resorts!

So here’s the thing with me and skiing. Although I love the mountainous clear air, the views and the hot chocolates, I do NOT trust ski lifts, appear to have one leg that refuses to talk to its ski, and am not naturally delighted or excited by moving fast downhill.

However, because Garry loves it and I think the kids should learn earlier than I did, I am making the effort to learn to like skiing. In fact, after a late, and nervy, start, I am finally even starting to get into the swing of swooshing (slowly) down a mountain.

It helps if it’s sunny.  It also helps, I’ve learned, if the snow is the perfect Goldilocks-like balance of not too icy and not too slushy.  Lift queues should be non existent or very short. Most of all, I much prefer not to be in charge of small people.

My solution? Go without children, out of peak season in the middle of March. Years of research confirms that this is the best and only way to get maximum enjoyment from a ski holiday, so for the last four years Garry and I have split a week in an apartment; he and some friends get 3 or 4 days skiing, me and some friends get 3 or 4 days skiing, and sometimes we even get a day together in the middle.

I should say that we have also been to Les Gets with the children, several times, including this year in April, and it does work as a family destination too.  We’ve used a range of ski schools (we tend to prefer the smaller groups and perfect English speaking of Bass or Snow Institute) and the beginners’ area with the Indian run and the Milka run have been popular, as have the ice rink and the activities in the square.

Les Gets has worked for us. Lots of blues and red runs, plenty of lifts and links to Morzine and further into the Portes du Soleil ski area means there does seem to be something for everyone, the town itself has a friendly family vibe and we’ve found a handful of places with a good combination of decent food and a buzzy atmosphere.

The only downside is it’s full of Brits who agree that it’s a great place to be!

Top tips:
1.  Make sure you have Easyjet Speedy Boarding to get out of Geneva airport on a Saturday afternoon or evening!
2. For lovely food up the mountain book Altitude Lodge or La Paika
3.  Ski hire shops like Skimium will store your skis, boots and poles for you – and they’re right next to the telecabine.

We stayed at: Les Fermes Emiguys apartments but have also briefly stayed at Boomerang and Marmottes hotels
We flew with: Easyjet, Bristol to Geneva
We used Holiday Autos for our car hire, and also Powdercab for our transfers
We ate at: Altitude Lodge, Boomerang Restaurant, The George (tasting plates and cocktails, mainly), La Paika (delish!) and the new Biskatcha restaurant.